Author Archives: rebleib1

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

19th Century Torah Commentaries Series

Posted on September 28, 2018 by rebleib1

This past summer I had the privilege of sharing a five-week series on the rebirth of Torah commentary in the 19th Century, exploring the historical context, personal biographies, and literary styles of four giants of 19th Century Jewish life – … Continue reading →

Posted in Jewish History, Parshat Hashavua | Leave a comment

Sukkah, Beit Hamikdash, and Eternal Love

Posted on September 28, 2018 by rebleib1

I had the opportunity the other day to have my middle school students over in my sukkah, and I shared the D’var Torah below. I am sharing it now for any larger benefit it may serve. There is a curious … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Succot, Tefillah | Leave a comment

Musings On the Beracha of Leishev BaSukkah

Posted on September 28, 2018 by rebleib1

I was fortunate to be able to learn about the beracha of “Leishev BaSukkah” with a group at my Shul over Yom Tov. Below are some of the salient points, with references to the sources, which are linked to here. … Continue reading →

Posted in Halacha, Holidays, Succot | Leave a comment

Frum or Krum: Kohanim and Mummies

Posted on February 18, 2018 by rebleib1

My local shul is holding its Annual Dinner in a museum which houses mummies. Being a Kohen, I have always understood that I cannot enter such a museum due to the tumah, very loosely translated as impurity, that these mummies emit. … Continue reading →

Posted in Communal Matters, Frum ... Or Krum??, Halacha | Leave a comment

The Origins of Slavery (On the Siyum of My Son on Bereishit)

Posted on July 16, 2017 by rebleib1

My eight-year-old son and I just completed the Book of Bereishit, a study we began when he was just four years old. In honor of the occasion, I wanted to share some thoughts which I have been developing over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Parshat Hashavua | 1 Comment

Meet the Bar Papas, a Transnational, Intergenerational Nuclear Family

Posted on May 4, 2017 by rebleib1

I came across something tonight rather by accident, which led me down a rabbit hole from which I am still trying to re-emerge. In preparing a unit on the history and people of Gemara for my 6th graders, I came … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Experiences, Jewish History, Talmud / Daf Yomi | Leave a comment

The Disappearance and Reappearance of Pesach in Tanach

Posted on April 23, 2017 by rebleib1

I was privileged to give a shiur in my shul the last afternoon of Pesach on “The Appearance and Disappearance of Pesach in Tanach,” focusing on whether Pesach was celebrated in the midbar and on the disappearance and reappearance of … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Jewish History, Nach, Parshat Hashavua, Pesach | Leave a comment

Frum or Krum: Mikvah for a Kohen

Posted on March 31, 2017 by rebleib1

The time has come once again to don our cape and venture out into the weird, wild, and wacky world of contemporary Halacha, to determine whether the writ as presented to us by the establishment is truly frum or a … Continue reading →

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Frum or Krum: Using the Shamash on Chanukah

Posted on December 22, 2016 by rebleib1

The time has come once again for our should-be-award-winning exploration into mores and vicissitudes in the Jewish world and how they stack up to the light of objective research (spoiler: usually, not well). Today’s question: Does the presence of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Chanukah, Frum ... Or Krum??, Halacha, Holidays | Leave a comment