Machshavah Lab

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Shoftim: The Parameters of Idolatrous Cultural Appropriation , in which we attempt to explain a contradiction between the Rambam's theory of korbanos and his explanation for why we are prohibited from planting trees on the Temple Mount.  ---------- This week&a...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, On Being Present in Tefilah , in which I recount a radical tefilah experiment I tried earlier this year, and the scaled down version which is my current practice. ---------- This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Joey and Estee Lichter in honor of the...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Rambam: On Awakening (The Question) , in which we draw attention to the three instances of the  "waking up" metaphor in the Rambam's Mishneh Torah and raise the question about what they have in common. ---------- This week's Torah content has be...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, How to Choose What to Learn Before You Die . If you have or had a good relationship with learning but have fallen into a rut and are looking for a way to reconnect, perhaps this exercise will help you to get back on track - provided you fit the description in the d...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Synopsis: This is the audio version of the article I wrote entitled, King Kamehameha III and Moshiach , while I was in Hawaii earlier this summer. I found myself contemplating Hawaii's state motto, which led to a Mishleic idea, an insight about Hawaii's history, and an appreciation of King Kamehameha III's role in bringing a...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Haftaras Re'eh: Torah as Water, Wine, and Milk , which is a riff on the Radak's explanation of the three metaphors for Torah expressed by Yeshayahu in this week's haftarah .  ---------- If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to he...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Today's Torah content was sponsored by someone who wishes to remain anonymous for someone else whom they wish to remain anonymous for an occasion that I'm told should not be mentioned. I would have found some sneaky way to show honor and gratitude to those involved and for the event being commemorated, but I must respect true tzn...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Tonight (8/4/21 at YBT) we continued learning the opening chapter of Darchei ha'Talmud, by R' Yitzchak Kanpanton (1360 - 1463 CE). When I was preparing, I realized that there was only ONE correct decision for how to give tonight's shiur, and if you listened to Part 1, you'll know exactly what that means ... ---------- T...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Today’s Torah content is sponsored by Naomi Mann, in honor of Yeshiva Bnei Torah's 50th year. May Hashem grant YBT continued success! Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, Sitting Bull's Ghost Dance and Moshiach , in which we examine the parallels between Jonathan Lear's analysis of the...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Today’s Torah content is sponsored by Avygayl Zucker in honor of the 90th birthday of her grandfather, Yedidyah Halimi, whose dedication to Torah and mitzvos continues to be an inspiration. May Hashem grant him many more years of health and happiness! Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote entitled, The Madness o...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Today’s Torah content is dedicated to the joyous occasion of the marriage of Jon Deutsch and Avigayil Lev. Jon has "graduated" from student, to coworker, to chavrusa and friend. Avigayil, another former student and fellow Slytherin, remains a daily presence in my virtual beis midrash. I am happy for them and I'm excited to s...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Sol and Chummie Azose, in honor of the upcoming 81st birthday of the Rosh ha'Yeshiva, Rabbi Yisroel Chait, and the 91st birthday of Sol's father, Hazzan Isaac Azose. If you're interested in sponsoring a day's or a week's worth of Torah content, you can contact me...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Tonight (7/28/21 at YBT) we learned the opening sentences of Darchei ha'Talmud - the very first methodology sefer, written by R' Yitzchak Kanpanton (1360 - 1463 CE). Our intent was to gain insight into methodology in general, beginning with the author's explanation of the Gemara's answer to the question: "How does...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Sol and Chummie Azose, in honor of the upcoming 81st birthday of the Rosh ha'Yeshiva, Rabbi Yisroel Chait, and the 91st birthday of Sol's father, Hazzan Isaac Azose. If you're interested in sponsoring a day's or a week's worth of Torah content, you can contact me...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Sol and Chummie Azose, in honor of the upcoming 81st birthday of the Rosh ha'Yeshiva, Rabbi Yisroel Chait, and the 91st birthday of Sol's father, Hazzan Isaac Azose. If you're interested in sponsoring a day's or a week's worth of Torah content, you can contact me...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! This week's Torah content has been sponsored by Sol and Chummie Azose, in honor of the upcoming 81st birthday of the Rosh ha'Yeshiva, Rabbi Yisroel Chait, and the 91st birthday of Sol's father, Hazzan Isaac Azose. If you're interested in sponsoring a day's or a week's worth of Torah content, you can contact me...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! This week's Torah content is sponsored by a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous, and told me, "No thanks needed!" so I'm not going to thank them.   Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page dvar Torah I wrote entitled, Declaring Hashem's Oneness in Love . This article was my attempt to understan...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! This week's Torah content is sponsored by a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous, and told me, "No thanks needed!" so I'm not going to thank them.   Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article entitled, Musings on the Inadequacy of Internet Research . This article was inspired by a humbling pers...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! This week's Torah content is sponsored by a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous, and told me, "No thanks needed!" so I'm not going to thank them.   Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article entitled, Bodily Posture as a Sensory Anchor for Kavanah in Tefilah . If you've ever had your mind...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! This week's Torah content is sponsored by a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous, and told me, "No thanks needed!" so I'm not going to thank them.   Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article entitled, My Experience Fasting for 48 Hours on the 9th and 10th of Av . The operative phrase here is &...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! This week's Torah content is sponsored by a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous, and told me, "No thanks needed!" so I'm not going to thank them.   Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article entitled, The Tenth of Av, Seven Haftaros of Consolation, and Life After the Pain . This article is a P...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! This week's Torah content is sponsored by the Reznik family in dedication to the loving memory of Silvia Tanzer (Sora Hesha bas Chaim Moshe) and Irving Tanzer (Yisroel ben Yechezkel). Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article I wrote for Tishah b'Av 5781, entitled An Approach to the Blasphemy in Eichah and Kinno...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! This week's Torah content is sponsored by the Reznik family in dedication to the loving memory of Silvia Tanzer (Sora Hesha bas Chaim Moshe) and Irving Tanzer (Yisroel ben Yechezkel). Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article I wrote entitled, Hunting for Treasure vs. Panning for Gold on the Beaches of Nome , in whic...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! This week's Torah content is sponsored by the Reznik family in dedication to the loving memory of Silvia Tanzer (Sora Hesha bas Chaim Moshe) and Irving Tanzer (Yisroel ben Yechezkel). Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article I wrote entitled, The Necessity of Metaphysical Trauma for National Teshuvah , in which we a...

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! This week's Torah content is sponsored by the Reznik family in dedication to the loving memory of Silvia Tanzer (Sora Hesha bas Chaim Moshe) and Irving Tanzer (Yisroel ben Yechezkel). Synopsis: This is the audio version of the one-page article I wrote entitled, The Sin of Refusing to Look at Oneself , in which we analyze Yeshayahu&apo...