Zachor: Why Did Shaul Spare Agag? - Mar 5, 2020 - In the war against Amalek, why did Shaul spare Agag, and why didn't Shemuel criticize him for it? And why did Shemuel demand to kill Agag himself - and only after delivering a speech?

Shemuel #56 - 15:16-23 - Shemuel Rebukes Shaul - Mar 5, 2020 - Shaul's second defense for his actions, and the verdict from G-d. Does Shaul think he was wrong regarding the spoils, and regarding Agag? And how is this dethroning different from the dethroning in Chapter 13?

Shoftim 11:1-13 - Yiftach Negotiates - Mar 3, 2020 - Untangling the different offers made to Yiftach, and demanded by him, for leading the Jews. And starting to see his efforts at diplomacy with Amon.

Yeshayah, Week 49a: Chapters 34-35 - Wrap-up - Mar 3, 2020 - Some interesting passages and images from Chapters 34-35, including the future disappearance of dangerous animals from Israel, and the healing of those who are ill.

Yeshayah, Week 49b: Chapters 36-37 - Background on the Assyrian Invasion - Mar 3, 2020 - A bit of historical background on the Assyrians, and King Chizkiyahu. Comparing accounts in Melachim II, Yeshayah and Divrei HaYamim. What is the goal of including this narrative in Yeshayah?

The Book of Achashverosh - Mar 1, 2020 - Highlighting the lack of progress in the figure of Achashverosh from Chapter 1 to Chapter 10 in Megilat Esther. How should we respond to our need for respect and security, so that we grow?

Bava Metzia Perek 6: Deviating from the expected use - Review - Feb 28, 2020 - Chazarah shiur summing up a three-part shiur on using rented or donated items in a way that does not fit the intent of the owner.

What Makes a Mishkan Breaks a Shabbat - Feb 27, 2020 - Why are the tasks of creating the Mishkan the actions which are prohibited on Shabbos? Why wouldn't Hashem love those actions? The roles of לעבדה and לשמרה in Gan Eden, reflected in melachah and shevitah (tzimtzum).

Shemuel #55 - 15:12-19 - What were Shaul and the nation thinking? - Feb 27, 2020 - Were Shaul and the nation sincerely and altruistically acting for Gd, in sparing the animals and Agag? And why spare Agag, anyway?

Kosher Kops 4b: Imprisonment - Feb 26, 2020 - When is prison prescribed by the Torah, or implemented extra-biblically by courts? Why isn't jail part of the Torah's standard system of punishments? Geared toward a group including people without extensive background in Torah text study.