King Solomon's Arc #8: Lethal Instructions, Chesed for Barzilai, Adoniyahu's Claim - Nov 23, 2021 - Why didn't Dovid kill Avner and Shimi, and why did he have Shlomo do it? Why is the chesed of and for Barzilai important? And what was Adoniyahu trying to do?

Medical Ethics: Mental Health and the Role of Communal Institutions - Nov 21, 2021 - A brief presentation at Limmud Toronto on the communal aspect of the mitzvah of chesed, and how it may apply to our Jewish community institutions as we seek to bolster mental health and to help people who are dealing with mental illness.

Shemuel #111 - Chapter 22:6-10 - Shaul is Overwrought - Nov 18, 2021 - What is the significance of Shaul being "under an eshel in Ramah" in Givah? Does it connect to Avraham's eshel? And how does Doeg use his words to indict Achimelech?

The House that David Built 2b: The Schism of Rechavam, Part 1 - Nov 10, 2021 - Who was Rechavam, and how did his actions lead to a national schism between Yehudah and Yisrael? And was this a new faultline? Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

The House that David Built 2a: The Wisdom of Solomon, Part 2 - Nov 17, 2021 - The story of Shlomo and the zonot - where is the brilliance in this story? And what was the nature of Shlomo's wisdom, and how did it lead him astray? Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

King Solomon's Arc #7: King David's Instructions - Nov 16, 2021 - Dovid's attempt to frame Shlomo's reign; Is Shlomo's reign (or that of the house of David in general) conditional?; Dovid, Yoav and Shimi

Shemuel #110 - Chapter 22:1-5 - Safety with Moav? Gad's Reassurance - Nov 11, 2021 - Why did Dovid trust Moav to protect his parents, and how did it turn out? Why was it important for Gad to bring a prophecy to Dovid to relocate - even at the cost of leading to the massacre of Nov?

The House that David Built 1: The Wisdom of Solomon, Part 1 - Nov 10, 2021 - The story of Shlomo and the zonot - where is the brilliance in this story? And exploring the origin and nature of Shlomo's special wisdom, on the way to explaining that story. Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

King Solomon's Arc #6 Part 1: Shlomo Handles Adoniyahu - Nov 9, 2021 - Why did Shlomo think he would be safe at the altar? Claiming Sanctuary. Shlomo asserts control. Takeaways from the first chapter.

King Solomon's Arc #6, Part 2: David's Last Instructions, Who is Yoav? - Nov 9, 2021 - Noting the David/Yaakov parallel; introducing Yoav as part of a dangerous family, loyal general and murderer of men.