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Category Archives: Parshat Hashavua
Parshat Shemini: The Snake and the Curse of Having it All
Parshat Shemini is popularly known for its section on the laws of Kashrut, though this topic does not actually present itself until the sixth Aliyah. Nevertheless, with the esoterism of much of the rest of the Parsha, Kashrut becomes an … Continue reading
Death By a Thousand Cuts: Retracing the Final Steps of Korach (and Special Announcement!)
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
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To Stop this Plague, Avoid Social Distancing
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
Posted in Classroom Experiences, Nach, Parshat Hashavua
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A Fool for Love: The Meeting of Chesed and Emet
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
Posted in Classroom Experiences, Parshat Hashavua
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Jewish Unity and Parshat Shemot
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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Love Interrupted: When Ya’akov Finally Fell for Leah (Vayishlach)
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
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19th Century Torah Commentaries Series
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
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The Origins of Slavery (On the Siyum of My Son on Bereishit)
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
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The Disappearance and Reappearance of Pesach in Tanach
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
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Parshat Mattot: Mi Ya’aleh B’Har Hashem – Hearing the Echo of Diaspora’s Call
By a fluke of the calendar and my travel schedule, I got to hear Parshat Mattot twice – first in Israel, then in America. Parshat Mattot is a difficult one for those who have made Aliyah and like to stick … Continue reading
Posted in Communal Matters, Parshat Hashavua
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Classroom Declassified 