Machshavah Lab
456 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago - ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsMy 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.
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Episodes
On Why I Value 18Forty and the Orthodox Conundrum Podcasts
June 28, 2023 07:00 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MBLength of article: 7 pages Length of audio: 19 minutes 48 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 7-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 6/28/23, entitled On Why I Value 18Forty and the Orthodox Conundrum Podcasts. My two favorite Jewish podcasts are 18Forty (Rabbi David Bashevkin) and the Orthodox Conundrum (Rabbi Scott Kahn). The writings of Barry Lopez helped me realize what I value in their work. ----- This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Na...
Korach: To Guard and Revere the Mikdash
June 23, 2023 18:00 - 4 minutes - 3.44 MBLength of article: 1 page Length of audio: 4 minutes 7 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 6/23/23, entitled: Korach: To Guard and Revere the Mikdash. In my ongoing effort to mine this parashah for topics OTHER than the saga of Korach, I've decided to take up a difficult question about an obscure topic. My thanks to Rabbi Yoni Sacks for his insight. ----- This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Meir, l'zei...
Shelach: That Time the Letter Yod Pleaded Before Hashem
June 16, 2023 04:00 - 5 minutes - 3.49 MBLength of article: 1 page Length of audio: 4 minutes 11 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 6/16/23, entitled: Shelach: That Time the Letter Yod Pleaded Before Hashem. I never know where an article will end up once I begin writing. This one began as an analysis of a midrash about Yehoshua's name, but ended up being a humbling lesson in the methodology of midrash. ----- This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Meir, l'zeicher nishmas Zelda bas Z...
Nazir Reexamined - Part 2: Ralbag's Approach
June 09, 2023 18:00 - 1 hour - 52.7 MBLength: 1 hour 15 minutes Synopsis: This morning (6/9/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we attempted to answer as many of the questions we raised last time as possible. This time we focused on the approach of the Ralbag - well, at least, the approach we managed to tease out of the few comments where addressed our questions. What emerged was a more nuanced view of portrait of the nazir than what many of us previously knew. I had PLANNED to also give shiur on the Sforno's approach, ...
Q&A #31: Goals, Work, Weddings, Teaching Middos, Year in Review, Baal Teshuvah Baggage, Perfection
June 09, 2023 13:00 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MBLength: 50 minutes Synopsis: This morning (6/9/23), in our last Friday morning Q&A of the year, we took up six questions: (1) How does a person balance their mission in life as a Jew and a human being with their mission as an individual? (2) To what extent is work a lechatchila or a bedieved? (3) If you'll be attending consecutive weddings, how can you maximize being joyful and present at each? (4) What are some guidelines for teaching good middos verbally vs. through modeling them? (5) If a...
Behaalosecha: The Shechinah Isn't a Dog Person
June 09, 2023 04:00 - 5 minutes - 3.89 MBLength of article: 1 page Length of audio: 4 minutes 46 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 6/9/23, entitled: Behaalosecha: The Shechinah Isn't a Dog Person. I am not a dog person. I have no problem with dog people UNLESS they're insensitive to those who aren't dog people. According to Chazal, the shechinah has my back. Take heed, O dog people! ----- This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Rachayl. Thank you! The academic year is drawing to a ...
Avos 3.18 - Hierarchies of Divine Love
June 09, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 49.9 MBLength: 1 hour 12 minutes Synopsis: Tonight (6/8/23), in our last Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur of the season, we learned that God "loves" all human beings, but He loves Israel more, and may love certain members of Israel even more than that. Tonight we relied exclusively on the Sforno as our guide. By learning his commentaries on Avos, Bereishis, and Devarim, we were able to arrive at an understanding which was clear, practical, and even inspirational - a fitting way to end this year of ...
Behaalosecha: Moshe's View of Miracles
June 07, 2023 04:00 - 16 minutes - 11.6 MBLength of article: 7 pages Length of audio: 16 minutes 1 second Synopsis: This is the audio version of an article I re-published on 6/7/23 (originally published on Kol ha'Seridim on 6/1/18) entitled: Behaalosecha: Moshe's View of Miracles. There's an uncomfortable moment when Moshe seems to question Hashem's Omnipotence. This article unpacks the Ran's explanation of that incident, and its implications for our understanding of miracles. ----- This week's Torah content has been sponsored by R...
Naso: Confessing to an Omnipotent God
June 02, 2023 20:00 - 5 minutes - 3.62 MBLength of article: 1 page Length of audio: 4 minutes 23 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 6/2/23, entitled: Naso: Confessing to an Omnipotent God. Do YOU know the source in the Written Torah for the mitzvah of vidui (confession of sins)? And if you do, can you explain why it's presented in this context? Here's my attempt to answer that question ----- This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Isaiah Blanks and Joey & Estee Lichter in honor of ...
Nazir Reexamined - Part 1: Facts and Questions
June 02, 2023 17:00 - 1 hour - 52.4 MBLength: 1 hour 15 minutes Synopsis: This morning (6/2/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we revisited the nazir: a topic which many feel they have SOME familiarity. We began by taking stock of what we know (or think we know). We then read through all the pesukim in detail, formulating question after question on the institution of nazir as a whole and on the many details and nuances we never noticed in our prior cursory (in comparison) readings. We concluded by selecting the most pr...
Q&A #30: Teshuvah, Tochachah, Svara, Drush, and Halachos Outside of Taryag
June 02, 2023 14:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MBLength: 47 minutes Synopsis: This morning (6/2/23), in our Friday morning Q&A, we took up five questions: (1) How should a person relate to teshuvah on aveiros one no longer does? (2) What is the Torah's stance on speaking about a person in an embarrassing way in the context of tochachah, considering how the pesukim openly talk about the faults of individuals? (3) What is svara? (4) What are the parameters of giving "drush" on halachic topics? (5) Is there such a thing as halachos which don'...
Avos 3:17 - Textual Integrity and Emunas Chachamim
June 02, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 75.9 MBLength: 1 hour 50 minutes Synopsis: Tonight (6/1/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we learned the final "fence" clause of our mishnah - one which I thought would be too uninteresting for a full shiur, but turned out to be eye-opening and practical in a way that was different from the other clauses. To spice things up even more, we also delved into the topic of emunas chachamim, which we linked back to this clause in our mishnah. That Rabbeinu Yonah really packed a punch! ----- מ...
Celebration of Rabbi Moskowitz's Life (held at YBT on his 1st Yahrzeit)
May 22, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 53.1 MBLength: 1 hour 16 minutes Synopsis: This is the audio recording of the event held in memory of Rabbi Moskowitz at YBT on Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5783 (5/21/23), on the occasion of his 1st yahrzeit. Here is a list of the speakers in order: - Rabbi Pesach Chait - Mrs. Leya Moskowitz - Racheli Zimmer - Rabbi Aaron Zimmer - Rabbi Leslie Ungar - Rabbi Howie Burstein (letter read by Leslie) - Ann Morhaime - Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman - Rabbi Dave Markowitz - Rabbi Mendy Feder - Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss - ...
Rabbi Moskowitz's Approach to Eishes Chayil
May 21, 2023 18:00 - 1 hour - 81.6 MBOne summer in the mid-2000s, Rabbi Moskowitz zt"l and I (and the other students who attended those shiurim during those weeks) worked out an approach to Eishes Chayil (a.k.a. Mishlei 31:10-31). This morning (5/21/23), in honor of his first yahrzeit, I presented his approach and our ideas on the entirety of Eishes Chayil. To listen to the original recordings, click here and locate N-135 and N-136. ----- מקורות: משלי לא:י-לא מאירי, מצודת דוד/ציון, מיוחס לראב"ע, רלב"ג מסכת תמיד דף לב עמוד א רמ...
Bamidbar: Moshe's Non-Biological Sons
May 19, 2023 18:00 - 4 minutes - 3.32 MBLength of article: 1 page Length of audio: 3 minutes 56 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 5/19/23, entitled: Bamidbar: Moshe's Non-Biological Sons. Who were Moshe's sons? You may be tempted to answer, "Gershom and Eliezer" - but that's not what it says in Bamidbar's census. The answer given by the pesukim sheds light on what makes a good teacher. ----- This week's Torah content has been sponsored by the following individuals: - by Marci in loving m...
Q&A #29: Keeping Pace with a Minyan, Is it a Mitzvah to Speculate, Can People Be Happy Without Torah
May 19, 2023 13:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBLength: 44 minutes Synopsis: This morning (5/19/23), in our Friday morning Q&A, we took up three questions: (1) What are some guidelines for tefilah in a minyan which davens faster than you prefer? (2) Is it a mitzvah to speculate? (whatever that means) (3) What are we to make of the common narrative that the Torah is the ONLY path to happiness, and if someone claims to be happy without Torah, then they must be deluding themselves? ----- מקורות: שולחן ערוך אורח חיים א:ד ערוך השולחן אורח חיים...
Avos 3:17 and 1:17 - The Virtue of Silence
May 19, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 67.6 MBLength: 1 hour 38 minutes Synopsis: Tonight (5/18/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we tackled the topic of silence according to the Rambam - learning through his treatment of silence in the Mishneh Torah and in his commentary on the Mishnah - with the aim of understanding both Avos 3:17 and Avos 1:17 (which is the first mishnah to deal with this topic). Miraculously, we answered all of our questions, and gained a lot of insight into the middah of silence along the way! Please f...
Bamidbar: The Terminal Bachelorhood of Nadav and Avihu
May 15, 2023 04:00 - 12 minutes - 8.43 MBLength of article: 4 pages Length of audio: 11 minutes 23 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of an article I re-published on 5/15/23 (originally published on Kol ha'Seridim on 5/22/20) entitled: Bamidbar: The Terminal Bachelorhood of Nadav and Avihu. The deaths of Nadav and Avihu are recorded in Shemini, but Bamidbar adds one more clue to their story – a clue which is unpacked in the midrashim, and grants us a different perspective on their sin. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (...
Q&A #28: Entertainment, Rebuke, Accepting Lashon ha'Ra, Hedonism, and Echo-Chambers
May 12, 2023 17:00 - 57 minutes - 39.2 MBLength: 56 minutes Synopsis: This morning (5/12/23), in our SECOND Friday Q&A (this time, for women), we took up five questions: (1) What guidelines should govern our decision to partake in forms of entertainment which don't line up with Torah values? (2) To what extent is it our responsibililty to correct people who are mistaken? (3) At what point do you allow lashon ha'ra to color your view of a person? (4) How would one respond to the argument that the purpose of life is pleasure? (5) How...
Q&A #27: How to Engage Students, Shlish vs. Libo Chafetz, Benefits of Teaching, Purpose of a Yeshiva
May 12, 2023 14:00 - 47 minutes - 32.7 MBLength: 45 minutes Synopsis: This morning (5/12/23), in our Friday Q&A, we took up four questions: (1) What are some ways to foster an interactive learning environment in a class, especially on Zoom? (2) How does one balance the "proper" allocation of learning time with the consideration of "a person should only learn where his heart desires"? (3) What is the greatest benefit you've gotten as a teacher ASIDE from the teaching and learning itself? (4) What is the purpose of a yeshiva? ----- מ...
Behar: The Prohibition to Free a Canaanite Slave
May 12, 2023 04:00 - 5 minutes - 3.52 MBLength of article: 1 page Length of audio: 4 minutes 14 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 5/12/23, entitled: Behar: The Prohibition to Free a Canaanite Slave. The Torah permits slavery. Many (including myself) hold that Judaism is philosophically anti-slavery. If so, why are we prohibited to free an eved Canaani? Let me know what you think of my answer. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for fr...
Avos 3:17 - How to Become Fabulously Wealthy! (Tithes are a Fence for Wealth)
May 12, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 64 MBLength: 1 hour 32 minutes Synopsis: Tonight (5/11/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we continued learning the mishnah we started last week. We began by reviewing, clarifying, and expanding upon the ideas we learned last week concerning "vows are a fence for detachment from worldly pleasures." Then we moved on to the clause about wealth - taking turns analyzing with our own minds and learning what the meforshim had to say. As it turns out, last week's ideas and this week's are mor...
Bechukosai: Why are Women Worth Less than Men?
May 08, 2023 04:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MBLength of article: 6 pages Length of audio: 15 minutes 27 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of an article I re-published on 5/8/23 (originally published on Kol ha'Seridim on 6/3/16) entitled, Bechukosai: Why are Women Worth Less than Men? Fact: in this week's parashah, the Torah assigns greater monetary value to men than to women. Some might be tempted to jump to conclusions. This article models an alternative route: understanding. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other ...
Eight Explanations of Shaatnez
May 05, 2023 17:00 - 1 hour - 52.4 MBLength: 1 hour 15 minutes Synopsis: This morning (5/5/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we learned - surprise surprise! - eight different explanations of shaatnez! We began with a simple methodological hack for learning about the reasons for mitzvos, and then we read through eight commentaries on shaatnez and attempted to extract clear understandings of how the mitzvah of shaatnez perfects us. I'm sure there are many more explanations out there, so if you know of any, please share...
Q&A #26: Should a Rebbi Talk Openly About Personal Struggles? Workplace Temptations, and Publicizing One’s Jewishness
May 05, 2023 13:00 - 46 minutes - 31.7 MBLength: 45 minutes Synopsis: This morning (5/5/23), in our Friday Q&A, we took up three(ish) questions: (1) To what extent should/may a rebbi - or teacher, parent, mentor, etc. - talk about their own personal struggles to help those whom they guide? (2) What are some guidelines for navigating workplace temptations involving members of the opposite sex? (3) To what extent should a person be open about their Judaism among non-Jewish coworkers? ----- My Educational Philosophy Statement: https:...
Emor: Why Judaism Punishes Converts
May 05, 2023 05:00 - 5 minutes - 3.55 MBLength of article: 1 page Length of audio: 4 minutes 16 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 5/5/23, entitled: Emor: Why Judaism Punishes Converts. The ending of this parashah has bothered me for years. Thanks to Sforno, Shadal, and Assyriology, I think I finally have an answer - one which sheds light on the Torah's radical stance towards gerim. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free!) to my s...
Avos 3:17 - Vows are a Fence for Prishus
May 05, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 70.1 MBLength: 1 hour 41 minutes Synopsis: Tonight (5/4/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we began learning a mishnah about five types of fences. After raising questions on the whole mishnah, we decided to focus solely on the clause about nedarim, as explained by Rabbeinu Yonah and the Rambam. We took a deep dive into what, exactly, is meant by "prishus" and whether Rabbeinu Yonah and the Rambam argue on that score. We also analyzed the practical application of this clause: what to do, ...
Emor: Does Hashem Hate Unibrows?
April 30, 2023 16:00 - 12 minutes - 8.52 MBLength of article: 4.5 pages Length of audio: 11 minutes 31 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of an article I re-published on 4/30/23 (originally published on Kol ha'Seridim on 5/8/20) entitled, Emor: Does Hashem Hate Unibrows? The answer is: Of course not! But then why does the Torah ban a Kohen with a unibrow from serving in Mikdash? Why does the Torah care about physical blemishes in Kohanim? What does this reflect about the Torah's value system? If you enjoy these 1-page arti...
Kedoshim: Defining Rechilus (Gossip)
April 28, 2023 19:00 - 5 minutes - 3.71 MBLength of article: 1 page Length of audio: 4 minutes 30 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 4/28/23, entitled: Kedoshim: Defining Rechilus (Gossip). The prohibitions against lashon ha'ra and motzi shem ra are relatively easy to define, but the definition of rechilus has eluded me. This year I think I finally have a solid approach. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free!) to my substack at rab...
Acharei Mos / Kedoshim: Is it Immoral to Desire Arayos? (According to the Rambam)
April 28, 2023 17:00 - 1 hour - 65.9 MBLength: 1 hour 35 minutes Synopsis: This morning (4/28/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we took up a charged topic: arayos. The term "arayos" ("ervah" in singular) refers to the Biblically prohibited sexual relations that are liable for kareis (spiritual excision), including incest, bestiality, homosexual sodomy, adultery, and niddah. These prohibitions form the basis of what is colloquially referred to as the Torah's sexual morality. But are arayos immoral? And if a person has a...
Q&A #25: Rechilus, Benefits of YBT, Work/Life, Benefits of Jewish Community, Justifying Religiosity
April 28, 2023 13:00 - 48 minutes - 33.7 MBLength: 48 minutes Synopsis: This morning (4/28/23), in our Friday Q&A, we took up five questions: (1) In cases where you are pemitted to speak rechilus or lashon ha'ra, how can one minimize the harm to oneself? (2) What are the benefits of YBT? (3) How should one balance one's choice of work/income with learning? (4) What are the benefits of living in a Jewish community? (5) How can one tactfully justify one's own religiosity without inadvertently insulting those who are not religious? ----...
Avos 3:16 - How to Relate to Superiors, Inferiors, and All People
April 28, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 62.3 MBLength: 1 hour 30 minutes Synopsis: This evening (4/27/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we learned a mishnah which struck us as different from the other mishnayos we've learned, presenting itself as a mix of etiquette guidelines, workplace advice, and general advice on how to get good results from human interactions. Nevertheless, we were able to get some really nice "Pirkei Avosey" ideas from it, accompanied by lots of real-world examples (including an anecdote about my youthfu...
Tazria: Rambam's Explanation for Why Milah is Done on the Eighth Day
April 21, 2023 19:00 - 5 minutes - 3.75 MBLength: 4 minutes 33 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 4/21/23, entitled: Tazria: Rambam's Explanation for Why Milah is Done on the Eighth Day. In my article, Lech Lecha: Is Circumcision Mutilation? I wrote about one facet of the Rambam's understanding of milah. This article is about his explanation for why milah is done at the young age of eight days. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free...
Overview of the Halachos of Rechilus and Lashon ha'Ra
April 21, 2023 17:00 - 1 hour - 60.1 MBLength: 1 hour 27 minutes Synopsis: Earlier this year, I was sent a list of questions about lashon ha'ra, and I began developing a shiur on what I think is a fundamentally different perspective of lashon ha'ra than what many of us currently have. Initially I was planning on giving that shiur today, but I realized that perhaps we are all in need of a review of the BASICS before we're ready for a NEW perspective. This morning (4/21/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, weas devoted to t...
Q&A #24: Davening for Refuah for Others, Avraham's Care About Legacy, New Theory of HashgaXXX XXXXXX
April 21, 2023 13:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBLength: 21 minutes Synopsis: This morning (4/21/23), in our shorter-than-usual Friday Q&A (both because we started late and because I didn't record the last question), we took up three questions: (1) What's the deal with davening for a refuah for other people? (2) Why was Avraham Avinu concerned with his legacy after death, and how does this differ from Koheles's attitude towards legacy? (3) What do we make of "coinicdences" in learning? I was going to attempt to answer this specific questio...
Avos 3:15 - Five Ways to Lose Olam ha'Ba
April 21, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 78.7 MBLength: 1 hour 54 minutes Synopsis: This evening (4/20/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we tackled a mishnah which was quite intimidating in its scope and the weightiness of its topic: Olam ha'Ba, and how to lose it. In order to drown in a sea of different opinions, we focused on understanding this mishnah according to the Rambam (with a little help from his friends). Miraculously, we ended up answering nearly all of our questions, even if we didn't develop our understanding of ...
Shemini - Why Can't We Eat Bugs?
April 15, 2023 00:00 - 5 minutes - 3.58 MBLength: 4 minutes 19 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 4/14/23, entitled: Shemini - Why Can't We Eat Bugs? Sometimes I tackle topics that are too broad or deep for a 1-page article. This was one of those times. Still, I hope that the question and briefly stated answer at least provide food for thought. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free!) to my substack at rabbischneeweiss.substack.co...
Jewish Pedagogy: On Asking Stupid Questions
April 10, 2023 19:00 - 5 minutes - 3.46 MBLength: 4 minutes 8 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 4/10/23, entitled: Jewish Pedagogy: On Asking Stupid Questions. Some say "there's no such thing as a stupid question." In this article I explain why I disagree, why I think such a message is detrimental for students, and what our Mesorah teaches as an alternative. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free!) to my substack at rabbischneeweis...
Memento Mori and True Human Empathy at the Seder
April 05, 2023 22:00 - 5 minutes - 3.47 MBLength: 4 minutes 10 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 4/5/23, entitled: Memento Mori and True Human Empathy at the Seder. One of the most underappreciated themes of Pesach - and one of the most universal ones - is subtly reflected in two minhagim, both of which involve reflections on mortality and what it means to live. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free!) to my substack at rabbischnee...
Avadim Hayinu: Would We Still Be Slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt?
April 04, 2023 20:00 - 5 minutes - 3.66 MBLength: 4 minutes 26 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 4/4/23, entitled: Avadim Hayinu: Would We Still Be Slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt? Ordinarily I don't write up such speculative answers, but this question has been bothering me for so long that I decided to share the best two answer I have in hopes that it'll generate discussion. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free!) to my substack at r...
Arbaah Banim: The Alternate Version of the Wise and Simple Sons
April 03, 2023 04:00 - 4 minutes - 3.43 MBLength: 4 minutes 6 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 4/3/23, entitled: Arbaah Banim: The Alternate Version of the Wise and Simple Sons. If you're looking for a discussion catalyst at your seder on the Arbaah Banim, consider bringing up the OTHER answers we give to the wise and simple sons. I guarantee you that discussion will ensue. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free!) to my substack a...
Maaseh b’Rebbi Eliezer: Abravanel’s Framing of Insomnia on Pesach Night
April 02, 2023 04:00 - 4 minutes - 3.39 MBLength: 4 minutes 2 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 4/2/23, entitled: Maaseh b’Rebbi Eliezer: Abravanel’s Framing of Insomnia on Pesach Night. Ever wonder why we talk about the Sages in Bnei Brak staying up all night? Better question: Have you ever gotten a bad sleep after the seder? If the answer to both question is "yes," check this out. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free!) to my su...
Four Reasons for the Four Cups
March 31, 2023 17:00 - 1 hour - 65.5 MBLength: 1 hour 35 minutes Synopsis: As I mention in the introductory disclaimer for the shiur I gave this morning (3/31/23) in our Machshavah Lab series for women, I wasn't sure how this shiur would turn out. At best, it could yield some earthshattering insight into the four cups and how we relate to them; at worst, it would just be an overview/review of basic ideas and sources about the four cups. It ended up being closer to the latter, though we definitely picked up some insights along the...
Q&A #23: Overcoming Closemindedness, Seeing Chidushim, Dealing with Shame, Phenomenology in Judaism
March 31, 2023 13:00 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MBLength: 45 minutes Synopsis: This morning (3/31/23), in our Friday Q&A, we took up four questions: (1) If you know you're closeminded in a certain area, whether in learning or in life, what steps can you take to overcome that closemindedness? (2) What can be done to maximize the potential for chidushim in learning, as opposed to remaining with your current understanding of the area? (3) What should we do when we experience shame? (4) What does Judaism have to say about phenomenology? ----- מ...
Tzav: Korban Todah – Thanking God with a Chametz and Matzah Party
March 29, 2023 04:00 - 5 minutes - 3.5 MBLength: 4 minutes 20 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 3/29/23, entitled: Tzav: Korban Todah – Thanking God with a Chametz and Matzah Party. Even though we are currently unable to bring korbanos, the ideas are as relevant to our lives as ever, provided we ask the right questions and look for the right kinds of answers. Here's an example. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free!) to my substa...
Vayikra: Shadal's View of Korbanos
March 26, 2023 17:00 - 4 minutes - 3.4 MBLength: 4 minutes 4 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 3/26/23, entitled: Vayikra: Shadal's View of Korbanos. 67% of this article was written by Shadal. Yet, I wanted to highlight Shadal's radical theory, compare and contrast it with Rambam's view, and use it to answer a common question about tefilah. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free!) to my substack at rabbischneeweiss.substack.com. -...
The Fundamental Importance of NON-Symbolic Chametz
March 24, 2023 17:00 - 1 hour - 62.1 MBLength: 1 hour 30 minutes Synopsis: The shiur I gave this morning (3/24/23) in our Machshavah Lab series for women was inspired by a pet-peeve of mine: symbolic explanations of the mitzvos regarding chametz on Pesach. The first hour of the shiur is devoted to my presentation of why the NON-symbolic understanding of chametz is fundamental - not just for the observance of the mitzvah, but for the continued existence of Torah and Judaism as a whole. We then acquaint ourselves with three symboli...
Q&A #22: Why Are You Orthodox, Chavrusa Off-Days, Side-Stepping Perfection, Concealing Observance
March 24, 2023 13:00 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBLength: 45 minutes Synopsis: This morning (3/24/23), in our Friday Q&A, we spent the first 25 minutes on an excellent question posed by Rabbi Scott Kahn: (1) "Why are you Orthodox?" Everyone gave their own answers, which we discussed and debated, and then I gave my own answer. In the remaining 20 minutes we tackled three more questions: (2) What should you do if you and your chavrusa are having an "off-day"? (3) What ought to be our attitude towards the increasing number of ways to use techn...
"Hashem Decreed the Egyptian Slavery?! God Forbid!" (Sforno on Shemos 1:1-14)
March 23, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour - 66 MBLength: 1 hour 35 minutes Synopsis: This evening (3/23/23), in lieu of our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we did a Chumash Exploration shiur on Sforno's view that the Egyptian exile was NOT decreed by Hashem, but was entirely our fault, and could have been avoided. We read and discussed Sforno's commentary on the first fourteen pesukim of Sefer Shemos and the three pesukim of the Bris Bein ha'Besarim, along with the newly published notes taken by a student of the Sforno on his rebbi's Chu...
Vayakhel: The Meaning of the Mirror Donation (ABBREVIATED 1-page article version)
March 17, 2023 18:00 - 5 minutes - 3.7 MBLength: 4 minutes 30 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 3/17/23, entitled: Vayakhel: The Meaning of the Mirror Donation. I only had enough space in this article to convey a simple idea. For an elaboration on the ideas here, check out the 3/17/23 shiur I gave (on YouTube or my Machshavah Lab podcast) with the same title. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free!) to my substack at rabbischneewe...