Celebrating 70, Topic 5b: The Aliyah of Ethiopian Jewry - May 30, 2018 - Part 2 of 2: What is the status of Ethiopian Jewry in Jewish law, and why was their aliyah delayed until Operation Moses in 1984? Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.

Celebrating 70, Topic 6: Fallout of the Disengagement - May 30, 2018 - How did the Disengagement from Aza (Gaza) of 2005 happen, and what has been its impact on the world of Religious Zionism in the years since? [NOT discussing whether the Disengagement should/shouldn't have happened.] Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.

Nechemiah, Week 24: 10:30-35 - Contents of the Constitution - May 29, 2018 - Was Nechemiah's pact meant to reiterate biblical law, shape society, or dedicate rabbinic legislation? What was the nature of the mitzvah of shemitah in this period? And what was the nature of this 1/3 shekel donation?

Yeshayah 46: Between G-d and Idolatry - May 28, 2018 - A contrast between G-d and avodah zarah, part of a broader Yeshayah theme. Humans carry idols, G-d carries humans. G-d is not limited by distance (spatial or temporal). Also notes on Pharaoh's "heavy heart", and from Perek 47, the enslavement of Babylon vs. the redemption of the Jews.

Muktzeh: Newspapers, Part 1 - May 25, 2018 - Four reasons not to read newspapers on Shabbat, along with mitigating factors. Two theories of why a newspaper might be muktzeh - muktzeh machmat gufo, or kli shem'lachto l'issur. More to come in Part 2.

Shemuel #1: Introduction - May 24, 2018 - A quick introduction to the book of Shemuel, including layers of the book and the question of why Eli and Shemuel appear in this book.

Celebrating 70, Topic 4b: The Election of Menachem Begin - May 23, 2018 - Part 2 of 2. What was it about the election of Prime Minister Menachem Begin that inspired some, and frightened others? Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.

Celebrating 70, Topic 5a: The Aliyah of Ethiopian Jewry - May 23, 2018 - Part 1 of 2: What is the status of Ethiopian Jewry in Jewish law, and why was their aliyah delayed until 1984? Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.

Business Ethics: The Ethical Negotiator - May 23, 2018 - How do we determine whether a negotiating tactic is ethical? Presented from the vantage point of Jewish law, as well as the CPA Code of Professional Conduct of CPA Ontario.

Celebrating 70, Topic 3b: Zionism = Racism? - May 16, 2018 - United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379 condemning Zionism as a form of racism. Is the charge entirely unfounded? Does Judaism require discrimination? The issue of non-Jewish life in a Jewish state. Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.