Ketuvot b'iyun #2 Part 3: Segregated Sleeping - Nov 5, 2022 - Do we make use of the logic behind the requirement of segregated sleeping for bereaved newlyweds, or for newlyweds when the wife is a niddah, to include additional cases which fit the logic, or to exclude cases that are excluded by the logic?

Ketuvot b'iyun #2 Part 2: Onein and tashmish hamitah; Segregated sleeping - Nov 4, 2022 - Is an onein allowed to have sexual relations, or is it only permitted for the couple's first relations? What are the specifics of the arrangement in which bereaved newlyweds sleep separately? What is the logic behind this requirement of segregated sleeping?

Parshah Questions: Lech Lecha 5783: Lessons of the First World War - Nov 3, 2022 - A quick look at questions on the parshah. Parshat Lech Lecha: Why does the Torah spend so much time introducing the history of the wars of the four kings vs the five kings? Three approaches.

Giants Of #5: Halachot Pesukot, Halachot Gedolot, Seder Rav Amram Gaon - Nov 3, 2022 - A little bit about the origins of Halachos Pesukos, Halachos Gedolos, and the Siddur of Rav Amram Gaon. Who wrote them, and why? Note: The history is more overview than granular, and certainly not academic.

Shemuel #141 - Chapter 28:3-6 - Does Ov Work? / Shaul's Fear - Nov 3, 2022 - Concluding our look at Ov - does it actually work, and why does the Torah prohibit it? And then exploring Shaul's fear, the second reference to Shemuel's death, and Shaul's anti-necromancy campaign.

Jews and Clothes #1: The Jewishness of the Fashion Industry - Nov 2, 2022 - Is there "Jewish Clothing"? The difference between "Jews and Clothes" and "Jewish Clothes". A history of Jews in the garment business, and a look at what makes clothing "Jewish". Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

Shir haShirim 4b: Rashi's explanation, Part 1 - Nov 1, 2022 - Rashi's approach to Shir haShirim: King Solomon's narrative recording the history of the Jewish nation's relationship with Hashem, from the good times to the bad times to a prediction of redemption. And Rashi's commentary on the language of the surface metaphor, and his harnessing of midrashim.

Shir haShirim 4a: Midrash Shir haShirim Rabbah, Part 2 - Nov 1, 2022 - What is the goal of Shir haShirim Rabbah? Dr. Tamar Kadari's read of Shir haShirim Rabbah as a polemic against Christian belief in supersessionism, promoting the loving relationship between Hashem and the Jews, the value of rabbinic teaching, and the future geulah, and eliminating anything derogatory about the Jews.

Legal Ethics: Jewish Families and Family Law Litigation, Part 2 - Oct 31, 2022 - Three issues: (1) Pursuing one's ex-spouse for payment of an acknowledged obligation, in the secular Family Responsibility Office; (2) Determining custody of a nine-year old boy; (3) Managing medical decisions where the parents disagree, and the child sides with one of them.

Ketuvot b'iyun #2 Part 1: What is be'ilat mitzvah, and what is its role? - Oct 28, 2022 - The gemara says that in the event of the loss of certain parents right before the wedding, the couple engages in be'ilat mitzvah, separates, buries the parent, and then observes the 7 days of mishteh before 7 days of avelus. What is the mitzvah in "be'ilat mitzvah", and how does it relate to the 7 days of mishteh?