Kabbalists of Safed 1: Rabbi Yosef Karo - Dec 2, 2020 - Introduction: Why did mystically minded Jews come to Tzfat in the 16th century? And presented Rabbi Yosef Karo as a halachic authority. Geared toward an audience including people without strong background in Torah text study.

Shoftim 18:27-31 - Burning down the House? Moshe's Grandson? - Dec 1, 2020 - Why did Dan burn down Layish? Why do we emphasize that they renamed it for the original Dan? And how does the gemara deduce that the Levi in our story is Moshe's grandson?

Esther, Week 7: The Palace Gate; Daniel's Seeds; Haman's Rise - Dec 1, 2020 - What is the significance of Mordechai sitting at the palace gate? Why do we link Esther and Daniel re eating seeds in the palace, and for the practice of eating seeds on Purim? And why did Achashverosh elevate Haman in this way?

Ketuvot 4b-5a - Sleeping apart, and Motzaei Shabbat weddings - Nov 29, 2020 - Wrapping up final items re the discussion of bereaved newlyweds, and asking why a Motzaei Shabbat wedding would be prohibited.

Tefillah 7: Write in your siddur, Part 3 of 3 - Nov 26, 2020 - An outline of different types of helpful markings one might make in a siddur, with some examples.

Shemuel #78 - 17:48-52 - David Defeats Goliath - How? - Nov 26, 2020 - Expanding from last week's look at Malcolm Gladwell on David and Goliath, we ask whether commentators saw any natural component on the way David defeated Goliath. And we see the connection between Goliath's helmet and the blade used for circumcision.

Shoftim 18:7-26 - Jews vs. Tzidonim; Dan Raids Michah - Nov 24, 2020 - The contrast between Jews and Tzidonim; Dan raids Michah, and the Levi goes along with it

Esther, Week 6: An Intentional Queen? Marduk and Ishtar? - Nov 24, 2020 - Chapter 2 sets up the Jews as a nation in exile. Do Esther and Mordechai want her to become queen? Why do they conceal her heritage? Why do Mordechai and Esther have the names Marduk and Ishtar, which are Mesopotamian (Babylonian/Assyrian) gods?

Legal Ethics: Bankruptcy and the Jewish Client - Nov 23, 2020 - A too-fast session on bankruptcy from the perspective of Jewish thought and law. A little at the end regarding bankruptcy and COVID.

Ketuvot 4a-b - Sleeping apart - Nov 22, 2020 - When do we say that a couple who are prohibited to each other must sleep with other people to prevent impropriety, and when not?