Machshavah Lab
Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
My name is Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss. My goal as a Torah educator is not merely to teach my students my OWN hashkafah. Rather, my goal is to equip them with the foundations, the methodological training, and the tools which will enable them to arrive at their OWN understanding of Judaism and cultivate their OWN relationship with Hashem and His Torah. This podcast is devoted to the shiurim I give which are geared specifically towards that end. As such, the range of topics covered here will be diverse. There will be shiurim on Jewish philosophy, Chumash methodology, aggadic midrashim, maybe even...
Mishpatim: Judaism's Take on [Literal] Witch Hunting (Shiur Version)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Mishpatim: Judaism's Take on [Literal] Witch HuntingLength: 1 hour 19 minutesSynopsis: This evening (2/20/25), in lieu of our regularly scheduled Pirkei Avos Shiur for women, we took up the topic that I'm currently writing about for my Friday substack article. We began by asking all the questions we could on this three-word pasuk, and by the end of the shiur, we answered all but one. The shiur itself focused on a highly disturbing minorit
Yisro: Shadal’s Unfortunate Stance on Idolatry, Belief, and the Value of Knowledge
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 4 pagesLength of audio: 13 minutes 53 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 5-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 2/14/25, titled: Yisro: Shadal’s Unfortunate Stance on Idolatry, Belief, and the Value of Knowledge. Perhaps this article will expose me as a fool, an ignoramus, a haughty dilettante—or all three. But I had to write it, if only to be shown how wrong I am. Eith
Beshalach: What Did the Splitting of the Sea Look Like?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 3 pagesLength of audio: 10 minutes 30 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 3-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 2/9/25, titled: Beshalach: What Did the Splitting of the Sea Look Like? After seeing this magnificent photo, I was inspired to write a bonus article on Beshalach - an article I've been meaning to write for years. Surprise!-----The Torah content for the entire m
Avos 4:11 and 5:17 - Meiri on Machlokess
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 53 minutesSynopsis: Last night (2/6/25), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we did something a little unusual: analyzing TWO mishnayos with only ONE commentary. When I sat down to prepare for this shiur, I noticed the parallel wording in 4:11 and 5:17. When I read the Meiri, I saw that he gave a similar interpretation of both, but it was JUST different enough to raise a host of problems. Our goal was to emer
Beshalach: Moshe’s Role in the Mahn Confusion and its Implications for Teachers
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 5 pagesLength of audio: 17 minutes 27 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 5-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 2/7/25, titled: Beshalach: Moshe’s Role in the Mahn Confusion and its Implications for Teachers. This article explores one of the most perplexing narratives in Shemos, addressing a key question: How was Moshe at fault for the fiasco with the mahn? It concludes
Shemos: Two Views of Hishtadlus
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 4 pagesLength of audio: 15 minutes 29 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 4-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 1/16/25, titled: Shemos: Two Views of Hishtadlus. Intended to write a short dvar Torah article about Yocheved as model of bitachon (trust in Hashem), but I ended up writing out my entire "hishtadlus rant." -----It’s a new year on the Gregorian calendar, a new y
Vayechi: How Never to Be Angry at Anyone or Hate Anyone (Part 1: Questions)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 2 pagesLength of audio: 7 minutes 38 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 1/9/25, titled: Vayechi: How Never to Be Angry at Anyone or Hate Anyone (Part 1: Questions). Yes, this is the second week in a row that I've written a "questions only" article. Unlike last time, I plan on writing Part 2 (for paid subscribers). I published this t
Vayigash: Who Sent Yosef to Egypt? (Part 1: The Questions)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 2 pagesLength of audio: 8 minutes 19 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 1/3/25, titled: Vayigash: Who Sent Yosef to Egypt? (Part 1: The Questions). Yosef answers this question three times, and we assume we know what he meant, but Ibn Kaspi hints at a different interpretation in the Rambam - one that raises a few problems of its own.
Avos 4:11 - Angelic Advocates and Accusers (Reexamined)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 35 minutesSynopsis: Tonight (1/2/25), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we took up an intriguing mishnah about the effects of mitzvos and aveiros. We ended up with two solid interpretations - one that emerged during the shiur, and another based on an article I wrote back in 2012 - as well as a fundamental discourse on reward and punishment according to Rabbeinu Bachya, which we (sadly) didn't have time to f
The Rabbi Schneeweiss Substack Update: 66 Changes I'm Considering for January 2025
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 3 pagesLength of audio: 9 minutes 12 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 3-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 1/1/25, titled: The Rabbi Schneeweiss Substack Update: 66 Changes I'm Considering for January 2025. After last year's cabin retreat, I made three writing-related anti-resolutions for 2024. In this post, I examine this year went, and what I envision for 2025.----
Vayishlach: Bnei Yaakov at Beis-El and Bnei Yisrael at Sinai (Part 1: Questions)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 2 pagesLength of audio: 8 minutes 59 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 12/13/24, titled: Vayishlach: Bnei Yaakov at Beis-El and Bnei Yisrael at Sinai (Part 1: Questions). This week's article contains questions: "traditional" questions as well as the literary analysis questions taken up by "the Gush Tanakh Method." If you have answe
Avos 4:10 - Minimize Business and Busy Yourself With Torah ... and Two Related (?) Clauses
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 36 minutesSynopsis: This evening (12/12/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we learned another mishnah about how to achieve the proper learning-work balance. This mishnah was strange in that each clause seemed to be an idea that wasn't a chidush because it's already been covered elsewhere in Pirkei Avos. Additionally, the relationship between the three clauses wasn't apparent. Thankfully, we were able to
Vayeitzei: Yaakov's (Scandalous?) Kiss (?)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 3 pagesLength of audio: 12 minutes 36 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 12/6/24, titled: Vayeitzei: Yaakov's (Scandalous?) Kiss (?). How, exactly, did Yaakov kiss Rachel? This article explores the full spectrum of interpretations—from Ibn Kaspi to the Hasidic masters—through the lenses of methodology and sociology.-----This week's
Avos 4:9 - Devotion to Torah in Poverty
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 31 minutesSynopsis: Last night (12/5/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we learned a mishnah about the relationship between wealth, poverty, and living a life of Torah. Even though we only fully learned one commentary (Rabbeinu Yonah), the ideas we discussed here are relevant to most of us, and have major implications for how we structure our lives.-----מקורות:אבות ד:טרש"ירמב"םרבינו יונהמאירירמב"ם - משנ
Bereishis: (How) Did Hashem Speak to Kayin?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 1 pageLength of audio: 4 minutes 58 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 11/22/24, titled: Bereishis: (How) Did Hashem Speak to Kayin? In lieu of an article on Chayei Sarah, I've decided to publish an article on Bereishis which is a sequel to last week's article on Vayeira. If you thought that Radak was controversial, check this out!
Avos 4:8 - Don't Judge Alone
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 21 minutesSynopsis: Last night (11/14/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we learned the next mishnah. Like the previous one, this mishnah is a warning to judges not to judge alone, no matter what their level of expertise, and what not to do once they're on a court with peers who aren't experts. After familiarizing ourselves with the facts about the cases in which one is permitted to judge alone, we lear
Vayeira: Vox Intellectus Vox Dei (The Voice of the Intellect is the Voice of God)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 1 pageLength of audio: 4 minutes 19 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 11/15/24, titled: Vayeira: Vox Intellectus Vox Dei (The Voice of the Intellect is the Voice of God). Avimelech clearly sinned against Avraham and Sarah, but in what sense did he sin against God? Radak's answer expresses what it truly means to be a "rationalist."
Lech Lecha: Avraham Avinu – a Vial of Perfume in a Cemetery
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 3 pagesLength of audio: 10 minutes 50 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 11/8/24, titled: Lech Lecha: Avraham Avinu – a Vial of Perfume in a Cemetery. This week's article is part Mishlei, part midrash, and part insight into the pshat of the parashah - all thanks to Rabbeinu Bachya's introductory drashah, which centers upon a strange
Avos 4:7 - Why Judges Should Avoid Judging
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 21 minutesSynopsis: Tonight (11/7/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we continued learning Chapter 4. On its surface, this mishnah is directed at judges, but the advice it gives is counterintuitive. Despite the seemingly narrow audience, we were able to derive practical insights for us normal folk, as well as perspectives on halachic jurisprudence. -----מקורות:אבות ד:זרש"ירמב"םרבינו יונהמאירירמב"ם - הקד
Sforno on the Nachash: Apikorsus or Pshat? Part 1: Methodology and Premises
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 37 minutesSynopsis: This morning's YBT Sunday shiur (11/3/24) was a bit different than usual, focusing more on reading and discussing sources than in-depth analysis. This was intentional, since this shiur was intended to be a setup for the REAL shiur. My original goal was to present Sforno’s view that the nachash in Gan Eden represents the yetzer ha’ra. However, I realized two preliminary issues needed to be addressed: (a)
Noach: Why Was Noach’s Family Saved?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 2 pagesLength of audio: 8 minutes 18 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 11/1/24, titled: Noach: Why Was Noach's Family Saved? I've always assumed they were saved because of Noach's righteousness, or for the sake of repopulating the world. According to Sforno, neither is true.-----This week's Torah content is sponsored by Ayala, who
Avos 2:1 - Contemplate Three Things and You Won't Come to Sin
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 21 minutesSynopsis: This morning (10/11/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women (rescheduled to Friday morning, Erev Yom ha'Kippurim), we took up the final clause of the first mishnah in chapter 2 because it mentions the concept that all our deeds our written in a book. I chose this because I hoped it would shed light on all the book-talk at around this time of year, and if not, then at least it'll be instrum
INCOMPLETE SHIUR: Rosh ha'Shanah 5785 - The Sweet Secret of Ha'Melech ha'Misphat
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 16 minutesSynopsis: This Erev Rosh ha'Shanah morning (10/2/24), I gave an incomplete shiur on the phrase "ha'Melech ha'Mishpat" with which we conclude the 11th berachah of the Amidah during the Aseres Ymei Teshuvah. Last year I wrote 3/4ths of an article on this topic - everything but the main idea, which didn't come together in time. This year, I had planned on finishing the article in time to post on Erev RH, but that has
Nitzavim/Vayeilech: Teshuvah as a Ledge
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 2 pagesLength of audio: 7 minutes 22 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 9/27/24, titled: Nitzavim/Vayeilech: Teshuvah as a Ledge. We're about to enter the Aseres Ymei Teshuvah (Ten days of Repentance) once again, and I find myself asking the same question I ask every year: Is teshuvah really as easy as Moshe Rabbeinu claims?-----The
Avos 4:6 - How to Honor and Desecrate Yourself Through Torah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 31 minutesSynopsis: Tonight (9/26/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we took up the next mishnah in the fourth chapter, where we left off in June. This one certainly struck us as odd, speaking of Torah almost like a voodoo doll. We raised a ton of questions and successfully learned two approaches from three meforshim (Rashi, Rambam, and Meiri), which answered all our questions. We also attempted to lear
(SHIUR) Ki Tavo: How We Know It's a Mitzvah to Have Good Middos (and Why We Should Care)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 19 minutesSynopsis: This evening (9/19/24), in lieu of our regularly scheduled Pirkei Avos Shiur for women, we took up a question on the parashah that I'm trying to write about for this week's article. This is a good example of how, if you keep asking questions even when you think you've reached the end of the line, you'll sometimes break through to a new vista with new discoveries waiting to be made. I set out to give a sh
Avos 2:13 - Shema, Tefilah, and Bad Self-Image
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 39 minutesSynopsis: Last night (9/5/24), in our first Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women of the 2024-2025, we took up a tefilah-related Mishnah from chapter 2, since I've been in tefilah mode all summer and I wanted to share some ideas. If you're looking for an eye-opening perspective on tefilah filled with potential, be sure to listen all the way to the end of the shiur, when we learn the Meiri's interpretation. We
Shofetim: Three Philosophies of Bal Tashchis (Wasteful Destruction)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 2 pagesLength of audio: 8 minutes 12 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 9/6/24, titled: Shofetim: Three Philosophies of Bal Tashchis (Wasteful Destruction). Some mitzvos have well-hidden reasons. Others suffer the opposite fate: everyone assumes they understand their reasons without bothering to learn what the Torah says. Bal tashch
Re'eh: MEAT IS MURDER!!!
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 2 pagesLength of audio: 6 minutes 14 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I originally wrote on 8/14/15, which I edited and republished on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 8/30/24, titled: Re'eh: MEAT IS MURDER!!! P.E.T.A. (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) equates slaughtering animals for food with murder. Does Judaism agree? The answer may surprise you! -----The Torah content f
Eikev: When to Disregard Tznius (Modesty) and Act Like an Animal
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 2 pagesLength of audio: 8 minutes 44 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 8/23/24 titled: Eikev: When to Disregard Tznius (Modesty) and Act Like an Animal. Yes, this is an article about a case in which Chazal permit us to totally disregard the laws of tznius and explicitly encourage us to behave like animals ... but probably not in the way you
Vaeschanan: Ayn Rand, Art, and Avodah Zarah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 3 pagesLength of audio: 10 minutes 11 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 3-page article I originally wrote on 8/4/14, which I edited and republished on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 8/14/24 entitled: Vaeschanan: Ayn Rand, Art, and Avodah Zarah. Like her or hate her, Ayn Rand's definition of art sheds light on why the Torah prohibits the making of representative statues even for aesthetic purposes
Kinnah #20: Incline Your Ear and Hear (Tishah b'Av 5784)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 16 minutesSynopsis: This morning (8/13/24), I gave my annual kinnos shiur at Shevet Achim (a.k.a. The Island Synagogue), and for the first time ever, I recorded it! I chose this kinnah because it presents itself as being related to tefilah, which has been the focus of my learning all summer. But even a surface-level examination of the text indicates that something strange is going on here. And, as you'll hear, this kin
Tishah b’Av 5784: Does Hashem Still Listen to Our Prayers?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 2 pagesLength of audio: 8 minutes 4 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 8/12/24 entitled: Tishah b’Av 5784: Does Hashem Still Listen to Our Prayers? One would assume the answer is "yes," but a midrash about the destruction of Mikdash indicates otherwise. What does this midrash teach us about the loss of Mikdash and our tefilah nowada
Haftaras Devarim: Will Hashem Hate Our Tishah b’Av?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 3 pagesLength of audio: 12 minutes 35 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 3-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 8/9/24 entitled: Haftaras Devarim: Will Hashem Hate Our Tishah b’Av? Some years I write a Tishah b'Av article and feel like I'm not adding anything - just showcasing the words of the prophets. Maybe that's a good thing. This is one of those articles.-----T
Four Insights from a Jewish Renewal Rabbi
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 5 pagesLength of the audio: 17 minutes 25 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 5-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 8/1/24 entitled: Four Insights from a Jewish Renewal Rabbi. I can't say I've ever written an article prompted by someone from a non-Orthodox Jewish movement, but once I heard this podcast, I had to share my thoughts. -----The Torah Content for the remai
Pinchas: The Korban Tamid as ... God's Food?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutes 22 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 7/26/24 entitled: Pinchas: The Korban Tamid as ... God's Food? How would you respond to the claim that korbanos are "God's food"? How would you account for the similarities between our korban tamid and idolatrous parallels? We look to the tamid
Vaeira: Do You Believe in Magic?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 6 minutes 31 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I originally published on my old blog on 12/27/13, which I edited and republished on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 7/19/24 entitled: Vaeira: Do You Believe in Magic? Is magic real? There are three views among the Rishonim. This used to be an open question. But if these Rishonim were alive today, they'd
Balak: Blaming Sins on “Sin City”
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutes 45 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 7/19/24 entitled: Balak: Blaming Sins on “Sin City.” When it comes to nature vs. nurture, we think of "nurture" in reference to people and one's surroundings. But what role is played by a person's name or place? Can a bad name cause a person to
Chukas: How the Deaths of Tzadikim Atone
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutes 3 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 7/12/24 entitled: Chukas: How the Deaths of Tzadikim Atone. I was going to call this article, "How Miriam and Aharon Died for Our Sins," but I opted for the more generic NON-Jesusy title.-----The Torah content for the first half of July has been sponsored
Korach: The Sexual Allegations Against Moshe Rabbeinu
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutes 1 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 7/5/24 entitled: Korach: The Sexual Allegations Against Moshe Rabbeinu. Did you know that Korach led a nationwide smear campaign against Moshe by accusing him of sexual impropriety? I wasn't until this year. This article is an analysis of that midrash.-----The
Shelach: Shadal’s Radical Take on the Forty Years in the Wilderness
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 4 pagesLength of the audio: 15 minutes 31 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 4-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 6/28/24 entitled: Shelach: Shadal’s Radical Take on the Forty Years in the Wilderness. What if I told you that Israel were not condemned to wander in the Wilderness for 40 years as a punishment for the Sin of the Spies? That's what Shadal holds! Here's
Shelach: Challah as a Consequence of the Cheit ha'Meraglim
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 1 pageLength of the audio: 4 minutesSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I originally published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 6/24/22, which I've edited and republished on 6/27/24, entitled: Shelach: Challah as a Consequence of the Cheit ha'Meraglim. Why does the Torah introduce the mitzvah of separating challah after the account of the Sin of the Spies? What does one have to do
Q&A #40: Working Hours, Freud-Ego, Waving Leviim, Blind Obedience, Self-Help, Teaching, Archaeology
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 52 minutesSynopsis: This morning (6/21/24) we had a surprise Q&A as our last shiur in yeshiva of the 2023-2024 year! We took up seven questions: (1) How do we reconcile/account for the differences in the average working hours today vs. in the time of Chazal and the Rishonim, insofar as our learning is concerned? (2) What is meant by the term "ego"? (3) What's up with the waving of the Leviim in Behaalosecha? (4)
Behaalosecha: Moshe’s Short[ened] Tefilah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 7 minutes 41 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 6/21/24, entitled: Behaalosecha: Moshe’s Short[ened] Tefilah. Why was Moshe's tefilah for Miriam so short? Was this his intent or was he forced to shorten it? Either way, what implications does this have for our tefilah?-----The Torah content for this week h
Behaalosecha: Insights from the Shortest Tefilah Ever
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 17 minutesSynopsis: This evening (6/19/24), in our last Wednesday night Tehilim/Tefilah shiur of the year, we took up a tefilah-related topic in the parashah: Moshe's short tefilah for Miriam. We raised a bunch of questions, and then set out to gain as many insights as we could. There was so much to cover that we went over time and didn't even finish!----------מקורות:במדבר יב:יגתרגום אונקלוספרשגןרבינו בחייהרכסים ל
Emulating Darwin: A Jewish Approach to Seeking God
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 4 pagesLength of the audio: 15 minutes 3 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 4-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 6/18/24, entitled: Emulating Darwin: A Jewish Approach to Seeking God. I recently read some Darwin for the first time and was so impressed by the character reflected in his writing that I was moved to write this article.-----The Torah content for this week has bee
Naso: Shivim Panim la'Torah in Context
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 5 minutes 8 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I originally wrote on 6/20/13 which I edited and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 6/14/24, entitled: Naso: Shivim Panim la'Torah in Context. The idiom "Shivim Panim la'Torah" is well-known but its origin is not. An analysis of its source in context sheds light on its usage by the
Shavuos is NOT About the Giving of the Torah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 7 pagesLength of the audio: 21 minutes 19 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 7-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 6/11/24, entitled: Shavuos is NOT About the Giving of the Torah. This article, originally published on 5/30/17, is one of the few I've written about Shavuos. It deals with a basic question: What is the theme of the holiday? -----The Torah content for this we
Ralbag's Sixteen Toalos (Lessons) from Megilas Rus (The Book of Ruth)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 23 minutesSynopsis: This morning (6/7/24), in our Friday morning Machshavah Lab shiurim for women, we decided to do a sequel to our Megilas Esther shiurim from earlier this year. As is his style, the Ralbag concludes sections of his Biblical commentaries with "toalos" (a.k.a. lessons) in halacha, middos, and philosophical ideas which he gleans from the text. He concludes Megilas Esther with 16 such lessons. Since
She'eilas Shalom ba'Shem Greeting in the Name of God (Part 2)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hourSynopsis: This morning (6/7/24) we continued our analysis of the sugya we started on Wednesday night. After reviewing the facts and questions, we set out to define - or at least, attempt to define - the two main disagreements: (1) What was the structure of the takanah? (2) Which name of Hashem was this in reference to? I shared the various approaches that my chavrusa and I developed, and although we didn't manage to def
Avos 4:5 - Sforno and Rashbatz on the Permissibility of Taking Money for Torah (Part 3)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 39 minutesSynopsis: Tonight (6/6/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we continued our analysis of the mishnah about deriving worldly benefit from words of Torah. After a VERY brief review of the Rambam, to which Parts 1 and 2 were devoted, we examined the opposition as formulated by two Rishonim. Sforno provided a clean, straightforward argument which demonstrated a completely different framework from th
Rabbi Moskowitz Memory #7: Immortality in This World
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In honor of the second yahrzeit of my rebbi, Rabbi Morton Moskowitz zt"l, I will be reposting all the "Rabbi Moskowitz Memory” Facebook posts that I wrote during the week of his passing.Rabbi Moskowitz Memory #7: Immortality in This WorldLength of article: 2 pagesLength of audio: 4 minutes 40 secondsSynopsis: This is the last of the Facebook posts I wrote during the period immediately following the death of my rebbi zt"l. L
Rabbi Moskowitz Memory #6: His True Memorial
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In honor of the second yahrzeit of my rebbi, Rabbi Morton Moskowitz zt"l, I will be reposting all the "Rabbi Moskowitz Memory” Facebook posts that I wrote during the week of his passing. I’m not going to edit any of them unless I find a typo. I want to preserve the spontaneous writing I did during that intense period of grieving.Rabbi Moskowitz Memory #6: His True MemorialLength of article: 4 pagesLength of audio: 8 minutes 22 s
She'eilas Shalom ba'Shem (Greeting in the Name of God) Part 1
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 6 minutesSynopsis: This evening (6/5/24), in lieu of our Wednesday night Tehilim/Tefilah shiur, we took up a halachic topic: the takanah (Rabbinic enactment) to greet one's fellow with the name of Hashem. This topic is so dense, intricate, and intertwined that we spent the entire time going through the facts and raising questions. We're going to TRY to do Part 2 on Friday morning (because if we don't, there&a
Rabbi Moskowitz Memory #05b: Addendum - Fat Guys in the Woods
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In honor of the second yahrzeit of my rebbi, Rabbi Morton Moskowitz zt"l, I will be reposting all the "Rabbi Moskowitz Memory” Facebook posts that I wrote during the week of his passing. I’m not going to edit any of them unless I find a typo. I want to preserve the spontaneous writing I did during that intense period of grieving.Rabbi Moskowitz Memory #05b: Addendum - Fat Guys in the WoodsLength of article: 2 pagesLength of audi
Rabbi Moskowitz Memory #05: Tishah b’Av - The Most Enjoyable Day of the Summer
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In honor of the second yahrzeit of my rebbi, Rabbi Morton Moskowitz zt"l, I will be reposting all the "Rabbi Moskowitz Memory” Facebook posts that I wrote during the week of his passing. I’m not going to edit any of them unless I find a typo. I want to preserve the spontaneous writing I did during that intense period of grieving.Rabbi Moskowitz Memory #05: Tishah b’Av - The Most Enjoyable Day of the SummerLength of article: 3 pa
Rabbi Moskowitz Memory #04: The Hike
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In honor of the second yahrzeit of my rebbi, Rabbi Morton Moskowitz zt"l, I will be reposting all the "Rabbi Moskowitz Memory” Facebook posts that I wrote during the week of his passing. I’m not going to edit any of them unless I find a typo. I want to preserve the spontaneous writing I did during that intense period of grieving.Rabbi Moskowitz Memory #04: The HikeLength of article: 4 pagesLength of audio: 6 minutes 50 secondsSy
Rabbi Moskowitz Memory #03: A Rebbi of Students He Never Met
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In honor of the second yahrzeit of my rebbi, Rabbi Morton Moskowitz zt"l, I will be reposting all the "Rabbi Moskowitz Memory” Facebook posts that I wrote during the week of his passing. I’m not going to edit any of them unless I find a typo. I want to preserve the spontaneous writing I did during that intense period of grieving.Rabbi Moskowitz Memory #03: A Rebbi of Students He Never MetLength of article: 3 pagesLength of audio
Rabbi Moskowitz Memory #02: Burying My Rebbi Admit Tears and Suppressed Laughter
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In honor of the second yahrzeit of my rebbi, Rabbi Morton Moskowitz zt"l, I will be reposting all the "Rabbi Moskowitz Memory” Facebook posts that I wrote during the week of his passing. I’m not going to edit any of them unless I find a typo. I want to preserve the spontaneous writing I did during that intense period of grieving.Rabbi Moskowitz Memory #02: Burying My Rebbi Admit Tears and Suppressed LaughterLength of article: 4
Rabbi Moskowitz Memory #01: Random Learning Session with Ben and Me and 2011
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In honor of the second yahrzeit of my rebbi, Rabbi Morton Moskowitz zt"l, I will be reposting all the "Rabbi Moskowitz Memory” Facebook posts that I wrote during the week of his passing. I’m not going to edit any of them unless I find a typo. I want to preserve the spontaneous writing I did during that intense period of grieving.Rabbi Moskowitz Memory #01: Random Learning Session with Ben and Me and 2011Length of article: 2 page
Bechukosai: Ibn Kaspi on Why the Written Torah Doesn't Mention Olam ha'Ba
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 33 minutesSynopsis: This morning (5/31/24), in the FIRST of our Friday morning Machshavah Lab shiurim for women, we took up an old problem: Why is Olam ha'Ba only mentioned in Torah she'baal Peh but not Torah she'bi'Chsav. I wrote an article a few years ago in which I summarized seven views on this topic from the Rishonim along with one view of my own (see the show notes for a link to the article). I began this
Bechukosai: Rav Hirsch on the Eight Stages of Going Off the Derech
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 55 minutesSynopsis: This morning (5/31/24), in the SECOND of our Friday morning Machshavah Lab shiurim for women, we learned Rav Hirsch's elucidation of Chazal's outline of the eight regressive stages of abandoning Torah. I initially planned to give a third shiur this morning on a strange midrash on the phrase "I shall cast your corpses onto the corpses of your idols" (Vayikra 26:30), but we discovered that the
Behar: The Torah’s Double Standard for Slave Labor (Part 4: Approach #3)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutes 57 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 5/31/24, entitled: Behar: The Torah’s Double Standard for Slave Labor (Part 4: Approach #3). This third and final approach to answering our question about why the Torah permits avodas parech of an eved Canaani is the most radical of them all.-----The Torah content
Avos 4:5 - Rambam's Opposition to Taking Money for Torah (Part 2)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 33 minutesSynopsis: Tonight (5/30/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we continued our analysis of the mishnah through the eyes of the Rambam. We began with a VERY in-depth review of everything we covered last time (if you want to skip the review, start around 30 minutes into the shiur). We then read and discussed several additional sources in other works of the Rambam where he discusses this, focusing o
Behar: The Torah’s Double Standard for Slave Labor (Part 3: Approach #2)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 7 minutes 46 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 5/29/24, entitled: Behar: The Torah’s Double Standard for Slave Labor (Part 3: Approach #2). In this third installment, we examine a second approach to our question about the Torah's double-standard of avodas parech for non-Jewish slaves - one which is the op
Behar: The Torah’s Double Standard for Slave Labor (Part 2: Approach #1)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 9 minutes 26 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 5/27/24, entitled: Behar: The Torah’s Double Standard for Slave Labor (Part 2: Approach #1). In Part 1 we raised the question of why the Torah only forbids us to work a Jewish slave with avodas parech but not a non-Jewish slave. Part 2 explores one of three approa
Behar: The Torah’s Double Standard for Slave Labor (Part 1: Questions)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 1 pageLength of the audio: 5 minutes 16 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 5/24/24, entitled: Behar: The Torah’s Double Standard for Slave Labor (Part 1: Questions). The Egyptians oppressed us with a harsh form of labor called "avodas parech." We are prohibited from oppressing Jewish debt-slaves with such labor, but NOT non-Jewi
Avos 4:5 - Rambam's Opposition to Taking Money for Torah (Part 1)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 33 minutesSynopsis: Tonight (5/23/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we began learning the next mishnah, but our focus was on the Rambam's diatribe - and that really is the most accurate word - against those who take money for Torah. We set out clear objectives and non-objectives. Our main goal for this evening was to read and discuss the Rambam's commentary on this mishnah, trying to understa
Emor / Kedoshim: Should Kids Be Taken to Magic Shows? (Written Version)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 4 pagesLength of the audio: 14 minutes 40 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 4-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 5/23/24, entitled: Emor / Kedoshim: Should Kids Be Taken to Magic Shows? This article seeks to answer the question in the title, in light of the strongly worded views of Rambam and Sefer ha'Chinuch. I present my own views with support from R' Moshe Fein
Emor / Kedoshim: Should I Take My Kid to a Magic Show? (Full Shiur)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 15 minutesSynopsis: This morning (5/17/24), in our Friday morning Machshavah Lab shiur for women, we deviated from our planned topic to address a question that was raised in our community WhatsApp group: Is it bad (or even prohibited) to take a kid to see a magic show? In the first part of this shiur, we read the PSA that was posted in the chat and learn through all the sources referenced therein. In the second part, I make
Avos 4:5 - Two Motives for Learning
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 24 minutesSynopsis: This evening (5/16/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we began learning the next mishnah which focuses on two motives for learning Torah and their outcomes. We raised WAY more questions and learned WAY more meforshim than I expected! Although we didn't solve all the problems, we did end up discussing some fundamental insights about how we ought to relate to our learning and prac
Q&A #39: Relationship with Learning, Identifying Social vs. Torah Values, Shlish, Curtailed Learning
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 46 minutesSynopsis: This morning (5/13/24) we had a surprise Q&A! We took up four questions: (1) When a person senses that their relationship with learning has changed, how should they go about evaluating whether that change is positive or negative? (2) How can we tell which of our values are from Torah, from society, or from a combination? (3) How do we classify various subjects within the Rambam's "shlish" pro
How the (Seemingly) Outdated Elements of Torah Are Evidence of Its Perfection (REDUX)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 55 minutesSynopsis: This morning's YBT Sunday shiur (5/12/24) pertains to a critical intersection between hashkafah and pedagogy. As a high school teacher in 2024, I get a LOT of questions about the mitzvos, prohibitions, and institutions in Torah which seem outdated or which students find objectionable because they run contrary to modern Western values. Over time, I've developed an eight-pronged framework (or &qu
Acharei Mos / Kedoshim: How Ancient Israelites Viewed Incest (and Why It Matters)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 10 minutes 27 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 5/10/24 (originally written on 3/18/14), entitled: Acharei Mos / Kedoshim: How Ancient Israelites Viewed Incest (and Why It Matters). This article began with the two questions in the title and evolved into a theory about the Torah's campaign against arayos i
Avos 4:4 - Desecrating Hashem's Name in Secret
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 30 minutesSynopsis: Tonight (5/9/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we began learning the next mishnah which focuses on chilul ha'shem ba'seiser (the private desecration of Hashem's name) and its consequences. On the surface, this sounds paradoxical: How can a person desecrate Hashem's name if there is no one to witness them? After reviewing the halachos of chilul ha'shem, we de
Q&A #38: Shefoch, Split-Hallel, Babies, Begin w/Degradation, Baruch ha'Makom, Haggadah Methodology
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Q&A #38: Shefoch, Split-Hallel, Babies, Begin w/Degradation, Baruch ha'Makom, Haggadah MethodologyLength: 1 hour 3 minutesSynopsis: This morning (4/18/24), in our pre-Pesach women's Q&A, we took up six questions: (1) What's the deal with the "shefoch chamasecha" intro to Hallel? (2) Why do we interrupt Hallel at the seder with the meal? (3) The focus of the seder should be young children, but what can be d
The Whore in the Haggadah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 35 minutesSynopsis: This evening (4/18/24), in lieu of our usual Thursday night women's Pirkei Avos shiur, we decided to do a deep dive into one of the most cryptic derashos in the Haggadah: the drashah on the phrase "and numerous," which quotes a pair of perplexing pesukim from Sefer Yechezkel. We raise a few questions, familiarize ourselves with Chazal's interpretation, raise a few more questions, read
Haftaras Tazria: Charging Money for Miracles
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 1 pageLength of the audio: 3 minutes 54 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 4/12/24 (originally written on 3/18/14), entitled: Haftaras Tazria: Charging Money for Miracles. How would you react if a Jewish holy man did a miracle for you? How might your opinion change if he charged you money? This week's haftarah shows Elisha's vie
Astronomy vs. Omens: A Jewish View of the Eclipse
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 25 minutesSynopsis: This evening (4/4/24), in lieu of our usual Thursday night women's Pirkei Avos shiur, we decided to prepare ourselves for the upcoming solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 by learning through enough key sources to develop an authentically "Jewish" framework for our eclipse experience. We began by examining the mitzvah to study the eclipse and examined the greatest model among the Rishonim of som
Shemini: DUI (Davening Under the Influence)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 1 pageLength of the audio: 4 minutesSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 4/4/24 (originally written on 3/21/14), entitled: Shemini: DUI (Davening Under the Influence). Nadav and Avihu's punishment seems harsh, especially if their sin was drinking a little wine. An analysis of the philosophy behind the prohibition of DUI reveals why their pena
Tzav: Heavenly Fire and Hidden Miracles
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 3 pagesLength of the audio: 11 minutes 8 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 3-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 3/29/24, entitled: Tzav: Heavenly Fire and Hidden Miracles. Purim may not always fall out during the week of Parashas Tzav, but there is a thematic connection between the theme of Purim and the reason for a perplexing mitzvah at the beginning of the parashah.-----
Avos 4:4 - Be Very, Very Humble (Part 1)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 16 minutesSynopsis: This evening (3/28/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we began learning the next mishnah which is about humility - or, to be precise, "extreme lowliness of spirit." We started learning through the Rambam's lengthy commentary, which is essentially a treatise on humility, but because this required us to do an overview of the Rambam's entire approach to character tra
Ralbag's Lessons from Megilas Esther: Part 3 (#27-35)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Note: You do NOT need to have listened to Parts 1 or 2 in order to follow Part 3.Length: 1 hour 5 minutesSynopsis: This morning (3/22/24), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we continued learning through the Ralbag's toalos, continuing at the beginning of Chapter 4 and concluding Chapter 5. Whereas many of the toalos we discussed last time seemed ancillary to the main ideas of the story, the toalos we read today showcase the rig
The Ambiguous Vibe of Taanis Esther
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 3 pagesLength of the audio: 11 minutes 13 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 3-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 3/21/24, entitled: The Ambiguous Vibe of Taanis Esther. How should we feel on Taanis Esther? I attempted to use this article to figure out the answer for myself, but ended up more confused than I was when I started. I present to you: my confusion.-----The Torah c
A Theory Connecting Purim to Yom ha’Kipurim Which is NOT Based on Specious Linguistics
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 7 minutes 1 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I originally published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 3/16/22 and 3/17/22, entitled: A Theory Connecting Purim to Yom ha’Kipurim Which is NOT Based on Specious Linguistics, which I edited and republished today, on 3/18/24. Have you heard someone connect Purim to Yom ha'Kippurim? I used to dismiss such
Ralbag's Lessons from Megilas Esther: Part 2 (#15-26)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 5 minutesSynopsis: This morning (3/15/24), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we continued learning through the Ralbag's toalos. After an introduction, in which we spoke about the difference between Chazal's "villainize the wicked" approach and the Ralbag's toeles method, we pressed on in the toalos making through chapter 3, which covers 26 out of the total 51. Lots of nice ideas, just like las
Vayakhel/Pikudei: Tedious by Design
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 1 pagesLength of the audio: 4 minutes 14 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 3/15/24, entitled: Vayakhel/Pikudei: Tedious by Design. In this newsletter dvar Torah from 2012, we examine four answers offered by Ralbag to the most pressing question on both Vayakhel and Pekudei: Why all the needless repetition?-----This week's Torah conte
Ralbag's Lessons from Megilas Esther: Part 1 (#1-14)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 18 minutesSynopsis: This evening(3/14/24), during our regularly schedule Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we instead embarked on an exciting Purim-related journey. As is his style, the Ralbag concludes sections of his Biblical commentaries with "toalos" (a.k.a. lessons) in halacha, middos, and philosophical ideas which he gleans from the text. He concludes Megilas Esther with 51 such lessons. Tonight, we began learnin
Four Pillars of Classroom Management (2012 Edition)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 8 pagesLength of the audio: 22 minutes 59 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 4-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 3/8/24, entitled: Four Pillars of Classroom Management (2012 Edition). This is the email I send to new teachers who are struggling with classroom management. Although I wrote this in 2012, I still stand by these principles. I hope this helps new teachers find the
Ki Tisa: “Please Erase Me From Your Book”
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 4 pagesLength of the audio: 15 minutes 48 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 4-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 3/1/24, entitled: Ki Tisa: “Please Erase Me From Your Book.” What was Moshe thinking when he asked Hashem to erase him from His book? I began writing an article, based on Sforno, which turned into 90% of a written shiur. I hope you still find it insightful!-----T
Tetzaveh: Urim v’Tumim – the Emergency (Outdated?) Divine Telegraph System
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 4 pagesLength of the audio: 15 minutes 34 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 4-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 2/23/24, entitled: Tetzaveh: Urim v’Tumim – the Emergency (Outdated?) Divine Telegraph System. In this article we examine three reasons why the staves of the Ark may not be removed. Each reason has implications for the way we relate to the Torah today.-----This w
Q&A #37: Moshiach, Moshiach, Moshiach, Short-Torah Recommendations, AI, When to Listen to Podcasts
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 1 minuteSynopsis: This morning (2/16/24), in a women's Q&A, we took up four questions - or at least, a cluster of related questions, followed by three isolated questions: (1) LOTS of questions about moshiach! (2) What short-form shiurim/Torah would I recommend? (3) What steps can we take to make sure that we don't become too dependent on AI? (4) When should and shouldn't a person listen to podcasts?-----מ
Avos 4:3 - Don't Diss Anyone or Anything
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 8 minutesSynopsis: This evening (2/15/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we took up the next mishnah in our perek. This one was also authored by Ben Azzai, but unlike the last one, this did NOT seem like it belonged in Avos. It felt much more like a pasuk from Mishlei, in content and in style. But we were still able to get some nice Avos(ish) ideas from it!-----מקורות:אבות ד:גרמב"םרבינו יונהרשב&quo
Q&A #36: Dealing with Guilt, Strengthening Halacha Observance, and Self-Diagnosis of Trends
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 37 minutesSynopsis: This morning (2/15/24), in our Q&A, we took up three questions, in what turned out to be the most important Q&A of the 2023-2024 year thus far: (1a) What role should guilt play in our lives and (1b) how should we deal with it? (2) What strategies can we use to strengthen our attachment to and observance of halacha? and (3) How do you know whether a change in your behavior is a result of the temporary ci
Terumah: Badei ha’Aron (The Staves of the Ark)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 7 minutes 50 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 2/15/24, entitled: Terumah: Badei ha’Aron (The Staves of the Ark). In this article we examine three reasons why the staves of the Ark may not be removed. Each reason has implications for the way we relate to the Torah today.-----The Torah content for this week has
Mishpatim: Which Gerim Shouldn’t We Oppress?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutes 2 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 2/9/24, entitled: Mishpatim: Which Gerim Shouldn’t We Oppress? We're familiar with the Torah's repeated warnings about how we treat a ger. We assume that "ger" is one who converted to Judaism. But is this necessarily true? R' Avraham ben ha
Avos 4:2 - Mitzvah Goreres Mitzvah, v'Aveirah Goreres Aveirah (Part 2)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 26 minutesSynopsis: This evening (2/8/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we spent a second night analyzing Ben Azzai's teaching about mitzvos and aveiros. After reviewing our questions and the basic ideas we came up with last time, we learned the Rambam's approach, followed by the Sforno's. Both were difficult, but I'm happy with what we came up with. What I love most is how this mit
That Time Onkelos Resurrected Jesus Through Necromancy (Gittin 56b) Part 2
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 36 minutesSynopsis: This morning (2/2/24), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we continued our analysis of the wacky midrash we started last week. I was nervous because I had only had a few steps to bring to the table prior to starting shiur, but thanks to the combined powers of the minds of those who attended, we managed to take MANY more steps and emerge with a unified understanding of this midrash! We also touched u
Avos 4:2 - Mitzvah Goreres Mitzvah, v'Aveirah Goreres Aveirah (Part 1)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 33 minutesSynopsis: This evening (2/1/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we began a new mishnah about how we should relate to mitzvos and aveiros. We spent the first half of shiur raising questions and taking some steps on our own, and we spent the second half of shiur learning the approaches of Rabbeinu Yonah and Meiri, which answered all of our questions. I'd like to spend at least one more week
ChatGPTorah Talk: Berachah on Milah, "Can ChatGPT Give Brisker Sevara?" (and a Salmon Recipe)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 25 minutesSynopsis: I got so much feedback on my first experimental episode of ChatGPTorah Talk that I decided to do another spontaneous one. In this talk, I discuss two topics with ChatGPT4: (1) I raise some questions that we tackled in my tefilah shiur last night and we engage in a little chavrusa learning, (2) I raise a question posed to me by one of my listeners about the limitations of ChatGPT and, specfically, whether it&apo
Yisro: Rambam – On Miracles as a Foundation of Belief
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 4 pagesLength of the audio: 16 minutes 52 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 4-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 2/1/24, entitled: Yisro: Rambam – On Miracles as a Foundation of Belief. I was asked by several people to clarify the Rambam's view on the different roles played by the pre-Sinai miracles and the Revelation at Sinai. This article reflects my current understa
Q&A #35: Vengeance, Struggles with God, Footnote 4, Changing Jobs, Prioritizing Emotional Quiescence
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 45 minutesSynopsis: This morning (1/31/24), in our unplanned Q&A, we took up four questions: (1) How do we reconcile a yearning for God to avenge the deaths of Jews with the fact that revenge is prohibited? (2a) What should a person do if they're encountering struggles in their relationship with God? (2b) In attempting to answer that question, I ended up reading almost the entirety of Footnote 4 from Halakhic Man, (3) Jud
That Time Onkelos Resurrected Jesus Through Necromancy (Gittin 56b) Part 1
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 26 minutesSynopsis: This morning (1/26/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we took up a wild midrash involving Onkelos raising Titus, Bilaam, and Jesus from the grave to ask him whether he should convert to Judaism. We read through the midrash, raised a bunch of questions, then took a first step in our analysis by familiarizing ourselves with R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam's six categories of aggadic drash
Avos 4:1 - Eizehu Mechubad? (Who is Honored?)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 1 minuteSynopsis: This evening (1/25/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we learned the fourth and final clause of Ben Zoma's statement. But we didn't do JUST that. We learned the Sforno's commentary on the entire mishnah, which ties all four clauses together from the final one. We didn't end up revisiting Rashi from the last shiur, but I'm satisfied by all the ideas we came up w
My Eulogy for Rabbi Daniel Rosenthal, the "Johnny Appleseed of Torah"
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 2 pagesLength of audio: 6 minutes 30 secondsSynopsis: Rabbi Daniel Rosenthal passed away on Tu bi’Shvat 5784. You may not know who he was, but all the Torah I teach is thanks to him. If you've learned from me, I implore you to read or listen to this.-----This eulogy is dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Daniel Rosenthal, zt"l, whose Torah changed worlds.-----If you've gained from what you've learned he
Bo: Eizov – The Humble Herb that Ended Egypt
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 7 minutes 9 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 1/19/24, entitled: Bo: Eizov – The Humble Herb that Ended Egypt. Have you ever wondered why Hashem us to use eizov (hyssop) to smear the blood of the Korban Pesach on the doorposts? Here's my favorite answer, from Ralbag, with a speculative addendum of my own.
Avos 4:1 - Eizehu Ashir? (Who is Wealthy?)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 30 minutesSynopsis: This evening (1/18/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we tackled the third clause of Ben Zoma's teaching. We began with the straightforward explanation of the Meiri, then moved on to Rashi and Rabbeinu Yonah. We spent the remaining time analyzing Rabbeinu Yonah and succeeded in gleaning some major insights from his approach. Next time (bli neder) we'll come back to Rashi an
Why I Identify With Radak
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 3 pagesLength of audio: 10 minutes 20 secondsSynopsis: Which classical Biblical commentator do YOU identify with? With whom do you connect on a personal or existential level, and why? In this experimental piece I explain why, for me, the answer is: Radak.-----The Torah content for the remainder of January has been sponsored by someone who would like to remain anonymous, in honor of Hashem and all His kindness!-----If yo
Rambam: On Beating Tetris (and Rabbi Moskowitz: On Playing Tiddlywinks)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 4 pagesLength of audio: 12 minutes 58 secondsSynopsis: What might the Rambam say about professional gamers? What might he say about recreational gamers? I don't know for sure, but this is what I think, guided by the wisdom of my rebbi.-----The Torah content for this week has been sponsored by Avital as a way of saying "thank you for your teaching advice and philosophy." Thank YOU, Avital, for continuing t
Avos 4:1 - Eizehu Gibor? (Who is Mighty?)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 26 minutesSynopsis: This evening (1/11/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we tackled the second clause of Ben Zoma's teaching, and we went about it in a different way than we usually do. Instead of learning multiple meforshim, we pretty much stuck to the Abravanel. We were rewarded with a new and nuanced take on what it means to be a gibor! -----מקורות:אבות ה:כאאברבנאלרשב"ץ-----The Torah conte
ChatGPTorah Talk: On Proverbs 16:32
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!I've been obsessed with ChatGPT 4 and the voice interface option on the ChatGPT phone app. I decided on a whim to do a little demonstration this morning of how sophisticated ChatGPT has become. Listen to the following discussion in which I discuss Mishlei (Proverbs) 16:32 with ChatGPT and you'll see that this technology has moved far past the cutesy uses we played with a little over a year ago. You'll also be astonished by
Sforno's Counterintuitive Take on Makkas Bechoros and Korban Pesach (REDUX)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 35 minutesSynopsis: The YBT Sunday Shiur I gave this morning (1/7/24) is an updated version of a shiur I gave exactly two years ago (1/7/22). The focus of the shiur is the Sforno's answer to two basic questions: (1) Who carried out Makkas Bechoros (the Plague of the Firstborn)? (2) What is the purpose of the Korban Pesach (Passover sacrifice)? What makes Sforno's approach counterintuitive? Because he holds that th
Rabbi Moskowitz on Shalom Bayis and Toilet Paper
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 1.5 pagesLength of the audio: 3 minutes 17 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1.5-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 1/5/24, entitled: Rabbi Moskowitz on Shalom Bayis and Toilet Paper. A chance encounter with a unique toilet paper holder reminded me of an idea from Rabbi Moskowitz that I wanted to share with all of you. May you think of this every time you see a toilet paper
Avos 5:21 - Pirkei Avos: On Turning Forty
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 27 minutesSynopsis: This evening (1/4/24), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we took a break from the mishnah we've been working on to do something timely. Next week is my 40th birthday, and whenever I reach a numerical milestone like that, I like to revisit the mishnah in Pirkei Avos about the different ages of our lives. Tonight we read through the entire mishnah but focused on the ages of 20, 30, 40
The Rabbi Schneeweiss Substack Update: Three Changes for January 2024
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 6.5 pagesLength of the audio: 18 minutes 44 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 6.5-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 1/1/24, entitled: The Rabbi Schneeweiss Substack Update: Three Changes for January 2024. This is my announcement for a major change I intend to make in my substak writing, and a chronicle of the epiphany which led to that change. Feel free to skip to the end
Vayechi: Don’t Stop Working Or Else You’ll Die (Especially If You’re Not Jewish)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 4 pagesLength of the audio: 15 minutes 39 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 4-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 12/29/23, entitled: Vayechi: Don’t Stop Working Or Else You’ll Die (Especially If You’re Not Jewish). Did you know that, according to Rashi, a non-Jew is forbidden to take a day off of work? Torah Temimah's elucidation of a strange midrash on Yaakov Avinu&ap
Vayigash: May [the Word of] God Be With You (Rough Draft)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 9 minutes 11 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 12/22/23, entitled: Vayigash: May [the Word of] God Be With You (Rough Draft). I intended to write about a specific pasuk in this week's parashah, but ended up writing all the background info and concepts without getting to the main topic. Oh well. I hope you
Asarah b'Teves 5784: Ezkerah Matzok (Selichos Exploration)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 11 minutesSynopsis: This evening (12/20/23), in our Wednesday night Tefilah shiur, we decided to see if we could gain some insights into Asarah b'Teves, which is coming up this Friday. We began by going over some basic facts about the events we commemorate, as well as some NOT so basic facts, including the questions about the events of the 8th and 9th of Teves. We then read through the selichah and made our initial obs
Mikeitz: Self-Deprivation in Solidarity With Others Who Are Suffering
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 7 minutes 53 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 12/15/23, entitled: Mikeitz: Self-Deprivation in Solidarity With Others Who Are Suffering. Chazal learn from Yosef that it is prohibited to have marital relations during a famine. What is the nature of this prohibition? How should this be applied during the curren
Mikeitz: Rabbeinu Bachya on Rabbeinu Bachya on Bitachon (Trust in Hashem)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 5 minutesSynopsis: This morning (12/15/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we read and discussed Rabbeinu Bachya ben Asher's introduction to Parashas Mikeitz (which I had NOT prepared in advance) in which he expounds on Mishlei 3:5 by summarizing the eight levels of bitachon in the writings of Rabbeinu Bachya ibn Paquda. This was never intended to be a full shiur, but it adequately served as an introduction to
Avos 4:1 - Eizehu Chacham? (Who is Wise?) Part 1
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 26 minutesSynopsis: This evening (12/14/23), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we began Chapter 4 with Ben Zoma's well-known teaching. Tonight we focused on his treatment of "chacham." We learned the views of five Rishonim. I'd like to stick with this same topic next week, not only because of its importance, but because there are some particular questions which came up that I'd like
Chanukah 5784: Maimonian Doughnuts and My Current Understanding of Minhag (FREE version)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of FREE article: 1 pageLength of FREE recording: 6 minutes 20 secondsLength of FULL article: 2 pagesLength of FULL recording: 8 minutes 23 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the FREE version of the article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 12/14/23, entitled: Chanukah 5784: Maimonian Doughnuts and My Current Understanding of Minhag. I thought sufganiot were not a real minhag until a surprising source made
Asking for Miracles on Chanukah: Updated for 2023, in Light of the War with Hamas
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 7 pagesLength of the audio: 20 minutes 36 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 7-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 12/10/23 (originally published on Kol ha'Seridim on 12/15/20), entitled: Asking for Miracles on Chanukah: Updated for 2023, in Light of the War with Hamas. Most versions of Al ha'Nissim include a request for Hashem to do miracles for us. This article ex
Vayeishev: The Consequences of Tattling and Misguided Rebuke
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 6 minutes 30 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 12/8/23, entitled: Vayeishev: The Consequences of Tattling and Misguided Rebuke. Yosef brought "bad reports" about his brothers to his father. Was he correct in doing so? What lessons can we learn from his example? As usual, Ralbag spells out these pract
Vayishlach: Does Hashem Always Keep His Promises and Should We Follow His Lead?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 15 minutesSynopsis: This morning (12/1/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we took up a "classic" question in the first aliyah of this week's parashah: If Hashem promised to protect Yaakov, why was he afraid? After reviewing the "classic" answer, we raised a major problem which touches upon the fundamental principles of prophecy and providence. Towards the end of the shiur, we drew out some
Vayishlach: When Should the Righteous Bow Before the Wicked?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 7 minutes 56 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 12/1/23, entitled: Vayishlach: When Should the Righteous Bow Before the Wicked? In this week's article we look at Yaakov's dealings with Eisav through the lens of Mishlei in an attempt to gain insight into Israel's present war with Hamas and our con
Avos 3:20 - Entrées and Appetizers in Learning
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 31 minutesSynopsis: This evening (11/30/23), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we took up the very last mishnah in Chapter 3. This was certainly a weird one, but still led us to some important insights into how we relate to the various subjects we learn and aspire to learn. -----מקורות:אבות ג:כר' עוביה מברטנוראמאירירמב"ם - מורה הנבוכים א:לדMortimer J. Adler, "The Paideia Program: An Education
Vayeitzei: Hashem’s Love-Hate Relationship With Stone Monuments
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutes 55 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 11/24/23, entitled: Vayeitzei: Hashem’s Love-Hate Relationship With Stone Monuments. The stone pillar set up by Yaakov is presented by the Torah as a good thing - yet, the Torah subsequently says that Hashem "hates" such pillars. Which is it? Surely He d
Vayeitzei: Leah’s Thanksgiving Revolution
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 9 minutes 15 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 11/23/23, entitled: Vayeitzei: Leah’s Thanksgiving Revolution. Thank God I was able to crank out this last-minute article in under two hours. Pardon the shoddiness of the writing, recording, and art. But hey - it's a dvar Torah on Thanksgiving AND the parasha
God of Time or Dog Eating Its Own Vomit? (a "The Stoic Jew Podcast" Crossover Post)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 8 minutes 11 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2.5-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 11/17/23, entitled: God of Time or Dog Eating Its Own Vomit? I wrote this in lieu of a parashah article because I needed to write it for myself. If I don't write for myself, who will write for me? And if not now, when? (parashah article can be found at the end)-----The Torah content for the remaind
Q&A #34: Shir ha'Shirim, Yitzchak's Blindness, Teaching the Derech, Knife Yod, "Right" Use of Time
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 50 minutesSynopsis: This morning (11/17/23), in our surprise Q&A, we took up six questions: (1) How should one go about learning Shir ha'Shirim? (2) Why didn't Yitzchak realize what was going on with his sons? (3) What is the best way to teach YBT's derech ha'limud, and to get people interested in ideas? (4) What is your view on the photo circulating around about the IDF soldier using a knife as a yod for K
Avos 3:19 - A Tale of Two Trees
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 30 minutesSynopsis: This evening (11/16/23), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we learned the second statement of R' Elazar ben Azaryah comparing a person whose wisdom exceeds his deeds and a person whose deeds exceed his wisdom. As usual, we raised lots of questions, but found that many of our "go to" meforshim said that they already explained the idea earlier in the chapter in their comment
Chayei Sarah: The Virgin Rivka - Plain Pshat and Wild Drash
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutes 35 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 11/10/23, entitled: Chayei Sarah: The Virgin Rivka - Plain Pshat and Wild Drash. The Torah spotlights Rivkah's virginity in a strange way, but what's REALLY strange is the wild midrash about how Yitzchak assumed she LOST her virginity. As a friend of min
Avos 3:19 - Kemach (Flour) Plus Torah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Avos 3:19 - Kemach (Flour) Plus TorahLength: 1 hour 26 minutesSynopsis: This evening (11/9/23), in Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we learned the final clause in our multi-clause mishnah. This one proved to be the easiest of the four - yet, in was still enlightening!. We learned three approaches to this clause and translated all of them into practical applications for people such as ourselves. -----מקורות:אבות ג:יטרבינו יונהמא
Mishlei 14:7 - Avoid the Foolish Man Because ... Lips? (Part 2)
Mishlei 14:7 - Avoid the Foolish Man Because ... Lips? (Part 2) לֵךְ מִנֶּגֶד לְאִישׁ כְּסִיל וּבַל יָדַעְתָּ שִׂפְתֵי דָעַת:Length: 47 minutesSynopsis: This morning (11/9/23), in our morning Mishlei shiur, I had PLANNED to cover a variety of meforshim. Instead, we ended up reading Metzudas David - whose explanation was the most similar to what we came up with yesterday - and spent the rest of the time developing approaches along that track. We didn't even get to the other ways of reading the pa
Vayeira: A Lesson in Tznius from Lote's Daughters
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutes 16 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 11/3/23, entitled: Vayeira: A Lesson in Tznius from Lote's Daughters. One would not expect to find a lesson in tznius (modesty) in the rape of a father by his daughters - yet, this is what we learn from the conduct of Lote's two daughters.-----This week&
Avos 3:19 - Binah Plus Daas
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 30 minutesSynopsis: This evening (11/2/23), in Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we moved on to the next clause in our mishnah about the interrelationship between binah and daas. We tackled what I believe is one of the most difficult Rambam's I know. With Hashem's help - after a crash-course style review of the Aristotelian concepts of form and material - we were able to actually uncover a nice and usefu
Neither Hamas Nor the Nazis Are Halachically Amalek According to the Rambam
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 36 minutesSynopsis: I've heard it said that "Amalek" refers to any nation or group which harbors an antisemitic ideology and poses an existential threat to the Jewish people (e.g. the Nazis, or Hamas). This position is ascribed to the Rav (Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik) in the name of his father, R' Moshe Soloveitchik. I have no objection to this view per se. I do, however, object to the claim that this i
Lech Lecha: Avraham’s Origin Story and the Torah’s Silence
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutesSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 10/27/23, entitled: Lech Lecha: Avraham’s Origin Story and the Torah’s Silence. For years I've been bothered by the Torah's silence on Avraham's backstory. I recently stumbled upon an answer which caused me to rethink how I learn pshat.-----This week's To
Sforno on Sedom: Understanding the Dialogue Between Avraham and Hashem (and Implications for Israel Today)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 35 minutesSynopsis: This YBT Sunday Shiur (10/23/23) is an updated version of a shiur I gave two years ago (10/23/21), the goal of which is to understand each and every step in Avraham's dialogue with Hashem about the fate of Sedom as explained by Sforno, and to extrapolate ideas about God's righteousness and justice. We concluded by reflecting on the implications and applications of these insights to the present
Noach: Searching for Meaning in the Post-Diluvian Genealogy
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 3 pagesLength of the audio: 11 minutes 36 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 3-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 10/20/23, entitled: Noach: Searching for Meaning in the Post-Diluvian Genealogy. I set out to write an article on a small question but ended up writing one about how to find meaning in the sections of Torah which appear to be meaningless, as explained by Rambam a
Avos 3:19 - Torah Plus Derech Eretz
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 23 minutesSynopsis: Tonight (10/19/23), in Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we began a new mishnah. Each clause follows the pattern of "without X, there is no Y, and without Y, there is no X." Tonight we analyzed the first of these: "without derech eretz, there is no Torah, and without Torah, there is no derech eretz." We came up with a few ideas on our own, and then learned three approaches f
Bereishis/Noah - Why God Hates Hamas (חמס and حماس)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutes 27 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 10/13/23, entitled: Bereishis/Noah - Why God Hates Hamas (חמס and حماس). I may have taken liberties, cut corners, strayed into next week's parashah, and almost missed my deadline, but once I thought this up, I had to write it. Sadly, it will still be relevant
Q&A #33: Crying Out, Feeling Powerless, For His Name, Teshuvah at This Time, Civilian Deaths, Evil
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 12 minutesSynopsis: This morning (10/12/23), in our first Machshavah Lab (for Women) Q&A of the year, we took up six questions: (1) What are the different ways people "cry out" to Hashem when in dire straits? (2) What can we do when we feel so powerless in situations of crisis like this? (3) What do we mean when we say "in the Name of Hashem" or "for His Name's sake"? (4) Practically s
Q&A #32: Eis Ratzon, Covid-Gaza Connection, Balancing Life and Emotions During Wartime, Why We Fast
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 37 minutesSynopsis: This morning (10/12/23), in our first Q&A of the year, we took up six questions: (1) What is idea of an "eis ratzon"? (2) Is there any connection between the COVID pandemic and the current war in Israel? (3) How do we achieve practical and emotional balance in our lives, given the situation in Israel? (4) Why are we fasting today? Or why do we fast in general? There was an additional unrecorded qu
Thoughts on the Role of Jewish Educators at a Time of War
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 7 minutes 28 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 10/11/23 entitled Thoughts on the Role of Jewish Educators at a Time of War. I began writing this article on Monday (10/9/23). I wrote it primarily for myself, but if you, too, are feeling helpless, I hope my thought-process will be of value to you at this time of
Shemini Atzeres 5781: The Festival of Holding On
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 3.5 pagesLength of the audio: 11 minutes 48 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 3.5-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 10/9/20 - yes, you read that right! - entitled: Shemini Atzeres 5781: The Festival of Holding On. I wrote this during the Fall of 2020, as we headed into the winter of the COVID-19 pandemic. I'm glad I encountered this idea at that time, and incorporated
This is Your Mind on Lulav: The Psychoactive Properties of the Four Species (Part 1)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 3 pagesLength of the audio: 11 minutes 10 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 3-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 9/29/23, entitled: This is Your Mind on Lulav: The Psychoactive Properties of the Four Species (Part 1). I believe that the four species we take on Sukkos have psychoactive properties, as do many other mitzvos - that is, if you understand what "psychoactive&
The Beneficial Effects of Torah Wine on Metaphysical Heart Rate Recovery
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 1 pageLength of the audio: 4 minutes 39 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 9/26/23, entitled: The Beneficial Effects of Torah Wine on Metaphysical Heart Rate Recovery. Looking for a VERY weird article to prepare you for the upcoming holiday season? Look no further! In my effort to be spontaneous in my writing, this is what my brain genera
Shabbos Shuvah 5784: How to Do Teshuvah, Little by Little
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 5 minutes 53 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 9/22/23, entitled: Shabbos Shuvah 5784: How to Do Teshuvah, Little by Little. Have you ever felt intimidated by teshuvah? Have you felt pressured to radically change yourself? Hoshea (according to Ibn Ezra) has some advice: SLOW DOWN! How? One answer can be found
Interpersonal Teshuvah (Rambam Hilchos Teshuvah 2:9-11)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hourSynopsis: This morning (9/22/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we reviewed the halachos of interpersonal teshuvah in the Rambam and raised a bunch of questions - several of which were new to me this year. These new questions gave rise to a new theory of interpersonal teshuvah which, I believe, answers all of the questions and yields a richer understanding of why we ask our fellow Jews for their forgiveness. Let me
How to Do Teshuvah, Step by Step (Rambam Hilchos Teshuvah 2:2,9-11)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 2 minutesSynopsis: This morning (9/15/23), in our first Machshavah Lab series for women this season, we decided to review the Rambam's procedures for regular teshuvah and teshuvah on interpersonal sins. Even though many of us have learned this before, I certainly feel like we arrived at a greater level of clarity than in previous years. We asked and answered all of our questions on the basic teshuvah procedure, and the
Avos 3:18 - R' Akiva's Amazon Fresh Allegory
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 30 minutesSynopsis: Tonight (9/14/23), in our first Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur of the season, we tackled a long and difficult mishnah filled with mixed metaphors. TBH, I didn't have a clear understanding of the main idea when I started giving shiur. Thank God, with the help of the Meiri, we managed to successfully analyze each and every clause, and to come away with a grasp of an allegory which has the potential
Nitzavim: What Would Teshuvah Look Like If It Were Easy?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutes 12 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 9/8/23, entitled: Nitzavim: What Would Teshuvah Look Like If It Were Easy? This may very well be the most radical idea about teshuvah I've ever written about. I'm not even certain that it's correct, but if it is, it's a game-changer. I'd l
Ki Tavo: Lone Learning vs. Group Learning
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutes 45 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 9/5/23, entitled: Ki Tavo: Lone Learning vs. Group Learning. In this (late) dvar Torah article, we examine a drashah from Chazal about the superiority of group-learning, as interpreted by the Maharal with some help from Ralbag and Maharsha.-----The Torah Content f
Some Thoughts on Rabbi Moskowitz's Unveiling
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 6 minutes 48 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 9/3/23, entitled: Some Thoughts on Rabbi Moskowitz's Unveiling. I was unable to attend the Hakamas Matzeivah (Unveiling) of my rebbi, Rabbi Morton Moskowitz zt"l, but here are my personal thoughts on the inscription and the timing of the event in my own
Ki Teitzei: Ramban - On Cruelty to Animals
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 6 minutes 23 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 8/25/23, entitled: Ki Teitzei: Ramban - On Cruelty to Animals. What are we to make of the halachos and principles in the Torah which are geared towards the humane treatment of animals? In this article we examine the Ramban's view, with some input from Rambam.
Two MAJOR Professional/Life Updates for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of audio: 47 minutesSynopsis: Have you been what I'll be up to this coming year? Have you heard me allude to a MAJOR update that I said I'd announce about my professional life in the near future? Are you aware of one of these updates, but not the other? Well, if none of this interests you, then by all means, feel free to skip this. But if you are at all curious about my exciting plans for 2023-2024, then here is the FULL
Shoftim: Trusting Hashem in Poverty and Jurisprudence
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutes 20 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 8/18/23, entitled: Shoftim: Trusting Hashem in Poverty and Jurisprudence. The last mishnah in Peah compares the bitachon of a poor person who refuses tzedakah to that of a judge who adjudicates truthfully. What does this mean? To answer, we must understand what bi
Re’eh: The Meaning of Mixing Milk and Meat for a Modern Maimonidean
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutes 36 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 8/11/23, entitled: Re’eh: The Meaning of Mixing Milk and Meat for a Modern Maimonidean. According to the Rambam, there are many mitzvos which were commanded in order to uproot idolatrous beliefs and practices. How do we find meaning in these today? Here are four a
Eikev: When Avodah Zarah Works (and Why)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutes 18 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 8/4/23, entitled: Eikev: When Avodah Zarah Works (and Why). How does Judaism account for miracles done for and by the practitioners of other religions? My favorite answer is given by Sforno, Rambam, and R' Akiva - one which raises a major question for us Jews
Vaeschanan: Mezuzah – Caffeine for the Soul
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 7 minutes 51 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 7/28/23, entitled: Vaeschanan: Mezuzah – Caffeine for the Soul. If you're in the mood for a weird, homiletical, practical, scientific, quasi-Maimonidean explanation of how a mezuzah is supposed to work, then have I got a dvar Torah for you!-----The Torah cont
The Sins of Beitar (Tishah b'Av 5783 Post-Shiur Learning)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This afternoon (7/27/23), immediately after my Tishah b'Av shiur on Kinnah #11, we initiated a new shiur/chavurah on a midrash about the sin that destroyed the city of Beitar. After analyzing that midrash, we compared it to the Gemara's view of which sin destroyed Beitar. We took up a few more topics and questions after that, but then my body signaled to me that after giving 5.5 hours of shiur over the course of Tishah b'Av
Kinnah #11 - Yirmiyahu Lamented Over Yoshiyahu (Tishah b'Av 5783)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (7/27/23), after giving over my annual Tishah b'Av shiur at Shevet Achim (a.k.a. The Island Synagogue), I gave it over again on Zoom. This year's focus was Kinnah #11, which (I argue) is a contender for one of the most important kinnos, since it was instituted by none other than Yirmiyahu himself, a couple of decades prior to the destruction of the Beis ha'Mikdash. This kinnah required a considerable amount of
The Sin of Columbus, Yehoyakim, and American Jewry
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 7 pagesLength of the audio: 23 minutes 56 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 7-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 7/25/23, entitled: The Sin of Columbus, Yehoyakim, and American Jewry. This article began as 4th of July musings about Columbus which illuminated my understanding of Yehoyakim, then morphed into a reflection on our values as American Jews in preparation for Tish
Devarim: The Idolatry of Showing Favoritism in Judgment
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 3 pagesLength of the audio: 10 minutes 2 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 3-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 7/23/23, entitled: Devarim: The Idolatry of Showing Favoritism in Judgment. If you think you know what the Torah means when it says, "Do not show favoritism in judgment," then either think again, or explain it to me! According to Chazal, this is NOT an i
No Excuses in Talmud Torah: Ralbag’s Conclusion to Sefer Bamidbar
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 7 minutes 27 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 7/17/23, entitled: No Excuses in Talmud Torah: Ralbag’s Conclusion to Sefer Bamidbar. Have you ever made excuses for not teaching or learning? I know I have. You know who didn't? The Ralbag, Rambam, Rema, and many others. We can learn from them, and probably
Freddie Mercury, Shadal, and the Crisis of Human Finitude
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 4 pagesLength of the audio: 12 minutes 32 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 4-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 7/12/23, entitled: Freddie Mercury, Shadal, and the Crisis of Human Finitude. What do Freddie Mercury and Shadal have in common? And what does this have to do with us? More than one might imagine. I'm certainly speaking for myself, but I hope I'm speaki
Pinchas: The Biological Kohen (and Why I Identify as a Levi)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of the article: 2 pagesLength of the audio: 8 minutes 21 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 7/7/23, entitled: Pinchas: The Biological Kohen (and Why I Identify as a Levi). The article I spent all of 17th of Tammuz writing didn't come together, so I churned out this one in 3.5 hours. It's a bit more meandering and associative than usual, but I
17th of Tammuz 5783: Which Tamid Ceased (Part 1: Questions)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 1 pageLength of audio: 4 minutes 31 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 7/5/23, entitled: 17th of Tammuz 5783: Which Tamid Ceased (Part 1: Questions). I came up with some juicy questions on this topic, but no answers. I wrote up these questions and am sharing them on the 16th of Tammuz hoping we can find answers by (or on) the 17th. -----The T
Become the Best by Accepting that You Aren’t
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 2 pagesLength of audio: 7 minutes 8 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 7/3/23, entitled: Become the Best by Accepting that You Aren’t. I was recently asked how I integrate Torah and movies/TV - but that's not why I wrote this article. I wrote it because I can't stop thinking of this scene from The Bear, and its Torah implications.--
Chukas: Ultra-Pure Cave Babies, Taylor Swift, and Enriched Uranium
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 3 pagesLength of audio: 11 minutes 5 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 3-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 6/30/23, entitled: Chukas: Ultra-Pure Cave Babies, Taylor Swift, and Enriched Uranium. In this article (which needed more than a single page to do it justice) we explore the rationale behind some of the strangest laws of Parah Adumah - strange enough to warrant an equally
On Why I Value 18Forty and the Orthodox Conundrum Podcasts
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 7 pagesLength of audio: 19 minutes 48 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 7-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 6/28/23, entitled On Why I Value 18Forty and the Orthodox Conundrum Podcasts. My two favorite Jewish podcasts are 18Forty (Rabbi David Bashevkin) and the Orthodox Conundrum (Rabbi Scott Kahn). The writings of Barry Lopez helped me realize what I value in their work.-----
Korach: To Guard and Revere the Mikdash
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 1 pageLength of audio: 4 minutes 7 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 6/23/23, entitled: Korach: To Guard and Revere the Mikdash. In my ongoing effort to mine this parashah for topics OTHER than the saga of Korach, I've decided to take up a difficult question about an obscure topic. My thanks to Rabbi Yoni Sacks for his insight.-----This
Shelach: That Time the Letter Yod Pleaded Before Hashem
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 1 pageLength of audio: 4 minutes 11 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 6/16/23, entitled: Shelach: That Time the Letter Yod Pleaded Before Hashem. I never know where an article will end up once I begin writing. This one began as an analysis of a midrash about Yehoshua's name, but ended up being a humbling lesson in the methodology of midrash.-----This week's Torah conte
Nazir Reexamined - Part 2: Ralbag's Approach
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 15 minutesSynopsis: This morning (6/9/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we attempted to answer as many of the questions we raised last time as possible. This time we focused on the approach of the Ralbag - well, at least, the approach we managed to tease out of the few comments where addressed our questions. What emerged was a more nuanced view of portrait of the nazir than what many of us previously knew. I had
Q&A #31: Goals, Work, Weddings, Teaching Middos, Year in Review, Baal Teshuvah Baggage, Perfection
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 50 minutesSynopsis: This morning (6/9/23), in our last Friday morning Q&A of the year, we took up six questions: (1) How does a person balance their mission in life as a Jew and a human being with their mission as an individual? (2) To what extent is work a lechatchila or a bedieved? (3) If you'll be attending consecutive weddings, how can you maximize being joyful and present at each? (4) What are some guidelines for tea
Behaalosecha: The Shechinah Isn't a Dog Person
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 1 pageLength of audio: 4 minutes 46 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 6/9/23, entitled: Behaalosecha: The Shechinah Isn't a Dog Person. I am not a dog person. I have no problem with dog people UNLESS they're insensitive to those who aren't dog people. According to Chazal, the shechinah has my back. Take heed, O dog people!-----This week's Torah content has be
Avos 3.18 - Hierarchies of Divine Love
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 12 minutesSynopsis: Tonight (6/8/23), in our last Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur of the season, we learned that God "loves" all human beings, but He loves Israel more, and may love certain members of Israel even more than that. Tonight we relied exclusively on the Sforno as our guide. By learning his commentaries on Avos, Bereishis, and Devarim, we were able to arrive at an understanding which was clear, practic
Behaalosecha: Moshe's View of Miracles
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 7 pagesLength of audio: 16 minutes 1 secondSynopsis: This is the audio version of an article I re-published on 6/7/23 (originally published on Kol ha'Seridim on 6/1/18) entitled: Behaalosecha: Moshe's View of Miracles. There's an uncomfortable moment when Moshe seems to question Hashem's Omnipotence. This article unpacks the Ran's explanation of that incident, and its implications for our unders
Naso: Confessing to an Omnipotent God
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 1 pageLength of audio: 4 minutes 23 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 6/2/23, entitled: Naso: Confessing to an Omnipotent God. Do YOU know the source in the Written Torah for the mitzvah of vidui (confession of sins)? And if you do, can you explain why it's presented in this context? Here's my attempt to answer that question -----This week's Torah content has been
Nazir Reexamined - Part 1: Facts and Questions
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 15 minutesSynopsis: This morning (6/2/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we revisited the nazir: a topic which many feel they have SOME familiarity. We began by taking stock of what we know (or think we know). We then read through all the pesukim in detail, formulating question after question on the institution of nazir as a whole and on the many details and nuances we never noticed in our prior cursory (in compar
Q&A #30: Teshuvah, Tochachah, Svara, Drush, and Halachos Outside of Taryag
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 47 minutesSynopsis: This morning (6/2/23), in our Friday morning Q&A, we took up five questions: (1) How should a person relate to teshuvah on aveiros one no longer does? (2) What is the Torah's stance on speaking about a person in an embarrassing way in the context of tochachah, considering how the pesukim openly talk about the faults of individuals? (3) What is svara? (4) What are the parameters of giving "drush&qu
Avos 3:17 - Textual Integrity and Emunas Chachamim
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 50 minutesSynopsis: Tonight (6/1/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we learned the final "fence" clause of our mishnah - one which I thought would be too uninteresting for a full shiur, but turned out to be eye-opening and practical in a way that was different from the other clauses. To spice things up even more, we also delved into the topic of emunas chachamim, which we linked back to this clause in o
Celebration of Rabbi Moskowitz's Life (held at YBT on his 1st Yahrzeit)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 16 minutesSynopsis: This is the audio recording of the event held in memory of Rabbi Moskowitz at YBT on Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5783 (5/21/23), on the occasion of his 1st yahrzeit. Here is a list of the speakers in order:- Rabbi Pesach Chait - Mrs. Leya Moskowitz - Racheli Zimmer- Rabbi Aaron Zimmer- Rabbi Leslie Ungar- Rabbi Howie Burstein (letter read by Leslie)- Ann Morhaime- Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman- Rabbi Dave Markowitz- Ra
Rabbi Moskowitz's Approach to Eishes Chayil
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!One summer in the mid-2000s, Rabbi Moskowitz zt"l and I (and the other students who attended those shiurim during those weeks) worked out an approach to Eishes Chayil (a.k.a. Mishlei 31:10-31). This morning (5/21/23), in honor of his first yahrzeit, I presented his approach and our ideas on the entirety of Eishes Chayil.To listen to the original recordings, click here and locate N-135 and N-136.-----מקורות:משלי לא:י-לאמאירי, מצודת דו
Bamidbar: Moshe's Non-Biological Sons
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 1 pageLength of audio: 3 minutes 56 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 5/19/23, entitled: Bamidbar: Moshe's Non-Biological Sons. Who were Moshe's sons? You may be tempted to answer, "Gershom and Eliezer" - but that's not what it says in Bamidbar's census. The answer given by the pesukim sheds light on what makes a good teacher.-----This week's T
Q&A #29: Keeping Pace with a Minyan, Is it a Mitzvah to Speculate, Can People Be Happy Without Torah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 44 minutesSynopsis: This morning (5/19/23), in our Friday morning Q&A, we took up three questions: (1) What are some guidelines for tefilah in a minyan which davens faster than you prefer? (2) Is it a mitzvah to speculate? (whatever that means) (3) What are we to make of the common narrative that the Torah is the ONLY path to happiness, and if someone claims to be happy without Torah, then they must be deluding themselves?----
Avos 3:17 and 1:17 - The Virtue of Silence
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 38 minutesSynopsis: Tonight (5/18/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we tackled the topic of silence according to the Rambam - learning through his treatment of silence in the Mishneh Torah and in his commentary on the Mishnah - with the aim of understanding both Avos 3:17 and Avos 1:17 (which is the first mishnah to deal with this topic). Miraculously, we answered all of our questions, and gained a lot of insigh
Bamidbar: The Terminal Bachelorhood of Nadav and Avihu
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 4 pagesLength of audio: 11 minutes 23 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of an article I re-published on 5/15/23 (originally published on Kol ha'Seridim on 5/22/20) entitled: Bamidbar: The Terminal Bachelorhood of Nadav and Avihu. The deaths of Nadav and Avihu are recorded in Shemini, but Bamidbar adds one more clue to their story – a clue which is unpacked in the midrashim, and grants us a different perspe
Q&A #28: Entertainment, Rebuke, Accepting Lashon ha'Ra, Hedonism, and Echo-Chambers
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 56 minutesSynopsis: This morning (5/12/23), in our SECOND Friday Q&A (this time, for women), we took up five questions: (1) What guidelines should govern our decision to partake in forms of entertainment which don't line up with Torah values? (2) To what extent is it our responsibililty to correct people who are mistaken? (3) At what point do you allow lashon ha'ra to color your view of a person? (4) How would one re
Q&A #27: How to Engage Students, Shlish vs. Libo Chafetz, Benefits of Teaching, Purpose of a Yeshiva
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 45 minutesSynopsis: This morning (5/12/23), in our Friday Q&A, we took up four questions: (1) What are some ways to foster an interactive learning environment in a class, especially on Zoom? (2) How does one balance the "proper" allocation of learning time with the consideration of "a person should only learn where his heart desires"? (3) What is the greatest benefit you've gotten as a teacher ASIDE fr
Behar: The Prohibition to Free a Canaanite Slave
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 1 pageLength of audio: 4 minutes 14 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 5/12/23, entitled: Behar: The Prohibition to Free a Canaanite Slave. The Torah permits slavery. Many (including myself) hold that Judaism is philosophically anti-slavery. If so, why are we prohibited to free an eved Canaani? Let me know what you think of my answer. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my ot
Avos 3:17 - How to Become Fabulously Wealthy! (Tithes are a Fence for Wealth)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 32 minutesSynopsis: Tonight (5/11/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we continued learning the mishnah we started last week. We began by reviewing, clarifying, and expanding upon the ideas we learned last week concerning "vows are a fence for detachment from worldly pleasures." Then we moved on to the clause about wealth - taking turns analyzing with our own minds and learning what the meforshim had to
Bechukosai: Why are Women Worth Less than Men?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 6 pagesLength of audio: 15 minutes 27 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of an article I re-published on 5/8/23 (originally published on Kol ha'Seridim on 6/3/16) entitled, Bechukosai: Why are Women Worth Less than Men? Fact: in this week's parashah, the Torah assigns greater monetary value to men than to women. Some might be tempted to jump to conclusions. This article models an alternative route: und
Eight Explanations of Shaatnez
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 15 minutesSynopsis: This morning (5/5/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we learned - surprise surprise! - eight different explanations of shaatnez! We began with a simple methodological hack for learning about the reasons for mitzvos, and then we read through eight commentaries on shaatnez and attempted to extract clear understandings of how the mitzvah of shaatnez perfects us. I'm sure there are many more e
Q&A #26: Should a Rebbi Talk Openly About Personal Struggles? Workplace Temptations, and Publicizing One’s Jewishness
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 45 minutesSynopsis: This morning (5/5/23), in our Friday Q&A, we took up three(ish) questions: (1) To what extent should/may a rebbi - or teacher, parent, mentor, etc. - talk about their own personal struggles to help those whom they guide? (2) What are some guidelines for navigating workplace temptations involving members of the opposite sex? (3) To what extent should a person be open about their Judaism among non-Jewish cowo
Emor: Why Judaism Punishes Converts
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 1 pageLength of audio: 4 minutes 16 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 5/5/23, entitled: Emor: Why Judaism Punishes Converts. The ending of this parashah has bothered me for years. Thanks to Sforno, Shadal, and Assyriology, I think I finally have an answer - one which sheds light on the Torah's radical stance towards gerim.If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other wri
Avos 3:17 - Vows are a Fence for Prishus
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 41 minutesSynopsis: Tonight (5/4/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we began learning a mishnah about five types of fences. After raising questions on the whole mishnah, we decided to focus solely on the clause about nedarim, as explained by Rabbeinu Yonah and the Rambam. We took a deep dive into what, exactly, is meant by "prishus" and whether Rabbeinu Yonah and the Rambam argue on that score. We also
Emor: Does Hashem Hate Unibrows?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 4.5 pagesLength of audio: 11 minutes 31 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of an article I re-published on 4/30/23 (originally published on Kol ha'Seridim on 5/8/20) entitled, Emor: Does Hashem Hate Unibrows? The answer is: Of course not! But then why does the Torah ban a Kohen with a unibrow from serving in Mikdash? Why does the Torah care about physical blemishes in Kohanim? What does this reflect about t
Kedoshim: Defining Rechilus (Gossip)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length of article: 1 pageLength of audio: 4 minutes 30 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 4/28/23, entitled: Kedoshim: Defining Rechilus (Gossip). The prohibitions against lashon ha'ra and motzi shem ra are relatively easy to define, but the definition of rechilus has eluded me. This year I think I finally have a solid approach.If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content),
Acharei Mos / Kedoshim: Is it Immoral to Desire Arayos? (According to the Rambam)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 35 minutesSynopsis: This morning (4/28/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we took up a charged topic: arayos. The term "arayos" ("ervah" in singular) refers to the Biblically prohibited sexual relations that are liable for kareis (spiritual excision), including incest, bestiality, homosexual sodomy, adultery, and niddah. These prohibitions form the basis of what is colloquially referred to as t
Q&A #25: Rechilus, Benefits of YBT, Work/Life, Benefits of Jewish Community, Justifying Religiosity
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 48 minutesSynopsis: This morning (4/28/23), in our Friday Q&A, we took up five questions: (1) In cases where you are pemitted to speak rechilus or lashon ha'ra, how can one minimize the harm to oneself? (2) What are the benefits of YBT? (3) How should one balance one's choice of work/income with learning? (4) What are the benefits of living in a Jewish community? (5) How can one tactfully justify one's own relig
Avos 3:16 - How to Relate to Superiors, Inferiors, and All People
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 30 minutesSynopsis: This evening (4/27/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we learned a mishnah which struck us as different from the other mishnayos we've learned, presenting itself as a mix of etiquette guidelines, workplace advice, and general advice on how to get good results from human interactions. Nevertheless, we were able to get some really nice "Pirkei Avosey" ideas from it, accompanied by
Tazria: Rambam's Explanation for Why Milah is Done on the Eighth Day
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 4 minutes 33 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 4/21/23, entitled: Tazria: Rambam's Explanation for Why Milah is Done on the Eighth Day. In my article, Lech Lecha: Is Circumcision Mutilation? I wrote about one facet of the Rambam's understanding of milah. This article is about his explanation for why milah is done at the young age of eight days.If you enjoy these 1-page articles (
Overview of the Halachos of Rechilus and Lashon ha'Ra
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 27 minutesSynopsis: Earlier this year, I was sent a list of questions about lashon ha'ra, and I began developing a shiur on what I think is a fundamentally different perspective of lashon ha'ra than what many of us currently have. Initially I was planning on giving that shiur today, but I realized that perhaps we are all in need of a review of the BASICS before we're ready for a NEW perspective. This morning
Q&A #24: Davening for Refuah for Others, Avraham's Care About Legacy, New Theory of HashgaXXX XXXXXX
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 21 minutesSynopsis: This morning (4/21/23), in our shorter-than-usual Friday Q&A (both because we started late and because I didn't record the last question), we took up three questions: (1) What's the deal with davening for a refuah for other people? (2) Why was Avraham Avinu concerned with his legacy after death, and how does this differ from Koheles's attitude towards legacy? (3) What do we make of "coin
Avos 3:15 - Five Ways to Lose Olam ha'Ba
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 54 minutesSynopsis: This evening (4/20/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we tackled a mishnah which was quite intimidating in its scope and the weightiness of its topic: Olam ha'Ba, and how to lose it. In order to drown in a sea of different opinions, we focused on understanding this mishnah according to the Rambam (with a little help from his friends). Miraculously, we ended up answering nearly all of our
Shemini - Why Can't We Eat Bugs?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 4 minutes 19 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 4/14/23, entitled: Shemini - Why Can't We Eat Bugs? Sometimes I tackle topics that are too broad or deep for a 1-page article. This was one of those times. Still, I hope that the question and briefly stated answer at least provide food for thought. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (f
Jewish Pedagogy: On Asking Stupid Questions
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 4 minutes 8 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 4/10/23, entitled: Jewish Pedagogy: On Asking Stupid Questions. Some say "there's no such thing as a stupid question." In this article I explain why I disagree, why I think such a message is detrimental for students, and what our Mesorah teaches as an alternative.If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content),
Memento Mori and True Human Empathy at the Seder
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 4 minutes 10 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 4/5/23, entitled: Memento Mori and True Human Empathy at the Seder. One of the most underappreciated themes of Pesach - and one of the most universal ones - is subtly reflected in two minhagim, both of which involve reflections on mortality and what it means to live.If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to
Avadim Hayinu: Would We Still Be Slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 4 minutes 26 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 4/4/23, entitled: Avadim Hayinu: Would We Still Be Slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt? Ordinarily I don't write up such speculative answers, but this question has been bothering me for so long that I decided to share the best two answer I have in hopes that it'll generate discussion. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written c
Arbaah Banim: The Alternate Version of the Wise and Simple Sons
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 4 minutes 6 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 4/3/23, entitled: Arbaah Banim: The Alternate Version of the Wise and Simple Sons. If you're looking for a discussion catalyst at your seder on the Arbaah Banim, consider bringing up the OTHER answers we give to the wise and simple sons. I guarantee you that discussion will ensue.If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written con
Maaseh b’Rebbi Eliezer: Abravanel’s Framing of Insomnia on Pesach Night
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 4 minutes 2 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 4/2/23, entitled: Maaseh b’Rebbi Eliezer: Abravanel’s Framing of Insomnia on Pesach Night. Ever wonder why we talk about the Sages in Bnei Brak staying up all night? Better question: Have you ever gotten a bad sleep after the seder? If the answer to both question is "yes," check this out.If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my othe
Four Reasons for the Four Cups
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 35 minutesSynopsis: As I mention in the introductory disclaimer for the shiur I gave this morning (3/31/23) in our Machshavah Lab series for women, I wasn't sure how this shiur would turn out. At best, it could yield some earthshattering insight into the four cups and how we relate to them; at worst, it would just be an overview/review of basic ideas and sources about the four cups. It ended up being closer to the latt
Q&A #23: Overcoming Closemindedness, Seeing Chidushim, Dealing with Shame, Phenomenology in Judaism
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 45 minutesSynopsis: This morning (3/31/23), in our Friday Q&A, we took up four questions: (1) If you know you're closeminded in a certain area, whether in learning or in life, what steps can you take to overcome that closemindedness? (2) What can be done to maximize the potential for chidushim in learning, as opposed to remaining with your current understanding of the area? (3) What should we do when we experience shame?
Tzav: Korban Todah – Thanking God with a Chametz and Matzah Party
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 4 minutes 20 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 3/29/23, entitled: Tzav: Korban Todah – Thanking God with a Chametz and Matzah Party. Even though we are currently unable to bring korbanos, the ideas are as relevant to our lives as ever, provided we ask the right questions and look for the right kinds of answers. Here's an example.If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written
Vayikra: Shadal's View of Korbanos
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 4 minutes 4 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 3/26/23, entitled: Vayikra: Shadal's View of Korbanos. 67% of this article was written by Shadal. Yet, I wanted to highlight Shadal's radical theory, compare and contrast it with Rambam's view, and use it to answer a common question about tefilah.If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscr
The Fundamental Importance of NON-Symbolic Chametz
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 30 minutesSynopsis: The shiur I gave this morning (3/24/23) in our Machshavah Lab series for women was inspired by a pet-peeve of mine: symbolic explanations of the mitzvos regarding chametz on Pesach. The first hour of the shiur is devoted to my presentation of why the NON-symbolic understanding of chametz is fundamental - not just for the observance of the mitzvah, but for the continued existence of Torah and Judaism as a
Q&A #22: Why Are You Orthodox, Chavrusa Off-Days, Side-Stepping Perfection, Concealing Observance
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 45 minutesSynopsis: This morning (3/24/23), in our Friday Q&A, we spent the first 25 minutes on an excellent question posed by Rabbi Scott Kahn: (1) "Why are you Orthodox?" Everyone gave their own answers, which we discussed and debated, and then I gave my own answer. In the remaining 20 minutes we tackled three more questions: (2) What should you do if you and your chavrusa are having an "off-day"? (3) Wha
"Hashem Decreed the Egyptian Slavery?! God Forbid!" (Sforno on Shemos 1:1-14)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 35 minutesSynopsis: This evening (3/23/23), in lieu of our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we did a Chumash Exploration shiur on Sforno's view that the Egyptian exile was NOT decreed by Hashem, but was entirely our fault, and could have been avoided. We read and discussed Sforno's commentary on the first fourteen pesukim of Sefer Shemos and the three pesukim of the Bris Bein ha'Besarim, along with the newly
Vayakhel: The Meaning of the Mirror Donation (ABBREVIATED 1-page article version)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 4 minutes 30 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 3/17/23, entitled: Vayakhel: The Meaning of the Mirror Donation. I only had enough space in this article to convey a simple idea. For an elaboration on the ideas here, check out the 3/17/23 shiur I gave (on YouTube or my Machshavah Lab podcast) with the same title.If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to su
Pikudei: The Meaning of the Mirror Donation (SHIUR version)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 19 minutesSynopsis: This morning (3/17/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we tackled a topic that I've been working on for my article this Friday: the women's donation of the bronze mirrors to make the laver and its base in the Mishkan. We examined two approaches - that of Rashi and R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam - and discussed their differences and the implications. I wasn't sure whether we&ap
Q&A #21: "What should I do if my friends are speaking lashon ha'ra about our other friends?"
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 46 minutesSynopsis: This might be the best Q&A of the year. At the very least, it was the most practical. This morning (3/17/23), in our Friday Q&A, we took up a single VERY multi-faceted question (at least seven parts!) about how to deal with a situation (in the past, present, and future) where you're with a group of friends who engage in prohibited speech (whether rechilus, lashon ha'ra, motzi shem ra, letzanus
Avos 3:14 - Four Bad Habits that Remove You From the World
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 34 minutesSynopsis: This evening (3/16/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we learned a mishnah in Pirkei Avos which was much more oriented towards the practical than many other mishnayos we've learned. Part of what made this so practical is that it discussed behaviors that many of us engage in, such as sleeping in, hanging out with amei ha'aretz, and using TikTok (!). We learned through the approaches o
My Eulogy for Popo
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 10 minutes 43 secondsSynopsis: This is the eulogy I delivered at the funeral of my Popo (grandmother), Helen Chang (10/5/1924 - 2/2/2023) on 3/13/23 in Honolulu, HI.Click here for the video of my eulogy, and click here for the transcript. Be sure to check out the beautiful eulogy given by my brother, Jonny, by clicking here.
Ki Tisa: Is Shabbos a Day of Simchah?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 4 minutes 47 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 3/10/23, entitled: Ki Tisa: Is Shabbos a Day of Simchah? If so, why isn't it presented this way in the Torah and in halacha? And if not, then why are there so many references to Shabbos joy in the songs we sing on Shabbos? If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free!) to my substack a
If Hashem Only Gives Chochmah to Chachamim, How Do WE Get It? (Berachos 55a) Part 2
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (3/10/23), in lieu of our Friday Q&A, we continued working on the Gemara we started on Wednesday. We reviewed what we covered last time, read and elucidated a summary of an idea from the Nefesh ha'Chayim, and then attempted to figure out the machlokess of the pesukim (if there IS a machlokess). While we didn't arrive at any conclusions, we did take some significant steps, and gained some insight along the way. W
If Hashem Only Gives Chochmah to Chachamim, How Do WE Get It? (Berachos 55a) Part 1
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (3/8/23), in lieu of a morning Mishlei shiur, we set out to answer a question posed by one of my talmidim to our Rosh ha'Yeshiva at the Purim seudah last night: How does one become a chacham? We identified three sources which talk about Step #1, and we decided to work on the most problematic one: "Ha'Kadosh Baruch Hu only gives chochmah to those who [already] have chochmah" (Berachos 55a). The question is:
Megilas Esther: How Esther Stayed Religious
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 8 minutes 5 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I wrote on Megilas Esther, entitled: Megilas Esther: How Esther Stayed Religious. This article, which I cranked out over Taanis Esther and Purim day, offers insight into Esther's character via a set of bizarre midrashim about her observance of hilchos niddah with Achashveirosh.If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure
Mechiyas Amalek: Emulating a Vengeful God
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 30 minutesSynopsis: This morning (3/3/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, I presented an idea I happened upon in Purim 5780 (March 2020) but didn't finish developing. R' Yosef ibn Kaspi asks: How can the Torah wage a war of vengeance against Amalek when revenge is a reprehensible trait and is prohibited by the Torah? His answer is shocking - so much so that even he doesn't feel comfortable spelling i
ABBREVIATED VERSION: My Current (Radical?) Understanding of the Mitzvah to Get Drunk on Purim
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 56 minutesSynopsis: Last night I gave a special Purim shiur to my women's group on my current (radical?) understanding of the mitzvah to get drunk on Purim. That shiur ended up being 1 hour and 46 minutes long. Because I know that time is valuable, I wanted to do my best to produce a shorter version, and that's what this is. The difference is that last night we first learned through all the relevant sources about drinkin
My Current (Radical?) Understanding of the Mitzvah to Get Drunk on Purim
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In lieu of tonight's (3/2/23) regularly scheduled Pirkei Avos shiur for women, I gave a special Purim shiur on a well-trodden topic. Each year I attempt to review ALL the halachic positions on Purim drunkenness, but only in the past couple of years have I formed my own view. In one sense, this is a synthesis of different ideas I've learned from various traditional sources. In another sense, it's a new approach inspired by a
The Perils of Distracted Learning (Avos 3:9)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Have you ever checked your phone while learning in a shiur, chavrusa, or even by yourself? This might seem innocuous, but Chazal teach us in Pirkei Avos that if you interrupt your learning to remark on the beauty of a tree or a field, then the Torah considers it as though you are "liable for your soul." This morning (2/26/23), I gave a YBT Sunday Shiur on that mishnah. After a brief methodological intro, we learned and discussed
HALF ARTICLE VERSION Mishpatim: The Sanctuary-Altar Sanctuary (or Mizbeach as Refuge for Killers)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 5 minutes 34 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page (half-)article I wrote, entitled, Mishpatim: The Sanctuary-Altar Sanctuary (or Mizbeach as Refuge for Killers). No, this isn't Parashas Mishpatim, and no, this is NOT a complete dvar Torah. I've been working on this question for two weeks, and I decided to present it, even though I don't yet have the answers.If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and
Q&A #20: Changing TSBP, Bakashah Advice, Chesed/Tzedakah Guidance, What Should I Learn?, Harry Potter
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 13 minutesSynopsis: This morning (2/24/23), in our second Friday Q&A (this one for women), we took up five questions: (1) If the texts of Torah she'baal Peh "evolved" to suit the needs of the times, why can't this happen with the text of tefilah as well? (2) What advice do I have for how to insert personal requests in the amidah? (3a) When doing chesed, should we prioritize people we know or stranger
Q&A #19: Impromptu Hodaah, Is God Bound by Logic, Svara Intuition, Inyanei d'Yoma, Mourner's Kaddish
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 47 minutesSynopsis: This morning (2/24/23), in our first Friday Q&A, we took up five questions: (1) Is there a halachic way to thank God for it being a nice day? (2a) Is God bound by human logic? (2b) How do we navigate discussions about God with people who hold false ideas about Him? (3) What do you do if you're confronted with two equally plausible sevaros? (4) How should a person balance inyanei d'yoma learning wi
SHIUR VERSION of Mishpatim: The Sanctuary-Altar Sanctuary (or "Mizbeach as a Refuge for Killers")
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (2/23/23), in lieu of our regularly scheduled Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, I gave a Chumash Exploration shiur on a topic I've been vexed by for the past two weeks: the obscure halacha stated in Parashas Mishpatim that the Mizbeach provides sanctuary for killers under specific conditions. I gave this shiur because I needed - and still need, as of this morning - help developing the insights I've encountered. I&ap
Everything I Know About Techiyas ha'Meisim
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Friday morning "Machshavah Lab" shiur for women (2/17/23), I was asked to give a shiur on techiyas ha'meisim. Since I really don't know much about the topic and don't think I have much to offer by way of chidushim (new insights), I figured I'd just present everything I know - so I did! We raised other questions along the way, which I hope to be able to answer some day, and we ended with a few
Q&A #18: Wisdom Literature, Time Allotment, Food Forests, Matrilineal Descent, and Geonic Works
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 49 minutesSynopsis: This morning (1/6/22), in our Friday Q&A, we took up five questions: (1) What do we hold about the authorship of the "wisdom literature" in Tanach? (2) How do you know if you're using your time wisely? (3) Are food forests feasible? (4) What's the deal with matrilineal descent? (5) Why don't we focus on the Geonim as much as the Rishonim? -----מקורות:משלי כה:ארש"ירלב"גשד&q
Mishpatim: Does Hashem Reward Good Dogs?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 4 minutes 22 secondsSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Mishpatim: Does Hashem Reward Good Dogs? Rambam maintains that the notion of Divine reward and punishment for animals is a non-Jewish concept. What are we to do when we encounter statements of Chazal which talk about God rewarding animals? If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for fre
Avos 3:13 - The Relationship Between Social Approval and Divine Approval
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (2/16/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we took up the next mishnah in Chapter 3. This week's mishnah was short but sweet. We learned three different approaches, each with practical applications for those on a very high level and for the rest of us.-----מקורות:אבות א:יגרבינו יונהרשב"ץרמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר המדע, הלכות יסודי התורה ה:יאRabbi Israel Chait, D-143: Kiddush Hashem and Chilul Hashem https:
Spectral Clergy, Living Torah, and My Izzet Grieving Process
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 19 minutesSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 6-page article I wrote, entitled, Spectral Clergy, Living Torah, and My Izzet Grieving Process. Instead of writing a 1-page article on the parashah, I decided to write a lengthier reflection on my grieving process over the course of these past seven days. You can decide if it counts as Torah.-----The Torah content for this week has been sponsored by Sarah and Moshe Eisen, with t
Avos 3:11-12 - The Relationship Between Chochmah, Fear of Sin, and Deeds
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (2/9/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we took up the next two mishnayos (depending on how you count) in Chapter 3, since they seem to be inherently related. On account of roller-coaster of a week I had with all the deaths, I didn't feel as prepared for this shiur as I usually do, and while we may not have arrived at polished ideas which live up to my usual standard, I'm pleased with the questions we rai
Beshalach: Was Miriam a Prophetess?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Beshalach: Was Miriam a Prophetess? If you think you know the answer to this question, I recommend asking yourself: "How do I know?" or "Why is this even a question?" before reading (or listening to) this article. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free!) to my substack at rabbischneewe
Bo: The Jewish Lunar Calendar as Anti-Egyptian Polemic
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Bo: The Jewish Lunar Calendar as Anti-Egyptian Polemic. Rambam (Moreh 3:29) maintained that knowledge of the beliefs and practices of the ancient idolatrous nations is vital for understanding the reasons for the Torah's commandments. Here is an example. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free!) to my
Shemos: Dasan and Aviram - to Blame or Not to Blame?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Shemos: Dasan and Aviram - to Blame or Not to Blame? The Torah itself only ascribes one wrongdoing to Dasan and Aviram. It is the Sages who place them at the scene of other crimes. What are we to make of this? Let us turn to Rashi and Ralbag for insight.-----The Torah content for the remainder of January has been sponsored by Yehuda in gratitude for fifteen year
Q&A #17: Shalom Bayis, Darchei Shalom, and Questions About Jewish Cemeteries
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 14 minutesSynopsis: This morning (1/12/22) we set out to do a Q&A, but the first question turned into a 30-minute tefilah shiur, which let only 14 minutes for other questions. We still managed to get in a few interesting questions.-----מקורות:רמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר זמנים, הלכות מגילה וחנוכה ד:יג-ידרמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר שופטים, הלכות מלכים ומלחמות י:ידרמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר שופטים, הלכות סנהדרין והעונשין המסורין
Does Hashem Actually Pray?! - Part 2 (Berachos 7a)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (1/11/23), in our Wednesday night Tefilah shiur, we continued and completed (for now!) our analysis of the midrash about Hashem davening to himself. The good news is that I believe we got the main idea of the midrash. The "bad" news is that we raised a powerful question on the Sefer ha'Chinuch and Rashba, which I THOUGHT I had an answer to, but I realized that I didn't have the answer as clear as I thought
Q&A #16: Churban, Minhag, "Shmiras Einayim," Sharing Psak, Reading, Feeding Animals 1st, MO Problems
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 21 minutesSynopsis: This morning (1/6/22), in our SECOND Friday Q&A (this one for women only), we took up a bunch of topics which included many subtopics: (1a) What can we infer about the relative importance of bein adam l'makom vs. bein adam l'chaveiro mitzvos from the reasons given for the destruction of both Batei ha'Mikdash? (1b) Which types of lo lishmah mitzvos are acceptable and which aren't?
Vayechi: The Wolf as an Allegory for the Shechinah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Vayechi: The Wolf as an Allegory for the Shechinah. This article is about two topics that are near and dear to my heart: the wolf (as as a subject of epistemological epiphanies) and the shechinah. What do they have to do with each other? Listen and find out! -----This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Rachayl as a "thank you" to me for tea
Q&A #15: Aristotelian Torah, Ox-Filth, English Mishneh Torah, and Baby Souls
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 46 minutesSynopsis: This morning (1/6/22), in our Friday Q&A, we took up four questions: (1) What do we make of the fact that so much of our Judaism has been influenced by Aristotelian thought? (2) How do I cope with the fact that so much of my time is spent doing unimportant things instead of learning? (3) What advice do you have about learning the Mishneh Torah in English, for bekius purposes? (4) Do babies have souls, such
Avos 3:10 & 5:12 - The Consequences of Forgetting Your Torah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (1/5/22), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we began by reviewing what we learned last week, since last week's mishnah is so related to this week's. We then analyzed the new mishnah according to Meiri and Rabbeinu Yonah, which we supplemented with Rabbeinu Yonah's commentary on a related mishnah in chapter 5. We concluded by making sure we answered all our questions, and by addressing a few practical app
Does Hashem Actually Pray?! - Part 1 (Berachos 7a)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (1/4/23), in our Wednesday night Tefilah shiur, we took up an exceedingly perplexing and seemingly problematic midrash about Hashem davening and asking for berachos from human beings. The plan was to learn this midrash in accordance with the commentary of the Rashba, but we didn't want to rush things. Tonight we went over the facts, developed our own approach, and read the Rashba's preface to his commentary on the m
An Etymological Drash from Rav Hirsch on Jewish vs. Pagan Priests
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I wrote, entitled, An Etymological Drash from Rav Hirsch on Jewish vs. Pagan Priests. Yes, this is a TWO page article (as opposed to the usual one page article). Yes, this is on LAST week's parashah (Mikeitz) rather than this week's parashah (Vayigash). But when I saw this comment from Rav Hirsch, I simply NEEDED to write a piece about it, and this is what I ended up writ
Avos 3:9 - Interrupting Torah for a Tree
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (12/29/22), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we began by updating our theory on the purpose and intended audience of Pirkei Avos, in light of an observation made by Moshe Halbertal. Next, we tackled yet another short but practical mishnah about one's relationship with learning. We learned this mishnah according to Meiri, Abravanel, and Rabbeinu Yonah, managing to answer all our questions. We concluded by fleshing
Chanukah 5783: The “Beloved” Mitzvah of Ner Chanukah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Chanukah 5783: The “Beloved” Mitzvah of Ner Chanukah. What makes Ner Chanukah a "beloved mitzvah"? My current answer to that question draws upon teachings from Rambam, the Rav, and the beautiful definition of "shechinah" given by R' Dovid Tzvi Hoffmann. And, on a personal note, this article was an important reminder to me that not EVERY a
Dream Analysis in Halacha: Aruch ha'Shulchan and Rambam
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This Friday morning "Machshavah Lab" shiur for women (12/16/22) was something like a follow-up from last week's shiur on "The Meta-Halachic Implications of the Halachos of Fingernail Cutting." Although the topics of dreams, prophecy, and prophetic dreams are fraught with difficulty, they DO have an anchor in two halachic institutions: the strange "ritual" of Hatavas Chalom (interpreting a bad dream for t
Q&A #14 - Off-the-Record Questions, Shabbos King, and Melaveh Malka
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This morning (12/16/22), in our Friday Q&A, we spent the majority of our time talking about some questions which were important, difficult, and soul-searching ... but we didn't record them, since the "off-the-record" clause was invoked. And it was a good thing, too, since it allowed us to discuss these issues freely. We did record the last question, which I didn't answer in full. That'll have to wait
Vayeishev: Should this Rashi be Taught to Children?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Vayeishev: Should this Rashi be Taught to Children? This title sounds clickbaity but I'm honestly looking for an answer to the question: Can anyone make a convincing argument that it is better to teach Rashi's explanation of Yosef's fate than Ralbag's?-----The Torah content for the month of Kislev has been sponsored by Serena and Paul Koppel,
Avos 3:8 - Giving to God
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (12/15/22), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we learned a short but practical mishnah. After raising all the questions and problems, we actually managed to figure out the main idea by ourselves. After that, we learned three meforshim - all of whom added layers of nuance to the idea we discovered. We ended the shiur by making sure we answered all of our questions and by reviewing the practical applications. And here&ap
The Meta-Halachic Implications of the Halachos of Fingernail Cutting
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Friday morning "Machshavah Lab" shiur for women (12/9/22), we took up an unusual and interesting topic: the halachos of fingernail cutting. "Halachos?" you say. Yes! According to the Rema in the Shulchan Aruch, we don't cut our fingernails in sequence, but instead, we cut them in a specific order - and if we violate this halacha, we are subject to danger (according to the sources). I was asked what
Q&A #13 - What to Treat as a Fact, How Curses Work, and How Berachos Work
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This morning (12/9/22), in our Friday Q&A, we addressed three topics: (1) When learning Chumash - or, to be honest, any other area - how do you know what to treat as a "fact" and what to treat as a "theory"? (2) How do curses from other human beings work? (3) How do berachos from other human beings work? Although we didn't arrive at definitive answers for all three questions, we definitely gained som
Avos 3:7 - Levels of Shechinah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (12/8/22), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we learned a very challenging mishnah which partially overlaps with a previous mishnah in Avos and ALSO partially overlaps with a Gemara in Berachos. To make things even more difficult, most of our "go to" meforshim barely commented on anything - except for the Sforno! With Sforno as our guide, we gave it our best shot. While we may not have answered ALL our questi
Vayishlach: Can We Talk About Reuven’s Sin?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Vayishlach: Can We Talk About Reuven's Sin? Did Reuven sleep with Bilhah, as the text states? If so, why would the Sages of the Talmud tell us that anyone who makes such a claim is mistaken? How could so many commentators ignore this warning?If you’re interested in a full-length shiur I gave on this topic, entitled Midrashic Embellishment: Why Did Chazal Vi
The Metaphysical Implications of Stubbing Your Toe (Redux)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Note: Today's YBT Sunday Shiur (12/4/22) is a "Take #2" of a shiur I gave on 5/20/22 as part of my "Machshavah Lab" series for women.Synopsis: It would be great to give a comprehensive shiur about how hashgachah pratis, reward and punishment, and Divine justice work. The problem is that these topics are WAY too broad and WAY too deep and WAY too beyond my knowledge level. However, there are many statements of Cha
Q&A #12 - Pushing Limits, Israel, Conditioned Thinking, Meat & Wine, Voucher's Morality, Leadership
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This morning (12/2/22), in a SPECIAL session of Friday Q&A in lieu of our usual Machshavah Lab shiur for women, we addressed eight topics: (1) How do you know when you're ready to push your own limits and/or take on stringencies? (2) What obligation do we have to bring about the geulah? (3) What do I do if I notice that my thinking is conditioned by other ideas I've heard? (4) What's the deal with meat and win
Q&A #11 - Kavanah in Kedushah, Halachic Complexity, Torah Fluctuations, Love Work, Diagnosing Lapses
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This morning (12/2/22), in our Friday Q&A, we addressed five topics: (1) What kavanah should a person have during the kedushah in the repetition of the amidah? (2) What is the purpose of halacha, and why does it have to be so complex? (3) How can you tell if you are improving or declining in your relationship with Torah? (4) Chazal say that we should "love work" but how? (5) If you fall short of a personal benchmar
Avos 3:6 - Yokes on You
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (12/2/22), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we learned our next mishnah which is all about yokes: the yoke of Torah, the yoke of malchus, and the yoke of derech eretz. The teaching in the mishnah presents itself in a stark, binary, transactional language - as if these are the terms of the deal which we can either take or leave. Our goal was to understand the nature of this deal and to what extent it applies to us. Wit
Vayeitzei: The Eyes of Leah in the Eyes of Three Schools of Commentary
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Vayeitzei: The Eyes of Leah in the Eyes of Three Schools of Commentary. What does the Torah mean when it describes Leah's eyes as "soft" and why does it inform us of this fact? In this 1-page article we reflect on the 13 answers given by three schools of commentators.-----The Torah content for the month of Kislev has been sponsored by Serena and P
Q&A #10 - Iyun Procedures, Sensitivity to Halachic Laxity, and Dealing with the IRS
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This morning (11/25/22), in our Friday Q&A, we addressed three topics: (1a) What is the advised course of action when starting a sugya in Gemara? (1b) What methodological differences are there between iyun in Tanach and iyun in Gemara? (2) What are the guidelines for maintaining one's own halachic integrity in the presence of someone who is not as committed to halachic observance? (3) How should one react to the loss of
Toldos: Does God Judge Our Prayers Based on Our Parents?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Toldos: Does God Judge Our Prayers Based on Our Parents? One would think the answer is "no" were it not for the challenge posed by a Gemara. This article provides a possible answer and - more importantly - an important principle of midrash methodology. -----This week's Torah content has been sponsored anonymously, by a listener who always manages
Tehilim 100: Mizmor l'Todah (A Psalm of Thanksgiving)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (11/23/22), in our Wednesday night Tehilim/Tefilah shiur which fell out on Erev Thanksgiving, it would be apropos to take up "inyanei d'yoma" as it were. Since this perek is only five pesukim long, I was fairly confident we might be able to get at least one main idea tonight, and - despite what seemed like a scattered initial analysis - I believe we succeeded! We ended by reading the thanksgiving words of anoth
Chayei Sarah: Musings on Judaism's Response to Animal Suffering
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Friday morning "Machshavah Lab" shiur for women (11/18/22), we approached a broad topic via a narrow focus. Everyone agrees that the Torah shows concern for Tzaar Baalei Chayim (animal suffering), but the parameters and implications are far from simple. This shiur was prompted by an incident that happened in yeshiva a few weeks ago, and an incident that takes place in this week's parashah. Although it is by
Q&A #09 - Is Belief a Choice, Tefilah vs. Avodah Zarah, How to Safely Attend a Red Carpet Event
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (11/18/22), in our Friday Q&A, we addressed three topics: (1) Is belief/emunah a choice? (2) If we can't have any positive knowledge of Hashem and all the praise we say in davening is, strictly speaking, blasphemy, then what's the difference between our tefilah and the tefilah of an idolater? (3) Is there a way to attend "red carpet" luxury events without endangering one's "spiritual well-bei
Chayei Sarah: The Pshat of "Place Your Hand Under My Thigh"
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Chayei Sarah: The Pshat of "Place Your Hand Under My Thigh." Is Rashi's commentary always pshat? What if the majority of other commentators claim that THEIR explanation is the real pshat? Should we ban publications which present non-Rashi commentaries as pshat? If these questions interest you, check out this part dvar Torah and part teaser for my r
Avos 3:5 - DIY Soul-Endangerment
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (11/17/22), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we learned our next mishnah which, despite the ambiguity in the clauses, proved to be much more straightforward than the last two. We learned three radically different approaches to the mishnah, at least two of which are eminently practical. -----מקורות:אבות ג:הרבינו יונהספורנומאירירמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר המדע, הלכות תלמוד תורה ג:יגרמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר המדע, הלכו
The Prohibition to Gaze at a Rainbow (or Those Who Gaze at Rainbows Are Better Off Never Being Born)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Friday morning "Machshavah Lab" shiur for women (11/11/22), we took up a topic I've been asked about by countless high school students: "Is it prohibited to stare at a rainbow? If so, why?" This shiur represents my current best attempt at answers to those two questions.-----מקורות:שולחן ערוך אורח חיים רכט:אספר אבודרהם ברכת הראיה, שבח והודאהחגיגה פרק ב משנה אחגיגה יד:;טז.רמב"ם - פירוש המשניות ח
Q&A #08 - Stoicism, Commanding Emotions, Productivity Compulsion, and Embracing Mortality to Make the Most of Life
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (11/11/22), in our Friday Q&A, we addressed four topics: (1) Is Judaism conducive to Stoicism? (2) How can the Torah command us to feel things, like joy? (3) What is the secret to maximizing the productive use of one's time in a healthy manner? (4) How am I supposed to choose what to learn if there is SO MUCH TORAH?I responded only briefly to the first question, since I address it at length in the episode of The Stoi
Vayeira: Don't Deviate from the Minhag: XTREME Edition
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Vayeira: Don't Deviate from the Minhag: XTREME Edition. How could the angels who visited Avraham eat what he served them? DID they even eat? And either way, what are we supposed to learn from this? -----This week's Torah content has been sponsored anonymously. May Hashem grant a refuah shleimah to Rachel bas Rivka Chana.-----If you have questions, comm
Avos 3:4 - Three Who Eat With or Without Torah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (11/10/22), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we took up a somewhat famous mishnah about saying words of Torah at a meal. I'm not gonna lie: I did NOT think we'd arrive at any real ideas tonight. My chavrusa and I struggled with this mishnah and all I had when we started shiur was a good lead. But thanks to the superlative analysis of the participants, we were able to answer all our questions and arrive at an
Noach's Unwillingness to Procreate - Part 2 (Some Answers)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Friday morning "Machshavah Lab" shiur for women (11/4/22), we answered SOME of the questions we raised in Part 1. Although not all the ideas came to full fruition, I'm satisfied with the approaches we developed. Note: towards the beginning of the shiur I mention that I intended to open a can of worms. I decided to make that into a separate recording, and to not share it. If you're really interested, rea
Lech Lecha: Is Circumcision "Mutilation"?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Lech Lecha: Is Circumcision "Mutilation"? The answer may surprise you ...Be sure to check out my new substack at rabbischneeweiss.substack.com! -----This week's Torah content has been sponsored by my friend and colleague, Rabbi Dr. Elie Feder. Rabbi Feder recently published a book called Gematria Refigured: A New Look at How the Torah Conveys Idea
Q&A #07 - Tefilah Technicalities, Pas b'Melach Tochal, & Prioritizing Animal Care Over Talmud Torah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (11/4/22), in our shorter-than-usual Friday Q&A, we discussed two questions: (1) What do we say about a case in which you had a REALLY meaningful tefilah, but weren't yotzei due to a halachic "technicality"? (2) Is there a way to effectively simulate the conditions for the "darcho shel Torah" of "eat bread with salt, sleep on the ground, etc."? (3) If you encounter a wounded animal on yo
Avos 3:3 - The Shechinah Among Friends
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (11/3/22), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we took up the next mishnah in chapter 3. Specifically, we analyzed the first part of the mishnah which talks about the difference between those who sit and exchange words of Torah and those who don't. The mishnah makes it seem like the difference is extreme, but once we arrived at an understanding of the main idea, we realized ... that the difference really IS extreme!
Beur Tefilah: Who is the "Aleinu" in Sim Shalom?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Beur Tefilah: Who is the "Aleinu" in Sim Shalom? If you, like me, never even noticed this question before, then I encourage you to take a moment to think about how you would answer it before reading or listening to my approach. Let me know what you think! Be sure to check out my new substack at rabbischneeweiss.substack.com! -----This week's Torah
Noach's Unwillingness to Procreate - Part 1 (Facts and Questions)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Friday morning "Machshavah Lab" shiur for women (10/28/22), we took up a question I had never noticed before: Why doesn't Noach have any more kids after the flood? In this shiur we build a case from Rashi's reading of the pesukim which argues that Noach INTENTIONALLY refrained from having more kids - a decision which was initially endorsed by Hashem, but which ultimately led to disastrous consequences,
Noach: Shadal's Radical Application of Dibra Torah ki'Lshon Bnei Adam
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Noach: Shadal's Radical Application of Dibra Torah ki'Lshon Bnei Adam. We're familiar with the notion that the Torah is "forced" to use anthropomorphisms when speaking about Hashem, but what about the "extreme" anthropomorphisms, like how the pasuk states that "Hashem smelled the soothing fragrance" of Noach's kor
Q&A #06 - Sim Shalom, Singular vs. Plural, Current Meditation Practice, Shogeg, pre-Ashrei Pesukim
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Q&A #06 - Sim Shalom ALEINU v’Al Kol Yisrael, Singular vs. Plural in Tefilah, My Current Meditation Practice, Shogeg, and pre-Ashrei PesukimThis morning (10/28/22), in our Friday Q&A, we covered five questions: (1) In Sim Shalom, when we say "aleinu v'al kol Yisrael amecha," who does "aleinu" refer to? (2) Are there examples of "legit" tefilos which we say in the singular rather than in the plura
Avos 3:2 - Davening for the Peace of the Government
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (10/27/22), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we took up the next mishnah in chapter 3. If you were to take a poll of Americans at any time in recent history and ask them how they'd feel about davening for the government, it's likely that half of them wouldn't be so keen on doing so, and a percentage of that half would downright refuse. Yet, the mishnah in Avos seems to be saying that we should ALWAYS da
Q&A #05 - Learning Neviim, Hashgachah Pratis Meetings, Non-Jews and Yomim Noraim, Koheles on Sukkos, and Moshiach as an Ikkar
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (10/20/22), in our Friday Q&A (bumped up to Thursday because there's no shiur tomorrow), we covered five questions, depending on how you count: (1) How should one go about learning neviim and why is it so difficult? (2) What assumptions do we make about the role of hashgachah pratis in meeting people? (3) How should non-Jews relate to Rosh ha'Shanah and Yom ha'Kippurim? (4) Why is Koheles read on Sukkos, an
The Four Days Between Yom ha'Kippurim and Sukkos
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Friday morning "Machshavah Lab" shiur for women (10/30/22) we took up a rather obscure topic: What does Judaism have to say about the four days between Yom ha'Kippurim and Sukkos? At first glance, it seems like there's not much going on here, but upon closer examination of the halachos, minhagim, and midrashim, this short time period is far more important than meets the eye. I can pretty much guarantee
Q&A #04 - Al Cheit, Discerning Hashgachah, Trolly Problems, Birkas ha'Gomel, and Idyllic Torah Life
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (10/6/22), in our Friday Q&A (bumped up to Thursday because I'll be leaving for Sukkos), we covered five questions, depending on how you count: (1) Why are there so many "Al Cheit"s in the Yom ha'Kippurim Vidui which pertain to speech? (2) How can one tell whether something is hashgachah pratis or not? (3) What does Judaism say about "the trolly problem"? (4) What are the parameters of Birkas
Yom ha’Kippurim 5783: Musings on Erev Yom ha’Kippurim Anxiety
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I cranked out a few hours before Yom ha'Kippurim, entitled, Yom ha’Kippurim 5783: Musings on Erev Yom ha’Kippurim Anxiety. Perhaps this shouldn't have been written as a 1-page article. My hope is that I wrote it in such a manner that it will yield truth and insight regardless of what your premises and preconceived notions are. ----------This week's Torah learning has
Yom ha'Kippurim 5783: Ne'ilah - It's Not What You Think It Is
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Friday morning "Machshavah Lab" shiur for women (9/30/22) we took up a very basic question. I can PRETTY much guarantee that if I ask you, "What is Neilah?" the answer you give will be incorrect. There are some basic facts about Neilah of which most people are unaware. In today's shiur we examined Neilah in light of those facts, and in so doing, arrived at a new - and more accurate - understanding
Q&A #03 - Assorted Aseres Ymei Teshuvah Questions
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (9/30/22), in our Friday Q&A, we covered a number of questions relevant to the Aseres Ymei Teshuvah, including: (1) How does the judgment on Rosh ha'Shanah and Yom ha'Kippurim work? (2) Why do we stand when the Aron ha'Kodesh is open? (3) How can we live up to the seemingly impossible ideal of making use of every moment we have? (4) How do we live each as if it's our last while simultaneously planning
Avos 4:11 - Mitzvos and Aveiros as Defenders and Prosecutors
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (9/29/22), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we took up a mishnah in Chapter 4 in hopes that it would help us to up our mitzvah and teshuvah game for the Aseres Ymei Teshuvah. We examined two approaches: an original approach inspired by the Rambam, and an attempt at understanding Rabbeinu Bachya's approach which was ALSO inspired by the Rambam, as well as the Malbim on Iyov. We didn't answer all our questions
R' Akiva's Guidelines for a Good Judgment on Rosh ha'Shanah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Earlier this year I gave a three-part shiur (in my Machshavah Lab series for women) on a mishnah in Pirkei Avos about how Hashem judges the world. The question that sparked the shiur was: What is this doing HERE? Avos is a practical masechta about ethics - not metaphysics! Thankfully, we found a commentator who translates these seemingly metaphysical ideas into practical guidelines for receiving a good judgment. Whether you missed last ye
Nitzavim: Is Teshuvah/Torah Really THAT Easy?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Nitzavim: Is Teshuvah/Torah REALLY That Easy?In today's Friday morning "Machshavah Lab" shiur for women (9/23/22) we focused on a question that bothers me every year. Devarim 30:11-14 describes how easy and accessible "ha'mitzvah" is. There's a machlokess Rishonim whether "ha'mitzvah" here refers specifically to teshuvah, or whether it's talking about the entire Torah. Either way, my
Ki Savo: Accursed to God
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Friday morning "Machshavah Lab" shiur for women (9/16/22) we focused on the twelve transgressors which are singled out and "cursed" by Hashem. Our goal was to understand (1) what these twelve categories of transgressions have in common, and (2) what makes them more "curse-worthy" than others. With Hashem's help, we were able to answer those two questions with some nice ideas from the mefo
Q&A #02 - God's Blessings, How to Emulate Him, What Makes a Good Question, and What is Hishtadlus?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (9/16/22), in our Friday Q&A, we covered four topics: (1) Are the blessings described in Ki Savo (and elsewhere) natural, hashgachic, or both? (2) If God has no emotions, and we are commanded to emulate His actions, should our actions also be emotionless? (3) What makes a question a superior or inferior question? and (4) What's the deal with the popular notion of "hishtadlus"? ----------מקורות:רמב"ם -
Avos 3:1 - How to Avoid Transgression (Part 2: Answers and Ideas)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (9/15/22), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we began by reviewing the facts and questions from last time. After hearing some more approaches from the participants, we learned four commentaries: Rambam, Bartenura, and Rabbeinu Bachya - who all shared an approach - and Sforno, who unlocked our understanding of the main idea, answered all our major questions, and left us with a practical take on this mishnah! ----------מ
Q&A #01 - Proofs of God's Oneness, Emotions & Perfection, and Emily Dickinson's Judgment of Bible
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!I am pleased to announce that this year I'm going to record my Q&A sessions! This morning (9/9/22), in our Friday Q&A, we covered three broad topics: (1) exploring the implications of Rabbeinu Bachya ibn Paquda's proofs of God's Oneness, (2) how emotions can interfere with perfection, and (3) what do we think of Emily Dickinson's condemnation of the Bible's condemnation? ----------מקורות:רבינו בחיי אבן פקו
What I Learned About Jewish Identity and Survival from an Elder of the Crow Tribe and Rav Hirsch
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!The first shiur of this year's "Machshavah Lab" series for women was a unique one, in which I attempted to convey the biggest insight from my philosophical-anthropological journey to the Crow Reservation in Montana in August 2022. The crux of this insight derived from two sources: (1) my conversation with a Crow Elder, and (2) a commentary from Rav Hirsch, supplemented by ideas from the Sefer ha'Chinuch and R' Yoc
Avos 3:1 - How to Avoid Transgression (Part 1: Intro, Facts, and Questions)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (9/8/22), in our first Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur of the year, we began with an overview of Pirkei Avos to set the stage. We then read and translated Akavya ben Mahalalel's method of avoiding transgression, raised a bunch of questions and problems, and took a few tentative steps towards answering them. Next time (בג"ה) we'll learn the commentaries and attempt to answer our questions.----------מקורות:מיוחס
Memento Mori Musings on the First Day of Yeshiva (Koheles 7:1-2)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Memento Mori Musings on the First Day of Yeshiva (Koheles 7:1-2)(א) טוֹב שֵׁם מִשֶּׁמֶן טוֹב וְיוֹם הַמָּוֶת מִיּוֹם הִוָּלְדוֹ.(ב) טוֹב לָלֶכֶת אֶל בֵּית אֵבֶל מִלֶּכֶת אֶל בֵּית מִשְׁתֶּה בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא סוֹף כׇּל הָאָדָם וְהַחַי יִתֵּן אֶל לִבּוֹ.This morning (9/6/22) we kicked off our inaugural Mishlei shiur of year with Koheles. I shared some musings inspired by a recent levaya I attended in yeshiva (of Rivka Nachmias z"l) in con
Rav Hirsch on Bad Biographies
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 4-page article I wrote, entitled, Rav Hirsch on Bad Biographies, in which I compare Lawrence Kaplan's critique of Hillel Goldberg's Between Berlin and Slobodka to Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch's critique of Heinrich Graetz's History of the Jews, concluding with the question of whether I should continue reading Goldberg's book. Even if you're not interested in MY articl
Tishah b'Av 5782 - Kinnah #28: Eich Enacheim? (How Can I Be Consoled?)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Note: This is the first time I've livestreamed a shiur on Facebook AND the first time I've had to strip the audio from a Facebook livestream using an audio extractor. If you notice any problems in the video or audio, please bring them to my attention! This morning (8/7/22), at The Island Synagogue (a.k.a. Shevet Achim) on Mercer Island, I gave my annual Tishah b'Av shiur, which I livestreamed on Facebook (hence, the sub-Zoo
Is it Permissible to Enjoy Learning on Tishah b’Av?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Is it Permissible to Enjoy Learning on Tishah b’Av? I rarely write my articles about halacha, but after stating in an earlier article that Tishah b'Av used to be "the most enjoyable day of every summer," on account of the learning we'd do with Rabbi Moskowitz zt"l, I felt it would be appropriate to examine this phenomenon in light of the
How to Make Kinnos Real
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, How to Make Kinnos Real, which showcases two applications of my continually evolving approach to kinnos. The Series:Part 1: The Induction of Metaphysical TraumaPart 2: The Necessity of Metaphysical Trauma for National TeshuvahPart 3: An Approach to the Blasphemy in Eichah and KinnosPart 4: EFT (Episodic Future Thinking) Training: A Summer 2022 ExperimentPart 5:
Wishful Thinking and Prophetic Interpretation
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Wishful Thinking and Prophetic Interpretation, in which we examine a machlokess between Ibn Kaspi and Rashi on how to learn Neviim and its ramifications for those who attempt to uncover the true meanings of their prophecies today.----------The Torah content for these two weeks has been sponsored by Ariel Rachmanov, a friend and Mishlei talmid of mine. Ariel works
Review of R' Shagar's book: "Faith Shattered and Restored: Judaism in the Postmodern Age"
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: In lieu of a 1-page article, here is the audio version of the book review I wrote on Faith Shattered and Restored: Judaism in the Postmodern Age, by R' Shagar. I don't usually post my book reviews on my blog or record them as podcasts, but I felt like I had to make an exception here, for reasons which I explain in the preface to what is essentially an essay on my first thoughts about R' Shagar's approach. I&a
Masei: How to Read the Travels of Bnei Yisrael
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled Masei: How to Read the Travels of Bnei Yisrael, in which we learn the Rambam's answer to the question, "Why does the Torah 'waste' so many pesukim by listing all 42 encampments of Bnei Yisrael in the Wilderness?" and discuss its implications for how we read this perek. ----------The Torah content for this week has been sponsored by Ellis
Why Talk About Other Religions?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled Why Talk About Other Religions? which is a response to a series of questions asked by a friend of mine about why I made a statement comparing Judaism to other religions in one of my articles last week. Related Content:- Minhag Mythbusters: Does a Husband Sing Eishes Chayil for His Wife?- Is Judaism a Religion? (Version 2.0)- Hillel and the Converts----------The To
Sefer Mishlei's Jargon-Filled Introduction (Mishlei 1:1-6)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled Sefer Mishlei's Jargon-Filled Introduction (Mishlei 1:1-6). I recently initiated a project to learn Mishlei from the beginning again (as opposed to my usual practice of learning and teaching pesukim from Chapter 10 and on). I can't promise that I'll write up ALL my findings as articles, but I decided to make an attempt with this first set of pesukim
Ralbag on the Speculative Nature of Taamei ha’Mitzvos
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled Ralbag on the Speculative Nature of Taamei ha'Mitzvos, in which I defend the Ralbag (using his own words) against those who take issue with his Aristotelian explanations of mitzvos.----------The Torah content for this week has been sponsored by Ellis and Janice Cohen in memory of Rabbi Moskowitz zt"l.----------If you have questions, comments, or feedbac
Abandonment by Hashem as a Catalyst for Teshuvah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled Abandonment by Hashem as a Catalyst for Teshuvah, in which I share my new theory of how national catastrophe will lead Klal Yisrael to engage in teshuvah - a theory inspired by a passage in Amor Towles's The Lincoln Highway.----------The Torah content for this week has been sponsored by Ellis and Janice Cohen in memory of Rabbi Moskowitz zt"l.----------
Haftaras Parashas Pinchas: Goyishe Jews
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled Haftaras Parashas Pinchas: Goyishe Jews. Here's my lengthy disclaimer: I wasn't in the mood to write a dvar Torah article for this Friday. I almost didn't write anything at all, but I told myself, "I'll just start writing and see if I end up with anything good." Well, I ended up with something, but it ain't a dvar Torah! I don&ap
My Rejected Kiruv Article on the Purpose of Life
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 7-page article I wrote entitled, My Rejected Kiruv Article on the Purpose of Life. I begin by providing you with the assignment I was given and the circumstances surrounding that assignment. I then read the article I wrote. After that, I share the feedback I received and my thoughts on that feedback. I conclude by asking you what you think, and I hope that at least some of you will share your tho
“Hump Day,” Wednesday, and Yom Revii l’Shabbos
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, "Hump Day," Wednesday, and Yom Revii l'Shabbos, in which I explain why hearing a Starbucks customer wish the barista a "happy hump day!" made me grateful to be Jewish.----------The Torah content for these two weeks has been sponsored by Judah and Naomi Dardik in loving memory of Rabbi Moskowitz zt''l, who taught his students to p
Minhag Mythbusters: Does a Husband Sing Eishes Chayil for His Wife?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Does a Husband Sing Eishes Chayil for His Wife?, in which we answer the titular question by engaging in some "halachic archaeology" in an attempt to trace the minhag back to its origins. ----------The Torah content for these two weeks has been sponsored by Judah and Naomi Dardik in loving memory of Rabbi Moskowitz zt''l, who taught his student
The Role of Episodic Memory in the Three Weeks and Tishah b'Av
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, The Role of Episodic Memory in the Three Weeks and Tishah b'Av, in which I attempt to articulate the current framework I'm working with as we enter into the three weeks this year. For the sake of convenience, here are the links to the audio versions of the six articles I reference.- The Induction of Metaphysical Trauma- The Necessity of Metaphysical Trau
17th of Tammuz Reflections on Waikiki
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: In lieu of a 1-page article on Parashas Balak, here is a 4-page article I originally wrote as a Facebook post last summer, entitled 17th of Tammuz Reflections on Waikiki. The impetus for this article was Jonathan Lear's, Radical Hope: Ethics in the Face of Cultural Devastation, and the insights it triggered as I observed the taanis on Waikiki. Come to think of it, this article IS related to a pasuk from this week's par
The Pros and Cons of Postmodernist Analysis of Halacha
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, The Pros and Cons of Postmodernist Analysis of Halacha, in which I express my approbations and objections to an example of Rabbi Shagar's postmodernist approach to Judaism.----------The Torah content for these two weeks has been sponsored by Judah and Naomi Dardik in loving memory of Rabbi Moskowitz zt''l, who taught his students to pursue truth by
Judaism and the Benefits of EFT (Episodic Future Thinking)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Judaism and the Benefits of EFT (Episodic Future Thinking) in which we explore of the regular opportunities we have in halacha to practice EFT and enumerate the benefits of such a practice. Note that this is a sequel to yesterday's episode, which you are advised to listen to before this one. Here's a link to the video I referred to.----------The Torah co
EFT (Episodic Future Thinking) A Summer 2022 Project
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, EFT (Episodic Future Thinking) A Summer 2022 Project, which I hope will serve as an introduction to a concept and a practice which I suspect will dominate my thinking for the next couple of months.----------The Torah content for these two weeks has been sponsored by Judah and Naomi Dardik in loving memory of Rabbi Moskowitz zt''l, who taught his students
How Rambam Sees God in the Sunset
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, How Rambam Sees God in the Sunset, which examines whether the feeling of awe we experience upon seeing a beautiful sunset constitutes a "valid religious experience" according to the Rambam's views.----------The Torah content for these two weeks has been sponsored by Judah and Naomi Dardik in loving memory of Rabbi Moskowitz zt''l, who taug
State of the Blog: Summer 2022
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, State of the Blog: Summer 2022, in which I state my plans for the next two weeks and the rest of the summer, as far as this blog is concerned.----------This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Naomi Mann in honor of Rabbi Moskowitz zt"l, whose shloshim is this week.----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from y
Shelach: Challah as a Consequence of the Cheit ha'Meraglim
Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Shelach: Challah as a Consequence of the Cheit ha'Meraglim, in which I attempt to explain a radical view of Sforno with some help from the Sefer ha'Chinuch and Ralbag. ----------This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Naomi Mann in honor of Rabbi Moskowitz zt"l, whose shloshim is this week.----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabb
Leo Tolstoy, Eishes Chayil, and Caring What Others Think
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Leo Tolstoy, Eishes Chayil, and Caring What Others Think, which analyzes a quotation from the Russian novelist which parallels the final pasuk of Mishlei, showing a path to freedom from caring about the opinions of others. ----------This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Naomi Mann in honor of Rabbi Moskowitz zt"l, whose shloshim is this week.-
When Hashem Prefers Telling Lies Over Doing Miracles
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, When Hashem Prefers Telling Lies Over Doing Miracles, which is a write-up of a basic idea about hashgachah pratis that appears in dozens of places in the Rishonim which I happened to stumble upon in my recent learning of Sefer Shmuel. (And yes - this, too, ends in an educational rant.)----------This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Naomi Mann in hon
Shloshim for Rabbi Morton Moskowitz zt"l
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This is a recording of the shloshim memorial event for Rabbi Morton Moskowitz zt"l which took place over Zoom on June 21, 2022 (22 Sivan 5782). For a link to the book written by Rabbi Moskowitz and Doug Taylor, "Getting it Straight: Practical Ideas for a Life of Clarity," click this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ulYh70S2_gEvq6reP6iUxeLH2L7x8Mri/view?usp=sharing
On Reading the Rambam's Mishneh Torah Like a Love Letter
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, On Reading the Rambam's Mishneh Torah Like a Love Letter, which is part PSA and part rant regarding the widespread practice to favor the standard printed editions of the Mishneh Torah over the critical editions.----------This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Naomi Mann in honor of Rabbi Moskowitz zt"l, whose shloshim is this week.---------
An Example of My Idiosyncratic Brand of Spirituality
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, An Example of My Idiosyncratic Brand of Spirituality, in which I recount a spiritual experience I had this past Shabbos and describe my personal form of spirituality (without defining it or explaining it).----------This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Naomi Mann in honor of Rabbi Moskowitz zt"l, whose shloshim is this week. ----------If you ha
Parashas Naso: Nine Explanations for a Twelvefold Repetition
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (6/10/22), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we took up one of my "pet sugya" questions which rolls around once a year: Why does the Torah "waste" so much space writing about the twelve identical offerings brought by the princes of the twelve tribes? I would have loved to find twelve answers to this question, but this year, I was only able to find a total of nine. ----------מקורות:במדבר ז
Rabbi Moskowitz: On Ignoring a Bas Kol (Heavenly Voice)
This morning (6/3/22), in lieu of our usual Friday Q&A (which is not recorded), I decided to share some Torah from my rebbi, Rabbi Morton Moskowitz zt"l, who passed away on Sunday morning. I played an 8-minute recording of an idea Rabbi Moskowitz gave over on two stories from the Gemara in which a bas kol is ignored. We discussed this idea and its implications during and after the recording. Although there's a lot more to discuss here, it's clear that this was a fruitful and thought-provoking id
My Eulogy for Rabbi Moskowitz zt"l
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!I'm sharing this recording on all five of my podcasts, regardless of their subject matter, because Rabbi Moskowitz is responsible for all the Torah I learn and teach.This is the audio of the eulogy I gave for my beloved rebbi, Rabbi Morton Moskowitz zt"l on Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5782 (May 30th, 2022). For the video, click here.I plan on typing up the transcript of the abridged version of the eulogy (which is the one I gave),
Judaism's Nuanced Attitude Towards Converts as Exemplified by Naomi
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (5/27/22), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we examined the very strange dialogue between Naomi, Orpah, and Rus. The major question we had was: What was Naomi trying to accomplish here? Thanks to the Ralbag's commentary, backed by the Rambam's presentation of the halachos, we were able to make sense of Naomi's words and actions AND we gained insight into (ahem) Judaism's nuanced attitude
How to Daven for a Sick Person Who is Beyond Recovery
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This is the same shiur I uploaded to my Tefilah podcast, but since more people subscribe to Machshavah Lab, I wanted to upload it here as well.About an hour before I was scheduled to give shiur tonight (5/26/22), I received the terrible news that my rebbi - Rabbi Moskowitz (Meir ben Esther Malka) - will no longer be able to continue dialysis. Because I couldn't manage to take my mind off of the imminent implications of this, I decide
What is Kareis? Part 3 (Abravanel with some Ran)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (5/25/22), in our aptly named "Chumash Exploration," we began concluded (for now) our learning of the Abravanel's hidden miniature treatise (in Parashas Shelach) on kareis, in which he surveys all the views of his predecessors and expresses his objections to them. In this final installment we learn through the Abravanel's own view, along with his proofs and refutations of the objections. We raised some of
The Metaphysical Implications of Stubbing Your Toe
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (5/20/22), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, I gave an experimental shiur about hashgachah. It would be great to give a shiur on how hashgachah pratis, reward and punishment, and Divine justice work. The problem is that these topics are WAY too broad and WAY too deep and WAY too beyond my knowledge level. However, there are many statements of Chazal which seem to presuppose that the average Jew WILL be able
What is Kareis? Part 2 (Tosafos, Rambam, Ramban)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (5/18/22), in our aptly named "Chumash Exploration," we began continued learning the Abravanel's hidden miniature treatise (in Parashas Shelach) on kareis, in which he surveys all the views of his predecessors and expresses his objections to them, and then presents his own view. After reviewing opinions #1-3, we then learned opinions #4-6, along with the Abravanel's objections to them, plus our objections
R' Yitzchak Kanpanton and R. Waldo Emerson on Emunas Chachamim
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (5/13/22), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we had an experimental shiur on the topic of "emunas chachamim." First we defined the quality of emunas chachamim based on R' Yitzchak Kanpanton's methodology sefer. We then compared and contrasted his approach to some of the ideas written about by Ralph Waldo Emerson in his speech, "The American Scholar." Judging by the discussion we
What is Kareis? Part 1 (Saadia Gaon, Ibn Ezra, Rashi, Tosafos)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (5/11/22), in our aptly named "Chumash Exploration," we began learning the Abravanel's hidden miniature treatise (in Parashas Shelach) on kareis, in which he surveys all the views of his predecessors and expresses his objections to them, and then presents his own view. Tonight we made it through the first three views: (1) Saadia Gaon and Ibn Ezra, (2) Rashi, and (3) Tosafos. We have three more views to go befor
Why Do We Count the Omer? Three Explanations You (Probably) Haven't Heard (YBT Sunday Shiur)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (5/8/22), in my last YBT Sunday Shiur of the season, I shared three "new" (to me) explanations for why the Torah commands us to count the omer. I found all three explanations in a commentary which is not widely learned, which is why I'm fairly confident that these ideas will be new to others as well. In addition to understanding these taamei ha'mitzvos on a theoretical level, we will also attempt to find w
Three Insights into Shehecheyanu
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (5/6/22), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we went over three insights I recently had into birkas ha'zman (i.e. shehecheyanu). The first is a basic but beautiful pshat from the Kuzari. The second is an insight I had over Pesach into the unique role played by the shehecheyanu we say at the end of kiddush at the seder. The third is an answer given by the Rav to the question: Why don't we say shehech
A Fresh Look at the Shalosh Regalim: Mishpatim and Ki Sisa (Part 2)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 56 minutesSynopsis: This evening (5/4/22), in our aptly named "Chumash Exploration," we continued our analysis of the Torah's initial presentation of the shalosh regalim to Klal Yisrael. After attempting to infer whatever we could on our own, we enlisted the Ibn Ezra, the Ralbag, and the Abravanel for guidance - and they delivered! Although we didn't explain EVERYTHING, we at least came up with a working theory
A Fresh Look at the Shalosh Regalim: Mishpatim and Ki Sisa (Part 1)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 58 minutesSynopsis: This evening (4/27/22), in our aptly named "Chumash Exploration," we began a minor project within a major project. The major project is to understand the mitzvos related to Shavuos as presented by Torah she'bi'Chsav. We were going to start with Emor and Re'eh, where those mitzvos are stated, but we figured it would make sense to begin with the Torah's first presentation of the shal
Etzba Elohim: The Finger of WHICH God?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Etzba Elohim: The Finger of WHICH God? Most people assume that Egypt first acknowledged Hashem's involvement during the third plague, when Paroh's sorcerers said, "it is the finger of God!" But not everyone agrees. It all depends on who they were talking about when they said "God."----------The content on this podcast has been sponsor
Tzfarde’a: The Plague That Lasted Forever
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Tzfarde'a: The Plague that Lasted Forever , which examines two minority opinions on tzfarde'a - that of the Abravanel and the Sforno, both of whom learn that tzfarde'a involved crocodiles (not frogs) and that the effects of the plague were designed to last forever. ----------The content on this podcast has been sponsored by my Patrons on Patreon. Th
Even If We Are All Wise, Understanding, Elders, Those Who Know Torah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Even If We Are All Wise, Understanding, Elders, Those Who Know Torah , which attempts to elucidate the four levels (or five?) that are referenced in Avadim Hayinu, as explained by the Rashbatz.----------The content on this podcast has been sponsored by my Patrons on Patreon. The total cost of maintaining my five podcasts in 2021 amounted to over $2000 - all of whi
Chad Gadya: A New Song with an Ancient Theme
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Chad Gadya: A New Song with an Ancient Theme, in which I state my take on the main idea of this popular song.----------The content on this podcast has been sponsored by my Patrons on Patreon. The total cost of maintaining my five podcasts in 2021 amounted to over $2000 - all of which would have come out of my own pocket were it not for your generosity. Thank you f
Baruch ha'Makom in the Haggadah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 14 minutesSynopsis: Last week I gave an "NR" shiur on a pervasive FALSE explanation of what we mean when we call Hashem "Ha'Makom." (That shiur isn't available online, but if you want a link to the video, let me know and I'll send it to you.) This evening (4/7/22), in our tefilah shiur, we attempted to arrive at a TRUE understanding - one which is consistent with the yesodei ha'Torah,
R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam on the Mysterious Incident of Tziporah and Bris Milah (Shemos 4:24-26)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This shiur was given in my Rambam Bekius chavurah, but it ended up being a Chumash Exploration, so I'm posting it here. This afternoon (4/7/22), in our Rambam Bekius chavurah, we had PLANNED to finish Hilchos korban Pesach. Instead, we took up a tangential question we raised yesterday: What's going on in the short episode involving Tziporah and Bris Milah? We were led here by the Rambam's halachos about the prohibition of a
Rambam on: What is Avodas Hashem? (Moreh ha'Nevuchim 3:51; Hilchos Deios 3:2-3)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!I gave this shiur as part of my Rambam Bekius chavurah, but it was sufficiently fundamental and "standalone" to warrant posting in Machshavah Lab as well. This afternoon (4/5/22), in our Rambam Bekius chavurah, we were GOING to finish Hilchos Korban Pesach Chapter 9, but Yosef asked a question which was far more important: What is avodas Hashem? Since this is Rambam Bekius, we focused on the Rambam's answer, as expressed in
Pesach Q&A 5782
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (4/1/22), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we did a non-halachic Pesach Q&A. All the questions asked were thought-provoking, and our discussions covered a lot of ground as far as seder-prep goes. If you have more (non-halachic!) questions before Pesach, feel free to contact me! ----------מקורות:רמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר זמנים, הלכות חמץ ומצה ז:דהגדה של פסחערוך השולחן: אורח חיים תנג:ד-הרמב"ם - ספר
The Superiority of Rabbinic Laws Over Torah Laws - Part 4: Answers
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (3/25/22), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we concluded our series on the question, "How should we relate to Rabbinic laws vs. Torah laws?" After a quick review of the Ran's answer, we learned whatever we were able to learn from the Ran's three counterarguments to the question he raised, followed by the answer he cited in the name of Rabbeinu Yonah. We concluded the shiur with a summary
Why Did Hashem Redeem Us From Egypt? Sforno's Counterintuitive Take
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 5 minutesSynopsis: This evening (3/23/22), in our aptly named "Chumash Exploration," we took up a very basic question: Why did Hashem redeem us from Egypt? Most of us would answer, "Because He said He would in the Bris Bein ha'Besarim (Covenant Between the Parts)." But not Sforno! And even if we look at the pesukim without Sforno, the answer is not simply "because He said He would in the bris.&
Purim 5782 – A Theory Connecting Purim to Yom ha’Kipurim Which is NOT Based on Specious Linguistics – Part 2 (An Answer)
Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Purim 5782 – A Theory Connecting Purim to Yom ha’Kipurim Which is NOT Based on Specious Linguistics – Part 2 (An Answer) - which assumes you've either read or listened to Part 1. Let me know what you think!----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.----------The Torah content for the remainder of Adar II has been spons
Purim 5782 – A Theory Connecting Purim to Yom ha’Kipurim Which is NOT Based on Specious Linguistics – Part 1 (Facts and Questions)
Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Purim 5782 – A Theory Connecting Purim to Yom ha’Kipurim Which is NOT Based on Specious Linguistics – Part 1 (Facts and Questions) - a "half-dvar Torah" which I cranked out and uploaded 20 minutes before minchah on Taanis Esther. Enjoy, and please help me to figure out an answer to the question I left off with! ----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to co
The Superiority of Rabbinic Laws Over Torah Laws - Part 3: the Ran's First Counterargument
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (3/11/22), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we continued our quest to answer the question, "How should we relate to Rabbinic laws vs. Torah laws?" Last week we focused on the question: "How can the Ran say that the main reward for Torah is from the Rabbinic laws?" Last week we discussed the Ran's statement that because Klal Yisrael "voluntarily" accepted Rabbinic mitzvos u
Nevuchadnetzar's Statue and Haman's Decree: Part 2 (An Approach)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (3/9/22), in lieu of our usual "Chumash Exploration," we continued our Purim topic from last week. After reviewing our facts and questions, I shared my partially-developed-but-still-incomplete approach, which was based on the Abravanel's commentary on Daniel. We ended up developing this into an idea which we felt explained around 90% of the midrash, but didn't QUITE feel complete. The good news is that we
The Superiority of Rabbinic Laws Over Torah Laws - Part 2: Initial Answers
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (3/4/22), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we continued our quest to answer the question, "How should we relate to Rabbinic laws vs. Torah laws?" After an extensive review of Part 1, which included some new points and clarifications, we moved into the "initial answer" phase to the question: "How can the Ran say that the main reward for Torah is from the Rabbinic laws?" We gave
Nevuchadnetzar's Statue and Haman's Decree: Part 1 (Facts and Questions)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (3/2/22), in lieu of our usual "Chumash Exploration," we decided to take up a Purim topic. The midrash in Megilah 12a deals with the question of why the Jews at the time of the Purim story (seemingly) liable for destruction. The answer takes us back to an event recorded in Sefer Daniel. The midrash is perplexing in a number of ways, but since it promises to shed light on the entire Purim salvation, I've long de
The Superiority of Rabbinic Laws Over Torah Laws - Part 1: Scope and Nature of Rabbinic Authority
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (2/25/22), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we began a new topic, prompted by the following question that was sent to me: "What is the impetus for one to follow Halachos d'Rabbanan? When I am sitting alone at night in the privacy of my home, what should motivate me not to eat chicken with cheese?" In today's shiur, Part 1 of the series, we laid the groundwork by reviewing, on a factual l
Sefer ha'Chinuch's Intro to Mikdash: Part 3 (Seir l'Azazel)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (2/23/22), in our aptly named "Chumash Exploration," we continued learning the Sefer ha'Chinuch's introduction to Mikdash. After reviewing what we covered last time, we learned the Sefer ha'Chinuch's explanation of Seir l'Azazel, which we compared and contrasted with the Rambam's in the Moreh ha'Nevuchim, and with the Sefer ha'Chinuch's explanation of the Avodas Yom ha&ap
Midrashic Embellishment: Why Did Chazal Villainize “the Bad Guys” and Vindicate “the Good Guys” and What are the Educational Implications for Us?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!The full title of this YBT Sunday Shiur (given on 2/20/22) is "Midrashic Embellishment: Why Did Chazal Villainize 'the Bad Guys' and Vindicate 'the Good Guys' and What are the Educational Implications for Us?" It is a sequel to the shiur I gave on 4/18/21 entitled: "Midrashic Betrayal: the Detrimental Effects of the Failure to Distinguish Between Pshat and Drash." You are advised to watch (or, bedie
R' Akiva's View of Human Existence (Avos 3:15) Part 3
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (2/18/22), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we concluded our multi-part series on R' Akiva's loaded-with-fundamental-ideas-about-human-existence statement in Pirkei Avos. After reviewing ALL the facts and ideas from Parts 1 and 2 and learning Chazal's statements about erech apayim which were cited by the Rambam, we arrived at The Main Idea: a new way of viewing human existence which has a pra
R' Akiva's View of Human Existence (Avos 3:15) Part 2
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (2/11/22), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we continued in our multi-part series on R' Akiva's loaded-with-fundamental-ideas-about-human-existence statement in Pirkei Avos. After reviewing the facts from last time, we delved into one of the deepest sections of the Rambam's Shemoneh Perakim, which dealt with free will and the classic tension between God's Omniscience and human choice. I
Sefer ha'Chinuch's Intro to Mikdash: Part 2 (Shechinah and Korbanos)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (2/9/22), in our aptly named "Chumash Exploration," we continued learning the Sefer ha'Chinuch's introduction to Mikdash. Tonight we learned his radical explanation of what it means to say that the shechinah (divine presence) is in the Mikdash. After that we learned the three pshat explanations he gives for how korbanos work. I promised you that he would provide us with an overview of the most fundamental
Hashgachah Clarification from the Rosh ha'Yeshiva
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: On Day #5 of my January 2022 solo cabin retreat, I got a call from my Rosh ha’Yeshiva. The subject? Hashgachah pratis. This longer-than-normal episode is my recollection of that conversation, supplemented by my own extensive footnotes and reflections. I’m posting this as an episode of The Stoic Jew Podcast AND the Machshavah Lab podcast for reasons that are explained therein. מקורות:ברכת הגומלאסתר ד:ידדברים לא:יז-יח עם פירוש הר
R' Akiva's View of Human Existence (Avos 3:15) Part 1
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (2/4/22), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we began a multi-part analysis of what is - according to the Rambam - one of the most profound mishnayos in Pirkei Avos. Today we began going over the facts: reading and translating the mishnah, raising all of our questions, and learning the Rambam's commentary here and PART of his commentary in Shemoneh Perakim, which we intend to finish next time. ----------
Sefer ha'Chinuch's Intro to Mikdash: Part 1 (Intro to the Intro)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (2/2/22), in our aptly named "Chumash Exploration," we began learning the Sefer ha'Chinuch's introduction to Mikdash, in which he spells out his theory of the purpose of the Mikdash as a whole and offeres explanations of the reasons for many of the particular elements which comprise it. In our first installment we learned through his preface and the first part of his intro. Next week we'll delve into
How "Wholeheartedly" Does Hashem Endorse Tefilah? (or "Insights Into Tefilah from Parashas Beshalach")
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Note: I've uploaded this shiur to Machshavah Lab AND The Tefilah Podcast because it's relevant to both and I can spare the minutes this month.This evening (1/11/22), in our tefilah shiur, we tackled a bunch of fundamental questions on tefilah, including but not limited to: (1) How "poetic" are the Torah's songs, David ha'Melech's Tehilim, and our tefilos, and what are the methodological implications? (2)
Bo: Sforno's Counterintuitive Take on Korban Pesach and Makkas Bechoros
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 24 minutesSynopsis: This morning (1/7/22), in our aptly named "Chumash Exploration," we took up two very basic questions: (1) Who carried out the Plague of the Firstborn? (2) What is the purpose of the Korban Pesach? The average Jew who has attended Pesach sedarim would probably have ready answers to both of these questions. That's where Sforno comes in. His commentary on the events of the night of the 15th o
Vaeira: Rambam vs. Sforno on the Hardening of Paroh's Heart
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 12 minutes Synopsis: This morning (12/31/21), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we had a SURPRISE shiur on the parashah! (It was a "surprise" in the sense that I didn't prepare a shiur. This began as a Q&A and turned into a shiur.) The question was: "What's the deal with Hashem hardening Paroh's heart?" After showing off AlHaTorah's excellent "topics" f
Rambam's Shitah on Hashgachah Revisited (Part 3)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (12/31/21), in our Thursday night hashkafah shiur (which is usually not recorded), we continued our multi-part series on the Rambam's shitah about hashgachah, using David Guttman's essay "Divine Providence - Goals, Hopes, and Fears, כי כל דרכיו משפט" as our guide. Tonight we focused on the difficult and abstract concepts of matter and form. First I gave my own overview, which showcased the presentation giv
Vicarious Merit in the Framework of the Rambam's Ikkarim
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In this morning's (12/26/21) YBT Sunday Shiur we examine four common expressions that are used in reference to the deceased: (1) "aliyah / l'iluyi nishmas" - may the soul have an elevation, (2) "zechus" - in merit of, (3) "zichrono li'vracha" - may their memory be for a blessing, (4) "karapah" - may this be an atonement for the deceased. As the title indicates, the scope of this shiur
What is YOUR Relationship to the Beis Midrash? (Avos 5:14) Part 2
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (12/24/21), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we continued on the topic we began last week on the four ways that people relate to the Beis Midrash. After reviewing the two approaches we learned last time (Rashi and Rambam) we learned two more: the Meiri's explanation which focused on learning and Rabbeinu Yonah's interpretation which focused on doing mitzvos. We then attempted to analyze the "
Shemos: Lessons from Mosaic Intervention
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight (12/22/21), in our aptly named "Chumash Exploration," we set out to glean as many insights as we could from the three episodes recounted about Moshe Rabbeinu before the burning bush - all of which had to do with his intervention for the sake of justice and righteousness. We anchored our approach in the Abravanel, but ventured into other meforshim as well. The topic proved to be so rich that we didn't even get throug
What is YOUR Relationship to the Beis Midrash? (Avos 5:14) Part 1
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (12/27/21), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we took up the mishnah in Pirkei Avos chapter 5 about the four categories of relating to the Beis Midrash (and yes, that phrasing was intentionally vague). We brought a few personal agendas to the table, which we acknowledged at the beginning of shiur. Our plan was to learn through several meforshim and see what insights we can come up with, and we ended up cover
Rambam's Shitah on Hashgachah Revisited (Part 2)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (12/16/21), in our Thursday night hashkafah shiur (which is usually not recorded), we continued our multi-part series on the Rambam's shitah about hashgachah, using David Guttman's essay "Divine Providence - Goals, Hopes, and Fears, כי כל דרכיו משפט" as our guide. After reviewing the view of the Atomists and Aristotle, we read through the summaries of the other two false views: that of the Asharites and th
Vayechi: Yaakov Avinu Was Mummified ... But Did He Die?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight (12/15/21), in our aptly named "Chumash Exploration," we set out to understand the four pesukim (Bereishis 49:33 - 50:3) which describe the death and mummification of Yaakov Avinu. After learning a few approaches to the basic pshat and a nice little philosophical interpretation from Rav Hirsch, we moved to the famous midrash: "Yaakov Avinu didn't die." We explored a few different approaches but focused on
Rambam's Shitah on Hashgachah Revisited (Part 1)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (12/9/21), in our Thursday night hashkafah shiur (which is usually not recorded), we began a multi-part series on the Rambam's shitah about hashgachah, as presented in the Moreh ha'Nevuchim Chelek 3. I have recently come to the realization that I'm due to reexamine the Rambam's view of hashgachah - mostly due to the evolution of my own views of hashgachah, which are a result of my learning and teaching of
Vayigash: Yaakov's Brief and Bizarre Conversation with Paroh
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight (12/8/21), in our aptly named "Chumash Exploration," we set out to explore the extraordinarily weird conversation between Yaakov and Paroh which spans five pesukim (Bereishis 47:7-10). Our main difficulty was aptly expressed by the Radak: "I don't know why this account was written." We learned three types of commentaries: pshat, midrash, and philosophical. We may not have answered all the questions we rais
Chanukah 5872: The Secret Theme of Al Ha'Nissim
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!FYI, this is being posted in my Machshavah Lab podcast because it's about a holiday and also in my Tefilah podcast because it's about tefilah. It's the same shiur, though. This evening (12/2/21), in our tefilah shiur, we attempted to take a fresh look at Al ha'Nissim, and when we did, we discovered a major theme that had been hidden there the whole time. I'm not going to spoil the shiur except to say that once you
Vayeishev + Miketz: Insights from Yosef and His Brothers on How to Respond to Catastrophe
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight (12/1/21), in our aptly named "Chumash Exploration," we set out to explore a very, VERY weighty question: how to respond when something bad happens. Our investigation focused on two episodes: the incident of Yosef and Potiphar's wife in Vayeishev, and the response of Yosef's brothers to their predicament in Mikeitz. We began by looking at the seemingly divergent views in the commentaries as to whether Yosef was
How to Cultivate Humility: Practical Guidelines (Part 2) Haughtiness from Beauty and Strength
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (11/19/21), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we continued our quest for practical guidelines on how to cultivate humility. After reviewing the sources and questions from last time, and resolving one apparent contradiction which came up, we delved into the Abravanel's ... interesting strategies for combatting arrogance. Today's session focused on two causes of haughtiness: beauty and physical stren
Vayishlach: Would Rambam Advocate Davening at the Kever of the Fifth Matriarch?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight (11/17/21), in our aptly named "Chumash Exploration," we had two objectives: the primary objective was to analyze the Torah's account of the “fifth matriarch” according to both drash and pshat (in that order) and discuss the methodological implications, and the secondary objective was to answer the question: “Would the Rambam advocate davening at her grave?” We spent the first two thirds of the shiur on the first to
How to Cultivate Humility: a Quest for Practical Guidelines (Part 1)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (11/12/21), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we began what I hope will be the first shiur in a (non-consecutive) series. Out of all the good middos, anavah (humility) is considered to be the greatest - but is anavah merely a natural result of our learning and our adherence to the Torah, or are there active steps we can take to cultivate it? In this shiur we will proceed on the latter assumption. We will att
Vayeitzei: Practical Insights from Yaakov Avinu's Neder
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight (11/10/21), in our aptly named "Chumash Exploration," we attempted to understand the puzzling neder (vow) that Yaakov Avinu took the morning after his dream. After raising a number of questions, we ended up focusing on three aspects of his neder: (1) its conditionality, which made it seem like he was in doubt about whether Hashem would keep HIS promises; (2) his decision to make a neder in the first place, in light of Ju
The Saga of Kayin (Part 5) The Epic Conclusion
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight (11/3/21) we concluded our multi-part series of shiurim on "The Saga of Kayin." Don't be misled by the title: this may have been the conclusion of an epic, but the conclusion itself wasn't exactly epic, since I didn't have enough time to work EVERYTHING out. Still, the theory we proposed in Part 3 was successfully applied and supported, and we were satisfied with the ideas and insights we gained along the
Chayei Sarah: The Fine Line Between Divine Signs and Divination
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (10/29/21), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we had two objectives: (1) to examine the permissibility of Eliezer's actions in this week's parashah in light of the Torah prohibition of nichush (divination/omen-reading), and (2) to clarify on a theoretical level the distinction between permissible and prohibited ways of utilizing signs. We examined this topic in light of the Gemara which is the sour
Chayei Sarah: The Fine Line Between Divine Signs and Divination
This morning (10/29/21), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we had two objectives: (1) to examine the permissibility of Eliezer's actions in this week's parashah in light of the Torah prohibition of nichush (divination/omen-reading), and (2) to clarify on a theoretical level the distinction between permissible and prohibited ways of utilizing signs. We examined this topic in light of the Gemara which is the source of these halachos, which we analyzed according to five
The Saga of Kayin (Part 4) Applying the Unifying Theory
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight (10/27/21) we continued our multi-part series of shiurim on "The Saga of Kayin." After reviewing our Unifying Theory from last shiur and its application to the birth of Kayin and Hevel, we applied it to the first eight pesukim of The Saga of Kayin: the korbanos, Hashem's rebuke of Kayin, and Kayin's murder of Hevel. Next week (God willing) we'll continue with the pesukim.Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.--------
Parashas Vayeira: Avraham and Islam
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page dvar Torah I wrote entitled, Avraham and Islam. Were YOU aware that Hashem alludes to the rise of Islam in one of his statements to Avraham? That's what R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam thinks. And lest one view his statement as inappropriately "pro-Islamic," then perhaps you should consider the OTHER comment he makes in this parashah, in which he's critical of Islam.
Sforno on Sedom: Understanding the Dialogue Between Avraham and Hashem
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Every year when we read about Sedom and Amorah, I can't help but feel like I'm watching a "reverse auction," in which Avraham Avinu quantitatively "bargains" for the lowest number of tzadikim that Hashem would be willing to save. This morning (10/22/21), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we learn through Sforno's commentary which sheds an entirely new light on the dialogue. Sforno shows
The Saga of Kayin (Part 3) The Unifying Theory
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight (10/20/21) we continued our multi-part series of shiurim on "The Saga of Kayin." The bulk of this shiur was spent analyzing a mishnah in Pirkei Avos. Why? Because the Meiri's explanation of this mishnah is the basis of my unifying theory for the Saga of Kayin. After we arrived at the theory, we only had time to apply it to two out of the thirteen episodes in the Saga of Kayin. Next time we will attempt to apply it t
Torah as Regimen: Ralbag's Approach to Chumash
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Last year (9/16/20, 9/23/20, and 10/1/20) I gave a series of three shiurim on the Ralbag's approach to Torah, as outlined in the introduction to his commentary on Chumash. This Sunday Shiur (10/17/21) is intended to be a more concise presentation of that series with the aim of showcasing the Ralbag's unique approach to Torah.For the more complete presentation from last year, click here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.----------מקורות:רל
"Adam's Demonic Spawn" or "Did Hashem Turn the Builders of Migdal Bavel into Monkeys?!"
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (10/15/21), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we aimed to answer two major questions: (1) What do Chazal mean when they say that some of the builders of Migdal Bavel were punished by being transformed into "monkeys, spirits, demons, and liliths"? and (2) Why does the Torah say that Sheis was born to Adam "in his likeness, like his form" but it doesn't say this by Kayin and Hevel? The
The Saga of Kayin (Part 2) More Questions and Problems
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight (10/13/21) we continued our multi-part series of shiurim on "The Saga of Kayin," in an effort to achieve our goal of understanding the unity of Kayin's entire story which is told in Bereishis Perek 4. We picked up where we last left off in our "close read" and continued identifying every question, problem, and nuance we could - and we finished! Next time we shall attempt to come up with a theory which unif
Parashas Noach: Migdal Bavel and the Hindu Account of the Mabul
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page dvar Torah I wrote entitled, Migdal Bavel and the Hindu Account of the Mabul. The midrash states that the Dor Haflagah built Migdal Bavel to prevent another Mabul, which they believed to be a cyclical phenomenon. As it so happens, Hindus believe the same thing. But there is a key difference: the Dor Haflagah had access to Noach but denied his prophetic account, whereas the Hindus didn&apos
What's the Pshat of Migdal Bavel? (Parashas Noach)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (10/8/21), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we attempted to understand the pshat of the Migdal Bavel story, free from any midrashic biases. With the Ibn Ezra and Ralbag as our guides, we learned through the story and emerged with a fresh (and somewhat radical) view with implications for our present day lives. Perhaps more important was the showcasing of Ibn Ezra's pshat-oriented approach to the text.Li
The Saga of Kayin (Part 1) Questions and Problems
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight (10/6/21) we began a multi-part series of shiurim on "The Saga of Kayin." In previous years I had learned specific parts of Kayin's story (i.e. his korban, Hashem's pep talk, his murder of hevel), but I had never asked questions like: What is the unity of Chapter 4? How does each part contribute to the whole? What are we supposed to get from the entire saga? It's all one parashah in the Torah, including th
Parashas Bereishis: (How) Did Hashem Speak to Kayin?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page dvar Torah I wrote entitled, Bereishis: (How) Did Hashem Speak to Kayin? The problem is that Kayin doesn't seem cut out to be a navi. Radak offers a shocking interpretation in his "esoteric commentary." Although I do not believe that this interpretation adequately solves our problem, it does provide us with an interesting methodological tool which might open the door to othe
Does Hashem Actually Care What We Call Shemini Atzeres?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Does Hashem Actually Care What We Call Shemini Atzeres? The title might make it seem like it's about Shemini Atzeres, but it's actually about why we should care about even the most trivial nuances in the nusach ha'tefilah.----------This week's Torah content has been sponsored by an anonymous donor in memory of her grandmother, Golda Henya bat
The Joyful Progression from Yom ha’Kippurim through Sukkos
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, The Joyful Progression from Yom ha’Kippurim through Sukkos. I have long been troubled by the fact that on Yom ha'Kippurim we act as though our fate is hanging in the balance, but after Yom ha'Kippurim we act as though our teshuvah and tefilos were accepted, without any doubt. In this 1-page article we attempt to reconcile these two antithetical moods, an
Yom ha'Kippurim 5782: Vidui Yom ha'Kippurim and the Inner Bears of Our Nature
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning (9/10/21) in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we revisited an old question: What is the difference between the year-round mitzvah of vidui (confession) and the special mitzvah of vidui Yom ha'Kippurim? After reviewing the facts and noting the differences, we develop an approach for understanding those differences - based on a Rambam in the Moreh ha'Nevuchim, but inspired by an encounter I had with a
Meditations on Rosh ha'Shanah 5781: The Meaning of "Shanah Tovah"
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the informal article/reflection I wrote LAST Rosh ha'Shanah, entitled Meditations on Rosh ha'Shanah 5781 - The Meaning of "Shanah Tovah." I'm sharing this today for five reasons: (1) This year I did something which I've never systematically done in the past: I went back and reviewed my whole year! That's when I was reminded of this. (2) It is SO easy for us to forge
Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar and the 42-Letter Name of God
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar and the 42-Letter Name of God. I wasn't planning on writing anything for today, but last night I became obsessed with the name Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar and its connection to the Rambam in the Moreh ha'Nevuchim, and I knew that I had to write this. Plus, I really wanted to record it. :) ----------Today's Torah c
Ki Teitzei: On the Merit of Giving Bad Explanations of Mitzvos
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Ki Teitzei: On the Merit of Giving Bad Explanations of Mitzvos, in which we examine the Sefer ha'Chinuch's reasons for giving less-than-stellar explanations of taamei ha'mitzvos (the reasons for the commandments), and consider the practical implications for teaching.----------Today's Torah content is sponsored by an anonymous donor, out of grat
When to Dance Between Two Opinions
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, When to Dance Between Two Opinions, in which I attempted to capture a burgeoning realization, which I anticipate will be a "leveling up" of a major shift in the most important shiur I gave last year: Of Wolves, Men, and Methodology.----------Today's Torah content has been brought to you by the generosity of my Patrons on Patreon.----------If you hav
Halacha as a Playground of Mindfulness
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Halacha as a Playground of Mindfulness, which is my rebuttal to a cartoon I saw which depicts "religion" as a prison and "spirituality" as freedom. ----------Today's Torah content has been brought to you by the generosity of my Patrons on Patreon.----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please
The Insidious Nature of Metaphysical and Epistemological Premises
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, The Insidious Nature of Metaphysical and Epistemological Premises, in which I reflect on two opposing but equally alluring fantasies: the fantasy that we can learn non-Torah sources while guarding ourselves against adopting their false metaphysical and epistemological premises, and the fantasy that we can close ourselves off from non-Torah sources and develop our
Tallis as a Vehicle of Gratitude and a Reminder of Death
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Tallis as a Vehicle of Gratitude and a Reminder of Death. In it, I share my current practice of putting on my tallis in the morning, which incorporates elements from halacha, aggadah, Stoicism, and meditation. ----------Today's Torah content has been brought to you by the generosity of my Patrons on Patreon.----------If you have questions, comments, or feedba
Shoftim: The Parameters of Idolatrous Cultural Appropriation
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Shoftim: The Parameters of Idolatrous Cultural Appropriation, in which we attempt to explain a contradiction between the Rambam's theory of korbanos and his explanation for why we are prohibited from planting trees on the Temple Mount. ----------This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Joey and Estee Lichter in honor of the marriage of Isaac and
On Being Present in Tefilah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, On Being Present in Tefilah, in which I recount a radical tefilah experiment I tried earlier this year, and the scaled down version which is my current practice. ----------This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Joey and Estee Lichter in honor of the marriage of Isaac and Aviva. ----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to h
Rambam: On Awakening (The Question)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Rambam: On Awakening (The Question), in which we draw attention to the three instances of the "waking up" metaphor in the Rambam's Mishneh Torah and raise the question about what they have in common.----------This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Joey and Estee Lichter in honor of the marriage of Isaac and Aviva. And special thanks t
How to Choose What to Learn Before You Die
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, How to Choose What to Learn Before You Die. If you have or had a good relationship with learning but have fallen into a rut and are looking for a way to reconnect, perhaps this exercise will help you to get back on track - provided you fit the description in the disclaimer.----------This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Joey and Estee Lichter in hon
King Kamehameha III and Moshiach
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the article I wrote entitled, King Kamehameha III and Moshiach, while I was in Hawaii earlier this summer. I found myself contemplating Hawaii's state motto, which led to a Mishleic idea, an insight about Hawaii's history, and an appreciation of King Kamehameha III's role in bringing about Yemos ha'Moshiach.----------This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Joey and Es
Haftaras Re'eh: Torah as Water, Wine, and Milk
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Haftaras Re'eh: Torah as Water, Wine, and Milk, which is a riff on the Radak's explanation of the three metaphors for Torah expressed by Yeshayahu in this week's haftarah. ----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.----------If you've gained
Musings on Unrecorded Shiurim
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Today's Torah content was sponsored by someone who wishes to remain anonymous for someone else whom they wish to remain anonymous for an occasion that I'm told should not be mentioned. I would have found some sneaky way to show honor and gratitude to those involved and for the event being commemorated, but I must respect true tznius when I see it.Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Musings
How to Become Wise: Part 2 (R' Yitzchak Kanpanton on Niddah 70b)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight (8/4/21 at YBT) we continued learning the opening chapter of Darchei ha'Talmud, by R' Yitzchak Kanpanton (1360 - 1463 CE). When I was preparing, I realized that there was only ONE correct decision for how to give tonight's shiur, and if you listened to Part 1, you'll know exactly what that means ...----------Today’s Torah content is sponsored by Naomi Mann, in honor of Yeshiva Bnei Torah's 50th year. May H
Sitting Bull's Ghost Dance and Moshiach
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Today’s Torah content is sponsored by Naomi Mann, in honor of Yeshiva Bnei Torah's 50th year. May Hashem grant YBT continued success!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Sitting Bull's Ghost Dance and Moshiach, in which we examine the parallels between Jonathan Lear's analysis of the downfall of the Sioux, due to Sitting Bull's magical thinking, and the Rambam's analysis of t
The Madness of Lishmah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Today’s Torah content is sponsored by Avygayl Zucker in honor of the 90th birthday of her grandfather, Yedidyah Halimi, whose dedication to Torah and mitzvos continues to be an inspiration. May Hashem grant him many more years of health and happiness!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, The Madness of Lishmah, in which I reflect back on a conversation I had about my career path, in light of a poem by
On Seeing the Hearts of Human Beings
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Today’s Torah content is dedicated to the joyous occasion of the marriage of Jon Deutsch and Avigayil Lev. Jon has "graduated" from student, to coworker, to chavrusa and friend. Avigayil, another former student and fellow Slytherin, remains a daily presence in my virtual beis midrash. I am happy for them and I'm excited to see where their life leads them.Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 4-page article I wrote enti
Simone Biles is My Hero
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Sol and Chummie Azose, in honor of the upcoming 81st birthday of the Rosh ha'Yeshiva, Rabbi Yisroel Chait, and the 91st birthday of Sol's father, Hazzan Isaac Azose. If you're interested in sponsoring a day's or a week's worth of Torah content, you can contact me at rabbischneeweiss@gmail.com. Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote ent
How to Become Wise: Part 1 (R' Yitzchak Kanpanton on Niddah 70b)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight (7/28/21 at YBT) we learned the opening sentences of Darchei ha'Talmud - the very first methodology sefer, written by R' Yitzchak Kanpanton (1360 - 1463 CE). Our intent was to gain insight into methodology in general, beginning with the author's explanation of the Gemara's answer to the question: "How does one become wise?"----------This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Sol and Chummie
Help! I've Fallen Into Sufi Poetry and I Have No Idea What I'm Doing!
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Sol and Chummie Azose, in honor of the upcoming 81st birthday of the Rosh ha'Yeshiva, Rabbi Yisroel Chait, and the 91st birthday of Sol's father, Hazzan Isaac Azose. If you're interested in sponsoring a day's or a week's worth of Torah content, you can contact me at rabbischneeweiss@gmail.com. Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote ent
The Principle of Humanity vs. Emunas Chachamim
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Sol and Chummie Azose, in honor of the upcoming 81st birthday of the Rosh ha'Yeshiva, Rabbi Yisroel Chait, and the 91st birthday of Sol's father, Hazzan Isaac Azose. If you're interested in sponsoring a day's or a week's worth of Torah content, you can contact me at rabbischneeweiss@gmail.com. Synopsis: This is the audio version of the article I wrote entitled,
Taking the Road Less Traveled in Learning
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Sol and Chummie Azose, in honor of the upcoming 81st birthday of the Rosh ha'Yeshiva, Rabbi Yisroel Chait, and the 91st birthday of Sol's father, Hazzan Isaac Azose. If you're interested in sponsoring a day's or a week's worth of Torah content, you can contact me at rabbischneeweiss@gmail.com. Synopsis: This is the audio version of the article I wrote entitled,
Vaeschanan: Declaring Hashem's Oneness in Love
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This week's Torah content is sponsored by a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous, and told me, "No thanks needed!" so I'm not going to thank them. Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page dvar Torah I wrote entitled, Declaring Hashem's Oneness in Love. This article was my attempt to understand a gem from the Abudirham's commentary on the conclusion of Ahavah Rabbah - one which I sense cont
Musings on the Inadequacy of Internet Research
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This week's Torah content is sponsored by a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous, and told me, "No thanks needed!" so I'm not going to thank them. Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article entitled, Musings on the Inadequacy of Internet Research. This article was inspired by a humbling personal encounter I had with a modern version of an ancient problem. This article was also brought to you b
Bodily Posture as a Sensory Anchor for Kavanah in Tefilah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This week's Torah content is sponsored by a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous, and told me, "No thanks needed!" so I'm not going to thank them. Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article entitled, Bodily Posture as a Sensory Anchor for Kavanah in Tefilah. If you've ever had your mind wander while davening shemoneh esrei and you're looking for a technique to prevent this from happe
My Experience Fasting for 48 Hours on the 9th and 10th of Av
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This week's Torah content is sponsored by a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous, and told me, "No thanks needed!" so I'm not going to thank them. Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article entitled, My Experience Fasting for 48 Hours on the 9th and 10th of Av. The operative phrase here is "my experience," for whatever that's worth.----------If you have questions, comments, or f
The Tenth of Av, Seven Haftaros of Consolation, and Life After the Pain
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This week's Torah content is sponsored by a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous, and told me, "No thanks needed!" so I'm not going to thank them. Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article entitled, The Tenth of Av, Seven Haftaros of Consolation, and Life After the Pain. This article is a PSA about an overlooked halachic institution viewed through the lens of a Tara Brach mindfulness practice
Tishah b’Av 5781: An Approach to the Blasphemy in Eichah and Kinnos
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This week's Torah content is sponsored by the Reznik family in dedication to the loving memory of Silvia Tanzer (Sora Hesha bas Chaim Moshe) and Irving Tanzer (Yisroel ben Yechezkel).Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article I wrote for Tishah b'Av 5781, entitled An Approach to the Blasphemy in Eichah and Kinnos, in which I present a new approach to reading Eichah and Kinnos, inspired by my involvement in the I
Hunting for Treasure vs. Panning for Gold on the Beaches of Nome
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This week's Torah content is sponsored by the Reznik family in dedication to the loving memory of Silvia Tanzer (Sora Hesha bas Chaim Moshe) and Irving Tanzer (Yisroel ben Yechezkel).Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article I wrote entitled, Hunting for Treasure vs. Panning for Gold on the Beaches of Nome, in which I reflect on how my "Summer Experiment 2021" of writing one-page articles has not only enab
The Necessity of Metaphysical Trauma for National Teshuvah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This week's Torah content is sponsored by the Reznik family in dedication to the loving memory of Silvia Tanzer (Sora Hesha bas Chaim Moshe) and Irving Tanzer (Yisroel ben Yechezkel).Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article I wrote entitled, The Necessity of Metaphysical Trauma for National Teshuvah, in which we answer the titular question by drawing upon key ideas from Radical Hope: Ethics in the Face of Cultural
The Sin of Refusing to Look at Oneself
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This week's Torah content is sponsored by the Reznik family in dedication to the loving memory of Silvia Tanzer (Sora Hesha bas Chaim Moshe) and Irving Tanzer (Yisroel ben Yechezkel).Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article I wrote entitled, The Sin of Refusing to Look at Oneself, in which we analyze Yeshayahu's first prophecy about the destruction of the first Beis ha'Mikdash in light of Anthony de Mello
The Induction of Metaphysical Trauma
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This week's Torah content is sponsored by the Reznik family in dedication to the loving memory of Silvia Tanzer (Sora Hesha bas Chaim Moshe) and Irving Tanzer (Yisroel ben Yechezkel).Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article I wrote entitled, The Induction of Metaphysical Trauma, which examines an idea from the Rav about how a Jew experiences time, in light of an insight I had about trauma from Bessel van der Kolk&a
Tishah b'Av 5780: Methodology of Kinnos as Applied to Kinah #31 (Eish Tukad b'Kirbi)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is a recording of the shiur I gave over Zoom on Tishah b'Av 5780 (8/14/20). The shiur focuses on a methodology for learning kinos as applied to Kinah #31, the theme of which is a comparison of the Exodus from Mitzrayim to the "Exodus" from Yerushalayim. Three other things to note: (1) the actual shiur ends at 1:43:00; from there until the end I answer questions (2) over the course of this shiur I present my
Haftarah of Mattos / Masei: Divine Love as the Foundation of Rebuke
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article I wrote entitled, Haftarah of Mattos / Masei: Divine Love as the Foundation of Rebuke, in which I attempt to explain Yirmiyahu's first prophecy in light of the Rambam's categorization of Torah doctrines, combined with an insight from an expert in childhood trauma. ----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to
Sameach b’Chelko as Unconditional Happiness
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article I wrote entitled, Sameach b'Chelko as Unconditional Happiness, in which I compare an insight into happiness from Anthony de Mello to Ben Zoma's definition of wealth in Pirkei Avos, as explained by the classical commentaries.----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.-
Feynman: On Definitional Neurosis
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article I wrote entitled, Feynman: On Definitional Neurosis, in which I analyze a methodological insight conveyed by Richard Feynman in one of his quips. ----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.----------If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contr
Bruce Lee’s Oak and the Success of Evil
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article I wrote entitled, Bruce Lee's Oak and the Success of Evil, which is about an insight I had into Mishlei and Tehilim based on a nuance in one of my favorite Bruce Lee quotations.----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.----------If you've gained from what you've
The One-Page Article: a Summer 2021 Experiment
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article I wrote entitled: The One-Page Article: A Summer 2021 Experiment, in which I state and explain my writing plans for the summer. ----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.----------If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Pat
Musings on Sforno's Approach to the Incident of the Fiery Snakes
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight's Chumash shiur (given at YBT on 6/16/21) wasn't a shiur, but an exploration of the short but perplexing incident of the fiery serpents, as explained by the Sforno. We only had time to set up the area, and didn't really arrive at any definitive conclusions, but I think the steps we took are good, and can be further developed by those who think into them.----------מקורות:במדבר כא:ד-ט עם פירוש הספורנובראשית ג:א עם פיר
Parashas Chukas: Overlooking Sacrilegious Speech (Audiobook Dvar Torah)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This is an "audiobook version" of a dvar Torah I wrote in July 2016 entitled: Parashas Chukas: Overlooking Sacrilegious Speech. Click here for a link to the written version, which is also available as a PDF. ----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.----------Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: h
An Examination of "The Overexamined Life is Not Worth Living"
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!I was talking with a former high school student of mine about the philosophically inclined education she received in Midreshet Shalhevet (a"h). Like any good student, she continued to learn and develop after high school, and to eventually begin to question and critique what she had been taught in an effort to forge her own path. She sent me an essay by Dr. David Shatz entitled "The Overexamined Life is Not Worth Living," sa
Parashas Korach: What Happened to Korach? (Audiobook Dvar Torah)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This is an "audiobook version" of a dvar Torah I wrote in June 2017 entitled: Parashas Korach: What Happened to Korach? Click here for a link to the written version, which is also available as a PDF. And if you're a fan of these "audiobook versions" of my divrei Torah and blog posts, please let me know, since this will encourage me to record more.----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love
Parashas Shelach: The Torah's View of Temptation (Audiobook Dvar Torah)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This is an "audiobook version" of a dvar Torah I wrote in June 2018 entitled: Parashas Shelach: The Torah's View of Temptation. Click here for a link to the written version, which is also available as a PDF. And if you're a fan of these "audiobook versions" of my divrei Torah and blog posts, please let me know, since this will encourage me to record more. ----------If you have questions, comments, or feedba
What Does the Torah Mean by "Toeivah"?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight (6/2/21 at YBT) we took up the question: What does the Torah mean by "toeivah" (abomination)? The impetus for taking up this topic was Mishlei 20:10, which referred to unjust weights and measures as a "toeivah," and which we spent a couple of days working on. I mentioned that I came up with a theory for the Torah's use of "toeivah" years ago, and felt that it was time to revisit it to see if it s
What Are Ideas? (Mortimer J. Adler's "Ten Philosophical Mistakes," Chapter 1)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight (5/26/21 at YBT), in lieu of our Chumash Methodology Shiur, we took a leaf from the playbook of Saadia Gaon by tackling a fundamental question in epistemology: "What are ideas?" This question, with its right and wrong answers, had surfaced numerous times in various discussions over the course of the year, and I kept on telling my talmidim, "You NEED to go through the first chapter of Adler's Ten Philosophical M
Avos 3:13 - Rabbeinu Yonah (and Krishnamurti) on Silence, Listening, and Chochmah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight (5/25/20 at YBT), in lieu of our Tehilim shiur, we took up a topic inspired by our Rambam Bekius shiur last week, which focused on the virtue of silence. One of the statements cited by Chazal on silence was from Avos 3:13: "a fence for wisdom is silence." I found Rabbeinu Yonah's commentary on this statement to be illuminating, but was disappointed that he didn't go into detail about HOW to implement these stra
A Glimpse Into Bruce Lee's Impact on My Methodology of Teaching and Learning (Part 2)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Chumash Methodology shiur (given at YBT on 5/19/21) we continued learning through the section of his book "The Tao of Jeet Kune Do" (1975) entitled "Organized Despair." If you haven't seen Part 1, I suggest you do so before watching Part 2, since that's where I explain who Bruce Lee is to me, and how his teachings form the foundation of my own approach. In Part 2 our discussion centered on m
Three Schools of Jewish Thought
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In this week's Lomdeha Friday Seminar (5/7/21) I gave over a presentation that I've given every year in my hashkafah class in Shalhevet (a"h). The foundation of this presentation was a series of shiurim given by Rabbi Fox at Northwest Yeshiva High School a number of years ago in which he identified three schools of thought (or trends) in Jewish thinking: Rationalist, Traditionalist, and Blind Faith. I only heard two of the
A Glimpse Into Bruce Lee's Impact on My Methodology of Teaching and Learning (Part 1)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Chumash Methodology shiur (given at YBT on 5/5/21) I undertook the daunting task of attempting to convey to my talmidim the impact that Bruce Lee has had on my personal derech. Although I've quoted Bruce Lee's teachings here and there over the course of the year, I've never really devoted time to explaining exactly how his teachings have shaped my own approach to teaching and learning, specifically when it
What is the REAL Theme of Shavuos?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In last week's Lomdeha Friday Seminar (4/30/21) we learned three answers to the question, "What is the theme of the Chag ha'Shavuos?" - that of the Ralbag, the Abravanel, and Rav Hirsch. In every machlokess there will be strengths and weaknesses to each side, and we attempted to identify the strengths and weaknesses in each of these three. We ended off with a handful of questions that remain to be answered. My hope is
The Mitzvah of Kavod Talmidei Chachamim: An Example of What’s Missing from Rabbeinu Tam’s Curriculum
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Chumash Methodology shiur (given at YBT on 4/28/21) emerged from a machlokess Rishonim on how we should divide our learning time. Let's call it Rambam vs. Rabbeinu Tam, for simplicity's sake. Like it or not, most (if not all) of us have been raised in an educational model predominantly influenced by Rabbeinu Tam. Tonight's shiur is not intended to be a comprehensive analysis of the entire sugya. Instead, I
Parashas Kedoshim Mitzvah Marathon
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In last week's Lomdeha Friday Seminar (4/23/21) we attempted to do something that, traditionally, we haven't been very good at: learning bekius (i.e. to cover ground). Since Parashas Kedoshim contains SO many fundamental mitzvos, I wanted to attempt to cover as many as possible, and in so doing, to demonstrate a paradigm for familiarizing oneself with mitzvos. We didn't get very far, but I hope we covered enough mitzvos to
"Is There an Obligation to Believe that the Zohar Was Written by R' Shimon Bar Yochai?" (Part 1)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In last night's Chumash Methodology shiur (given at YBT on 4/21/21) we took up a the controversial but important topic identified by the title. Since I have neither the qualifications nor the desire to tackle such a weighty issue on my own, I decided to read and discuss Rabbi Marc Shapiro's essay יש חיוב להאמין שהזוהר נכתב על ידי רבי שמעון בר יוחאי with my talmidim in yeshiva and to discuss its implications for our learning. We
Midrashic Betrayal: the Detrimental Effects of the Failure to Distinguish Between Pshat and Drash
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning's Sunday shiur (4/18/21 at YBT) was inspired by a Richard Feynman anecdote in which he recounts crisis which caused him to abandon Judaism as a kid. I believe that many Jewish educators are setting their students up for a similar crisis - a crisis I refer to as "Midrashic Betrayal." In this shiur I provide an overview of my understanding of the distinction between pshat and drash, and I present my six guideline
A Joke Before Shiur: The Role of Humor in Torah Study
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Today's Lomdeha Friday Seminar (4/16/21) was about the role of humor in Torah study, as reflected in a statement by Chazal. This shiur is not intended to be a comprehensive overview of the topic, or even a full analysis of this Gemara. Rather, as the name of this series - "Machshavah Lab" - implies, this was just an exploratory introduction to the topic. One might say that we were "playing" with the sugya.--------
The Ten Principles of Shadal's Approach to Tanach Interpretation
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Tonight's Chumash Methodology shiur (given at YBT on 4/14/21) is a follow-up to our shiur on Shadal's Opposition to Philosophical Judaism (given at YBT on 4/9/21). At the end of that shiur I was asked, "What is Shadal's approach to Chumash?" I was disappointed that he didn't write a methodological introduction to his commentary on Chumash, but I was delighted to discover his methodological introduction to his
Mussar Without "Should"s and "Shouldn't"s
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This episode is an "audiobook style" reading of an article I wrote on August 4, 2015 entitled Mussar Without "Should"s and "Shouldn't"s. Click here to access the article on my blog. ----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.----------Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel:
Shadal's Opposition to Philosophical Judaism
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Today's Lomdeha Friday Seminar (4/9/21) was intended to expand the horizons of my particular students, who (a) have been immersed in a largely Maimonidean Torah framework, and (b) have never been exposed to an anti-Maimonidean polemic. This shiur centered on Shadal's commentary on Devarim 6:5, about ahavas Hashem (love of God), which expressed a number of his criticisms of the philosophical approach to Judaism as taught by many
Can God Do the Impossible?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Iyov class (4/7/20 at Lomdeha) we tackled one of the classic "spicy questions": Can God do the impossible? We examined four "no" answers: one based on logic, and the other three given by various meforshim (Rambam, Saadia Gaon, and the Sefer ha'Ikkarim). Some questions we left unanswered, but hopefully the lesson was sufficiently clear to convey the main points. I usually don't upload my Iyov s
Maror as a Philosophical Theme of Pesach
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 43 minutesSynopsis: In today's Lomdeha Friday Seminar (3/19/21) we explored one of the most underappreciated themes of Pesach, namely, maror. People talk about the Egyptian slavery and oppression, but not the specific quality of "bitterness." In this shiur we utilize the best Chumash commentary in the entire world to arrive at our understanding of what this "bitterness" is, and why it is a central theme in
Ramban: On Why We Commemorate Yetzias Mitzrayim (a.k.a. The Famous Ramban at the End of Bo)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 42 minutesSynopsis: Yesterday a student asked "why chametz is such a big deal" (my words, not hers). In this morning's Jewish Ethics class (3/16/21 at Lomdeha) we answered this question by learning/reviewing an excerpt from "the famous Ramban at the end of Parashas Bo" in which he explains the significance of the signs and wonders that Hashem did for our forefathers when He took them out of Egypt, and impo
How the (Seemingly) Outdated Elements of Torah Are Evidence of Its Perfection (Part 2)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text![Note: If you have not yet listened to Part 1, it is critical that you listen to it first!]In today's Lomdeha Friday Seminar (3/12/21) we continued discussing the topic we raised last week, focusing on the last three out of the seven premises enumerated last time, with one final premise thrown in for good measure. All three premises are rooted in the Rambam's view on how Hashem works with human nature instead of against it, and
Ritva on Haggadah (Part 3: Meh)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (3/11/21 at YBT) I made a mistake. I had a really rough week and was super exhausted. I knew I'd be able to give my Tehilim shiur, but I seriously considered cancelling my haggadah shiur. Unfortunately, my feelings of guilt got the better of me, and I pushed ahead anyway. Bad move. I could barely think during the shiur, and after around 35 minutes, I decided to call it quits. I thought about not uploading it at all, but
Ritva on Haggadah (Part 2: Avadim Hayinu)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (3/10/21 at YBT) we continued learning through the Ritva's commentary on the Haggadah, focusing on Avadim Hayinu and the various halachos surrounding that portion of the text. ----------מקורות:פירוש הריטב"א להגדה של פסחתלמוד בבלי פסחים דף קטז עמוד א----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.----------Patreon: http
How the (Seemingly) Outdated Elements of Torah Are Evidence of Its Perfection (Part 1)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Lomdeha Friday Seminar (3/5/21) we broached a broad, deep, and nuanced topic: what to make of the elements of Torah which seem to be obsolete, or worse. The goal of this shiur was to initiate the conversation and to present my own perspective on how to address such questions and problems. My "answer" involves seven premises about Torah: four of which were discussed in Part 1, and the remaining three of which will
Ritva on Haggadah (Part 1: Ha Lachma Anya)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (3/3/21 at YBT) we began our hagadah preparation for the year! We've chosen to focus on the Ritva (for reasons I explain at the beginning of the video), and we began learning his commentary from the beginning. He ended up providing a non-intuitive reading of Ha Lachma Anya which certainly gave us food for thought. We briefly read his commentary on Mah Nishtanah before concluding the shiur.----------מקורות:פירוש הריטב&quo
Haman's Ancient Motive
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!I was about to sit down to reread an article I wrote on Purim two years ago (Purim 5779, 3/21/19) entitled Haman's Ancient Motive, when I thought to myself, "Why don't I just read it out loud, record it, and upload it as a podcast episode?" and so I did! If you're in the mood for 20-minute "audiobook style" shiur to get you into the mindset of Purim, here you go!Here's a link to the written version:
Purim 5781: The Limits of the Human Intellect as a Theme of Purim
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Lomdeha Friday Seminar (2/19/21) we learned a pischa (or pesichta) - that is, a midrashic introduction to Megilas Esther. We explained the main idea of the midrash and how it serves as a thematic framework for reading the megilah, and we concluding by connecting this theme (albeit with a speculative theory) to the obligation to get drunk on Purim.For a written version of 80% of this shiur, check out my article entitled: Hu
Of Wolves, Men, and Methodology: an Attempt to Capture and Articulate an Epistemological Upheaval
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Topics in Jewish Philosophy shiur (2/18/21 at YBT) I attempted to capture and articulate an epistemological upheaval I recently underwent, triggered by my binge-reading of Barry Lopez's award winning wildlife book "Of Wolves and Men" (1978). As I mention at the outset, I was hesitant to give this shiur because I was skeptical of how much value it would be to those who hadn't accompanied me on the wild
Rambam vs. Riaz (and Thomas Jefferson vs. Pirkei Avos)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Note: This is essentially the same shiur I gave in my Rambam Bekius chavurah at YBT on 2/15/21, but this one is slightly shorter, due to the length of the periods at Lomdeha. Also, I didn't mistakenly refer to the Riaz as the Rid in this shiur! This morning (2/16/21 at Lomdeha) we took up a side-quest: to defend the Rambam against a charge leveled by the Riaz (R' Yeshaya Acharon di'Trani). The Rambam famously held that one
Lo Tachmod: a Case Study in How the Torah Commands Emotions
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Note: I initially gave this over at YBT as a Chumash Methodology shiur, but since I felt that the Lomdeha version was clearer, I replaced the earlier upload with this one.In today's Lomdeha Friday Seminar (2/12/21) we examined the question of how the Torah commands our emotions. I am of the opinion that the Torah NEVER commands us to feel or not feel a particular emotion. My view originated with the Ralbag's Introduction to Tora
Seltzer Theories vs. Jam Theories
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This episode is an "audiobook style" reading of an article I wrote on July 2, 2014 entitled Seltzer Theories vs. Jam Theories. Click here to access the article on my blog and click here for a PDF version. ----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.----------Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: ht
Elohai Neshamah Upon Waking
This morning's Sunday Shiur (2/7/21 at YBT) focused on the berachah Chazal instituted to be said immediately upon waking: Elohai Neshamah. After reviewing our "MMMMMM!" method of tefilah analysis and going over the halachic history of this berachah, we set out to answer a single question: "What do we mean by 'neshamah' in this berachah?" The deeper we delve into our analysis of the text, with the aid of the Abudirham's commentary, the more difficult this question becomes to answer. Ultimately, w
Some Guidelines for Thinking About Biblical Historicity vs. Archaeology (Part 2 of 2)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Lomdeha Friday Seminar (2/5/21) we continued our "guided reading" of Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman's book. In the last shiur we covered four out of six guidelines for how to respond to claims, questions, and problems raised by archeologists and scholars of ancient history against the historicity (and validity) of the Torah. In this shiur we tackled the remaining two, the last of which requires much nuance and caut
Know What to Respond to a Heretic (Avos 2:14) Part 2
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In this morning's Jewish Ethics class (2/4/21 at Lomdeha) we resumed our analysis of "know what to respond to an apikores (heretic)." After a brief review, we learned the commentaries of Rashi, Rambam, and Meiri and discussed their practical implications.----------מקורות:אבות ב:יד----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail
Lo Tachmod: a Case Study in How the Torah Commands Emotions
Tonight's Chumash Methodology shiur (given at YBT on 2/3/21) isn't so much of a "how to learn Chumash" shiur as it is a "how mitzvos work" shiur. I am of the opinion that the Torah NEVER commands us to feel or not feel a particular emotion. My view originated with the Ralbag's Introduction to Torah, which is where tonight's shiur begins. We then look at the famous Ibn Ezra on Lo Tachmod ("do not covet"), who seems to disagree with the Ralbag - a conclusion which is reinforced by the Ralbag's com
Know What to Respond to a Heretic (Avos 2:14) Part 1
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In this morning's Jewish Ethics class (2/2/21 at Lomdeha) we began learning the famous injunction "know what to respond to an apikores (heretic)." As usual, we began by raising all of the questions and problems we could think of, and then started to answer these questions on our own. Tomorrow we'll learn the meforshim. ----------מקורות:אבות ב:יד----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to he
Sefer ha'Chinuch: On Opposition to COVID-19 Vaccines
Click here for the article Sefer ha'Chinuch: On Opposition to COVID-19 Vaccines on my blog and click here for a PDF version.Here's a link to the article I referenced entitled Seltzer Theories vs. Jam Theories.If you are in need of resources to help combat anti-COVID-19-vaxxers, check out The COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Handbook, which is where I got much of my information. I also recorded a podcast episode entitled A Stoic Perspective on Vaccination for my podcast: The Stoic Jew. ----------If
Some Guidelines for Thinking About Biblical Historicity vs. Archaeology (Part 1 of 2)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Lomdeha Friday Seminar (1/15/21) we tackled a treacherous but important topic: how to respond to claims, questions, and problems raised by archeologists and scholars of ancient history against the historicity (and validity) of the Torah. In this shiur I identify six guidelines to bear in mind when navigating these issues, three of which were covered today and the other three of which will (God willing) be covered when we r
R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam: On Midrashim (Part 6 of 6)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Chumash Methodology shiur (given at YBT on 1/13/21) we finished R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam's essay on the drashos of Chazal. We began by reviewing all five categories of drashah and the four categories of Talmudic anecdotes, raising a few questions and making some clarifications along the way. We then read the last category of Talmudic attitude and his conclusion to the treatise. According to R' Avraham
Rambam's Hidden Egalitarian Stance on Mitzvos
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!There's a reason why my Friday Lomdeha Seminar series is called "Machshavah Lab" - namely, because do experiments in machshavah! In this morning's shiur (1/8/21 at Lomdeha) we examined a "hidden" source in the Rambam, in which he hints at what turns out to be a very egalitarian stance on men and women in relation to their obligation in mitzvos. The first half of this shiur is factual, whereas the last 20 minu
R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam: On Midrashim (Part 5 of 6)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Chumash Methodology shiur (given at YBT on 1/6/21) we continued R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam's essay on the midrashim of Chazal, beginning his classification of the four types of Talmudic anecdotes. Tonight we made it through the second, third, and fourth category of Talmudic anecdotes, attempting to "decode" some the examples he cited along the way. Next week should be our final installment in this
Vayechi - The Cheit of Reuven: A Case Study in Analyzing the Flaws of Tzadikim
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In this morning's shiur (1/1/21 at Lomdeha) we learned the views of five different meforshim on the incident involving Reuven and Bilhah and discussed the methodological implications for learning similar cases. ----------מקורות:קהלת ז:כבראשית מט:ג-דבראשית לה:כבדברי הימים א' ה:א-בתלמוד בבלי – שבת דף נה עמוד ברש"י – בראשית לה:כבנצי״ב – בראשית לה:כב; מט:דרד״ק בראשית לה:כברמב"ן – בראשית לה:כברלב"ג – בראשית מט:ד (תועלו
Lessons in Bitachon from 2020
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Tehilim shiur (12/31/20 at YBT) we had PLANNED on finishing Tehilim 114. Instead, I felt compelled to use this "Erev New Years" to reflect on 2020 through a Tehilim-esque lens. This led to an informal discussion on bitachon (trust in Hashem), which in turn led us to read R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam's discourse on the four ways people relate to bitachon, which ultimately led back to Tehilim 114. ----
R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam: On Midrashim (Part 4 of 6)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Chumash Methodology shiur (given at YBT on 12/30/20) we continued R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam's essay on the midrashim of Chazal, beginning with his classification of the four types of Talmudic anecdotes. The first of these four types had four subcategories, each with a couple of examples. We spent most of the shiur reading through the examples and trying to refine our understanding of the subcategories on th
Asarah b'Teves 5781: A Live Prophecy About an Ongoing Tragedy
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In this morning's shiur (12/25/20 at Lomdeha) we set out to accomplish three objectives:(1) to learn, on a basic level, the prophecy in Sefer Yechezkel about the event we are commemorating today(2) understand the transgressions which led to the catastrophe that are being highlighted in this prophecy(3) to translate these insights into practical ways for us to do teshuvah todayThis shiur was given in memory of my student, Yocheved Gou
Chanukah 5781: Asking for Miracles on Chanukah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning's shiur (12/18/20 at Lomdeha) was an adventure in "tefilah archaeology" focusing on a curious addition to the end of Al ha'Nissim involving a request for miracles. After surveying the evidence which establishes that this is the authentic version of Al ha'Nissim, we investigate the reason why most Ashkenazim don't include this request. We then analyze the ideas behind each of these approaches and
R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam: On Midrashim (Part 3 of 6)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Chumash Methodology shiur (given at YBT on 12/16/20) we continued R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam's essay on the midrashim of Chazal, completing the 4th and 5th categories of drashos, supplemented by the relevant footnotes in the new edition. Part 1: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1576750/7068922Part 2: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1576750/7068943Part 3: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1576750/7068976Part 4: https://www.buz
Can Hashem Transform Into a Human Barber So He Can Cut My Hair? (Part 2)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning's shiur (12/11/20 at Lomdeha) is a continuation of our exploration of the midrash about Hashem transforming into a human barber and cut Sancheriv's hair. After a methodological introduction from the Rambam and Rav Hirsch, we conduct a general overview of seven approaches to the most difficult part of this midrash - one from the Yad Ramah, another from the Ben Yehoyada, and five from the Anaf Yosef. We dive into this
R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam: On Midrashim (Part 2 of 6)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Chumash Methodology shiur (given at YBT on 12/9/20) we continued R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam's essay on the midrashim of Chazal - THIS time with the recently published critical edition. We went back and read a section from the introduction which didn't appear in our version, as well as some jam-packed footnotes from the editor - most notably about R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam's explanation of
Can Hashem Transform Into a Human Barber So He Can Cut My Hair? (Part 1)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning's shiur (12/4/20 at Lomdeha) was prompted by a question I was sent by a listener about a statement in the Gemara to the effect that Hashem transformed into a human barber and cut Sancheriv's hair. I was asked what I thought about this Gemara and figured this would make for a good "midrash workshop." In Part 1 we discuss how to approach such statements in GENERAL. This coming Friday, in Part 2, we will atte
R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam: On Midrashim (Part 1 of 6)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Chumash Methodology shiur (given at YBT on 12/2/20) we began R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam's essay on the midrashim of Chazal. We covered his introduction, in which he praises Chazal's intellectual honesty and criticizes those people who would accept their non-halachic statements simply because Chazal said them. We then began his explanation of the five categories of drashos, which we will continue next we
Kiddush: The Universe of Torah in a Glass of Wine
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This morning's Sunday shiur (11/22/20 at YBT) was inspired by a poem by Richard Feynman entitled, "The Universe in a Glass of Wine." Our aim in this shiur was three-fold: (1) to conceptualize the mitzvah of kiddush as "the universe of Torah in a glass of wine," (2) to explain a trio of strange midrashim, and (3) to provide a “sample platter” of ideas to contemplate every week when saying kiddush.----------Link to
"The Palace Allegory Revisited" or "Was the Rambam an Elitist?"
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Topics in Jewish Philosophy shiur (11/19/20 at YBT) we reviewed the Rambam's Palace Allegory in the Moreh ha'Nevuchim 3:51 in order to see what insights it yielded this time around, and in order to respond to those who accuse the Rambam of being an elitist.----------מקורות:רמב"ם - מורה הנבוכים ג:נא----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to con
Introductions of the Rashbam and Saadia Gaon
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Chumash Methodology shiur (given at YBT on 11/18/20) we learned through the Rashbam's three "introductions" to his commentary. The word "introductions" is in quotations because he doesn't have a formal introduction; rather, these are three sources in which he states his approach and differentiates it from other approaches to Chumash commentary. Afterwards we learned through Saadia Gaon'
Is Judaism FOR or AGAINST Free Thinking?
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Lomdeha Seminar shiur (11/13/20) we took up the juicy question in the title, focusing primarily on the framework provided by the Rambam's explanation of "al tifnu el ha'elilim" and "lo sasuru acharei levavchem v'acharei eineichem." I won't spoil the answer with any teasers. Let's just say: it's not so simple!----------מקורות:רמב"ם – משנה תורה, הלכות יסודי התורה, הקדמהר
Ibn Ezra's Introduction to Torah (Part 3 of 3) PLUS Mahari Kara on Pshat vs. Drash
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Chumash Methodology shiur (given at YBT on 11/11/20) we concluding learning the Ibn Ezra's introductions to Chumash. After reviewing the first four methods, learning the fourth one inside the text his "Shitah Acheres" commentary, we read his presentation of the fifth method - HIS method. In addition to describing his procedure for learning, the Ibn Ezra also made it very clear what little regard he has for
Three Non-Mainstream Explanations of Akeidas Yitzchak
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Lomdeha Seminar shiur (11/6/20, Parashas Vayeira) we took up three non-mainstream explanations of Akeidas Yitzchak: that of Shadal, Ralbag, and Rashbam. We also applied a useful three-question Chumash methodology formula to maximize what we gained from these three approaches. DISCLAIMER: some of these views might be perceived as extremely radical ... proceed with caution!--------------------מקורות:בראשית כב:א-ב, יבשד"
Ibn Ezra's Introduction to Torah (Part 2 of 3)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Chumash Methodology shiur (given at YBT on 11/4/20) we continued learning the Ibn Ezra's introduction to Chumash. We began with his criticism of "the third approach," in which he discusses when it is and isn't acceptable to interpret pesukim allegorically. We read about this in two other places: the intro to his second commentary on Bereishis, and his commentary on the Aseres ha'Dibros. We then m
Chazal's Method of Vanquishing the Yetzer ha'Ra (Lomdeha)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Lomdeha Seminar shiur (10/30/20) we took up the midrash in Berachos 5a about how to vanquish the yetzer ha'ra: "le'olam yargiz adam yetzer tov al yetzer ha'ra etc." We learned through the commentaries of R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam and the Meiri, then attempted to come up with our own cohesive understanding making use of both approaches. We may or may not have succeeded, but after all, the t
Ibn Ezra's Introduction to Torah (Part 1 of 3)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Chumash Methodology shiur (given at YBT on 10/28/20) we began learning the Ibn Ezra's introduction to Chumash. We spent the first part of shiur defining "pshat" according to Ibn Ezra, and then we delved into his intro. Ibn Ezra says that he's going to analyze five approaches to Chumash, and we discussed the first two.----------מקורות:אבן עזרא - הקדמה לתורהאבן עזרא - פירוש הקצר לשמות כ:אאבן עזרא - הקדמ
The Mabul vs. Science (Lomdeha) + Follow-up Discussion
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Lomdeha Seminar shiur (10/23/20) we addressed what some might consider to be a controversial topic: the questions and problems raised by science against the narrative of The Flood in Parashas Noach. We began with an overview of four major problems. After briefly outlining three possible approaches to addressing these problems, we learned (what I currently consider to be) the ONLY viable solution that answers all of the que
Ralbag's Allegorical Interpretation of Gan Eden Part 2 - Beur ha'Milos on Bereishis 2.4-14
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In tonight's Chumash shiur (given at YBT on 10/21/20) we began learning the Ralbag's commentary on Gan Eden. We encountered some Aristotelian bumps along the way - most of which had to do with the Active Intellect - but we at least got most of what he was saying. Certainly an original and creative approach! ----------מקורות:רלב"ג בראשית ב:ד-יד, ביאור המלות----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love
The Curious Tale of Sasson and Simchah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In today's Lomdeha Seminar shiur (10/16/20) we took up the midrash in Sukkah 48b about the two heretics, Sasson and Simchah. We learned and evaluated three approaches, and concluded with a fourth quasi-original approach, with plenty of methodological insights along the way.--------------------מקורות:שמואל הנגיד - מבוא התלמודתלמוד בבלי סוכה דף מח עמוד ברש"י שםרשימות שיעורי הגרי"ד שםמהרש"א – חדושי אגדותשם משמואל – סוכות
Ralbag's Allegorical Interpretation of Gan Eden Part 1 - Preface
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!The topic of tonight's Chumash shiur (given at YBT on 10/14/20) was the Ralbag's preface to his allegorical commentary on Gan Eden. We began with the Abravanel's objections to taking Gan Eden as a mashal. We then learned through the Ralbag's intro to Gan Eden in which he gives an overview of the ideas in the nimshal. Whether or not we embark on learning through his commentary in the upcoming weeks remains to be seen.--
Ralbag's Introduction to Chumash (Part 3 of 3)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!In this third and final installment in this series (given at YBT on 9/30/20) we conclude our learning of the Ralbag's Introduction to Chumash. This was a jam-packed shiur in which we: - revisit the last two paragraphs we rushed through last time, raising questions, giving answers, and providing clarifications along the way- read through the Ralbag's exalted yet tragic plan for the two major works he intended to write, but didn&a
Yom ha'Kippurim 5781: Ralbag on the [13] Middos [ha'Rachamim]
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This is a video of the YBT Sunday shiur on 9/27/20, Erev Yom ha'Kippurim 5781. The aim of this shiur is threefold: (1) to provide a general framework for understanding the 13 middos ha'rachamim in context, (2) to define each middah, and (3) to learn how to incorporate the recitation of these middos into our davening in a manner that obtain rachamim from the Av ha'Rachamim. To access the original recording, which has more di
Ralbag's Introduction to Chumash (Part 2 of 3)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!This evening (9/23/20) we continued our learning of the Ralbag's Introduction to Chumash, going back to what we skipped last time and finishing the main part of the intro, up until the Mekomos. The Ralbag discusses the limitations on our knowledge of Torah, the interrelationship between the parts of the Torah regimen, and the corresponding components in the Talmud.----------מקורות:רלב"ג - פתיחה לביאור התורה----------If you have
Ralbag's Introduction to Chumash (Part 1 of 3)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Out of all the Chumash commentaries I've learned and loved, nothing has impacted me more than the Ralbag's framework, as set forth in the introduction to his Torah commentary. I decided that this would be a fitting place to start my inaugural Chumash shiur at YBT (given on 9/16/20). After a brief intro to who the Ralbag was, we learned his definition of Torah (and its place in creation) and began his description of the Torah&apo
Rosh ha'Shanah 5781: Yom ha'Din vs. Yom Teruah
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Today (9/11/20) was our inaugural Lomdeha Friday Seminar shiur! In this shiur we aimed to answer three questions: (1) What, exactly, is the Yom ha'Din? (Judgment Day)? How does the judgment work? (2) Why is the Written Torah silent on the Yom ha'Din aspect of Rosh ha'Shanah? Why is Yom ha'Din only mentioned in the Oral Torah? (3) What is the relationship between the Yom ha'Din and Yom Teruah (a.k.a. the name given