Ruth, Week 12: Kri and Ktiv - Jun 15, 2021 - What was the significance of the gift of "six barleys" that Boaz gave to Ruth? And why does Megillat Ruth have so many 'manuscript issues' - words that are missing but recited, words that are written but not recited, etc.?

Ketuvot 9b - The Military Get: Modern Applications - Jun 13, 2021 - Rav Herzog's attempt to implement Shaul/Dovid's military get for the modern IDF; use of the concept in the Tripartite Agreement prenup; the halachic force of a man's statement that he did not find betulim

Shedding Tears for Moav - Jun 13, 2021 - Why does the Torah record the story of Bilam's failed attempt to curse the Jews? And why did Yeshayahu and Yirmiyahu call for us to cry for Moav? A lesson in the nature of our prophets, and a call for compassion.

Shemitah: Aiding and Abetting Sin 2: Limits of Teliyah; Assistance Available Elsewhere - Jun 11, 2021 - Re Lifnei iver and Mesayeia: Am I able to make unrealistic assumptions about how someone will use my help, to argue that my help will not lead to sin? And is my assistance problematic if the other party could sin without my help?

Korach's Complaint and System Racism - Jun 10, 2021 - In contrast with the events of the Slav, Meraglim, Bnot Moav and Ba'al Pe'or, with Korach Hashem is more patient and attempts to educate the Jews. Why was there a different reaction here? Because although Korach was wrong about Moshe and Aharon, there could be room to complain about systemic bias in Judaism, and this is something about which we need to be careful.

Shemuel #100 - Chapter 20:18-23 - Yehonatan's Plan: A Deeper Read - Jun 10, 2021 - Why use נער and עלם? Then: Looking at Yonatan's use of the arrows not as a practical sign, but as a means of permissible nichush, demonstrating that Hashem is with him in his advice to Dovid. And more Yosef/Dovid comparisons.

Giants of Sephardic Jewry, Week 2b: Ramban (Nachmanides) - Jun 9, 2021 - Introducing Rabbi Moshe bar Nachman, and the Jews of 13th century Christian Spain. Brief biography. Geared toward a group including people who lack a strong background in Torah text study.

Giants of Sephardic Jewry, Week 2a: Shemuel haNagid - Jun 9, 2021 - Wrapping up our study of Shemuel haNagid - looking at his Jewish scholarship, and his status as a general. Geared toward a group including people who lack a strong background in Torah text study.

Ruth, Week 11: Eishet Chayil / Six Barleys - Jun 8, 2021 - (How) did Boaz's reaction thwart Naomi's plan? What is the meaning of the term 'chayil' as it applies to Ruth and Boaz, and beyond? Why did Boaz give Ruth "six barleys"?

Ketuvot 9a - What Prohibits Husband and Wife? - Jun 6, 2021 - What sort of event/claim/evidence does Rabbi Elazar believe could separate husband and wife halachically?