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Parashas ha'Shavua (Weekly Torah Portion)

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
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
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
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
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