Category Archives: Pesach

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

Does a Spoonful of Bitter Make the Liberty Go Down? Questioning the Seder of the Seder

Posted on April 8, 2015 by rebleib1

In the pantheon of great ideas, coining the term “seder” for the seder was probably right in the middle. On the one hand, there is clearly an intrinsic importance to the order (seder) itself, as shown by our naming the … Continue reading →

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Pharaoh’s Man Problem and the Birth of Jewish Exceptionalism

Posted on April 5, 2015 by rebleib1

Did Pharaoh have a problem with men? Or did he have a larger agenda in ordering the boys to be killed? Exploring two parallel stories – the first near the beginning of Parshat Lech Lecha, the second spanning the end … Continue reading →

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Frum … or Krum?? – Hiding Bread Before Bedikat Chametz

Posted on April 6, 2014 by rebleib1

And now, once again, it is time for our all-too-infrequent consideration of trends and whispers in the Jewish community as seen through the rarified light of actual Halachic analysis. Is it Frum, or is it Krum? As always, there can … Continue reading →

Posted in Communal Matters, Frum ... Or Krum??, Pesach | 2 Comments

Sources and Notes: Yom Tov Sheini

Posted on May 19, 2013 by rebleib1

I gave a Shiur over Shavuot on Yom Tov Sheini as it relates to Sefirat Ha’Omer and Shavuot. Here are the sources. A few notes based on the sources: 1) Sources 18 and 19 provide a fascinating back-and-forth between the … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Pesach, Shavuot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, Succot | Leave a comment

Spring Leaning: Halachot of Leaning at the Seder

Posted on March 24, 2013 by rebleib1

Yesterday I gave a Shabbat Hagadol Derasha on the Halachot of leaning at the Seder. Here are the sources. I want to highlight here a few points based on the sources, with gratitude to those in attendance whose comments and … Continue reading →

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Purim: Peeling Back the Mask, With a Little Help From Our Friends

Posted on February 17, 2013 by rebleib1

A dichotomy: Purim is a time in which we are acutely aware of the poor. The Mitzvah of Matanot La’evyonim reminds us perhaps more poignantly than at any other time of year that the poor need consideration, attention, and respect. … Continue reading →

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Roundup of Seder Insights 2012

Posted on April 9, 2012 by rebleib1

With tremendous thanks to all who honored us with your presence, I wanted to share with the general public some of what was developed at our Pesach table this year. 1) The Surprising Emergence of Yosef at the Pesach Seder … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Pesach | 1 Comment

Audio and Sources – Erev Pesach – Halacha

Posted on April 13, 2011 by rebleib1

Here is the link for an audio file of a Shiur I gave yesterday on basic Halachot of Erev Pesach – the Month of Nissan, Bedikat Chometz, Bitul Chometz, Biur Chometz, and Mechirat Chometz. To follow along with the Mareh … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Experiences, Halacha, Holidays, Pesach | Leave a comment