The Durable Purim - Mar 10, 2022 - The Talmud Yerushalmi, expanded by the Rambam, say that Megillat Esther and Purim will endure in the time of Mashiach. Multiple explanations for why these are uniquely suited to survive.

Jews and Food, Week 5a: Kosher Food, Part 2 - Mar 9, 2022 - A review of many approaches to the benefits of "keeping kosher" - from connection with Gd to health to spirituality to symbolism, and more. Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

Jews and Food, Week 5b: Vegetarianism - Mar 9, 2022 - A too-quick run through some major points. The issue of cruelty to animals, balanced against necessity. The Torah's description of human beings as initially vegetarian. Rav Kook on vegetarianism as an ideal not to be embraced too early. Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

Gratitude: A Shiur 50 Years in the Making - Mar 8, 2022 - Why didn't Chizkiyahu sing when Hashem destroyed the Assyrian invasion? And why was that enough to disqualify such a wonderful candidate for the role of Mashiach? Lessons I've learned about gratitude, as I turn fifty.

King Solomon's Arc #21: Promises Fulfilled / The Wisdom of Solomon - Mar 8, 2022 - Hashem provides Shlomo and the Jews with prosperity and peace and territorial expansion - but Shlomo's surplus of horses may be a warning sign. And beginning to discuss the range of Shlomo's wisdom, as described in Perek 5.

Legal Ethics: Ethical Competition for Clients - Mar 7, 2022 - Three issues: (1) Weighing the importance of enabling a client to choose counsel vs the needs of society; (2) Pursuing (scooping) a client away from another professional; (3) Taking advantage of a potential client's moment of vulnerability to solicit them.

Shemuel #123 - Chapter 24:8-22 - Shaul Admits Everything - Mar 3, 2022 - Dovid pleads with Shaul as though coming from an inferior position - and Shaul is moved by it. Shaul admits that he knows Dovid will be king, but when did he find out? And review questions for Perek 24.

Jews and Food, Week 4a: The Foods of Shabbat and Yom Tov, Part 2 - Mar 2, 2022 - Concluding the discussion of wine and kiddush, and then discussing the significance (spiritual and cultural) of fish, soup, kugel and chulent/hamin. Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

Jews and Food, Week 4b: Kosher Food - Mar 2, 2022 - Why is some food permitted and some food prohibited? Starting on some explanations, including a brief discussion of shechitah and humane slaughter. Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

King Solomon's Arc #20b: Promises Fulfilled - Mar 1, 2022 - Divine promises are fulfilled, with a land stretching to the Euphrates - without ever fighting a war!