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Bereishis: (How) Did Hashem Speak to Kayin?
In lieu of an article on Chayei Sarah, I've decided to publish an article on Bereishis which is a sequel to last week's article on Vayeira. If you…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
2
Vayeira: Vox Intellectus Vox Dei (The Voice of the Intellect is the Voice of God)
Avimelech clearly sinned against Avraham and Sarah, but in what sense did he sin against God? Radak's answer expresses what it truly means to be a…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
2
Lech Lecha: Avraham Avinu – a Vial of Perfume in a Cemetery
This week's article is part Mishlei, part midrash, and part insight into the pshat of the parashah - all thanks to Rabbeinu Bachya's introductory…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
4
Mishleic Thoughts on the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election
Some thoughts I shared after my Monday Night Mishlei shiur on the eve of one of the most pivotal presidential elections in the history of our country.
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
Noach: Why Was Noach’s Family Saved?
I've always assumed they were saved because of Noach's righteousness, or for the sake of repopulating the world. According to Sforno, neither is true.
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss

October 2024

This is Your Mind on Lulav: The Psychoactive Properties of the Four Species (Part 2) - Ralbag
In this article we examine the effects of mescaline, as reported by Aldous Huxley and Michael Pollan, with the purpose of mitzvas lulav as explained by…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
2
This is Your Mind on Lulav: The Psychoactive Properties of the Four Species (Part 1)
I believe that the four species we take on Sukkos have psychoactive properties, as do many other mitzvos - that is, if you understand what…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
Yom ha'Kippurim Round-up: 5775 - 5785
Here's a round-up of my various articles, shiurim, and podcast episodes on topics related to Yom ha'Kippurim. I don't know whether I got them all, but I…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss

September 2024

Nitzavim / Vayeilech: Teshuvah as a Ledge
We're about to enter the Aseres Ymei Teshuvah (Ten days of Repentance) once again, and I find myself asking the same question I ask every year: Is…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
2
Ki Tavo: How We Know It’s a Mitzvah to Have Good Middos (and Why We Should Care)
Is it a mitzvah to be a nice person? Yes. But how do we know? In this article we examine Rambam and R' Avraham ben ha'Rambam's answer to this question…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
1
Ki Teitzei: Should We Be Polite to ChatGPT?
In this article I argue that the answer to this question emerges from a machlokess (disagreement) between the Ramban and the Rambam, with Shadal…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
10
Shofetim: Three Philosophies of Bal Tashchis (Wasteful Destruction)
Some mitzvos have well-hidden reasons. Others suffer the opposite fate: everyone assumes they understand their reasons without bothering to learn what…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
2
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