The Shiurim Archive

 

Since March 2001, R. Mois Navon has been delivering a weekly lunchtime shiur on Jewish Thought.  A sampling of the shiurim, as well as their accompanying source sheets, is provided below.

Click on the “Source Sheet” to open the pdf file.

 

If you are interested in receiving an email notification of the shiur topic or if you would like to receive the source sheet with notes, the please send an email request to: mois.navon@mobileye.com  

Keywords

Source Sheet /דף מקורות

Title

כותרת

Icon

Ki Karov Hu, Psychological, Spiritual Development, Traditional v. Pop-Culture, Parshat Beshalach

[246]

ForAChange.pdf

Time For Change

לשם שינוי

Scientific Knowledge, Revelation, Redemption, Parshat Vaera

[245]

Hartumim_Vaera1.pdf

On Hartumim, Scientists, and God

חרטומים מדענים אלוקים ומה שביניהם

Seeing God, R. Akiva, Moshe, Theodicy (Tzadik VeRa Lo), Parshat Shmot, Ki Tisa, (Shavuot)

[244]

SeeingGod1.pdf

Emotional Empathy versus Rational Empathy

בין אמפטיה רגשית לאמפטיה רציונלית

Tekhelet, Levush Malchut, Five Suits for Binyamin, Parshat Vayigash, Purim

[243]

TekheletBinyamin.pdf

Binyamin, Mordechai and Royal Clothing

בנימין, מרדכי ולבושי מלכות

Pirsumei Nisa, Hanukkah, Purim (Megilla), Pesah (Four Cups)

[242]

PirsumeiNisa1.pdf

Publicizing a Miracle –

What’s the Big Deal

פרסומי ניסא –

מה הקטע?

Shame (Malbin Panim), Reproof (Tochacha), Tamar, Parshat Vayeshev (Kedoshim)

[241]

ShameReproof.pdf

Between Shame and Reproof

בין "הוכח תוכיח" ל"מלבין פנים"

Three Holy Places, Three Things, Purpose, Israel, Parshat Chayei Sarah, Vayishlach

[240]

ThreeHolyPlaces.pdf

Hevron, Shechem, Jerusalem

חברון, שכם, ירושלים

Wisdom of Crowds, Individual v Community, Matzeivah v Mizbayach, Parshat Vayeitzei, Vayishlach, Shoftim

[239]

Matzeiva1.pdf

Between Pillar and Altar

מצבה, מזבח ומניין

Prophecy, Creativity, Yetzer Hara of Idolatry, Parshat Toldot, Behaalotcha,

13 Principles (6)

[238]

Prophecy1.pdf

Prophecy as the Goal

הנבואה כמטרה

Love, Partnership, Completion, Purpose, Parshat Chayei Sarah

[237]

Love.pdf

What’s Love Got To Do With It?

על האהבה

Wonderment, Aesthetics, Beauty, Sublime, Nature, Parshat Lech Lecha, (Toldot, Shoftim)

[236]

TheChildWithin.pdf

The Child Within

הילד שבפנים

Environmentalism, Ecology, Urbanization, Industrialization, Bal Tashchit, Parshat Kayamut, Bereishit, Noah, Shoftim

[235]

TorahEcology1.pdf

Between “Conquering” and “Preserving”

בין "וְכִבְשֻׁהָ" לבין "וּלְשָׁמְרָהּ"

Judgment v. Mercy, Din, Rachamaim, Theodicy, Seeing/Understanding God, Yom Kippur, (Ki Tisa, Yitro)

[234]

13MidotRachamaim.pdf

The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy

 – and their Price

שלוש עשרה מידות הרחמים

ומחירן

Theodicy, Fate & Free-Will, Rosh Hashanah

[233]

RoshHashana1.pdf

The Judgment

on Rosh Hashanah

דינו של ראש השנה – מה הוא?

Teaching Torah to Gentiles (Non-Jews, Goyim), Parhsat Ki Tavo (VeZot HaBrachah)

[232]

TeachTorahToTheWorld.pdf

Twelve Stones,

Seventy Languages

שתים עשרה אבנים, שבעים לשון

Charity, Priorities, Perfection, Parhsat Re’eh

[231]

Tzedaka.pdf

Tzedaka – The Key to Perfection

צדקה –

המפתח לשלימות

Lifnim Mishurat Hadin, do the right thing, Shabbat Nachamu, Parhsat Ve’etchanan

[230]

BeyondTheLetter.pdf

Beyond the Letter

of the Law

לפנים משורת הדין –

על הימורים וחברים והכסף שביניהם

Spies, Free Will, Faith, Tisha B’Av, Parhsat Devarim

[229]

Spies.pdf

Lessons From The Spies

לקחים מהמרגלים

Oaths, Spies, Two and a half tribes, Milgram, Stanford Prison Experiment, Moral Responsibility,  Parhsat Matot

[228]

Influence.pdf

Influence

השפעה

Joshua, Semicha, Moshe, Mashiach, 3 Gestures, Intellectual, Ethical, Aesthetic, Parhsat Pinhas

[227]

SpiritOfSuccess.pdf

The Spirit Of Success

רוח ההצלחה

Tzar Baalei Chaim, Compassion, Medical Experiments, Parhsat Balak, Bereishit, Mishpatim, Ki Teitzei

[226]

TzarBaaleiHayim.pdf

Animal Rights

צער בעלי חיים

Dina D’Malchuta Dina, What are the parameters that obligate obedience to the law of the land?

[225]

DinaDmalchutaDina1.pdf

The Law of the Land is the Law?

דינא דמלכותא דינא?

Bnei Korah, Hirhur Teshuva, Thought, Action, Parshat Korah, Pinhas

[224]

BneiKorah1.pdf

BneiKorah_ESSAY.pdf

On the Sons of Korah – Between Thought and Deed

בני קורח – בין מחשבה למעשה

Maapilim, Teshuva Meula/Gemura, Parshat Shlach, Devarim

[223]

Maapilim.pdf

Maapilim –

Ancient & Modern

המעפילים – אז ועתה

Machiavelli, Ends Justify the Means, Aveira Lishma, Parshat Naso, Haftarat Nazir/Shimshon, (Purim)

[222]

AveiraLishma.pdf

To Sin

For Heaven’s Sake

עבירה לשמה

Kedushat HaKehuna, A good name, Parshat Bamidbar (Emor)

[221]

HonorAndCrowns.pdf

On Honor and Crowns

על כבוד וכתרים

Yom HaAtzmaut, Teshuva, Return to Israel, Yishuv HaAretz, Go up like a wall, Parshat Behar

[220]

ThreeOaths.pdf

TheThreeOathsOfJewishHistory.pdf

The Three Oaths – On History, Fate & Destiny

שלושת השבעות  - על היסטוריה, גורל ויעוד

Downfall of wicked, Egyptians drown, Mordechai kicks Haman, Eisav’s head, Pesah, Purim, Beshalach, Vayehi

[219]

RejoiceWickedFall.pdf

Ding Dong the Wicked Witch is Dead – Do We Celebrate?

באבוד רשעים רינה?

Mishpat, Hok, Contradicting Parent, Parshat Kedoshim, Yitro, Ve’etchanan

[218]

KibudAv.pdf

Honor Your Father & Mother

כיבור אב ואם

Death of First Born, Anubis, Book of the Dead, Parshat Bo, Pesah

[217]

DogsTongue_SOURCES.pdf

DogsTongue.pdf

The Tongue of a Dog Teaches all of Egypt

לא יחרץ כלב לשונו

Birkat HaIlanot, Renewal, Redemption, Spring, Nisan, Blossoming, Parshat HaHodesh

[216]

BirkatHaIlanot.pdf

BirkatHaIlanot_ESSAY.pdf

Message in a Blossom

בשורת הלבלוב

BeKrovai Ekadesh, Object Lesson, Obedience, Nadav & Avihu, Het HaEgel, Tree of Knowledge, Parshat Shemini, Bamidbar, Pinhas

[215]

NadavAvihu_BKROVAI.pdf

Through Those Near to Me

Will I be Sanctified

בקרובי אקדש

Man v. Animal, Bigdei Kehuna, Cohen, Talmid Hachaham, Parshat Tetzaveh, Pekudei

[214]

Clothing.pdf

Clothing – for Honor & Beauty

בגדים – כבוד ותפארת

Art, Aesthetics, Avoda Zara, Betzalel, Morality, Ethics, Sculpture, Parshat Ki Tisa, Vayakhel, Pekudei, Yitro

[213]

ArtAndAvodaZara.pdf

Art for God’s Sake – Between Idol Worship and Aesthetics

אומנות, למען השם – בין ע"ז לאסתטיקה

Adar Rishon, Sheini, Simcha Tamid, Purim Katan

[212]

AdarRishonSimha.pdf

On Simcha: Between Adar I and Adar II

מה בין אדר ראשון לאדר שני

Bat Kol, Urim VeTummim, Ruach HaKodesh, Prophecy, Divine Communication v. Free Will, Parshat Tetzaveh

[211]

UrimTumim_DivineAccess.pdf

To Know the Truth

לדעת את האמת

Mishkan, Mikdash, Beit Kenneset, Har Sinai, Aliegence, Shechina, Parshat Terumah

[210]

MishkanShechina.pdf

A Temple

“for God”?

ועשו לי מקדש

 ושכנתי בתוכם

Faith (Emuna), Initiative, “I am Hashem”, Amalek, Parshat Beshalach (Yitro)

[209]

FaithToAct.pdf

Faith to Act

אמונה לפעול

Primogeniture, 10th plague: Death of Firstborn, Cohen Gadol, Ger, Goy; Parshat Bo (Shmot, Bamidbar, Korah)

[208]

Firstborn2.pdf

Meritocracy

בין בכורה לבחירה

13 Principles (2 and 3), Parshat Shmot (Bereishit)

[207]

Anthropomorphism.pdf

Anthropomorphism v. Incorporeality –

 On Coke, Comics and Elokim

 

הַאֲנָשָׁה (אַנְתְּרוֹפּוֹמוֹרְפִיזְם) ומופשטות –

על קולה, קומיקס, ואלוקים

 

Ayin Hara, Evil Eye, Yosef Bones, Galut Mitzraim, Brother’s Sale, Goy Gadol, Jealousy, Parshat Vayehi

[206]

AyinHaRa.pdf

AyinHara_ESSAY.pdf

Yosef and the Evil Eye

יוסף ועין הרע

Hannukah (Chanukah), Creation, Time, Permanides, Heraclitus

[205]

TimeHannuka1.pdf

Time and the Miracle of Hannukah

נס חנוכה: זמן

13 Principles (12), Peretz, Poretz, Hatikva, Messiah, C.R. Snyder, Parshat Vayeshev

[204]

HopeMashiach.pdf

The Psychology of Hope and the Mashiach

הפסיכולוגיה של תקווה והמשיח

Politics, Ancient Israel, Modern Israel, Rebbi, Antoninus, R. Y. ben Zakkai, R. Akiva, Mordechai, Haman, Jacob and Esau, Parshat Vayishlach

[203]

YaakovEisav_IsraelEdom.pdf

International Relations -

as learned from

Yaakov and Eisav

למידת יחסים בינלאומיים מיעקב ועשיו

Atheism, Creation, Big Bang, Evolution, Reason v. Revelation, Gadol Hametzuveh, Shavuot, (Parshat Toldot -Theism&History)

[202]

AgainstHitchens2.pdf

Atheism – On Christopher Hitchens’ “God is Not Great”

אָתֵאִיזְם –

דע מה שתשיב לאפיקורוס

Hesped, Mesorah, Continuity, Assimilation, Separateness, Covenant, Husband-Wife Teamwork, Grave, Ahuza, Parshat Chayei Sarah

[201]

HespedSarah.pdf

Eulogy for Sarah

לספוד לשרה

Matza, Redemption, Hospitality (Hachnasat Orchim), Brit Bein Habetarim, Zechut Avot, Parshat Vayera, Bo

[200]

LotsPesah.pdf

Lot’s Pesah

(Cycles in Time)

פסח של לוט

(מחזורי הזמן)

Malkitzedek, Sodom, Avraham, Avot did Mitzvot DeRabanan, Stam Yeinam, Pat Akum, Parshat Lech Lecha

[199]

MalkiTzedek_BreadWine.pdf

On Bread & Wine

 על לחם ויין

Safety, Rooftops, Cars, Cigarettes, Seatbelts, Mobileye, Rely on Miracle, Parshat Ve’ethanan

[198]

CommandSafety.pdf

Safety_ESSAY.pdf

CommandSafety_POSTER.pdf

Be Safe! 

To What Extent?

 השמר לך!

עד כמה החיוב?

Lulav, Simha, Joy, Water, Sukkot, Divine Influence, Parshat Emor

[197]

LulavSimcha.pdf

Rejoicing with the Lulav

 שמחה בלולב

Teshuva, Man-God, Man-Man, Yom Kippur, Shabbat Shuva

[196]

MishnaYomKippur.pdf

The Power of Yom Kippur – an Analysis of the Last Mishna in Yoma

 כח יום הכיפורים – עיון במשנה אחרומה ביומא

Judgment (Elokim), Mercy (Hashem), Names of God, Adam&Eve, Kayin, HaMelech HaMishpat, Rosh Hashana

[195]

Judgment.pdf

Rejoicing in Judgment

 לשמוח ביום הדין – היתכן?

Existentialism, Nihilism, God, Mathematical Balance of Tribes, Where did the Leviim stand, Parshat Ki Tavo (Re’eh)

[194]

EvalGerizimStand.pdf

Existentialism

on Har Eval and Har Gerizim

 קיומיות

בהר עיבל והר גריזים

Yefat Toar, Ben Sorer, Ir Nidahat, Parshat Ki Teitzei, Re’eh

[193]

DevelopingMorality.pdf

Developing Morality

 מוסר המתפתח

Vegetarianism (Vegan),

Parshat Reeh, Bereishit, Noah

[192]

Vegitarianism.pdf

Vegetarianism – between Aesthetics and Ethics

 צמחונות – בין אסתטיקה לאתיקה

Why did Moshe want to live in the Land of Israel, Fulfilling Creation, Yom HaAtzmaut, Parshat Ve’etchanan

[191]

MosheIsrael.pdf

Why live in Israel?

 למה לחיות בארץ? 

Isaiah, Vision, Creative Thinking, Shabbat Hazon

[190]

Hazon.pdf

Imagine

 

חזון

 

Cities Of Refuge, Arei Miklat, Murder v Manslaughter, Western Civilization, Jerusalem, Parshat Masei, Shoftim

[189]

CitiesOfRefuge.pdf

Cities Of Refuge – Between Guilt and Innocence, Chaos and Perfection

 

ערי מקלט - בין אשמה לחפות, בין כאוס לשלימות

 

Capers, “Karma”, Reincarnation, Parshat Pinhas, Shelah

[188]

Tzlofhad.pdf

Karma, Capers and Tzelophad

 

"קארמה" בסיפורו של צלופחד

 

Anti-Semitism, Anti-Zionism, Parshat Balak

[187]

Antisemitism.pdf

Anti-Semitism:

Why Do They Hate Us?

 

אנטישמיות:

למה שונאים אותנו?

 

History, War, Redemption, Parshat Hukat, Haftarat Yiftach

[186]

Yiftach.pdf

History Matters

 

על היסטוריה

 

Emotions define Mitzvot v. Mitzvot induce Emotions, Common Sense Rebellion, Parshat Korah

[185]

KorahCSRebel.pdf

Feel Good

 

טלית שכולה תכלת,

 בית שמלא ספרי תורה,

 או בית שכולו תכלת

 – העיקר שנרגיש טוב

 

Hillazon Davka, Authenticity, Achievement of Ultimate Goals, Tekhelet, Parshat Shelach

[184]

HillazonDavka.pdf

HillazonDavkaEssay.pdf

Show Your True Color

צבע אמיתי מסמל חיים אמיתיים

Learning, Dedication, Andrew Wiles, Fermat’s Last Theorem, Achievement of Ultimate Goals, Parshat Behukotai

[183]

Learn.pdf

Dedicated To Learning – Between Fermat, Wiles and Hillel the Elder

מסור ללמוד – בין פרמה, וויילס והלל הזקן

Lex Talionis, Utilitarianist, Retributivists, Parshat Emor, Mishpatim, Shoftim

[182]

EyeForEye.pdf

An Eye for an Eye –

Philosophy of Punishment

עין תחת עין –

תפקידו של עונש

Holiness, Man-Man Commandments, Michshol Lifnei Iver, Parshat Kedoshim

[181]

StumblingBlock.pdf

Place not a stumbling block before the blind

ולפני עור

לא תתן מכשל

Yetzer Hara, Ego, Self-actualization, creation, Parshat Shmini

[180]

NadavAvihuEGO1.pdf

Strange Fire:

Nadav & Avihu and the Ego

אש זרה –

נדב ואביהו והאגו

Tell the story right, Pesah Seder, Rabban Gamliel, Pesah, Matzah, Marror

[179]

TellTheStory.pdf

Pesah Hagaddah:

Experiential Education

הגדה של פסח:

לימוד חוויתי

Sport, Exercise, Health, Halacha, Spirituality

[178]

SportHalacha.pdf

Sport:

Praiseworthy or Unworthy

ספורט: ראוי לשבח או לא כהלכה

Mishkan, Work, Rest, Creation, Parshat Ki Tisa, Vayakhel

[177]

Shabbat.pdf

Shabbat, Melacha, & Creativity

"שבת מכל מלאכתו"

Pitum HaKetoret, Incense, Archeology, Mysticism, Parshat Terumah, Tetzaveh

[176]

Ketoret1.pdf

The Holy Incense: In Archeology and Kaballah

הקטורת בארכיאולוגיה ובקבלה

Mahatzit Hashekel, Individual v. Collective, Parshat Shekalim (Ki Tisa)

[175]

ShekalimUnity.pdf ShekalimUnity_SPEECH1.pdf

Half Shekel: Symbol of National Unity

מחצית השקל: סמל לאחדות לאומית

Hearing, Motivating, Converting, Amalek, Psychological Warfare, Hidden Miracles, Parshat Yitro

[174]

YitroHeard.pdf

“Yitro Heard” – What Motivates Change

"וישמע יתרו" – מה מניע שינוי

Tzadik V’Ra Lo (bad things happen to good people), Marah, Parshat Beshalach (Tu bishvat)

[173]

HokUMishpat.pdf

Law & Order – A lesson in

Reward & Punishment

חוק ומשפט – שיעור בשכר ועונש

Hegel’s Dialectic Triad: Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis, Rechush Gadol, Parshat Bo, Shmot, Lech Lecha

[172]

Synthesis.pdf

Leaving Egypt with Great Wealth – Synthesis Attained

רכוש גדול - סינתזה מוגשמת

Burial, Resurrection, Atonement, Nationalism, Yaakov, Yosef, Parshat Vayehi

[171]

BurialInIsrael.pdf

The Land of Israel: A Matter of Life and Death

ארץ ישראל: עניין של חיים ומוות

Teshuva, Personal Growth, Leadership, Silence, Parshat Miketz, Vayigash

[170]

YosefDidntWriteHome.pdf

Why Didn’t Yosef Write Home?

למה יוסף לא יצר קשר הביתה

Yosef, Butler, Pharoah, Depend/Trust only on Hashem, time to act, Bitachon, Hishtadlut, Parshat Vayeshev, Miketz, Hannukah (Chanukah)

[169]

BitachonBaHashem.pdf

Between Faith and Initiative

בין ביטחון ליוזמה

Torah Law, Secular Law, Democracy, Maccabi, Light, Al HaNissim, Sinai: Content & Experience,  Hannukah (Chanukah)

[168]

Hannuka_Torah_Neeman.pdf

Torah v. State,

Macabee v. Hellenist

בין תורה למדינה ובין מכבים למתייוונים

Yaakov Wrestles, Tzadik V’Ra Lo, Face of God, Israel, Gid HaNasheh, Parshat Vayishlach

[167]

PenielGid.pdf

PenielGid_HEBTALK.pdf

Jacob’s Struggle with the Angel of Theodicy

ישראל, פניאל וגיד הנשה - מאבק עם פרדוקס "צדיק ורע לו"

Species Man, Man Of God, Adam I, Adam II, Existentialism, Parshat Toldot

[166]

Man_SpeciesOrGodly1.pdf

Yaakov & Eisav:

Existential Archetypes

 

יעקב ועשיו כארכיטיפים קיומיים

 

 

Sin of Sodom, Social Justice, Property Rights, Parshat Lech Lecha, Vayera

[165]

MidatSodom.pdf

The Trait of Sodom

מידת סדום

Tower of Babel, Science, Technology, Engineering, Idol Worship, Parshat Noah

[164]

Technology_Babel.pdf

Tower of Technology

מגדל טכנולוגיה

Tzelem Elokim, Moral Intuition, Psychology, Parshat Bereishit

[163]

TzelemElokim.pdf 

TzelemTALK_HEB.pdf

In God’s Image

צלם אלוקים

End of Days, Leviathan (Livyatan), Sukkot

[162]

God_Laughs.pdf 

God Laughs

שחוק ה'

Teshuva, Shabbat Shuva

[161]

Teshuva.pdf 

Two Prostitutes & a Bandit – repent

שתי זונות ושודד – עושים תשובה

 

New Covenant Brit, Land of Israel, Birth of a Nation, Yehoshua’s Joshua’s Altar, Har Eival (Eval, Eyval), Grizim, Parshat Ki Tavo

[160]

BritAltarEvalGerizim_NP.pdf 

Covenant and Altar –

Theology and Archeology

ברית ומזבח – תיאולוגיה וארכיאולוגיה

Torah Lishma, Ben Sorer, Parshat Ki Teitzei

[159]

LimudLishma.pdf 

The Rebellious Son –

A lesson in learning for its own sake

בן סורר ומורה - דרוש וקבל שכר

Lifeboat Ethics, Leadership, Responsibility to Self v. Community, Parshat Behar

[158]

TwoInTheDesert1.pdf 

Two People and One Canteen – Priority versus Solidarity

שנים שהיו מהלכין בדרך, וביד אחד מהן קיתון של מים

 

Moser, Prat/Klal, Parshat Ki Teitzei, Mishpatim, (Haftarat Ekev)

[157]

Moser.pdf 

Handing Over One Person –
A lesson in the value of the individual versus the community

מוסר נפש אחת מישראל –

חשיבתו של הפרט מול הכלל

Hilchot Tisha B’Av

[143b]

TishaBAvLaws.pdf 

Selected Laws for Tisha B’Av

לקט דיני ט' באב

Three Weeks, 17th of Tammuz, 9th of Av, Brit Sinai, Brit Zion, History, Destiny, Renewal

[156]

BeinHaMetzarim_SinaiToZion.pdf 

The Three Weeks – Time for Jewish National Renaissance

שלושת השבועות – עת לרנאסנס לאומי

Yishuv HaAretz, Shabbat, Electricity, Telephone, R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, Parshat Masei

[155]

ShabbatEretzIsrael.pdf 

Does settling the land of Israel override the obligations of Shabbat?

An Electrifying Lesson

האם ישוב הארץ דוחה את השבת?

נושא מחשמל!

Balaam, Kina (jealousy), taava (desire), kavod (honor), ayin hara (evil eye), Destruction of Temple, of Society, Three weeks, Parshat Balak

[154]

BilaamVersusAvraham.pdf 

Balaam versus Avraham –

On the meaning of Baseless Hatred (Sinat Hinam) and Gratuitous Love (Ahavat Hinam).

בין בלעם לאברהם -

על שנאת חינם

ואהבת חינם

Baba Metzia, Lost Objects, Yeush (Abandonment), Siman (signs), zuto shel yam, Hukat (Chukat)

[153]

FindersKeepers.pdf 

Finder’s Keepers –

Mayer Hack donated jewelry from Auschwitz - according to Jewish Law this is a righteous act that goes beyond the letter of the law.

"המוצא לוקח"?

שיעור על מציאות

Jewish S-x Ethics, Hookups, Tzitzit, Tekhelet, Personal/Impersonal, Shelah (Shelach)

[133]

TzitzitSensual.pdf 

BerkovitsOnMenachotMD1.pdf

S-x and the City-Tzitzit

ס-קס והעיר והטלית הגדולה

Desires, Control Systems, Idolatry v. Paganism, Leadership, Teacher-NursingMother, Behaalotcha

[132]

KivrotHataava.pdf 

Graves of Desire

קברות התאווה

Yerushalayim, Holiness (kedusha) in Space and Time, Zecher L’Hurban, Zecher L’Mikdash, Bamidbar

[131]

Jerusalem.pdf 

Jerusalem:

Of Existential Import

ירושלים: חשיבותה הקיומי לעם ישראל

Nashim Daatan Kalah, Beruriah, Adam & Eve, Rashi, Rashbi, Aesthetics, Puberty, Cognition

[130]

NashimDaatanKala.pdf 

On Women

נשים דעתן קלה

Swine Flu, Pig Intestines, Teshuva, Sins to Merits

[129]

PigsPeopleRepentance.pdf 

On Pigs, People and Repentance

על חזירים, אנשים ותשובה

Tumah, Tahara, Kedusha, Brit Mila, Orlah, Hatat, Parshat Tazria

[128]

PotentialActual.pdf 

Actualize Potential –    On Pregnancy and Circumcision

להגשים פוטנציאל- על יולדת ומילה

Behema Temeimah, Rennet, Goy Milk, Goy Cheese, Human Flesh, Human Milk, Parshat Shmini

[127]

MeatMilkCheese.pdf 

The Science & Torah of Meat, Milk and Cheese

על בשר, חלב וגבינה

Birkat Hahama, Bircas Hachammah, Redemption, Inaccurate calculations, solar cycle

[126]

BirkatHahama_SOURCES.pdf 

BirkatHahama.pdf 

Blessing the Sun

ברכת החמה

Hidush, Moon, Tikun Olam, Creation, Man’s Participation, Temple, Shabbat, Parshat Vayakhel, Parshat HaHodesh

[125]

Hodesh_Hithadshut.pdf 

Time, Month and Renewal

זמן חודש וחידוש

Para Aduma, Sin of the Golden Calf, Primordial Sin, Het HaEgel, Hok, Hukkat, Parshat Para, Ki Tisa

[124]

CalfAndCow_SOURCES.pdf 

On Cows and Calves

על פרה ועגל

DCM, DCT, Amalek, Akeida, Avraham, Shaul, Agag, Shmuel, Purim, Parshat Zachor, Beshalach, Ki Teitzei

[123]

EuthyproAndMehiyatAmalek.pdf 

Remember … Euthyphro –Reflections on the Divine Command Morality

זכור את ... אותיפרון - עיון במוסריות צו אלוקי

Kruvim, Cherubim, Parshat Terumah (Trumah)

[122]

Kruvim.pdf 

Cherubs – What is the significance of these chubby lovable figures

הכרובים – מה משמעות הדמויות הנחמדות השמנמנות

Reflections on Dialectical Existence, Theory of Emotions

[121]

RoshHodeshAdar_SOURCES.pdf 

RoshHodeshAdar.pdf 

What's so Funny About Rosh Hodesh Adar?

מה כל כך מצחיק בראש חודש אדר?

Scripts, Moshe, Ezra, Luchot, Ten Commandments, Torah, Tefillin, Mezuzah, Parshat Yitro, Mishpatim, Ki Tisa

[120]

Ashuri_Ivri_SOURCES.pdf 

Ancient Script

בין כתב עברי

לכתב אשורי

13 Principles (13), Parshat Beshalach

[119]

Ressurection.pdf 

Resurrection

תחיית המתים

Gratitude, Grateful, Pesah, Parshat Bo

[118]

Gratitude_Dogs.pdf 

Gratitude for the Dogs

הכרת הטוב לכלבים

Frogs, War, Self Sacrifice, Pesah, Parshat Lech Lecha, Parshat Vaera (Va’eira)

[117]

MesirutNefesh_Vaera.pdf 

On Soldiers and Frogs - A Lesson in Mesirut Nefesh

על חיילים וצפרדעים: שיעור במסירות נפש

Miracles: Open and Hidden, Geulat Mitzrayim, Pesah, Parshat Shmot

[116]

DivineIntervention.pdf 

Divine Intervention: A Theological Perspective

התערבות אלוקית: תשקופת תיאולוגית

 

Torah pre-Sinai versus post-Sinai, Avot, Shavuot, Parshat Toldot, Parshat Vayehi

[115]

AvotDoMitzvot1.pdf 

Did the Patriarchs keep all the Commandments?

האבות קיימו את כל המצוות?!

 

Wagons, Chariots, Eglah Arufa, Symbolism, Pshat, Drash, Parshat Vayigash

[114]

AgalaEgla.pdf 

On Symbols and their Significance

עֲגָלָה עֶגְלָה – על סמלים ומשמעותם

Miracles, Personal, National Hannukah (Chanukah), Purim

[113]

Miracles_NatAndSuperNat.pdf 

On Miracles: Natural and Supernatural

על הנסים – טבעיים ואל טבעיים

Actions have consequences, 10 Martyrs (Asara Harugei Malchut), Parshat Vayeshev

[112]

WhoSoldYosef.pdf 

Who Sold Yosef?

מי מכר את יוסף?

 

Universalism, Doron, Tefila, Milhama, Gifts, Prayer, War, Teaching Non-Jews Torah, Outreach, Tikun Olam, Parshat Vayishlach

[111]

Vayishlach_3prongs.pdf 

Fixing the World – A Three Prong Approach

תיקון עולם – איך?

Dreams, Freud’s Dream-works, ambitions & anxieties, ecstatic vision, vow, Parshat Vayetzei

[110]

JacobsLadder_SOURCES.pdf  

JacobsLadder_HEB_TALK.pdf

JacobsLadder2 - Essay

Jacob’s Ladder Revisited

סולם יעקב

במבט חדש

The World to Come (Olam Haba), Effort, Preparation, Enjoyment, Parshat Hayei Sarah (Chayei)

[109]

ChayeiSarah_Perfect.pdf 

The Perfect Life Lived

חיים מושלמים

Obedience, Nazis, Holocaust, “Just Following Orders”, Banality of Evil, Avraham, Binding Isaac, Parshat Vayera

[108]

ObedienceAkeida.pdf 

Obedience, Auschwitz, and the Akeida – Lessons from the Milgram Experiment

צייתנות, אושוויץ, והעקידה – לקחים מניסוי מילגרם

Tekhelet, Using Religious Objects without permission, Parshat Lech Lecha

[107]

Tekhelet_StringsShoelaces.pdf 

A String and a Shoelace

מחוט ועד שרוך נעל

Longevity, Genetics, Parshat Noah

[106]

AgingGene.pdf 

The Fountain of Youth

מעיין הנעורים

Family, Individuals, Holidays, Self-Actualization, Nation, Parshat Bereishit

[105]

FamliyUnit_SOURCES.pdf 

On Families

על המשפחה

Shiluach Haken, Mitzvot: Decrees v. Reasoned, Taamei HaMitzvot, Mercy, Animal Rights, Parshat Ki Teitzei (Tetzei)

[104]

ShiluachHaKen.pdf 

On Birds’ Nests and Decrees

שילוח הקן

Compliance with Legal Authority, Personal Opinion, Public Conduct, Tanur Achnai, R. Eliezer, R. Yehoshua, Raban Gamliel, R. Akiva, Parshat Shoftim
[103]

RightLeft_Shoftim.pdf 

Right and Left

ימין ושמאל

Pity, Mercy, War, Idol Worship, Parshat Ekev

[102]

Ekev_NoPity_SOURCES.pdf 

Ekev_NoPity.pdf

No Pity

ברכה, רחמנות, וע"ז

Historical context, Prophecy fulfilled, Haftarat Nachamu, Parshat Ve’et’hanan, Yom HaAtzmaut

[101]

HistoricalNechama.pdf

Historic Consolation

נחמה היסטורית

National Mission, Nine Av, Seventeenth Tammuz, Tzom Gedalia, Asarah B’Tevet

[100]

FastDaysForWhat.pdf

The Four Fasts – Why?

ארבע תעניות – לשם מה?

Draft Exemptions, Parshat Matot

[99]

DraftForAll_Matot.pdf

Draft Policy in Judaism

גיוס לכווווווולם!?

Women’s Issues, Parshat Pinhas (Pinchas)

[98]

BnotTzelophad_Fem.pdf

Tzlophads's Daughters - Women's Status in Judaism

בנות צלפחד – מעמד האשה ביהדות

Aesthetics, Baal Peor, Parshat Balak

[96]

Balak_Aesthetics.pdf

The Women of Moav: A Lesson in Redeeming Aesthetics

בנות מואב – שיוער בגאולת האסתטי

Leaders and People, Water, Staff, Rebellion, Hillul Hashem, Parshat Chukat (Hukat)

[95]

Hukat_MeiMeriva.pdf

Mei Meriva: A Study in Leadership Compatibility

מי מריבה – עיון בהנהגה הולמת

Political Leadership, Religious Leadership, Datan, Aviram, Parshat Korach (Korah)

[94]

Korah_SOURCES.pdf

On Power Struggles: Religious and Political

על מאבקי כח במרכזי שלטון

Personal Example, Leadership, Physical Lusting, Backwards Nuns, R. Soloveitchik, Shimush Hachamim, Hillul Hashem, Parshat Behaalotecha (Behalotcha)

[93]

Behalotecha.pdf

Personal Example

דוגמה אישית

 

Nazir, Middlepath, Rambam Parshat Naso

[92]

Nazir.pdf

The Nazir – Holy or Sinful

נזיר – קדוש או חוטא

Census, Mahatzit Hashekel, Parshat Shekalim, Parshat Bamidbar, Parshat Ki Tisa

[91]

NumbersCensus.pdf

On National Census

על מפקד תושבים

Disasters (natural and otherwise) in the World, Coincidence, R. Akiva’s Students, Teshuva, Parshat Behukotai

[89]

OnWorldwideDisasters.pdf

On Worldwide Disasters

על אסונות בעולם

Mutuality between Written and Oral Torah, R. Akiva, Moshe, Shavuout, Parshat Behar

[88]

OralTorah_SOURCES.pdf

Between the Written Torah and the Oral Torah

בין תורה שבכתב לתורה שבעל פה

 

Past, Present, Future, Evil, Tikun Olam, Tisha B’Av, Sefirat HaOmer

[87]

HolocaustRememberInContext.pdf

Holocaust Remembrance Day: In Context

לזכור: בהקשר

Hametz & Matza, Church & State, Shabbat Hagadol, Pesah

[135a]

HametzUMatzaDatUMedina.pdf

On Hametz & Matza and Separation of Church & State

חמץ ומצה - דת ומדינה - ומה שביניהם

 

Kashrut, Free Will, Parshat Shmini

[86]

GodIsInDetails_Kashrut.pdf

God is in the Details

אלוקים נמצא בפרטים

Amalek, Evil, Free Will, Hasgacha Pratit, Parshat Zachor

[85]

Zachor_SOURCES.pdf

Zachor.pdf

Remember Amalek – A Lesson in Divine Providence

זכור את עמלק – שיעור על השגחה פרטית

Three Pillars, Torah, Avoda, Gemilut hasadim, Parshat Vayakhel, Shavuot

[84]

EqualToAll_SOURCES.pdf

EqualToAll.pdf

Equal to the whole Torah

שקולה כנגד כל התורה

Bigdei Kehuna, Priestly Garments, Atonement, Pride (Gaavah), Obstinacy (Aizut), Parshat Tetzaveh

[82]

BigdeiKehuna_SOURCES.pdf

BigdeiKehuna.pdf

Dressed for Success – Atonement of the Priestly Garments

לבוש להצלחה –

כפרת בגדי הכהונה

Ten Commandments, Long Life, Elisha Ben Abuyeh, Light to the Nations, Shabbat, Parshat Yitro, Shavuot

[80]

TenCommands12lavin.pdf

The Ten Commandments and the Twelve “Don’t Do’s”

עשרת הדברות –

שנים עשר לאווין

Dependency, Slave mentality, Light to the Nations, Hashgacha Pratit, Shabbat, Parshat Beshalach, Parshat Ekev

[56]

Manna.pdf

Manna – a lesson in developing faith

נסיון ה"מן" –

 לפתח אמונה

מתלות לחירות עם משמעות

Greater Commanded, Self-Transcendence, Self-Actualization, B’nei Noah Women, Positive Timebound Mitzvot

[81]

CommandedVersusNot.pdf

NavonBHT18.pdf

Greater is the one Commanded

גדול מצווה ועושה ממי שאינו מצווה ועושה

Women, Positive Timebound Mitzvot, 4 leshonot geula, 4 cups, 5 cups, Parshat Vaera, Shabbat Hagadol

[55]

BattleOfTheSexes.pdf

Battle of the Sexes –

A Jewish view on Women

מלחמת המינים –

מי המנצח/ת?

Burning Bush, Moshe, Yaakov, Avraham, Parshat Shmot

[31]

BurningBushDevelopment.pdf

Personal Development –

1% Inspiration,

99% Perspiration

התפתחות אישית – הבזקים והתמדה הדרגתית

10 Tevet, Greek Translation, Greek Culture, Tents of Shem

[54]

TorahTranslationsGoodOrBad.pdf

Torah Translations – Good or Bad?

תרגומה של התורה – דבר רע או דבר טוב?

Hannukah (Chanukah), Greek Culture, Tents of Shem

[53]

MaccabiVersusGreece.pdf

Maccabi v. Greece – a Hannukah “Game”

מכבי מול יון – "משחק" חנוכה

Whatever God does is for the best, Yaakov meets Yosef, Parshat Vayigash

[144]

VayigshYaakovYosefSOURCES.pdf

Vayigsh_YaakovYosef.pdf

Yosef is Still Alive -

A Lesson In Divine Providence

כל דעביד רחמנא לטב עביד

Yehuda, Tamar, Leadership, Parshat Vayeshev

[29]

HakerNa_OnLeadership.pdf

“Recognize to whom these belong” –

A Lesson in Leadership

"הכר נא" – שיעור במנהיגות

Name Changes, Nationalism, Universalism, Or LaGoyim, Parshat Vayishlach

[52]

NamesAndNations.pdf

Of Names and Nations

על שמות ואומות

Yaakov, Animal Husbandry, Genetics, Felix, Parshat Vayetzei

[30]

Vayetzei_Sheep.pdf

Yaakov’s Amazing Success – a lesson in genetics

ויפרוץ האיש – שיעור בגנטיקה

Object Lessons,

Parshat Toldot

[79]

ObjectLessons.pdf

Object Lesson

הדגמה מוחשית

Continuity, Graves,

Parshat Hayei Sarah (Chayei)

[78]

HayeiSarah_Continuity.pdf

Continuity

המשכיות

Tree of Knowledge, Tree of Life, Freedom, Good, Evil, Parshat Bereishit

[77]

TreeOfKnow_TreeOfLife.pdf

From the Tree of Knowledge to the Tree of Life

בין עץ הדעת לעץ החיים

Primordial Sin, Parshat Bereishit, Ki Tavo (Walk in His Ways), Pesah, Re’eh

[97]

HalachaEthicsAestheticSOURCES.pdf

HalachaEthicsAesthetics.pdf

Halacha, Ethics and Aesthetics

הלכה, אתיקה,  ואסתטיקה

Reward, Punishment, Elisha Ben Abuyeh, Aher, Parshat Ekev

[74]

PeshatDerash.pdf

Peshat and Derash

פשט ודרש

Blessing, Curse, Reward, Punishment, Parshat Reeh, Gambling, Lishma

[73]

RewardPunishment.pdf

Blessing & Curse – Reward & Punishment

ברכה וקללה - שכר ועונש

Prayer, Function, Efficacy, Parshat Ekev

[72]

Prayer.pdf

Prayer – Function and Efficacy

תפילה – יעילותה ותפקידה

Reincarnation, Tikun Neshamah, Having Children, Parshat Pinhas

[71]

Reincarnation.pdf

Reincarnation

גלגול נשמות

Risk, Saving Life, Military, Medical, Live Organ Donation, Parshat Kedoshim

[67]

TakingRisk.pdf

Taking Risks to Save Lives

להיכנס לסכנה על מנת להציל חיים

Rashbi, Tikun Olam, Lag BaOmer

[65]

BarYohai_TikunOlam.pdf

Rebbi Shimon Bar Yohai and Fixing the World

רשב"י – תיקון עולם

Lashon Hara, Kessin, Hafetz Hayim, Cardinal sins, Parshat Kedoshim

[63]

LashonHara.pdf

Who Desires Life

מי החפץ חיים

Kiddushat Makom, Kiddush Hashem, Holiness, Yom HaAztmaut, Yom HaZikaron, Parshat Tazria

[64]

KedushatMakom.pdf

Holiness

קדושת מקום

Holiness in Time, Sefirat HaOmer

[62]

OmerTalk_Time.pdf

Time Consciousness

מודעות לזמן

Parshat Hahodesh (Bo), Awe, Jealousy and Humility

[59]

ParshatHaHodesh.pdf

On Awe, Jealousy and Humility – A lesson from Parshat Hahodesh

על הקנאה – לימוד מפרשת החודש

Para Aduma, Death, Hok, Parshat Hukkat

[58]

ParahAdumah.pdf

On Hok, Death and the Red Heifer

זאת חוקת התורה ... אדם כי ימות

Kriyat Yam Suf, Splitting Red Sea, Initiative, Pi HaHirot, Parshat Beshalah

[138]

InitiativeAtYamSuf.pdf

Initiative at the Sea

יוזמה בים

Aesthetics, Beautiful, Sublime, Kant, Trees, Tekhelet, Tzitzit, Apprehend, Comprehend, Parshat Terumah, Shelach

[57]

Beauty.pdf

Aesthetics – the Beautiful and the Sublime

אסתטיקה: היפה והנשגב

Coercion, Free Will, Har k’Gigit, Mountain Over heads, Shavuot, Purim, Parshat Yitro, Mishpatim

[66]

Coercion_HarKgigit_SOURCES.pdf

CoercionAcceptance_HarKgigit4.pdf

On Coercion and Free Will

כפיה ובחירה: ערכים סותרים?

Science, Talmud, Sperm, Shavuot, Parshat Yitro

[21]

SpermLifeSpan.pdf

Life Span of Sperm – Talmud v. Science

אורך חיים של זרע

Self defense, Parshat Mishpatim

[43]

SelfDefense.pdf

On Self-Defense

"אם בא להורגך..." – על הגנה עצמית

Fate, Destiny, Purim

[83]

PurimGoral.pdf

On Fate

גורל – מערכת על טבעי

Pesah, Nissan, Geula, Teshuva

[22]

GeulaNow&Then.pdf

Impetus to Redemption

מניע לגאולה: זעקה או זמנה

Piskei Halacha, R. Eliezer Waldenberg, Tzitz Eliezer

[33]

TzitzEliezer.pdf

Selected Piskei Halacha in Memory of R. Eliezer Waldenberg

ר' אליעזר וולדנברג, זצ"ל

Sodom, Moriah, Homosexuality, Parshat Vayera

[47]

BetweenSodom&Moriah.pdf

Between Sodom and Moriah

בין סדום למוריה

Tikun Olam, Chosen People, Jewish Values, Mission Statement 

[48]

BeDifferent_BeJewish.pdf

Be Different, Be Jewish

להיות יהודי

Evil Inclination, Parshat Bereishit

[1]

Yetzer Hara - Very Good.pdf

Yetzer Hara – Very Good?!

יצר הרע – טוב מאד?!

Nine days of Av, Tisha B’Av, Halachot

[143a]

NineDays.pdf

Nine Days

ט' ימים

Risk, Saving Lives, Hostage Release, Pidion Shvuim

[40]

NegotiateHostageRelease.pdf

Negotiating Hostage Release

פידיון שבויים

Probability, Pascal, Gain v. Loss

[90]

Pascal'sWagerShiur.pdf

Pascal’s Wager

הימורו של פסקל

Four Entered Pardes – Excursion into why bad things happen to good people, R. Akiva, Elisha Ben Abuyeh, Tzadik V’Ra Lo

[149]

FourEnterPardesSources.pdf

Four Entered Pardes – Excursion into why bad things happen to good people

ארבעה נכנסו לפרדס -

הרפתקאת "צדיק ורע לו"

Yom Kippur Law, Halachot

[148]

YomKippurLaws.pdf

Selected Laws for Yom Kippur

הלכות נבחרות ליום הכיפורים

 

Tekhelet, Parshat Shelach

[???]

Tekhelet_Talk.pdf

Tekhelet

תכלת

Yom HaAtzmaut

[150]

ImportanceOfEretzYisrael.pdf

The Importance of the Land of Israel

חשיבותה של ארץ ישראל

 

Fasting, Reasons, Yom Kippur

[49]

SecularReasonsFastKippur.pdf

Reasons to Fast on Yom Kippur – by a Secular Professor

סיבות לצום מפי פרופסור חילוני

Evil Inclination, Exile, Kasdim, Yishmael

[2]

GodRegrets_Sources.pdf

GodRegretsFourThings.pdf

God Regrets Four Things

ארבעה מתחרט עליהן הקדוש ברוך הוא

Taking Revenge, Parshat Kedoshim, Matot

[152]

VengenceSources.pdf

Vengeance

נקמה

Israel, Yom HaAtzmaut

[3]

EretzYisrael_Sources.pdf

The Land of Israel – essential condition for national actualization

ארץ ישראל – תנאי הכרחי להגשמה לאומית

 

R. Akiva, Bnei Brak, Shma, Everything God Does, Kol D’Avid Rachmana, Pesah, Shabbat Hagadol

[137]

HopeOnSederNight.pdf

Hope on Seder Night

תקוה בליל הסדר

Measurements, Time, Light, Holiness,  Hannukah (Chanukah)

[142]

HanukaTheoryofRelativity.pdf

The Theory of Relativity, the Temple, and the miracle of Hannukah

תורת הייסות, המקדש, ונס חנוכה

Living in Israel, Yom HaAtzmaut

[147]

MitzvatYeshuvHaAretz.pdf

Mitzvat Yeshuv HaAretz

ישוב ארץ ישראל

Intermarriage

[8]

Intermarriage.pdf

Intermarriage

נשואי תערובת

Reward for Mitzvot

[141]

RewardForMitzvot.pdf

Reward for Mitzvot

שכר מצווה

 

Purim, Mordechai, Hutzpah, Faith, Initiative

[151]

MordechaisAudacitySources.pdf

MordechaisAudacity.pdf

Mordechai's Audacity

חוצפת מרדכי

War, Redemption, Geula, Parshat Beshalach

[12]

War_ForWhat.pdf

For What Sake War

מלחמה: לשם מה?