Ketuvot 5a-b - Why does the day of the week matter? And fingers - Jan 10, 2021 - Why does the presentation of a berachah on Thursday of Creation affect that day of the week now? And why isn't that nichush (augury)? And what do we learn from the gemara regarding the shape of our fingers?

Shemitah: Permitted Agricultural Work, Part 1 - Jan 8, 2021 - Which melachot are permitted as non-עבודה שבשדה ושבכרם, and under what circumstances? What do we permit due to loss?

Moshe and the Problem of Pure Leaders - Jan 7, 2021 - Per a midrash, Moshe identifies lashon hara (harmful speech) as the source of the Jews' enslavement. Is that a historical statement about Yosef and his brothers? Or is it a statement about the way that people misinterpret the good deeds of others based on their own flaws, demonstrating their own impurity?

Shemuel #82 - Introduction to Chapter 18 - Jan 7, 2021 - Themes in Chapter 18, and three introductory elements: Shaul's decline; The love of King David; Rebellion against parents in Tanach

Shoftim 19:16-29 - Murder of the Pilegesh - Jan 5, 2021 - The figure of the old man who takes in guests in Givah. The parallels with Sdom. Why didn't G-d destroy Givah?

Esther, Week 10: Haman's Pitch, Esther's Refusal - Jan 5, 2021 - How did Haman deceive Achashverosh regarding his plan, according to Malbim? Why did Esther initially refuse to go to Achashverosh? And a review of Chapters 1-3.

Shemitah: Otzar Beit Din, Part 2 of 2 - Jan 3, 2021 - Second of two shiurim explaining Otzar Beis Din. Review of Part 1, followed by: Which costs may Beit Din pass along to the consumer? Is there a cap on the price charged? What are the rules regarding marketing the produce in stores? Are there restrictions on handling the produce?

Ketuvot 5a - Bar Kappara's Lessons - Jan 3, 2021 - Preference for marriage on the days of particular biblical blessings; Creating the righteous is greater than creating Heaven and Earth

Shemitah: Otzar Beit Din, Part 1 - Jan 1, 2021 - First of two shiurim on the Otzar Beit Din method of harvesting and distributing tree fruit (and some wild herbs) for popular use during shemitah. Sources for the concept, challenges to its legitimacy, analysis of why (and whether) Beit Din holds special powers, and applications of that regarding hiring the farmer, guarding the produce and determining who qualifies for the Beit Din.

Book of Healing: The Humbling of King Chizkiyahu - Dec 27, 2020 - Part of a "Yom Iyun" day-long program on Tanach: Book of Illness and Healing. What caused a split between Yeshayahu and Chizkiyahu? And why did G-d strike the man who could have been Mashiach? And what can we learn from this story for illness today? (Way too fast, I know.)