Ketuvot 7b-8a - Birchat Eirusin and Sheva Berachot - Apr 18, 2021 - A couple of nuances in the berachah recited with Kiddushin, and Rashi's explanation of the role of each of the sheva berachot recited under the chuppah.

Shemitah: Which Plants? 1 - Mushrooms, Retting, Laundry and Dyes - Apr 16, 2021 - Which plants are subject to the laws of shemitah? 1) The requirement that the plant be nourished from the ground, and 2) the requirement that the benefit from the product be simultaneous with its destruction, as occurs in eating.

Shemuel #93 - Chapter 19:14-21 - Michal and Shemuel Choose Sides? - Apr 15, 2021 - Michal saves Dovid's life - but she doesn't with him? And why does Dovid go to Shemuel, and why is Shemuel unaware of what has been happening?

Ruth, Week 4: The Sins of Elimelech/Naomi's Family, continued - Apr 13, 2021 - Looking at the idea that Elimelech and Naomi's family fled Beit Lechem to abandon the Jews, and the idea that Machlon and Kilyon intermarried. More next week - is the problem the marriage to Moav?

Cooperating with a Lockdown: A Halachic Perspective - Apr 12, 2021 - Ontario has entered its third lockdown, and Toronto is closing schools again. What does Halachah say about cooperating with a lockdown order?

Ketuvot 7b - Early Yichud in Yehudah, Birchat Eirusin - Apr 11, 2021 - Why did they isolate a chatan and kallah together after kiddushin in Yehudah? And what the nature of birchat eirusin?

Shemuel #92 - 19:11-17 - Whom will Michal choose? - Apr 8, 2021 - Shaul's men surround the home of Michal and Dovid, and Michal elects to help Dovid to escape, using terafim and kevir izim. What was Shaul's plan? And what are these entities Michal uses to save Dovid?

Ruth, Week 3: The Sins of Elimelech's Family - Apr 6, 2021 - Was the famine a Divine betrayal of the Jews, or a neutral event, or a punishment? And then the big question: What did Elimelech's family do wrong?

Ketuvot 7b - Needing ten for sheva berachot - Mar 21, 2021 - Sheva berachot as birchot shevach v'hodaah. Why do we need ten? How do we know we need ten?

Two Seder Thoughts: Lavan's Impact; A Tale of Two Kings - Mar 18, 2021 - 1. How did Lavan's actions lead to our descent to Egypt?

2. Why does being full for the korban pesach require that we eat a korban chagigah first? Eat anything!