Shemuel #76 - 17:31-39 - David Convinces Shaul - Nov 12, 2020 - What were David's arguments when we tried to convince Shaul to let him fight Goliath? Why did Shaul offer David his armour - and why did David decline it?

Vaccine Ethics 4: Vaccine Challenge Trials, and Distribution - Nov 11, 2020 - Is it acceptable to intentionally expose trial participants, including placebo-taking participants, to doses of the virus? And a little on how we prioritize vaccine recipients in the distribution process. Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.

COVID Cancellations: Ethics and Law - Nov 11, 2020 - In the eyes of Halachah and Ontario Law, what happens when a pandemic prevents fulfillment of contracts, including for summer camps, property rental and employment? An introductory framework.

Shoftim 17:7-13 - Michah buys a Levi / Meet Dan - Nov 10, 2020 - Michah buys a Levi - and what that teaches us about the decline of both of them. And why is Dan invading the north? Where is their portion?

Esther, Week 4: Who is Vashti? How do we Know? - Nov 10, 2020 - How did the Talmud determine that Vashti was a Babylonian princess, and how does that help us understand the story in Esther? Who preceded Vashti in this role? And did Vashti refuse Achashverosh's summons as a villain or as a victim?

Ketuvot 3b-4a - Marrying on Monday? - Nov 8, 2020 - The gemara discusses when it might be appropriate to move up a wedding from the traditional Wednesday celebration to Monday. Weddings when the chatan or kallah is in shivah.

Shemitah and Avodat Karka #4: Watering and Plowing - Nov 6, 2020 - Last in this series on working the land during shemitah. This shiur has applications for Shabbat as well.

1: Is watering an act of sowing seeds, plowing the earth, or both? Applications include pouring out liquids that won't help plants grow, and watering areas where there are no seeds.

2: Is plowing prohibited biblically or rabbinically during shemitah? And what is the penalty for it?

Tefillah 4: Berachah #1 of the Amidah, and why we need Shem uMalchus - Nov 5, 2020 - Why must a berachah mention Gd's Name and Gd's Monarchy? And why is the latter unnecessary if the berachah follows another one?

And looking at the language of the opening berachah of shemoneh esreih.

Shemuel #75 - 17:26-30 - David's Confidence, Eliav's Rebuke - Nov 5, 2020 - 1. What gave David such confidence regarding fighting Goliath? Was it a sense of destiny?

2. Why did Eliav rebuke David so harshly - was it jealousy, or a different model of sibling relationship found in Chumash?

Vaccine Ethics 3: Compelling Risk-Taking to Aid the Community - Nov 4, 2020 - Should government compel risk-taking for the sake of aiding the community? Are individuals obligated to take risks for the sake of aiding the community? Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.