Haman Used a Lottery. Who Cares? - Feb 18, 2021 - Why did Haman keep the lottery's date, when it was to his apparent disadvantage? Why did Haman use a lottery at all, and how does this lottery fit with other biblical lotteries? And why do we name Purim for this lottery? (And how does the insight affect our understanding of Zeresh's about face?)

Shemuel #88 - 18:18-26 - Dovid Declines Meirav and Michal - Feb 18, 2021 - Dovid declines to marry Meirav and Michal, daughters of Shaul - or does he? And if so, why?

Samson, Week 3: The Nazir as Role Model - Feb 17, 2021 - Was Samson truly dedicated as a Nazir for the sake of restraint? Or might it be for the sake of being a role model of connection to G-d, at a time when that was lacking among the Jews? Geared toward a group including people who lack strong background in Torah text study.

Shoftim 21:4-12 - Maybe killing more people could solve the problem? - Feb 16, 2021 - Yavesh Gilead is subject to a death penalty for failing to join the war against Binyamin; why does that earn a death sentence? And why are the women and children killed? Is there a connection to the war with Midian?

Esther, Week 16: Of Costumes and Converts - Feb 16, 2021 - Is the practice of dressing up on Purim - in disguises or finery - related to Chapter 8 of Megillat Esther? And what does 8:17 mean when it says that many people were "mityahadim" out of fear of the Jews?

Medical Ethics/Halachah: Alternative Medicine - Feb 14, 2021 - What is "alternative" or "complementary" medicine, and does Halachah permit its use alongside conventional medical treatment? May one prescribe a treatment for its placebo effect, without disclosing to the patient that it does not have any tested medical benefits? Part 2 is at https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/989783/

Zachor: When Shemuel Executed Eichmann ימ"ש - Feb 14, 2021 - Why did Shaul spare Agag? Why did Shemuel insist on killing him personally, and with a speech?

Medical Ethics/Halachah: Alternative Medicine, Part 2 - Feb 14, 2021 - Appendix to this morning's Part 1, addressing our last two vignettes

Vashti: Villain or Victim? - Feb 11, 2021 - What was behind Achashverosh's strange request to share his wife's beauty with the commoners of Shushan on the last day of the second party? And why did she feel she could safely refuse?

Shemuel #87 - 18:17-19 - Dovid Refuses to Marry Meirav - Feb 11, 2021 - Shaul offers Meirav to Dovid - why, and how does this relate to the apparent offer recorded in Chapter 17? And why does Dovid refuse (and does he actually refuse)?