Ezra Mini-Shiur Part 41: 9:8-15 - Ezra's Prayer, Part 2 - May 20, 2024 - A daily mini-shiur on the book of Ezra, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. The rest of Ezra's prayer to Hashem, upon hearing the news of Jewish intermarriage.

"I Seek My Brethren": Dealing with Pro-Palestinian Jews - May 19, 2024 - How do we deal with Jews who are pro-Palestinian, especially if they are friends or family members? Are we aggressive because they are endangering the Jewish community? Are we supportive because we endorse their compassion? Or a third approach, based on an idea of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein?

Ezra Mini-Shiur Part 40: 9:3-7 - First Reaction - May 16, 2024 - A daily mini-shiur on the book of Ezra, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. Ezra's initial reaction to news of Jewish men marrying non-Jewish women - rites of avelut, and admitting guilt before Hashem.

Ezra Mini-Shiur Part 39: 9:1-2 - The leaders intermarried? - May 16, 2024 - A daily mini-shiur on the book of Ezra, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. How could the leaders, appointed by Ezra, marry among the nations of the land? And did they really marry Canaani and Perizi?

Makkot 6b-7a - May 14, 2024 - Is hatraah (a warning) truly necessary?, Use of translators in Beit Din, and more

Ezra Mini-Shiur Part 37: Chapter 9 - Ezra and Intermarriage - May 14, 2024 - A daily mini-shiur on the book of Ezra, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. Introducing the issue of intermarriage in Ezra's day - were these people who intermarried in Bavel, or in Israel? And was intermarriage actually prohibited?

Ezra Mini-Shiur Part 36: 8:35-36 - Ezra's Korbanot - May 14, 2024 - A daily mini-shiur on the book of Ezra, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. Ezra arrives at the Beit haMikdash, and brings some very unusual korbanot. Why?

Ezra Mini-Shiur Part 35: 8:24-34 - Ezra Arrives, with Gifts - May 13, 2024 - A daily mini-shiur on the book of Ezra, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. Ezra arrives in Jerusalem, with gifts for the Beit haMikdash!

Fourteen Centuries #18: Rav Hai Gaon, Part 3 - May 12, 2024 - Samples of Rav Hai Gaon's rationalist, pragmatic philosophy. Note: The history is more overview than granular, and certainly not academic.

Ezra Mini-Shiur Part 34: 8:20-23 - Punishing Levi, Rejecting Assistance - May 12, 2024 - A daily mini-shiur on the book of Ezra, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. How did Ezra punish the missing Leviyim? And why did Ezra refuse royal help?