Parshah Questions: Noach 5783 - Oct 27, 2022 - A quick look at questions on the parshah. Parshat Noach: How could a midrash say that Noach lacked emunah? And why didn't Noach appeal to Hashem to prevent the Flood? Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev's approach in Kedushat Levi.

Giants Of #4: Rav Achai (Gaon) and the Sheiltot, Part 2 - Oct 27, 2022 - Why did Rav Achai make aliyah? And why did he write the Sheiltot? And a Sheilta for Parshat Noach. Note: The history is more overview than granular, and certainly not academic.

Shemuel #140 - Chapter 28:1-2 - Dovid and Achish / What is an Ov? - Oct 27, 2022 - A summary of Chapter 27. And: Did King Achish of the Plishtim trust Dovid? And what is an Ov?

Shir haShirim 3: Midrash Shir haShirim Rabbah, Part 1 - Oct 25, 2022 - How does Shir haShirim Rabbah perceive Shir haShirim? Why was it compiled - what is the goal of this sefer of midrash?

Parshah Questions: Vayelech 5782 - Sep 29, 2022 - A quick look at questions on the parshah. Parshat Vayelech: Why do we bring the children to Hakhel?

Giants Of #3: Rav Hai Gaon on Shofar / Who is Rav Achai? - Sep 29, 2022 - What Rav Hai Gaon said to explain our Teruah, and our Masorah / Introduction to Rav Achai (Gaon), author of the Sheiltot. Note: The history is more overview than granular, and certainly not academic.

Shir haShirim 1: Introduction, Part 2 - Sep 20, 2022 - Wrapping up our introduction: How did our Sages deal with the graphic love language and the apparently secular themes of the Megillah, when they decided to include it in Tanach?

Guilt, King David and Us - Sep 19, 2022 - The expectation that a king will not have an ego, demonstrated by Dovid haMelech regarding Nov as he takes the blame for the massacre, and in numerous other places in his career. An important idea as we approach Selichot and the Yamim Noraim.

Defying Gravity, Like Moshe - Sep 18, 2022 - Explaining an idea from Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik in his essay שליחות, on the two צלם אלקים missions of a human being - to act, and to introspect - as applied to Moshe's ability to carry the blank luchot up the mountain, but not to carry them down.

Shemuel #139 - Chapter 27:7-12 - Dovid's Secret Wars - Sep 15, 2022 - For personal survival and/or national survival, Dovid attacks Amalek, Gezer (or Grizim) and Geshur while based with the Plishtim. How did this provide survival? Where did this tribe of Amalek come from? And how would Geshur come back to bite Dovid?