Chanukah's Dual War on Aristocracy - Dec 10, 2020 - The historical war against Hellenized aristocrats, and the philosophical war against emphasis on yichus when dedicating a Sanctuary to Hashem.

Shemuel #80 - 17:52-58 - Shaul doesn't know David? - Dec 10, 2020 - Why does Shaul ask Avner about David's lineage? Recap of two explanations from last week, followed by four more approaches.

Kabbalists of Safed 2: Rabbi Karo as Mystic - Dec 9, 2020 - Rabbi Yosef Karo as a Mystic, adding a little about the issue of asceticism in Judaism. Geared toward an audience including people without strong background in Torah text study.

Shoftim 18:30-31 - Moshe's Grandson? - Dec 8, 2020 - A few sources which may shed light on how Moshe's grandson could become a priest for (quasi-)idolatry, and what we are meant to learn from the story.

Shoftim 19 - Introduction - Dec 8, 2020 - Links between Pesel Michah (Shoftim 17-18) and Pilegesh b'Givah (Shoftim 19-21); their placement at the end of the book; and the nature of a pilegesh

Esther, Week 8: Who is Haman? Why won't Mordechai bow? - Dec 8, 2020 - Theories for Haman's backstory, and the Avodah Zarah approach(es) to Mordechai's refusal to bow.

Maoz Tzur: More than Rock of Ages - Dec 6, 2020 - The role of our songs on Chanukah, helping us process the miracle - and three ways Maoz Tzur enables us to do that.

Ketuvot 5a - Weddings on Motzaei Shabbat, and Wednesday Rules - Dec 6, 2020 - Concern for shechting on Shabbat on behalf of a Saturday night wedding, or for the meal before Yom Kippur on Sunday. And may a newlywed couple have initial relations during the day on Wednesday?

Tefillah 8: Elokai, Neshamah - Dec 3, 2020 - Why might we place this berachah/tefillah after Asher Yatzar - for technical reasons, as well as for the sake of its message? What does each listed benefit from Gd represent? And what added mussar can we take from it?

Shemuel #79 - 17:52-58 - The Aftermath, Part 1 - Dec 3, 2020 - Where, when, how and why did David dispose of Goliath's head and equipment? And the start of a big discussion: Do Shaul and Avner really not know who David is, or who David's father is?