When Hashem Told Yirmiyahu Not to Daven - Aug 3, 2025 - Why did Hashem tell Yirmiyahu not to daven - and why three times? A lesson in the role of a navi and in the importance of persistence in tefillah.

We can end hester panim with a shining face - Aug 1, 2025 - Derashah for Parshat Devarim/Chazon 5785. Ramban's concept of הארת פנים, and Rav Shlomo Wolbe's extension of that power to human beings. We can send berachah and bring geulah by truly seeing others.

Shoftim Mini-Shiur Part 133: 21:10-12 - Destroying Yavesh Gilad and Midian - Aug 1, 2025 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shoftim, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. The tribes demolish Yavesh Gilad, applying the rules of the biblical war with Midian. Why? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washoftim.

Who Picked Moshe's Judges? / Lo Taguru - Jul 31, 2025 - Views on why (and when) Moshe asked the people to identify judge candidates, and brief discussion of why judges may be required to accept danger when hearing cases.

Shoftim Mini-Shiur Part 132: 21:4-9 - Destroy a Village, Save a Tribe - Jul 31, 2025 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shoftim, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. Why did they bring korban shelamim? Why didn't Yavesh Gilad join the war? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washoftim.

Megillah 3a-b - Jul 29, 2025 - Between megillah reading, learning Torah, burying the dead, and working in the Beit haMikdash, which mitzvot have priority over which other mitzvot? And a side note from Yehoshua's encounter with a malach.

Shoftim Mini-Shiur Part 131: 21:1-3 - Regret Over Binyamin - Jul 29, 2025 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shoftim, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. The assembled tribes are upset about (nearly) eradicating Binyamin. Who is at fault? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washoftim.

Rav Kook on Tefillah #4 - Rabbi Yochanan and Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai - Jul 28, 2025 - A weekly chabura based on עולת ראי"ה, Rav Kook on the Siddur. Rav Kook quotes Rabbi Yochanan's wish that people would daven all day; why would this be good? And why did Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai opposite it?

Arzei HaLevanon: Making Up for the Loss - Jul 27, 2025 - Understanding the kinah of Arzei HaLevanon, about the asarah harugei malchut (the ten giants murdered by the Romans). The loss of role models - and how we can use our speech to facilitate recognition/creation of new role models.

Fourteen Centuries #53: Hasdai ibn Shaprut, Part 2 - Jul 27, 2025 - Hasdai as a Jewish leader, interaction with the Kuzarim (Khazars), and Menachem ibn Saruk and Dunash ben Labrat. Note: The history is more overview than granular, and certainly not academic.