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
Pikudei: The Meaning of the Mirror Donation (SHIUR version)
March 17, 2023 17:00 - 1 hour - 54.7 MBLength: 1 hour 19 minutes Synopsis: This morning (3/17/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, we tackled a topic that I've been working on for my article this Friday: the women's donation of the bronze mirrors to make the laver and its base in the Mishkan. We examined two approaches - that of Rashi and R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam - and discussed their differences and the implications. I wasn't sure whether we'd emerge with any nice ideas, but I feel like we did - which I especially apprec...
Q&A #21: "What should I do if my friends are speaking lashon ha'ra about our other friends?"
March 17, 2023 13:00 - 47 minutes - 32.5 MBLength: 46 minutes Synopsis: This might be the best Q&A of the year. At the very least, it was the most practical. This morning (3/17/23), in our Friday Q&A, we took up a single VERY multi-faceted question (at least seven parts!) about how to deal with a situation (in the past, present, and future) where you're with a group of friends who engage in prohibited speech (whether rechilus, lashon ha'ra, motzi shem ra, letzanus, etc.) about other mutual friends. I would describe this as more of a ...
Avos 3:14 - Four Bad Habits that Remove You From the World
March 17, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 65.1 MBLength: 1 hour 34 minutes Synopsis: This evening (3/16/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we learned a mishnah in Pirkei Avos which was much more oriented towards the practical than many other mishnayos we've learned. Part of what made this so practical is that it discussed behaviors that many of us engage in, such as sleeping in, hanging out with amei ha'aretz, and using TikTok (!). We learned through the approaches of several meforshim which we compared and contrasted to bring o...
My Eulogy for Popo
March 13, 2023 17:00 - 11 minutes - 7.91 MBLength: 10 minutes 43 seconds Synopsis: This is the eulogy I delivered at the funeral of my Popo (grandmother), Helen Chang (10/5/1924 - 2/2/2023) on 3/13/23 in Honolulu, HI. Click here for the video of my eulogy, and click here for the transcript. Be sure to check out the beautiful eulogy given by my brother, Jonny, by clicking here.
Ki Tisa: Is Shabbos a Day of Simchah?
March 10, 2023 16:00 - 5 minutes - 3.9 MBLength: 4 minutes 47 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote on 3/10/23, entitled: Ki Tisa: Is Shabbos a Day of Simchah? If so, why isn't it presented this way in the Torah and in halacha? And if not, then why are there so many references to Shabbos joy in the songs we sing on Shabbos? 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 Torah content...
If Hashem Only Gives Chochmah to Chachamim, How Do WE Get It? (Berachos 55a) Part 2
March 10, 2023 14:00 - 47 minutes - 32.5 MBThis morning (3/10/23), in lieu of our Friday Q&A, we continued working on the Gemara we started on Wednesday. We reviewed what we covered last time, read and elucidated a summary of an idea from the Nefesh ha'Chayim, and then attempted to figure out the machlokess of the pesukim (if there IS a machlokess). While we didn't arrive at any conclusions, we did take some significant steps, and gained some insight along the way. We also read a full chapter of Sefer Daniel! ----- מקורות: ברכות דף נ...
If Hashem Only Gives Chochmah to Chachamim, How Do WE Get It? (Berachos 55a) Part 1
March 08, 2023 17:00 - 1 hour - 54.2 MBThis morning (3/8/23), in lieu of a morning Mishlei shiur, we set out to answer a question posed by one of my talmidim to our Rosh ha'Yeshiva at the Purim seudah last night: How does one become a chacham? We identified three sources which talk about Step #1, and we decided to work on the most problematic one: "Ha'Kadosh Baruch Hu only gives chochmah to those who [already] have chochmah" (Berachos 55a). The question is: How are you supposed to get started? We developed several approaches from...
Megilas Esther: How Esther Stayed Religious
March 07, 2023 18:00 - 8 minutes - 6.17 MBLength: 8 minutes 5 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I wrote on Megilas Esther, entitled: Megilas Esther: How Esther Stayed Religious. This article, which I cranked out over Taanis Esther and Purim day, offers insight into Esther's character via a set of bizarre midrashim about her observance of hilchos niddah with Achashveirosh. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free!) to my substack at rabbischneew...
Mechiyas Amalek: Emulating a Vengeful God
March 03, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 62.5 MBLength: 1 hour 30 minutes Synopsis: This morning (3/3/23), in our Machshavah Lab series for women, I presented an idea I happened upon in Purim 5780 (March 2020) but didn't finish developing. R' Yosef ibn Kaspi asks: How can the Torah wage a war of vengeance against Amalek when revenge is a reprehensible trait and is prohibited by the Torah? His answer is shocking - so much so that even he doesn't feel comfortable spelling it out explicitly. After reviewing the basic facts about the mitzvah ...
ABBREVIATED VERSION: My Current (Radical?) Understanding of the Mitzvah to Get Drunk on Purim
March 03, 2023 14:00 - 56 minutes - 39 MBLength: 56 minutes Synopsis: Last night I gave a special Purim shiur to my women's group on my current (radical?) understanding of the mitzvah to get drunk on Purim. That shiur ended up being 1 hour and 46 minutes long. Because I know that time is valuable, I wanted to do my best to produce a shorter version, and that's what this is. The difference is that last night we first learned through all the relevant sources about drinking INSIDE the text, whereas this morning I merely summarized the...
My Current (Radical?) Understanding of the Mitzvah to Get Drunk on Purim
March 03, 2023 03:00 - 1 hour - 73.3 MBIn lieu of tonight's (3/2/23) regularly scheduled Pirkei Avos shiur for women, I gave a special Purim shiur on a well-trodden topic. Each year I attempt to review ALL the halachic positions on Purim drunkenness, but only in the past couple of years have I formed my own view. In one sense, this is a synthesis of different ideas I've learned from various traditional sources. In another sense, it's a new approach inspired by a non-traditional source. Although I may have alluded to this view in ...
The Perils of Distracted Learning (Avos 3:9)
February 26, 2023 19:00 - 1 hour - 79.7 MBHave you ever checked your phone while learning in a shiur, chavrusa, or even by yourself? This might seem innocuous, but Chazal teach us in Pirkei Avos that if you interrupt your learning to remark on the beauty of a tree or a field, then the Torah considers it as though you are "liable for your soul." This morning (2/26/23), I gave a YBT Sunday Shiur on that mishnah. After a brief methodological intro, we learned and discussed four different approaches to the mishnah with their practical i...
HALF ARTICLE VERSION Mishpatim: The Sanctuary-Altar Sanctuary (or Mizbeach as Refuge for Killers)
February 24, 2023 21:00 - 6 minutes - 4.44 MBLength: 5 minutes 34 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page (half-)article I wrote, entitled, Mishpatim: The Sanctuary-Altar Sanctuary (or Mizbeach as Refuge for Killers). No, this isn't Parashas Mishpatim, and no, this is NOT a complete dvar Torah. I've been working on this question for two weeks, and I decided to present it, even though I don't yet have the answers. If you enjoy these 1-page articles (and my other written content), be sure to subscribe (for free!) to my...
Q&A #20: Changing TSBP, Bakashah Advice, Chesed/Tzedakah Guidance, What Should I Learn?, Harry Potter
February 24, 2023 19:00 - 1 hour - 50.7 MBLength: 1 hour 13 minutes Synopsis: This morning (2/24/23), in our second Friday Q&A (this one for women), we took up five questions: (1) If the texts of Torah she'baal Peh "evolved" to suit the needs of the times, why can't this happen with the text of tefilah as well? (2) What advice do I have for how to insert personal requests in the amidah? (3a) When doing chesed, should we prioritize people we know or strangers? (3b) What is our obligation of tzedakah for non-Jews? (4a) Now that I'm ou...
Q&A #19: Impromptu Hodaah, Is God Bound by Logic, Svara Intuition, Inyanei d'Yoma, Mourner's Kaddish
February 24, 2023 14:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MBLength: 47 minutes Synopsis: This morning (2/24/23), in our first Friday Q&A, we took up five questions: (1) Is there a halachic way to thank God for it being a nice day? (2a) Is God bound by human logic? (2b) How do we navigate discussions about God with people who hold false ideas about Him? (3) What do you do if you're confronted with two equally plausible sevaros? (4) How should a person balance inyanei d'yoma learning with one's regular routine or curriculum? (5) What is the basis of sa...
SHIUR VERSION of Mishpatim: The Sanctuary-Altar Sanctuary (or "Mizbeach as a Refuge for Killers")
February 24, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 70.4 MBThis evening (2/23/23), in lieu of our regularly scheduled Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, I gave a Chumash Exploration shiur on a topic I've been vexed by for the past two weeks: the obscure halacha stated in Parashas Mishpatim that the Mizbeach provides sanctuary for killers under specific conditions. I gave this shiur because I needed - and still need, as of this morning - help developing the insights I've encountered. I'm happy with what we came up with, but I'm all ears for your ideas...
Everything I Know About Techiyas ha'Meisim
February 17, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 53.4 MBIn today's Friday morning "Machshavah Lab" shiur for women (2/17/23), I was asked to give a shiur on techiyas ha'meisim. Since I really don't know much about the topic and don't think I have much to offer by way of chidushim (new insights), I figured I'd just present everything I know - so I did! We raised other questions along the way, which I hope to be able to answer some day, and we ended with a few take-aways. If you have more info on Techiyas ha'Meisim in this vein, please share it wit...
Q&A #18: Wisdom Literature, Time Allotment, Food Forests, Matrilineal Descent, and Geonic Works
February 17, 2023 14:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBLength: 49 minutes Synopsis: This morning (1/6/22), in our Friday Q&A, we took up five questions: (1) What do we hold about the authorship of the "wisdom literature" in Tanach? (2) How do you know if you're using your time wisely? (3) Are food forests feasible? (4) What's the deal with matrilineal descent? (5) Why don't we focus on the Geonim as much as the Rishonim? ----- מקורות: משלי כה:א רש"י רלב"ג שד"ל מצודת דוד ר"י אבן כספי פירוש ראשון רש"י - משלי ל:א, לא:א Rabbi Israel Chait, Discussi...
Mishpatim: Does Hashem Reward Good Dogs?
February 17, 2023 05:00 - 5 minutes - 3.61 MBLength: 4 minutes 22 seconds Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Mishpatim: Does Hashem Reward Good Dogs? Rambam maintains that the notion of Divine reward and punishment for animals is a non-Jewish concept. What are we to do when we encounter statements of Chazal which talk about God rewarding animals? 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...
Avos 3:13 - The Relationship Between Social Approval and Divine Approval
February 17, 2023 03:00 - 1 hour - 57.6 MBThis evening (2/16/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we took up the next mishnah in Chapter 3. This week's mishnah was short but sweet. We learned three different approaches, each with practical applications for those on a very high level and for the rest of us. ----- מקורות: אבות א:יג רבינו יונה רשב"ץ רמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר המדע, הלכות יסודי התורה ה:יא Rabbi Israel Chait, D-143: Kiddush Hashem and Chilul Hashem https://www.ybt.org/audio/.Converted_Audio/Hashkafa/Discussion/Rabbi...
Spectral Clergy, Living Torah, and My Izzet Grieving Process
February 10, 2023 13:00 - 19 minutes - 13.7 MBLength: 19 minutes Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 6-page article I wrote, entitled, Spectral Clergy, Living Torah, and My Izzet Grieving Process. Instead of writing a 1-page article on the parashah, I decided to write a lengthier reflection on my grieving process over the course of these past seven days. You can decide if it counts as Torah. ----- The Torah content for this week has been sponsored by Sarah and Moshe Eisen, with the following message: "Dedicated in honor of Popo, ...
Avos 3:11-12 - The Relationship Between Chochmah, Fear of Sin, and Deeds
February 10, 2023 03:00 - 1 hour - 70.9 MBThis evening (2/9/23), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we took up the next two mishnayos (depending on how you count) in Chapter 3, since they seem to be inherently related. On account of roller-coaster of a week I had with all the deaths, I didn't feel as prepared for this shiur as I usually do, and while we may not have arrived at polished ideas which live up to my usual standard, I'm pleased with the questions we raised, the insights we gleaned, and the discussions we had. -----...
Beshalach: Was Miriam a Prophetess?
February 02, 2023 05:00 - 5 minutes - 3.54 MBSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Beshalach: Was Miriam a Prophetess? If you think you know the answer to this question, I recommend asking yourself: "How do I know?" or "Why is this even a question?" before reading (or listening to) this article. 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 Torah content for the remainder of this wee...
Bo: The Jewish Lunar Calendar as Anti-Egyptian Polemic
January 26, 2023 05:00 - 5 minutes - 3.53 MBSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Bo: The Jewish Lunar Calendar as Anti-Egyptian Polemic. Rambam (Moreh 3:29) maintained that knowledge of the beliefs and practices of the ancient idolatrous nations is vital for understanding the reasons for the Torah's commandments. Here is an example. 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 Tora...
Shemos: Dasan and Aviram - to Blame or Not to Blame?
January 13, 2023 05:00 - 5 minutes - 3.53 MBSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Shemos: Dasan and Aviram - to Blame or Not to Blame? The Torah itself only ascribes one wrongdoing to Dasan and Aviram. It is the Sages who place them at the scene of other crimes. What are we to make of this? Let us turn to Rashi and Ralbag for insight. ----- The Torah content for the remainder of January has been sponsored by Yehuda in gratitude for fifteen years of friendship and learning. ----- If you have ques...
Q&A #17: Shalom Bayis, Darchei Shalom, and Questions About Jewish Cemeteries
January 12, 2023 14:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBLength: 14 minutes Synopsis: This morning (1/12/22) we set out to do a Q&A, but the first question turned into a 30-minute tefilah shiur, which let only 14 minutes for other questions. We still managed to get in a few interesting questions. ----- מקורות: רמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר זמנים, הלכות מגילה וחנוכה ד:יג-יד רמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר שופטים, הלכות מלכים ומלחמות י:יד רמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר שופטים, הלכות סנהדרין והעונשין המסורין להם יד:ט ----- The Torah content for the remainder of January has...
Does Hashem Actually Pray?! - Part 2 (Berachos 7a)
January 12, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 47.1 MBThis evening (1/11/23), in our Wednesday night Tefilah shiur, we continued and completed (for now!) our analysis of the midrash about Hashem davening to himself. The good news is that I believe we got the main idea of the midrash. The "bad" news is that we raised a powerful question on the Sefer ha'Chinuch and Rashba, which I THOUGHT I had an answer to, but I realized that I didn't have the answer as clear as I thought, so we didn't end up answering it. If you think of an answer, let me know...
Q&A #16: Churban, Minhag, "Shmiras Einayim," Sharing Psak, Reading, Feeding Animals 1st, MO Problems
January 06, 2023 18:00 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBLength: 1 hour 21 minutes Synopsis: This morning (1/6/22), in our SECOND Friday Q&A (this one for women only), we took up a bunch of topics which included many subtopics: (1a) What can we infer about the relative importance of bein adam l'makom vs. bein adam l'chaveiro mitzvos from the reasons given for the destruction of both Batei ha'Mikdash? (1b) Which types of lo lishmah mitzvos are acceptable and which aren't? (2) How should we relate to minhagim which feel like cumbersome vestiges of t...
Vayechi: The Wolf as an Allegory for the Shechinah
January 06, 2023 17:00 - 5 minutes - 3.97 MBSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Vayechi: The Wolf as an Allegory for the Shechinah. This article is about two topics that are near and dear to my heart: the wolf (as as a subject of epistemological epiphanies) and the shechinah. What do they have to do with each other? Listen and find out! ----- This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Rachayl as a "thank you" to me for teaching, and as a "thank you" to all those who participate in my shiu...
Q&A #15: Aristotelian Torah, Ox-Filth, English Mishneh Torah, and Baby Souls
January 06, 2023 15:00 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MBLength: 46 minutes Synopsis: This morning (1/6/22), in our Friday Q&A, we took up four questions: (1) What do we make of the fact that so much of our Judaism has been influenced by Aristotelian thought? (2) How do I cope with the fact that so much of my time is spent doing unimportant things instead of learning? (3) What advice do you have about learning the Mishneh Torah in English, for bekius purposes? (4) Do babies have souls, such that they go to Olam ha'Ba when they die? ----- מקורות: ...
Avos 3:10 & 5:12 - The Consequences of Forgetting Your Torah
January 06, 2023 03:00 - 1 hour - 61.9 MBThis evening (1/5/22), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we began by reviewing what we learned last week, since last week's mishnah is so related to this week's. We then analyzed the new mishnah according to Meiri and Rabbeinu Yonah, which we supplemented with Rabbeinu Yonah's commentary on a related mishnah in chapter 5. We concluded by making sure we answered all our questions, and by addressing a few practical applications. ----- מקורות: אברבנאל - אבות ג:ט מאירי - אבות ג:ט-י רבינו...
Does Hashem Actually Pray?! - Part 1 (Berachos 7a)
January 05, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBThis evening (1/4/23), in our Wednesday night Tefilah shiur, we took up an exceedingly perplexing and seemingly problematic midrash about Hashem davening and asking for berachos from human beings. The plan was to learn this midrash in accordance with the commentary of the Rashba, but we didn't want to rush things. Tonight we went over the facts, developed our own approach, and read the Rashba's preface to his commentary on the midrash. Next week (בג"ה) we'll learn his explanation of the midr...
An Etymological Drash from Rav Hirsch on Jewish vs. Pagan Priests
December 30, 2022 13:00 - 9 minutes - 6.79 MBSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I wrote, entitled, An Etymological Drash from Rav Hirsch on Jewish vs. Pagan Priests. Yes, this is a TWO page article (as opposed to the usual one page article). Yes, this is on LAST week's parashah (Mikeitz) rather than this week's parashah (Vayigash). But when I saw this comment from Rav Hirsch, I simply NEEDED to write a piece about it, and this is what I ended up writing. ----- This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Sara...
Avos 3:9 - Interrupting Torah for a Tree
December 30, 2022 02:00 - 1 hour - 73.7 MBThis evening (12/29/22), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we began by updating our theory on the purpose and intended audience of Pirkei Avos, in light of an observation made by Moshe Halbertal. Next, we tackled yet another short but practical mishnah about one's relationship with learning. We learned this mishnah according to Meiri, Abravanel, and Rabbeinu Yonah, managing to answer all our questions. We concluded by fleshing out the practical, contemporary applications of what we le...
Chanukah 5783: The “Beloved” Mitzvah of Ner Chanukah
December 25, 2022 17:00 - 5 minutes - 3.62 MBSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Chanukah 5783: The “Beloved” Mitzvah of Ner Chanukah. What makes Ner Chanukah a "beloved mitzvah"? My current answer to that question draws upon teachings from Rambam, the Rav, and the beautiful definition of "shechinah" given by R' Dovid Tzvi Hoffmann. And, on a personal note, this article was an important reminder to me that not EVERY article has to be an original chidush (new insight) on my part, but that it is j...
Dream Analysis in Halacha: Aruch ha'Shulchan and Rambam
December 16, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 55.5 MBThis Friday morning "Machshavah Lab" shiur for women (12/16/22) was something like a follow-up from last week's shiur on "The Meta-Halachic Implications of the Halachos of Fingernail Cutting." Although the topics of dreams, prophecy, and prophetic dreams are fraught with difficulty, they DO have an anchor in two halachic institutions: the strange "ritual" of Hatavas Chalom (interpreting a bad dream for the good) and Taanis Chalom (fasting in response to a nightmare). Today we examined both s...
Q&A #14 - Off-the-Record Questions, Shabbos King, and Melaveh Malka
December 16, 2022 14:00 - 6 minutes - 4.64 MBSynopsis: This morning (12/16/22), in our Friday Q&A, we spent the majority of our time talking about some questions which were important, difficult, and soul-searching ... but we didn't record them, since the "off-the-record" clause was invoked. And it was a good thing, too, since it allowed us to discuss these issues freely. We did record the last question, which I didn't answer in full. That'll have to wait until another time. The moral of the story is: if you want the juicy stuff, you ha...
Vayeishev: Should this Rashi be Taught to Children?
December 16, 2022 06:00 - 5 minutes - 3.69 MBSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Vayeishev: Should this Rashi be Taught to Children? This title sounds clickbaity but I'm honestly looking for an answer to the question: Can anyone make a convincing argument that it is better to teach Rashi's explanation of Yosef's fate than Ralbag's? ----- The Torah content for the month of Kislev has been sponsored by Serena and Paul Koppel, who want to be makir tov and express gratitude. ----- If you have questi...
Avos 3:8 - Giving to God
December 16, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 59.8 MBThis evening (12/15/22), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we learned a short but practical mishnah. After raising all the questions and problems, we actually managed to figure out the main idea by ourselves. After that, we learned three meforshim - all of whom added layers of nuance to the idea we discovered. We ended the shiur by making sure we answered all of our questions and by reviewing the practical applications. And here's a teaser: at SOME point in the shiur I go on my rant a...
The Meta-Halachic Implications of the Halachos of Fingernail Cutting
December 09, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 54.2 MBIn today's Friday morning "Machshavah Lab" shiur for women (12/9/22), we took up an unusual and interesting topic: the halachos of fingernail cutting. "Halachos?" you say. Yes! According to the Rema in the Shulchan Aruch, we don't cut our fingernails in sequence, but instead, we cut them in a specific order - and if we violate this halacha, we are subject to danger (according to the sources). I was asked what the status is of such halachos, and that's what led to this shiur. ----- מקורות: ש...
Q&A #13 - What to Treat as a Fact, How Curses Work, and How Berachos Work
December 09, 2022 14:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MBSynopsis: This morning (12/9/22), in our Friday Q&A, we addressed three topics: (1) When learning Chumash - or, to be honest, any other area - how do you know what to treat as a "fact" and what to treat as a "theory"? (2) How do curses from other human beings work? (3) How do berachos from other human beings work? Although we didn't arrive at definitive answers for all three questions, we definitely gained some insights! ----- מקורות: רמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר שופטים, הלכות מלכים ומלחמות ט:יד ר...
Avos 3:7 - Levels of Shechinah
December 09, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 66 MBThis evening (12/8/22), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we learned a very challenging mishnah which partially overlaps with a previous mishnah in Avos and ALSO partially overlaps with a Gemara in Berachos. To make things even more difficult, most of our "go to" meforshim barely commented on anything - except for the Sforno! With Sforno as our guide, we gave it our best shot. While we may not have answered ALL our questions, we definitely managed to come up with a good take-away idea...
Vayishlach: Can We Talk About Reuven’s Sin?
December 07, 2022 17:00 - 5 minutes - 3.97 MBSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Vayishlach: Can We Talk About Reuven's Sin? Did Reuven sleep with Bilhah, as the text states? If so, why would the Sages of the Talmud tell us that anyone who makes such a claim is mistaken? How could so many commentators ignore this warning? If you’re interested in a full-length shiur I gave on this topic, entitled Midrashic Embellishment: Why Did Chazal Villainize “the Bad Guys” and Vindicate “the Good Guys” and...
The Metaphysical Implications of Stubbing Your Toe (Redux)
December 04, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 69.7 MBNote: Today's YBT Sunday Shiur (12/4/22) is a "Take #2" of a shiur I gave on 5/20/22 as part of my "Machshavah Lab" series for women. Synopsis: It would be great to give a comprehensive shiur about how hashgachah pratis, reward and punishment, and Divine justice work. The problem is that these topics are WAY too broad and WAY too deep and WAY too beyond my knowledge level. However, there are many statements of Chazal which seem to presuppose that the average Jew WILL be able to frame the d...
Q&A #12 - Pushing Limits, Israel, Conditioned Thinking, Meat & Wine, Voucher's Morality, Leadership
December 02, 2022 18:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBSynopsis: This morning (12/2/22), in a SPECIAL session of Friday Q&A in lieu of our usual Machshavah Lab shiur for women, we addressed eight topics: (1) How do you know when you're ready to push your own limits and/or take on stringencies? (2) What obligation do we have to bring about the geulah? (3) What do I do if I notice that my thinking is conditioned by other ideas I've heard? (4) What's the deal with meat and wine on Shabbos and Yom Tov? (5) What are the moral considerations involved ...
Q&A #11 - Kavanah in Kedushah, Halachic Complexity, Torah Fluctuations, Love Work, Diagnosing Lapses
December 02, 2022 14:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBSynopsis: This morning (12/2/22), in our Friday Q&A, we addressed five topics: (1) What kavanah should a person have during the kedushah in the repetition of the amidah? (2) What is the purpose of halacha, and why does it have to be so complex? (3) How can you tell if you are improving or declining in your relationship with Torah? (4) Chazal say that we should "love work" but how? (5) If you fall short of a personal benchmark or objective, how can you tell whether you should forgive yourself...
Avos 3:6 - Yokes on You
December 02, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 72.7 MBThis evening (12/2/22), in our Thursday Night Pirkei Avos shiur, we learned our next mishnah which is all about yokes: the yoke of Torah, the yoke of malchus, and the yoke of derech eretz. The teaching in the mishnah presents itself in a stark, binary, transactional language - as if these are the terms of the deal which we can either take or leave. Our goal was to understand the nature of this deal and to what extent it applies to us. With the help of Rabbeinu Yonah, Rambam, and Meiri, I bel...
Vayeitzei: The Eyes of Leah in the Eyes of Three Schools of Commentary
November 28, 2022 12:00 - 5 minutes - 3.47 MBSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Vayeitzei: The Eyes of Leah in the Eyes of Three Schools of Commentary. What does the Torah mean when it describes Leah's eyes as "soft" and why does it inform us of this fact? In this 1-page article we reflect on the 13 answers given by three schools of commentators. ----- The Torah content for the month of Kislev has been sponsored by Serena and Paul Koppel, who want to be makir tov and express gratitude. ----- I...
Q&A #10 - Iyun Procedures, Sensitivity to Halachic Laxity, and Dealing with the IRS
November 25, 2022 14:00 - 34 minutes - 23.6 MBSynopsis: This morning (11/25/22), in our Friday Q&A, we addressed three topics: (1a) What is the advised course of action when starting a sugya in Gemara? (1b) What methodological differences are there between iyun in Tanach and iyun in Gemara? (2) What are the guidelines for maintaining one's own halachic integrity in the presence of someone who is not as committed to halachic observance? (3) How should one react to the loss of a significant amount of money, especially at the hands of the ...
Toldos: Does God Judge Our Prayers Based on Our Parents?
November 25, 2022 12:00 - 5 minutes - 3.75 MBSynopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote, entitled, Toldos: Does God Judge Our Prayers Based on Our Parents? One would think the answer is "no" were it not for the challenge posed by a Gemara. This article provides a possible answer and - more importantly - an important principle of midrash methodology. ----- This week's Torah content has been sponsored anonymously, by a listener who always manages to find me supplemental sources which enhance my shiurim. ----- If ...