Author Archives: rebleib1

A Review of Chanukah Torah 2020

Posted on December 28, 2020 by rebleib1

I am privileged to share some Torah that I developed over the course of Chanukah 2020 with the help of my students, family members, and friends. As always, I enjoy hearing from readers in the comments if you have any … Continue reading →

Posted in Chanukah, Classroom Experiences, Halacha, Holidays, Talmud / Daf Yomi, Tefillah | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Death By a Thousand Cuts: Retracing the Final Steps of Korach (and Special Announcement!)

Posted on August 6, 2020 by rebleib1

I am very excited to announce that I have completed my first book, which I plan to self-publish on Amazon in the next few weeks. The book, “Not a Short Vort: Torah Explorations for the Inquisitive Mind,” contains 21 essays … Continue reading →

Posted in Parshat Hashavua | Leave a comment

To Stop this Plague, Avoid Social Distancing

Posted on June 30, 2020 by rebleib1

I recently had the fortune of finishing two areas of learning right around the same time with my 8th graders – Parshat Korach and the book of Shmuel Bet. Much to our surprise, we discovered that the two sections, separated … Continue reading →

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A Fool for Love: The Meeting of Chesed and Emet

Posted on June 22, 2020 by rebleib1

I just finished my first year of teaching in a new location, and I finally have the time to write up the conclusions of a learning experience I had with my 7th Grade Advanced Chumash class a few months ago. … Continue reading →

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Aruch Hashulchan Yomi (Reprise)

Posted on May 31, 2020 by rebleib1

Some time ago (link) I proposed a new system for the daily learning of Aruch Hashulchan which would be based on a set number of paragraphs, which are mostly uniform in size, to replace the existing system based on a … Continue reading →

Posted in Communal Matters, Halacha | Leave a comment

What I Learned in My First 2000 Days of Teaching

Posted on April 14, 2020 by rebleib1

In honor of my 1000th day of teaching, shortly before the end of my 6th year of teaching, I made the daily announcements for my school over the intercom (a lifelong dream) and brought in treats for my students. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Experiences, Jewish Education (meta) | Leave a comment

Coronavirus and Maintaining Belief in Challenging Times

Posted on March 28, 2020 by rebleib1

Many in my large Jewish community have lamented the closure of our Shuls and schools in the face of the devastating Coronavirus cutting a deadly path across our nation. I am among them. Yet I tend to react to difficult … Continue reading →

Posted in Communal Matters, Tefillah | Leave a comment

Jewish Unity and Parshat Shemot

Posted on January 20, 2020 by rebleib1

As the young nation unified by its harmony at the end of Sefer Bereishit turns to one enslaved in Sefer Shemot, we are informed that it is in the same spirit of unity that the Jews descend to Egypt: וְאֵלֶּה … Continue reading →

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Some Suggestions for Daf Yomi Cycle #14

Posted on July 29, 2019 by rebleib1

With the end of Daf Yomi cycle #13 upon us this January and cycle #14 beginning immediately thereafter, we will soon find ourselves awash with celebratory tributes and articles extolling the extraordinary growth of the program and Talmud Torah itself … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Experiences, Communal Matters, Jewish Education (meta), Talmud / Daf Yomi | Leave a comment

Love Interrupted: When Ya’akov Finally Fell for Leah (Vayishlach)

Posted on November 25, 2018 by rebleib1

Parshat Vayishlach opens with Ya’akov’s multi-pronged preparation for meeting his estranged brother Eisav. Famously, he sends gifts to his brother, prepares for war, and prays. When it comes time to meet Eisav, we find this final bit of preparation: ספר … Continue reading →

Posted in Parshat Hashavua, The Week in Rashi | Leave a comment