The Extent of Empathy - Oct 31, 2019 - The lesson of Bereishit Rabbah 31:17 from the separation of the men and women of Noach's family on the boat: Separating spouses in a time of destruction. One reason is empathy with those who suffer. But where does this apply, and what are its limits?

Shemuel #40 - 13:1-3: Introducing Shaul's War with the Plishtim - Oct 31, 2019 - Summary of Chapter 12. Then: How long did Shaul reign, before the division of the army and in general? Why does a midrash read 13:1 as saying he was only 1 year old now?

Yeshayah, Week 33: 21:11-17 - Duma and Arav - Oct 29, 2019 - Two predictions: The Fall of Duma, and the Fall of Arav. But is that really what this section is about? (Warning: A bit dry)

Shoftim 4:12-24 - War with Canaan, The Rise of Yael - Oct 29, 2019 - The war with Canaan, Sisera's flight, and Yael's strategy.

Why didn't the Jews panic? - Oct 4, 2019 - A quick dvar torah for Parshat Vayelech: Why didn't the Jews panic when Moshe died, as they panicked when he disappeared on Har Sinai? Two answers.

Bava Metzia Perek 6: Taromet, Part 3 - Sep 27, 2019 - How is תרעומת implemented, and why? Is there a financial obligation associated with תרעומת and מחוסר אמנה? Can a verbal commitment trigger a kinyan? Does a change in the financial environment diminish the obligation to honour a verbal commitment?

Collective Responsibility (Parshat Netzavim) - Sep 27, 2019 - Four approaches to justifying arevut - the doctrine of collective responsibility - as expressed in Parshat Netzavim.

Shoftim 4:4-11 - Devorah, Barak and Chever - Sep 24, 2019 - Devorah's identity (and arboreal selection), Barak's reluctance, and Chever's move

Yeshayah, Week 32: 21:1-10 - Babylon in Ruins, Again? - Sep 24, 2019 - Yeshayah has a second vision of the fall of Bavel, apparently - but why? And how does this connect with Chavakuk, and the start of Bavel's fall in the fifth chapter of Daniel?

S. Y. Agnon's BaDerech: The Selichot Journey - Sep 22, 2019 - Why did S. Y. Agnon place his story of survivors at the time of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, instead of Tisha b'Av? A basic message about the path of teshuvah.