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Parashas ha'Shavua (Weekly Torah Portion)

Yisro: Shadal’s Unfortunate Stance on Idolatry, Belief, and the Value of Knowledge
Perhaps this article will expose me as a fool, an ignoramus, a haughty dilettante—or all three. But I had to write it, if only to be shown how wrong I…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
12
Beshalach: What Did the Splitting of the Sea Look Like?
After seeing this magnificent photo, I was inspired to write a bonus article on Beshalach - an article I've been meaning to write for years. Surprise!
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
1
Beshalach: Moshe’s Role in the Mahn Confusion and its Implications for Teachers
This article explores one of the most perplexing narratives in Shemos, addressing a key question: How was Moshe at fault for the fiasco with the mahn…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
2
Bo: Ibn Kaspi – Were the Last Three Plagues Exaggerated?
The free article addresses Arbeh, but Ibn Kaspi says that the truth about Choshech shouldn't be divulged publicly, and I'd extend the same reasoning to…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
10
Vaeira: Ibn Kaspi’s Paradigm-Shifting Insights on Moshe’s Dialogues with Hashem
The free version of this article features one Ibn Kaspi commentary that answers two major questions about nevuah. The paid version explores three…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
6
Shemos: Two Views of Hishtadlus
Intended to write a short dvar Torah article about Yocheved as model of bitachon (trust in Hashem), but I ended up writing out my entire "hishtadlus…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
15
Vayechi: How Never to Be Angry at Anyone or Hate Anyone (Part 1: Questions)
Yes, this is the second week in a row that I've written a "questions only" article. Unlike last time, I plan on writing Part 2 (for paid subscribers). I…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
1
Vayigash: Who Sent Yosef to Egypt? (Part 1: The Questions)
Yosef answers this question three times, and we assume we know what he meant, but Ibn Kaspi hints at a different interpretation in the Rambam - one that…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
2
Vayeishev: Treasure-Hunting for Pshat in the Brothers’ Meal
Is the pshat-based approach to Chumash only for "rationalists"? Do imaginative students who love fiction need midrashim? Some educators think so. I…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
5
Vayishlach: Bnei Yaakov at Beis-El and Bnei Yisrael at Sinai (Part 1: Questions)
This week's article contains questions: "traditional" questions as well as the literary analysis questions taken up by "the Gush Tanakh Method." If you…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
9
Vayetzei: Yaakov’s (Scandalous?) Kiss (?)
How, exactly, did Yaakov kiss Rachel? This article explores the full spectrum of interpretations—from Ibn Kaspi to the Hasidic masters—through the…
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
14
Toldos: Ralbag on Yitzchak’s Blessings (and a Rationalist Method of Blessing Others)
Ralbag's explanation of how Yitzchak's prophetic blessings worked provides a "rationalist" framework for non-prophets to bless the people in our lives.
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Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss
1
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