Ketuvot 2a-b: What if Oness delays the marriage? - Aug 30, 2020 - In an environment in which a man commits to support his wife once a year has elapsed from kiddushin even if the marriage is not completed with nisuin, but circumstances prevent that marriage, is he still required to support her? Side notes: (1) Why require him to prepare the wedding feast for 3 days, and why is it about her? (2) Is a wedding valid if the kallah is a niddah?

Shemitah: An Overview, Part 2 of 2 - Aug 28, 2020 - A too-quick "bird's eye view" of the issues involved in Shemitah of land, as our beit midrash is learning Shemitah this year. In this part: 1) Altered Harvesting 2) The Sanctity of Shemitah Produce

Shemitah: An Overview, Part 1 of 2 - Aug 28, 2020 - A too-quick "bird's eye view" of the issues involved in Shemitah of land, as our beit midrash is learning Shemitah this year. Beginning with a bit of philosophy, but then continuing to nuts and bolts. In this part: 1) When is Shemitah? 2) Working the Land 3) Abandoning the produce that grows

If Rosh HaShanah Davening Takes Two Hours, What Happens for the Rest of the Day? - Aug 26, 2020 - Trying to address a pressing question in the COVID era: If we aren't napping or acting in a frivolous way, what can we do after our 7 AM-9:20 AM minyan ends? What can we do with our children? Three pillars: Fasting, Feasting and Chesed.

Shoftim 15:1-12 - Betrayal and Revenge, and more Betrayal - Aug 25, 2020 - Shimshon discovers his Philistine wife has been given away, and he burns their fields with foxes and torches. The Philistines burn his wife and father-in-law, and Shimshon escalates his reprisal. Then the people of Yehudah imprison Shimshon for the Plishtim.

Ketuvot 2a: Why marry on a Wednesday? - Aug 23, 2020 - Short note on the 200 zuz of the ketubah as a year's support, followed by the beginning of the gemara on 2a. Abbreviated shiur.

Ketuvot 2a: Introduction and Mishnah - Aug 16, 2020 - Introduction to Ketuvot - useful terms and concepts. Opening mishnah; is there still a reason for a betulah to marry on Wednesday?

Kinot: Eli Tzion - Jul 30, 2020 - Brief introduction to the kinah, looking at how the kinah builds from Yoel 1:8's image of a young girl mourning for her husband, understanding Rav Soloveichik's point about this kinah as a call to mourn further and all year (as expressed in the tune), and noting the message of our added model of mourning, the woman in labour

Kamtza and Bar Kamtza - Jul 30, 2020 - A straight read of the story and its aftermath as told in the gemara traditionally learned on Tisha b'Av. With a few notes here and there.

Kaddish: Appreciating the Past, Inspiring the Future - Jul 27, 2020 - Understanding the different roles filled by Kaddish - Kaddish d'Rabbanan, Chatzi Kaddish punctuating prayer, Kaddish Titkabel after shemoneh esreih, the funeral/siyum Kaddish, and Kaddish Yatom of mourners. We express appreciation for something given to us; may that inspire our future.