King Solomon's Arc #20a: Shlomo's Government - Mar 1, 2022 - More on Elichoref; the roles of the twelve officers, and the joy of the Jews

Shemuel #122 - Chapter 24:3-22 - Role Reversal - Feb 24, 2022 - Dovid appeals to Shaul, saying he never intended to harm Shaul, that Hashem will judge between them, and that it is beneath Shaul to pursue him. What is the "mishal hakadmoni"?

Jews and Food, Week 3b: The Foods of Shabbat and Yom Tov, Part 1 - Feb 23, 2022 - The message of Shabbat meals, as well as those of Yom Tov. Specific aspects of Kiddush and Challah. Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

Jews and Food, Week 3a: Blessings on Food, Part 2 - Feb 23, 2022 - A quick wrap-up of issues related to blessings before/after eating. Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

King Solomon's Arc #19: Chapter 4:1-6 King Solomon's Government - Feb 22, 2022 - Why do we name Shlomo's bureaucrats? Why is Evyatar still here? And what is behind the talmudic story about Elichoref and Achiyah in Luz? Plus: Abarbanel on government positions.

Bava Batra Perek 2 #6: Grama and Garmi, Part 2 - Feb 18, 2022 - Why would one be patur for grama and chayav for garmi? Presenting a range of views, with some practical differences between them.

Shemuel #121 - Chapter 24:3-7 - Shaul's Tzniut, David's Cut - Feb 17, 2022 - Why does the text tell us that Shaul was using the washroom? Why did Dovid rebuke his men? And why did Dovid choose to cut Shaul's tunic?

Jews and Food, Week 2b: Blessing on Food, Part 1 - Feb 16, 2022 - The value of berachot on food as creating a mindset of eating as religious experience, imposing the ethical over the instinctive as in Gan Eden. A berachah makes us worthy of the food Hashem gave us in Gan Eden. Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

Jews and Food, Week 2a: The Foods of Eden, Part 2 - Feb 16, 2022 - Part of a planned 5-part series. Was the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil the first fruit in Gan Eden? Eating as an elevating or degrading experience, and imposing the ethical over the animal-instinctive. Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

King Solomon's Arc #18: 3:16-28 - Shlomo and the Two Women - Feb 15, 2022 - How did Shlomo determine who was the real mother? Multiple approaches, and takeaways from the story.