Anochi and Emunah, Then and Now (Part 2) - Jan 31, 2019 - If "Anochi Hashem Elokecha" is a mitzvah, what beliefs are included? Does it include Bitachon? And does it require certainty? Looking at the pasuk as addressing that generation, as well as future generations. Part one is available at https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/916242/.

Shemuel #21b - Chapter 7 - What does Utopia look like? - Jan 31, 2019 - The seventh perek of Shemuel describes the Jews at one of their peaks - returning to Gd, and receiving Divine support against their foes. How does this scene fit into the bigger picture of what "success" is supposed to look like for the Jewish nation?

Shemuel #21a - 7:2 - Shemuel's Age - Jan 31, 2019 - How long did Shemuel live? Built around the gemara and midrash on one hand, and the comments of Ralbag and Abarbanel on the other, regarding when Eli became shofeit and how long the Aron stood in Kiryat Yearim. And a key note by Abarbanel re: Seder Olam.

The Strange Story of Daniel 4: The First Vision - Jan 30, 2019 - Fourth in a four-week mini-series on the odd stories in the Book of Daniel, and their impact on Judaism through the ages. Looking at Chapter 7 - The first of Daniel's visions of future empires and the arrival of Mashiach. Geared toward a group including people lacking strong background in Torah text study.

Balancing Anxiety and Emunah - Jan 28, 2019 - What are the "Bitachon" and "Emunah" required by the Torah? How should a person who experiences anxiety and cannot handle uncertainty 1) deal with the duty of bitachon, and 2) deal with the demands of emunah?

Anochi and Emunah, Then and Now (Part 1) - Jan 24, 2019 - Is "Anochi Hashem Elokecha" a mitzvah? Textual and philosophical objections, and responses to the objections. Looking at the pasuk as addressing that generation, as well as future generations. Part two next week, Gd-willing, on which beliefs are included in Anochi, and whether certainty is required.

Shemuel #20 - 6:19-7:2 - Kiryat Yearim for 20 Years? - Jan 24, 2019 - What was special about Kiryat Yearim, and why were they not afraid to take the Aron? And matters of chronology: When exactly were these 20 years? How long did Shemuel live?

The Strange Story of Daniel 3: The Writing on the Wall - Jan 23, 2019 - Third in a four-week mini-series on the odd stories in the Book of Daniel, and their impact on Judaism through the ages. Looking at Chapter 5 - Belshazzar's feast, the writing on the wall, and a lesson regarding what to respect and what to reject. Geared toward a group including people lacking strong background in Torah text study.

Yeshayah, Week 14: 8:5-9:6 - Trust G-d; Yisrael will fall, Yehudah will be saved - Jan 22, 2019 - The "water" prophecy warning to refrain from alliances in the face of northern hostility and the Assyrian invasion; prediction of desolation for the North, and possibly the South; Achaz's course of action; a prediction of Mashiach/Chizkiyah.

Davening for the Terminally Ill - Jan 21, 2019 - What's wrong with "tefillat shav"? May one daven for those who are terminally ill? How do we view prayer for the chronically ill? May one pray for a suffering person to die? Core issue: What is tefillah about?