Does the Artificial Uterus Change the Halachic Definition of Maternity? - Feb 16, 2019 - Outlining three approaches to defining maternity in cases of IVF with separate egg donors and gestational mothers, and a look at whether the possibility of an artificial gestation environment would change those approaches.

Three Roles of the Choshen "Mishpat" - Feb 14, 2019 - The roles of the Kohen Gadol's unique garments, and especially the Choshen Mishpat and its Urim v'Tummim. Choshen "Mishpat" mirroring three roles of the Kohen Gadol - tefillah regaridng Hashem's judgment of the Jews; educator of justice for the Jews; nevuah conveying Hashem's guidance for the Jews. And a Gan Eden connection.

Shemuel #23b - 8:1-2 - Is Monarchy Ideal? Introducing the Request - Feb 14, 2019 - How do we understand the mitzvah of monarchy, given the Torah's ambiguous presentation and the failures of so many kings? And starting on Shemuel's empowerment of his sons.

Shemuel #23a - 7:13-17 - The Legacy of Shemuel's Reform - Feb 14, 2019 - Wrapping up the seventh chapter: Peace in the land and strong leadership from Shemuel.

Medical Ethics: Mental Health and Mitzvot - Feb 11, 2019 - How can Halachah take Mental Health into consideration, when so much of the scientific understanding is new?; Mental Illness as a form of makkah shel challal; The four impacts of mental illness and emotional disorders which halachah considers: (1) threat to life; (2) great burdens of pain and stress; (3) incapacity for mitzvot; (4) prevention of future mitzvot. Not psak, not medical advice.

What Makes a Mishkan, Breaks a Shabbat? - Feb 10, 2019 - What can we learn from the fact that the melachot we used to create the Mishkan are the acts we may not perform on Shabbat? Two aspects of human activity, and the role of tzimtzum.

Keruvim: Legalized Idolatry?? - Feb 7, 2019 - What do the Keruvim look like? And what benefit would justify risking the appearance of idolatry by placing gold statues of oxen, people or anything else in the Kodesh Kodashim in the Mishkan and Beit haMikdash?

Shemuel #22 - 7:3-12 - Reform, Prayer, War - Feb 7, 2019 - Shemuel leads the Jews in a national return to G-d, with a curious ritual involving pouring water on the ground. The Plishtim attack, and G-d responds to Shemuel's prayer, and unique korban, by defending us. What was the reason for this odd korban?

Yeshayah, Week 15: 9:1-10:4 - Mashiach Chizkiyahu; The Four-Step Fall of Yisrael - Feb 5, 2019 - The prediction in Yeshayah 9:1-6 that Chizkiyahu will be Mashiach, and the four-step prediction in Yeshayah 9:7-10:4 of the fall of Yisrael, punctuated with the words "G-d's arm remains outstretched."

Freedom for an Eye, Freedom for a Tooth - Feb 1, 2019 - Why does the Torah free a non-Jewish eved for loss of an eye or tooth, but not a Jewish eved? Three approaches, and a thought on the nature of Jewish slavery in general.