Machshavah Lab

By Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss

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Episodes: 436

Description

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 some non-Jewish philosophy as well. Merriam-Webster defines "laboratory" as a place providing opportunity for experimentation, observation, or practice in a field of study. I call this podcast "Machshavah Lab" because this is where we will conduct Torah "experiments" by exploring questions, texts, and ideas in an effort to develop our machshavah in a "hands on," exploratory, firsthand manner.

Episode Date
Q&A #38: Shefoch, Split-Hallel, Babies, Begin w/Degradation, Baruch ha'Makom, Haggadah Methodology
Apr 19, 2024
The Whore in the Haggadah
Apr 19, 2024
Haftaras Tazria: Charging Money for Miracles
Apr 12, 2024
Astronomy vs. Omens: A Jewish View of the Eclipse
Apr 05, 2024
Shemini: DUI (Davening Under the Influence)
Apr 04, 2024
Tzav: Heavenly Fire and Hidden Miracles
Mar 29, 2024
Avos 4:4 - Be Very, Very Humble (Part 1)
Mar 29, 2024
Ralbag's Lessons from Megilas Esther: Part 3 (#27-35)
Mar 22, 2024
The Ambiguous Vibe of Taanis Esther
Mar 21, 2024
A Theory Connecting Purim to Yom ha’Kipurim Which is NOT Based on Specious Linguistics
Mar 18, 2024
Ralbag's Lessons from Megilas Esther: Part 2 (#15-26)
Mar 15, 2024
Vayakhel/Pikudei: Tedious by Design
Mar 15, 2024
Ralbag's Lessons from Megilas Esther: Part 1 (#1-14)
Mar 15, 2024
Four Pillars of Classroom Management (2012 Edition)
Mar 08, 2024
Ki Tisa: “Please Erase Me From Your Book”
Mar 01, 2024
Tetzaveh: Urim v’Tumim – the Emergency (Outdated?) Divine Telegraph System
Feb 23, 2024
Q&A #37: Moshiach, Moshiach, Moshiach, Short-Torah Recommendations, AI, When to Listen to Podcasts
Feb 16, 2024
Avos 4:3 - Don't Diss Anyone or Anything
Feb 16, 2024
Q&A #36: Dealing with Guilt, Strengthening Halacha Observance, and Self-Diagnosis of Trends
Feb 15, 2024
Terumah: Badei ha’Aron (The Staves of the Ark)
Feb 15, 2024
Mishpatim: Which Gerim Shouldn’t We Oppress?
Feb 09, 2024
Avos 4:2 - Mitzvah Goreres Mitzvah, v'Aveirah Goreres Aveirah (Part 2)
Feb 09, 2024
That Time Onkelos Resurrected Jesus Through Necromancy (Gittin 56b) Part 2
Feb 02, 2024
Avos 4:2 - Mitzvah Goreres Mitzvah, v'Aveirah Goreres Aveirah (Part 1)
Feb 02, 2024
ChatGPTorah Talk: Berachah on Milah, "Can ChatGPT Give Brisker Sevara?" (and a Salmon Recipe)
Feb 01, 2024
Yisro: Rambam – On Miracles as a Foundation of Belief
Feb 01, 2024
Q&A #35: Vengeance, Struggles with God, Footnote 4, Changing Jobs, Prioritizing Emotional Quiescence
Jan 31, 2024
That Time Onkelos Resurrected Jesus Through Necromancy (Gittin 56b) Part 1
Jan 26, 2024
Avos 4:1 - Eizehu Mechubad? (Who is Honored?)
Jan 26, 2024
My Eulogy for Rabbi Daniel Rosenthal, the "Johnny Appleseed of Torah"
Jan 26, 2024
Bo: Eizov – The Humble Herb that Ended Egypt
Jan 19, 2024
Avos 4:1 - Eizehu Ashir? (Who is Wealthy?)
Jan 19, 2024
Why I Identify With Radak
Jan 17, 2024
Rambam: On Beating Tetris (and Rabbi Moskowitz: On Playing Tiddlywinks)
Jan 12, 2024
Avos 4:1 - Eizehu Gibor? (Who is Mighty?)
Jan 12, 2024
ChatGPTorah Talk: On Proverbs 16:32
Jan 09, 2024
Sforno's Counterintuitive Take on Makkas Bechoros and Korban Pesach (REDUX)
Jan 07, 2024
Rabbi Moskowitz on Shalom Bayis and Toilet Paper
Jan 05, 2024
Avos 5:21 - Pirkei Avos: On Turning Forty
Jan 05, 2024
The Rabbi Schneeweiss Substack Update: Three Changes for January 2024
Jan 02, 2024
Vayechi: Don’t Stop Working Or Else You’ll Die (Especially If You’re Not Jewish)
Dec 29, 2023
Vayigash: May [the Word of] God Be With You (Rough Draft)
Dec 22, 2023
Asarah b'Teves 5784: Ezkerah Matzok (Selichos Exploration)
Dec 21, 2023
Mikeitz: Self-Deprivation in Solidarity With Others Who Are Suffering
Dec 15, 2023
Mikeitz: Rabbeinu Bachya on Rabbeinu Bachya on Bitachon (Trust in Hashem)
Dec 15, 2023
Avos 4:1 - Eizehu Chacham? (Who is Wise?) Part 1
Dec 15, 2023
Chanukah 5784: Maimonian Doughnuts and My Current Understanding of Minhag (FREE version)
Dec 14, 2023
Asking for Miracles on Chanukah: Updated for 2023, in Light of the War with Hamas
Dec 10, 2023
Vayeishev: The Consequences of Tattling and Misguided Rebuke
Dec 08, 2023
Vayishlach: Does Hashem Always Keep His Promises and Should We Follow His Lead?
Dec 01, 2023
Vayishlach: When Should the Righteous Bow Before the Wicked?
Dec 01, 2023
Avos 3:20 - Entrées and Appetizers in Learning
Dec 01, 2023
Vayeitzei: Hashem’s Love-Hate Relationship With Stone Monuments
Nov 24, 2023
Vayeitzei: Leah’s Thanksgiving Revolution
Nov 23, 2023
God of Time or Dog Eating Its Own Vomit? (a "The Stoic Jew Podcast" Crossover Post)
Nov 17, 2023
Q&A #34: Shir ha'Shirim, Yitzchak's Blindness, Teaching the Derech, Knife Yod, "Right" Use of Time
Nov 17, 2023
Avos 3:19 - A Tale of Two Trees
Nov 17, 2023
Chayei Sarah: The Virgin Rivka - Plain Pshat and Wild Drash
Nov 10, 2023
Avos 3:19 - Kemach (Flour) Plus Torah
Nov 10, 2023
Vayeira: A Lesson in Tznius from Lote's Daughters
Nov 03, 2023
Avos 3:19 - Binah Plus Daas
Nov 03, 2023
Neither Hamas Nor the Nazis Are Halachically Amalek According to the Rambam
Oct 27, 2023
Lech Lecha: Avraham’s Origin Story and the Torah’s Silence
Oct 27, 2023
Sforno on Sedom: Understanding the Dialogue Between Avraham and Hashem (and Implications for Israel Today)
Oct 23, 2023
Noach: Searching for Meaning in the Post-Diluvian Genealogy
Oct 20, 2023
Avos 3:19 - Torah Plus Derech Eretz
Oct 20, 2023
Bereishis/Noah - Why God Hates Hamas (חמס and حماس)
Oct 13, 2023
Q&A #33: Crying Out, Feeling Powerless, For His Name, Teshuvah at This Time, Civilian Deaths, Evil
Oct 13, 2023
Q&A #32: Eis Ratzon, Covid-Gaza Connection, Balancing Life and Emotions During Wartime, Why We Fast
Oct 12, 2023
Thoughts on the Role of Jewish Educators at a Time of War
Oct 11, 2023
Shemini Atzeres 5781: The Festival of Holding On
Oct 05, 2023
This is Your Mind on Lulav: The Psychoactive Properties of the Four Species (Part 1)
Sep 29, 2023
The Beneficial Effects of Torah Wine on Metaphysical Heart Rate Recovery
Sep 26, 2023
Shabbos Shuvah 5784: How to Do Teshuvah, Little by Little
Sep 22, 2023
Interpersonal Teshuvah (Rambam Hilchos Teshuvah 2:9-11)
Sep 22, 2023
How to Do Teshuvah, Step by Step (Rambam Hilchos Teshuvah 2:2,9-11)
Sep 15, 2023
Avos 3:18 - R' Akiva's Amazon Fresh Allegory
Sep 15, 2023
Nitzavim: What Would Teshuvah Look Like If It Were Easy?
Sep 08, 2023
Ki Tavo: Lone Learning vs. Group Learning
Sep 05, 2023
Some Thoughts on Rabbi Moskowitz's Unveiling
Sep 03, 2023
Ki Teitzei: Ramban - On Cruelty to Animals
Aug 25, 2023
Two MAJOR Professional/Life Updates for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Aug 23, 2023
Shoftim: Trusting Hashem in Poverty and Jurisprudence
Aug 18, 2023
Re’eh: The Meaning of Mixing Milk and Meat for a Modern Maimonidean
Aug 11, 2023
Eikev: When Avodah Zarah Works (and Why)
Aug 04, 2023
Vaeschanan: Mezuzah – Caffeine for the Soul
Jul 28, 2023
The Sins of Beitar (Tishah b'Av 5783 Post-Shiur Learning)
Jul 28, 2023
Kinnah #11 - Yirmiyahu Lamented Over Yoshiyahu (Tishah b'Av 5783)
Jul 28, 2023
The Sin of Columbus, Yehoyakim, and American Jewry
Jul 25, 2023
Devarim: The Idolatry of Showing Favoritism in Judgment
Jul 21, 2023
No Excuses in Talmud Torah: Ralbag’s Conclusion to Sefer Bamidbar
Jul 17, 2023
Freddie Mercury, Shadal, and the Crisis of Human Finitude
Jul 12, 2023
Pinchas: The Biological Kohen (and Why I Identify as a Levi)
Jul 07, 2023
17th of Tammuz 5783: Which Tamid Ceased (Part 1: Questions)
Jul 06, 2023
Become the Best by Accepting that You Aren’t
Jul 03, 2023
Chukas: Ultra-Pure Cave Babies, Taylor Swift, and Enriched Uranium
Jun 30, 2023
On Why I Value 18Forty and the Orthodox Conundrum Podcasts
Jun 28, 2023
Korach: To Guard and Revere the Mikdash
Jun 23, 2023
Shelach: That Time the Letter Yod Pleaded Before Hashem
Jun 16, 2023
Nazir Reexamined - Part 2: Ralbag's Approach
Jun 09, 2023
Q&A #31: Goals, Work, Weddings, Teaching Middos, Year in Review, Baal Teshuvah Baggage, Perfection
Jun 09, 2023
Behaalosecha: The Shechinah Isn't a Dog Person
Jun 09, 2023
Avos 3.18 - Hierarchies of Divine Love
Jun 09, 2023
Behaalosecha: Moshe's View of Miracles
Jun 07, 2023
Naso: Confessing to an Omnipotent God
Jun 02, 2023
Nazir Reexamined - Part 1: Facts and Questions
Jun 02, 2023
Q&A #30: Teshuvah, Tochachah, Svara, Drush, and Halachos Outside of Taryag
Jun 02, 2023
Avos 3:17 - Textual Integrity and Emunas Chachamim
Jun 02, 2023
Celebration of Rabbi Moskowitz's Life (held at YBT on his 1st Yahrzeit)
May 22, 2023
Rabbi Moskowitz's Approach to Eishes Chayil
May 21, 2023
Bamidbar: Moshe's Non-Biological Sons
May 19, 2023
Q&A #29: Keeping Pace with a Minyan, Is it a Mitzvah to Speculate, Can People Be Happy Without Torah
May 19, 2023
Avos 3:17 and 1:17 - The Virtue of Silence
May 19, 2023
Bamidbar: The Terminal Bachelorhood of Nadav and Avihu
May 15, 2023
Q&A #28: Entertainment, Rebuke, Accepting Lashon ha'Ra, Hedonism, and Echo-Chambers
May 12, 2023
Q&A #27: How to Engage Students, Shlish vs. Libo Chafetz, Benefits of Teaching, Purpose of a Yeshiva
May 12, 2023
Behar: The Prohibition to Free a Canaanite Slave
May 12, 2023
Avos 3:17 - How to Become Fabulously Wealthy! (Tithes are a Fence for Wealth)
May 12, 2023
Bechukosai: Why are Women Worth Less than Men?
May 08, 2023
Eight Explanations of Shaatnez
May 05, 2023
Q&A #26: Should a Rebbi Talk Openly About Personal Struggles? Workplace Temptations, and Publicizing One’s Jewishness
May 05, 2023
Emor: Why Judaism Punishes Converts
May 05, 2023
Avos 3:17 - Vows are a Fence for Prishus
May 05, 2023
Emor: Does Hashem Hate Unibrows?
Apr 30, 2023
Kedoshim: Defining Rechilus (Gossip)
Apr 28, 2023
Acharei Mos / Kedoshim: Is it Immoral to Desire Arayos? (According to the Rambam)
Apr 28, 2023
Q&A #25: Rechilus, Benefits of YBT, Work/Life, Benefits of Jewish Community, Justifying Religiosity
Apr 28, 2023
Avos 3:16 - How to Relate to Superiors, Inferiors, and All People
Apr 28, 2023
Tazria: Rambam's Explanation for Why Milah is Done on the Eighth Day
Apr 21, 2023
Overview of the Halachos of Rechilus and Lashon ha'Ra
Apr 21, 2023
Q&A #24: Davening for Refuah for Others, Avraham's Care About Legacy, New Theory of HashgaXXX XXXXXX
Apr 21, 2023
Avos 3:15 - Five Ways to Lose Olam ha'Ba
Apr 21, 2023
Shemini - Why Can't We Eat Bugs?
Apr 15, 2023
Jewish Pedagogy: On Asking Stupid Questions
Apr 10, 2023
Memento Mori and True Human Empathy at the Seder
Apr 05, 2023
Avadim Hayinu: Would We Still Be Slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt?
Apr 04, 2023
Arbaah Banim: The Alternate Version of the Wise and Simple Sons
Apr 03, 2023
Maaseh b’Rebbi Eliezer: Abravanel’s Framing of Insomnia on Pesach Night
Apr 02, 2023
Four Reasons for the Four Cups
Mar 31, 2023
Q&A #23: Overcoming Closemindedness, Seeing Chidushim, Dealing with Shame, Phenomenology in Judaism
Mar 31, 2023
Tzav: Korban Todah – Thanking God with a Chametz and Matzah Party
Mar 29, 2023
Vayikra: Shadal's View of Korbanos
Mar 26, 2023
The Fundamental Importance of NON-Symbolic Chametz
Mar 24, 2023
Q&A #22: Why Are You Orthodox, Chavrusa Off-Days, Side-Stepping Perfection, Concealing Observance
Mar 24, 2023
"Hashem Decreed the Egyptian Slavery?! God Forbid!" (Sforno on Shemos 1:1-14)
Mar 23, 2023
Vayakhel: The Meaning of the Mirror Donation (ABBREVIATED 1-page article version)
Mar 17, 2023
Pikudei: The Meaning of the Mirror Donation (SHIUR version)
Mar 17, 2023
Q&A #21: "What should I do if my friends are speaking lashon ha'ra about our other friends?"
Mar 17, 2023
Avos 3:14 - Four Bad Habits that Remove You From the World
Mar 17, 2023
My Eulogy for Popo
Mar 13, 2023
Ki Tisa: Is Shabbos a Day of Simchah?
Mar 10, 2023
If Hashem Only Gives Chochmah to Chachamim, How Do WE Get It? (Berachos 55a) Part 2
Mar 10, 2023
If Hashem Only Gives Chochmah to Chachamim, How Do WE Get It? (Berachos 55a) Part 1
Mar 08, 2023
Megilas Esther: How Esther Stayed Religious
Mar 07, 2023
Mechiyas Amalek: Emulating a Vengeful God
Mar 03, 2023
ABBREVIATED VERSION: My Current (Radical?) Understanding of the Mitzvah to Get Drunk on Purim
Mar 03, 2023
My Current (Radical?) Understanding of the Mitzvah to Get Drunk on Purim
Mar 03, 2023
The Perils of Distracted Learning (Avos 3:9)
Feb 26, 2023
HALF ARTICLE VERSION Mishpatim: The Sanctuary-Altar Sanctuary (or Mizbeach as Refuge for Killers)
Feb 24, 2023
Q&A #20: Changing TSBP, Bakashah Advice, Chesed/Tzedakah Guidance, What Should I Learn?, Harry Potter
Feb 24, 2023
Q&A #19: Impromptu Hodaah, Is God Bound by Logic, Svara Intuition, Inyanei d'Yoma, Mourner's Kaddish
Feb 24, 2023
SHIUR VERSION of Mishpatim: The Sanctuary-Altar Sanctuary (or "Mizbeach as a Refuge for Killers")
Feb 24, 2023
Everything I Know About Techiyas ha'Meisim
Feb 17, 2023
Q&A #18: Wisdom Literature, Time Allotment, Food Forests, Matrilineal Descent, and Geonic Works
Feb 17, 2023
Mishpatim: Does Hashem Reward Good Dogs?
Feb 17, 2023
Avos 3:13 - The Relationship Between Social Approval and Divine Approval
Feb 17, 2023
Spectral Clergy, Living Torah, and My Izzet Grieving Process
Feb 10, 2023
Avos 3:11-12 - The Relationship Between Chochmah, Fear of Sin, and Deeds
Feb 10, 2023
Beshalach: Was Miriam a Prophetess?
Feb 02, 2023
Bo: The Jewish Lunar Calendar as Anti-Egyptian Polemic
Jan 26, 2023
Shemos: Dasan and Aviram - to Blame or Not to Blame?
Jan 13, 2023
Q&A #17: Shalom Bayis, Darchei Shalom, and Questions About Jewish Cemeteries
Jan 12, 2023
Does Hashem Actually Pray?! - Part 2 (Berachos 7a)
Jan 12, 2023
Q&A #16: Churban, Minhag, "Shmiras Einayim," Sharing Psak, Reading, Feeding Animals 1st, MO Problems
Jan 06, 2023
Vayechi: The Wolf as an Allegory for the Shechinah
Jan 06, 2023
Q&A #15: Aristotelian Torah, Ox-Filth, English Mishneh Torah, and Baby Souls
Jan 06, 2023
Avos 3:10 & 5:12 - The Consequences of Forgetting Your Torah
Jan 06, 2023
Does Hashem Actually Pray?! - Part 1 (Berachos 7a)
Jan 05, 2023
An Etymological Drash from Rav Hirsch on Jewish vs. Pagan Priests
Dec 30, 2022
Avos 3:9 - Interrupting Torah for a Tree
Dec 30, 2022
Chanukah 5783: The “Beloved” Mitzvah of Ner Chanukah
Dec 25, 2022
Dream Analysis in Halacha: Aruch ha'Shulchan and Rambam
Dec 16, 2022
Q&A #14 - Off-the-Record Questions, Shabbos King, and Melaveh Malka
Dec 16, 2022
Vayeishev: Should this Rashi be Taught to Children?
Dec 16, 2022
Avos 3:8 - Giving to God
Dec 16, 2022
The Meta-Halachic Implications of the Halachos of Fingernail Cutting
Dec 09, 2022
Q&A #13 - What to Treat as a Fact, How Curses Work, and How Berachos Work
Dec 09, 2022
Avos 3:7 - Levels of Shechinah
Dec 09, 2022
Vayishlach: Can We Talk About Reuven’s Sin?
Dec 07, 2022
The Metaphysical Implications of Stubbing Your Toe (Redux)
Dec 04, 2022
Q&A #12 - Pushing Limits, Israel, Conditioned Thinking, Meat & Wine, Voucher's Morality, Leadership
Dec 02, 2022
Q&A #11 - Kavanah in Kedushah, Halachic Complexity, Torah Fluctuations, Love Work, Diagnosing Lapses
Dec 02, 2022
Avos 3:6 - Yokes on You
Dec 02, 2022
Vayeitzei: The Eyes of Leah in the Eyes of Three Schools of Commentary
Nov 28, 2022
Q&A #10 - Iyun Procedures, Sensitivity to Halachic Laxity, and Dealing with the IRS
Nov 25, 2022
Toldos: Does God Judge Our Prayers Based on Our Parents?
Nov 25, 2022
Tehilim 100: Mizmor l'Todah (A Psalm of Thanksgiving)
Nov 24, 2022
Chayei Sarah: Musings on Judaism's Response to Animal Suffering
Nov 18, 2022
Q&A #09 - Is Belief a Choice, Tefilah vs. Avodah Zarah, How to Safely Attend a Red Carpet Event
Nov 18, 2022
Chayei Sarah: The Pshat of "Place Your Hand Under My Thigh"
Nov 18, 2022
Avos 3:5 - DIY Soul-Endangerment
Nov 18, 2022
The Prohibition to Gaze at a Rainbow (or Those Who Gaze at Rainbows Are Better Off Never Being Born)
Nov 11, 2022
Q&A #08 - Stoicism, Commanding Emotions, Productivity Compulsion, and Embracing Mortality to Make the Most of Life
Nov 11, 2022
Vayeira: Don't Deviate from the Minhag: XTREME Edition
Nov 11, 2022
Avos 3:4 - Three Who Eat With or Without Torah
Nov 11, 2022
Noach's Unwillingness to Procreate - Part 2 (Some Answers)
Nov 04, 2022
Lech Lecha: Is Circumcision "Mutilation"?
Nov 04, 2022
Q&A #07 - Tefilah Technicalities, Pas b'Melach Tochal, & Prioritizing Animal Care Over Talmud Torah
Nov 04, 2022
Avos 3:3 - The Shechinah Among Friends
Nov 04, 2022
Beur Tefilah: Who is the "Aleinu" in Sim Shalom?
Nov 02, 2022
Noach's Unwillingness to Procreate - Part 1 (Facts and Questions)
Oct 28, 2022
Noach: Shadal's Radical Application of Dibra Torah ki'Lshon Bnei Adam
Oct 28, 2022
Q&A #06 - Sim Shalom, Singular vs. Plural, Current Meditation Practice, Shogeg, pre-Ashrei Pesukim
Oct 28, 2022
Avos 3:2 - Davening for the Peace of the Government
Oct 28, 2022
Q&A #05 - Learning Neviim, Hashgachah Pratis Meetings, Non-Jews and Yomim Noraim, Koheles on Sukkos, and Moshiach as an Ikkar
Oct 20, 2022
The Four Days Between Yom ha'Kippurim and Sukkos
Oct 07, 2022
Q&A #04 - Al Cheit, Discerning Hashgachah, Trolly Problems, Birkas ha'Gomel, and Idyllic Torah Life
Oct 06, 2022
Yom ha’Kippurim 5783: Musings on Erev Yom ha’Kippurim Anxiety
Oct 04, 2022
Yom ha'Kippurim 5783: Ne'ilah - It's Not What You Think It Is
Sep 30, 2022
Q&A #03 - Assorted Aseres Ymei Teshuvah Questions
Sep 30, 2022
Avos 4:11 - Mitzvos and Aveiros as Defenders and Prosecutors
Sep 29, 2022
R' Akiva's Guidelines for a Good Judgment on Rosh ha'Shanah
Sep 25, 2022
Nitzavim: Is Teshuvah/Torah Really THAT Easy?
Sep 23, 2022
Ki Savo: Accursed to God
Sep 16, 2022
Q&A #02 - God's Blessings, How to Emulate Him, What Makes a Good Question, and What is Hishtadlus?
Sep 16, 2022
Avos 3:1 - How to Avoid Transgression (Part 2: Answers and Ideas)
Sep 16, 2022
Q&A #01 - Proofs of God's Oneness, Emotions & Perfection, and Emily Dickinson's Judgment of Bible
Sep 09, 2022
What I Learned About Jewish Identity and Survival from an Elder of the Crow Tribe and Rav Hirsch
Sep 09, 2022
Avos 3:1 - How to Avoid Transgression (Part 1: Intro, Facts, and Questions)
Sep 09, 2022
Memento Mori Musings on the First Day of Yeshiva (Koheles 7:1-2)
Sep 06, 2022
Rav Hirsch on Bad Biographies
Aug 16, 2022
Tishah b'Av 5782 - Kinnah #28: Eich Enacheim? (How Can I Be Consoled?)
Aug 07, 2022
Is it Permissible to Enjoy Learning on Tishah b’Av?
Aug 04, 2022
How to Make Kinnos Real
Aug 03, 2022
Wishful Thinking and Prophetic Interpretation
Aug 02, 2022
Review of R' Shagar's book: "Faith Shattered and Restored: Judaism in the Postmodern Age"
Aug 01, 2022
Masei: How to Read the Travels of Bnei Yisrael
Jul 29, 2022
Why Talk About Other Religions?
Jul 28, 2022
Sefer Mishlei's Jargon-Filled Introduction (Mishlei 1:1-6)
Jul 27, 2022
Ralbag on the Speculative Nature of Taamei ha’Mitzvos
Jul 26, 2022
Abandonment by Hashem as a Catalyst for Teshuvah
Jul 25, 2022
Haftaras Parashas Pinchas: Goyishe Jews
Jul 22, 2022
My Rejected Kiruv Article on the Purpose of Life
Jul 21, 2022
“Hump Day,” Wednesday, and Yom Revii l’Shabbos
Jul 20, 2022
Minhag Mythbusters: Does a Husband Sing Eishes Chayil for His Wife?
Jul 19, 2022
The Role of Episodic Memory in the Three Weeks and Tishah b'Av
Jul 18, 2022
17th of Tammuz Reflections on Waikiki
Jul 15, 2022
The Pros and Cons of Postmodernist Analysis of Halacha
Jul 14, 2022
Judaism and the Benefits of EFT (Episodic Future Thinking)
Jul 13, 2022
EFT (Episodic Future Thinking) A Summer 2022 Project
Jul 12, 2022
How Rambam Sees God in the Sunset
Jul 11, 2022
State of the Blog: Summer 2022
Jun 27, 2022
Shelach: Challah as a Consequence of the Cheit ha'Meraglim
Jun 24, 2022
Leo Tolstoy, Eishes Chayil, and Caring What Others Think
Jun 23, 2022
When Hashem Prefers Telling Lies Over Doing Miracles
Jun 22, 2022
Shloshim for Rabbi Morton Moskowitz zt"l
Jun 22, 2022
On Reading the Rambam's Mishneh Torah Like a Love Letter
Jun 21, 2022
An Example of My Idiosyncratic Brand of Spirituality
Jun 20, 2022
Parashas Naso: Nine Explanations for a Twelvefold Repetition
Jun 10, 2022
My Eulogy for Rabbi Moskowitz zt"l
May 30, 2022
Judaism's Nuanced Attitude Towards Converts as Exemplified by Naomi
May 27, 2022
How to Daven for a Sick Person Who is Beyond Recovery
May 27, 2022
What is Kareis? Part 3 (Abravanel with some Ran)
May 26, 2022
The Metaphysical Implications of Stubbing Your Toe
May 20, 2022
What is Kareis? Part 2 (Tosafos, Rambam, Ramban)
May 19, 2022
R' Yitzchak Kanpanton and R. Waldo Emerson on Emunas Chachamim
May 13, 2022
What is Kareis? Part 1 (Saadia Gaon, Ibn Ezra, Rashi, Tosafos)
May 12, 2022
Why Do We Count the Omer? Three Explanations You (Probably) Haven't Heard (YBT Sunday Shiur)
May 08, 2022
Three Insights into Shehecheyanu
May 06, 2022
A Fresh Look at the Shalosh Regalim: Mishpatim and Ki Sisa (Part 2)
May 05, 2022
A Fresh Look at the Shalosh Regalim: Mishpatim and Ki Sisa (Part 1)
Apr 28, 2022
Etzba Elohim: The Finger of WHICH God?
Apr 15, 2022
Tzfarde’a: The Plague That Lasted Forever
Apr 14, 2022
Even If We Are All Wise, Understanding, Elders, Those Who Know Torah
Apr 13, 2022
Chad Gadya: A New Song with an Ancient Theme
Apr 12, 2022
Baruch ha'Makom in the Haggadah
Apr 08, 2022
R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam on the Mysterious Incident of Tziporah and Bris Milah (Shemos 4:24-26)
Apr 07, 2022
Rambam on: What is Avodas Hashem? (Moreh ha'Nevuchim 3:51; Hilchos Deios 3:2-3)
Apr 06, 2022
Pesach Q&A 5782
Apr 01, 2022
The Superiority of Rabbinic Laws Over Torah Laws - Part 4: Answers
Mar 25, 2022
Why Did Hashem Redeem Us From Egypt? Sforno's Counterintuitive Take
Mar 24, 2022
The Superiority of Rabbinic Laws Over Torah Laws - Part 3: the Ran's First Counterargument
Mar 11, 2022
Nevuchadnetzar's Statue and Haman's Decree: Part 2 (An Approach)
Mar 10, 2022
The Superiority of Rabbinic Laws Over Torah Laws - Part 2: Initial Answers
Mar 04, 2022
Nevuchadnetzar's Statue and Haman's Decree: Part 1 (Facts and Questions)
Mar 03, 2022
The Superiority of Rabbinic Laws Over Torah Laws - Part 1: Scope and Nature of Rabbinic Authority
Feb 25, 2022
Sefer ha'Chinuch's Intro to Mikdash: Part 3 (Seir l'Azazel)
Feb 24, 2022
Midrashic Embellishment: Why Did Chazal Villainize “the Bad Guys” and Vindicate “the Good Guys” and What are the Educational Implications for Us?
Feb 21, 2022
R' Akiva's View of Human Existence (Avos 3:15) Part 3
Feb 18, 2022
R' Akiva's View of Human Existence (Avos 3:15) Part 2
Feb 11, 2022
Sefer ha'Chinuch's Intro to Mikdash: Part 2 (Shechinah and Korbanos)
Feb 10, 2022
Hashgachah Clarification from the Rosh ha'Yeshiva
Feb 09, 2022
R' Akiva's View of Human Existence (Avos 3:15) Part 1
Feb 04, 2022
Sefer ha'Chinuch's Intro to Mikdash: Part 1 (Intro to the Intro)
Feb 03, 2022
How "Wholeheartedly" Does Hashem Endorse Tefilah? (or "Insights Into Tefilah from Parashas Beshalach")
Jan 12, 2022
Bo: Sforno's Counterintuitive Take on Korban Pesach and Makkas Bechoros
Jan 07, 2022
Vaeira: Rambam vs. Sforno on the Hardening of Paroh's Heart
Dec 31, 2021
Rambam's Shitah on Hashgachah Revisited (Part 3)
Dec 31, 2021
Vicarious Merit in the Framework of the Rambam's Ikkarim
Dec 26, 2021
What is YOUR Relationship to the Beis Midrash? (Avos 5:14) Part 2
Dec 24, 2021
Shemos: Lessons from Mosaic Intervention
Dec 23, 2021
What is YOUR Relationship to the Beis Midrash? (Avos 5:14) Part 1
Dec 17, 2021
Rambam's Shitah on Hashgachah Revisited (Part 2)
Dec 17, 2021
Vayechi: Yaakov Avinu Was Mummified ... But Did He Die?
Dec 16, 2021
Rambam's Shitah on Hashgachah Revisited (Part 1)
Dec 10, 2021
Vayigash: Yaakov's Brief and Bizarre Conversation with Paroh
Dec 09, 2021
Chanukah 5872: The Secret Theme of Al Ha'Nissim
Dec 03, 2021
Vayeishev + Miketz: Insights from Yosef and His Brothers on How to Respond to Catastrophe
Dec 02, 2021
How to Cultivate Humility: Practical Guidelines (Part 2) Haughtiness from Beauty and Strength
Nov 19, 2021
Vayishlach: Would Rambam Advocate Davening at the Kever of the Fifth Matriarch?
Nov 18, 2021
How to Cultivate Humility: a Quest for Practical Guidelines (Part 1)
Nov 12, 2021
Vayeitzei: Practical Insights from Yaakov Avinu's Neder
Nov 11, 2021
The Saga of Kayin (Part 5) The Epic Conclusion
Nov 04, 2021
Chayei Sarah: The Fine Line Between Divine Signs and Divination
Oct 29, 2021
The Saga of Kayin (Part 4) Applying the Unifying Theory
Oct 28, 2021
Sforno on Sedom: Understanding the Dialogue Between Avraham and Hashem
Oct 22, 2021
Parashas Vayeira: Avraham and Islam
Oct 22, 2021
The Saga of Kayin (Part 3) The Unifying Theory
Oct 21, 2021
Torah as Regimen: Ralbag's Approach to Chumash
Oct 17, 2021
"Adam's Demonic Spawn" or "Did Hashem Turn the Builders of Migdal Bavel into Monkeys?!"
Oct 15, 2021
The Saga of Kayin (Part 2) More Questions and Problems
Oct 14, 2021
Parashas Noach: Migdal Bavel and the Hindu Account of the Mabul
Oct 08, 2021
What's the Pshat of Migdal Bavel? (Parashas Noach)
Oct 08, 2021
The Saga of Kayin (Part 1) Questions and Problems
Oct 07, 2021
Parashas Bereishis: (How) Did Hashem Speak to Kayin?
Oct 05, 2021
Does Hashem Actually Care What We Call Shemini Atzeres?
Oct 01, 2021
The Joyful Progression from Yom ha’Kippurim through Sukkos
Sep 19, 2021
Yom ha'Kippurim 5782: Vidui Yom ha'Kippurim and the Inner Bears of Our Nature
Sep 10, 2021
Meditations on Rosh ha'Shanah 5781: The Meaning of "Shanah Tovah"
Sep 06, 2021
Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar and the 42-Letter Name of God
Aug 30, 2021
Ki Teitzei: On the Merit of Giving Bad Explanations of Mitzvos
Aug 20, 2021
When to Dance Between Two Opinions
Aug 19, 2021
Halacha as a Playground of Mindfulness
Aug 18, 2021
The Insidious Nature of Metaphysical and Epistemological Premises
Aug 17, 2021
Tallis as a Vehicle of Gratitude and a Reminder of Death
Aug 16, 2021
Shoftim: The Parameters of Idolatrous Cultural Appropriation
Aug 13, 2021
On Being Present in Tefilah
Aug 12, 2021
Rambam: On Awakening (The Question)
Aug 11, 2021
How to Choose What to Learn Before You Die
Aug 10, 2021
King Kamehameha III and Moshiach
Aug 09, 2021
Haftaras Re'eh: Torah as Water, Wine, and Milk
Aug 06, 2021
Musings on Unrecorded Shiurim
Aug 05, 2021
How to Become Wise: Part 2 (R' Yitzchak Kanpanton on Niddah 70b)
Aug 05, 2021
Sitting Bull's Ghost Dance and Moshiach
Aug 04, 2021
The Madness of Lishmah
Aug 03, 2021
On Seeing the Hearts of Human Beings
Aug 02, 2021
Simone Biles is My Hero
Jul 30, 2021
How to Become Wise: Part 1 (R' Yitzchak Kanpanton on Niddah 70b)
Jul 29, 2021
Help! I've Fallen Into Sufi Poetry and I Have No Idea What I'm Doing!
Jul 28, 2021
The Principle of Humanity vs. Emunas Chachamim
Jul 27, 2021
Taking the Road Less Traveled in Learning
Jul 26, 2021
Vaeschanan: Declaring Hashem's Oneness in Love
Jul 23, 2021
Musings on the Inadequacy of Internet Research
Jul 22, 2021
Bodily Posture as a Sensory Anchor for Kavanah in Tefilah
Jul 21, 2021
My Experience Fasting for 48 Hours on the 9th and 10th of Av
Jul 20, 2021
The Tenth of Av, Seven Haftaros of Consolation, and Life After the Pain
Jul 19, 2021
Tishah b’Av 5781: An Approach to the Blasphemy in Eichah and Kinnos
Jul 16, 2021
Hunting for Treasure vs. Panning for Gold on the Beaches of Nome
Jul 15, 2021
The Necessity of Metaphysical Trauma for National Teshuvah
Jul 14, 2021
The Sin of Refusing to Look at Oneself
Jul 13, 2021
The Induction of Metaphysical Trauma
Jul 12, 2021
Tishah b'Av 5780: Methodology of Kinnos as Applied to Kinah #31 (Eish Tukad b'Kirbi)
Jul 11, 2021
Haftarah of Mattos / Masei: Divine Love as the Foundation of Rebuke
Jul 09, 2021
Sameach b’Chelko as Unconditional Happiness
Jul 08, 2021
Feynman: On Definitional Neurosis
Jul 07, 2021
Bruce Lee’s Oak and the Success of Evil
Jul 06, 2021
The One-Page Article: a Summer 2021 Experiment
Jul 05, 2021
Musings on Sforno's Approach to the Incident of the Fiery Snakes
Jun 17, 2021
Parashas Chukas: Overlooking Sacrilegious Speech (Audiobook Dvar Torah)
Jun 15, 2021
An Examination of "The Overexamined Life is Not Worth Living"
Jun 11, 2021
Parashas Korach: What Happened to Korach? (Audiobook Dvar Torah)
Jun 07, 2021
Parashas Shelach: The Torah's View of Temptation (Audiobook Dvar Torah)
Jun 04, 2021
What Does the Torah Mean by "Toeivah"?
Jun 02, 2021
What Are Ideas? (Mortimer J. Adler's "Ten Philosophical Mistakes," Chapter 1)
May 27, 2021
Avos 3:13 - Rabbeinu Yonah (and Krishnamurti) on Silence, Listening, and Chochmah
May 26, 2021
A Glimpse Into Bruce Lee's Impact on My Methodology of Teaching and Learning (Part 2)
May 20, 2021
Three Schools of Jewish Thought
May 07, 2021
A Glimpse Into Bruce Lee's Impact on My Methodology of Teaching and Learning (Part 1)
May 06, 2021
What is the REAL Theme of Shavuos?
Apr 30, 2021
The Mitzvah of Kavod Talmidei Chachamim: An Example of What’s Missing from Rabbeinu Tam’s Curriculum
Apr 29, 2021
Parashas Kedoshim Mitzvah Marathon
Apr 23, 2021
"Is There an Obligation to Believe that the Zohar Was Written by R' Shimon Bar Yochai?" (Part 1)
Apr 22, 2021
Midrashic Betrayal: the Detrimental Effects of the Failure to Distinguish Between Pshat and Drash
Apr 18, 2021
A Joke Before Shiur: The Role of Humor in Torah Study
Apr 16, 2021
The Ten Principles of Shadal's Approach to Tanach Interpretation
Apr 15, 2021
Mussar Without "Should"s and "Shouldn't"s
Apr 13, 2021
Shadal's Opposition to Philosophical Judaism
Apr 09, 2021
Can God Do the Impossible?
Apr 07, 2021
Maror as a Philosophical Theme of Pesach
Mar 19, 2021
Ramban: On Why We Commemorate Yetzias Mitzrayim (a.k.a. The Famous Ramban at the End of Bo)
Mar 16, 2021
How the (Seemingly) Outdated Elements of Torah Are Evidence of Its Perfection (Part 2)
Mar 12, 2021
Ritva on Haggadah (Part 3: Meh)
Mar 12, 2021
Ritva on Haggadah (Part 2: Avadim Hayinu)
Mar 10, 2021
How the (Seemingly) Outdated Elements of Torah Are Evidence of Its Perfection (Part 1)
Mar 05, 2021
Ritva on Haggadah (Part 1: Ha Lachma Anya)
Mar 03, 2021
Haman's Ancient Motive
Feb 25, 2021
Purim 5781: The Limits of the Human Intellect as a Theme of Purim
Feb 21, 2021
Of Wolves, Men, and Methodology: an Attempt to Capture and Articulate an Epistemological Upheaval
Feb 19, 2021
Rambam vs. Riaz (and Thomas Jefferson vs. Pirkei Avos)
Feb 16, 2021
Lo Tachmod: a Case Study in How the Torah Commands Emotions
Feb 15, 2021
Seltzer Theories vs. Jam Theories
Feb 09, 2021
Some Guidelines for Thinking About Biblical Historicity vs. Archaeology (Part 2 of 2)
Feb 05, 2021
Know What to Respond to a Heretic (Avos 2:14) Part 2
Feb 04, 2021
Know What to Respond to a Heretic (Avos 2:14) Part 1
Feb 02, 2021
Some Guidelines for Thinking About Biblical Historicity vs. Archaeology (Part 1 of 2)
Jan 15, 2021
R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam: On Midrashim (Part 6 of 6)
Jan 14, 2021
Rambam's Hidden Egalitarian Stance on Mitzvos
Jan 08, 2021
R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam: On Midrashim (Part 5 of 6)
Jan 07, 2021
Vayechi - The Cheit of Reuven: A Case Study in Analyzing the Flaws of Tzadikim
Jan 01, 2021
Lessons in Bitachon from 2020
Jan 01, 2021
R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam: On Midrashim (Part 4 of 6)
Dec 31, 2020
Asarah b'Teves 5781: A Live Prophecy About an Ongoing Tragedy
Dec 25, 2020
Chanukah 5781: Asking for Miracles on Chanukah
Dec 18, 2020
R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam: On Midrashim (Part 3 of 6)
Dec 16, 2020
Can Hashem Transform Into a Human Barber So He Can Cut My Hair? (Part 2)
Dec 11, 2020
R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam: On Midrashim (Part 2 of 6)
Dec 10, 2020
Can Hashem Transform Into a Human Barber So He Can Cut My Hair? (Part 1)
Dec 04, 2020
R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam: On Midrashim (Part 1 of 6)
Dec 03, 2020
Kiddush: The Universe of Torah in a Glass of Wine
Nov 22, 2020
"The Palace Allegory Revisited" or "Was the Rambam an Elitist?"
Nov 20, 2020
Introductions of the Rashbam and Saadia Gaon
Nov 18, 2020
Is Judaism FOR or AGAINST Free Thinking?
Nov 13, 2020
Ibn Ezra's Introduction to Torah (Part 3 of 3) PLUS Mahari Kara on Pshat vs. Drash
Nov 11, 2020
Three Non-Mainstream Explanations of Akeidas Yitzchak
Nov 06, 2020
Ibn Ezra's Introduction to Torah (Part 2 of 3)
Nov 04, 2020
Chazal's Method of Vanquishing the Yetzer ha'Ra (Lomdeha)
Oct 30, 2020
Ibn Ezra's Introduction to Torah (Part 1 of 3)
Oct 29, 2020
The Mabul vs. Science (Lomdeha) + Follow-up Discussion
Oct 23, 2020
Ralbag's Allegorical Interpretation of Gan Eden Part 2 - Beur ha'Milos on Bereishis 2.4-14
Oct 21, 2020
The Curious Tale of Sasson and Simchah
Oct 16, 2020
Ralbag's Allegorical Interpretation of Gan Eden Part 1 - Preface
Oct 15, 2020
Ralbag's Introduction to Chumash (Part 3 of 3)
Sep 30, 2020
Yom ha'Kippurim 5781: Ralbag on the [13] Middos [ha'Rachamim]
Sep 27, 2020
Ralbag's Introduction to Chumash (Part 2 of 3)
Sep 23, 2020
Ralbag's Introduction to Chumash (Part 1 of 3)
Sep 17, 2020
Rosh ha'Shanah 5781: Yom ha'Din vs. Yom Teruah
Sep 11, 2020