Deeper Look At The Parsha

Rabbi Dunner shares his view on "The Rest is History" podcasts, which he recently began listening to. He is particularly struck by learning something new regarding the Jewish Revolt against the Romans, which ultimately led to the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple. He sees a connection between the lesson learned and the initial passages in Ki Teitzei.

Rabbi Dunner looks at a series of seemingly unconnected mitzvot that appear in Parshat Ki Teitzei. Why are they all included by the Torah on the same list? Rashi offers an answer - but his answer solves one problem while creating another. An insightful suggestion from Rav Dessler comes to the rescue.

Julius Caesar's decision to cross the Rubicon River in 49 BCE was a pivotal moment that ultimately led to the collapse of the Roman Republic and the beginning of a dictatorship headed by emperors. It all began with undermining the judiciary. Rabbi Dunner explains why listening to the echoes of history would be very advisable, particularly in the wake of the multiple indictments against former Pres...

Over the past century, Dr. Hulda Regehr Clark, Dr. William Donald Kelley, and many other fellow travelers have claimed to have found the cure for cancer. Sadly their pseudo-medical "cures" have been eagerly embraced by cancer sufferers and their families. Citing a passage in Parshat Re'eh, Rabbi Dunner draws a parallel between these fake doctors and the false prophets that the nascent Jewish natio...

Rabbi Dunner returns to the theme of joy, using a wonderful piece by the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l as a base for some wonderful stories, from history, from chasidic folklore, and from the Talmud. As Rabbi Dunner explains, at its core, the Jewish faith is all about joy.

Ewen Montagu was a high-flying London lawyer who was drafted by British naval intelligence during the Second World War. He came up with the audacious plan for Operation Mincemeat, which changed the course of the war, and enabled the Allies to gain a foothold in mainland Europe. Rabbi Dunner wonders whether the secret to Ewen's success might have been a Midrash at the beginning of Eikev.

Rabbi Dunner uses an Ohr Hachaim commentary on the opening words of Parshat Eikev, and a remarkable piece in Maimonides' Mishneh Torah, to offer some insights into the concept of joy, and its centrality in the Jewish faith.

Rabbi Dunner confesses his devoted interest in controversies and feuds, the focus of his collection of books, pamphlets, manuscripts, and broadsides. Drawing on his knowledge and expertise in this vexed field, Rabbi Dunner offers his assessment of the current crisis in Israel, and draws a parallel from Parshat Va'etchanan.

Rabbi Dunner responds to the shocking statement by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) that Israel is a "racist state", and her subsequent retraction, in a letter that focuses on how her u-turn will only be meaningful if she begins to see Israel differently.

Rabbi Dunner shares his thoughts on the Jenin operation, and the remarkable precision of the IDF activities that has seen no civilian casualties, and a total focus on rooting out terrorists and terrorist activities. Rabbi Dunner finds a remarkable parallel in the opening passage of Parshat Pinchas.

During his first few months in exile on the island of St. Helena, Napoleon Bonaparte spoke at length to his confidant, Emmanuel, comte de Las Cases. Their conversations were later published as a book, revealing a side to Napoleon that the public had never previously encountered. Rabbi Dunner draws on one oft-cited quote from de Las Cases' book, and finds a parallel in the first daily Jewish prayer...

Why do we keep a mitzva we don't understand? The quintessential "chok" is Para Aduma at the beginning of Parshat Chukkat. Rabbi Dunner turns to Sefer Hachinuch for an answer, but before he does -- he presents a list of every one of the Sifrei Hamitzvot: the works that list all the 613 mitzvos of the Torah. Who were their authors, and what makes each one of these works unique?

The remarkable Universe 25 experiment of the late 60s and early 70s provides a backdrop to Rabbi Dunner's analysis of the lessons of Korach and his rebellion against Moses. An enclosure of mice billed as "mouse heaven" turned out to be "mouse hell" -- and a lesson for all of us. But Korach got there first!

Korach had a grisly end, swallowed up by a sinkhole in the desert. But according to a kabbalistic tradition, Korach's rebellion against Moshe was history repeating itself - and his predecessor's opponent was not as successful as Moshe was against him. Rabbi Dunner reveals a fascinating parallel to the Korach story from the dawn of human history.

Rabbi Dunner describes the incredible journey of Rabbi Chaim Gantz, whom he recently met for the first time. Rabbi Gantz has led a yeshiva in Tel Aviv for almost 30 years, but has recently been the subject of extraordinary hostility by a very vocal group of local residents. Rabbi Dunner finds a parallel in the story of the spies in Shlach, and also in Korach's rebellion.

Rabbi Dunner explores the mitzvah of tzitzit - the ritual fringes mandated for every four-cornered garment, as found in Parshat Shlach. What are the hidden messages of this curious mitzvah, all the more curious because one is not mandated to wear a four-cornered garment, only to ensure that if one is worn, it has tzitzit on it.

Rabbi Dunner shares his experience attending an incredible event in Philadelphia this past Sunday night - 25,000 people paying tribute to all those who devote their lives to Torah study. What a difference 100 years makes, as Rabbi Dunner explains.

The older generation tends to be disdainful of foolish youthful enthusiasm. But the young have the advantage of being more open to change, pivoting from one thing to another with ease. Rabbi Dunner finds a fascinating reference to this quality hidden in the laws of Nazir.

Details of a fascinating archeological discovery in Jerusalem, in 1979, launch this shiur about one of the best-known but least-understood rituals of Judaism: the priestly blessing. Rabbi Dunner examines Birkat Kohanim from every angle, looking at its historical origins, its meaning, and its practical application.

Why would God have dangled a mountain over the Israelites threatening their annihilation if they didn't accept the Torah -- if they had already accepted the Torah? Rabbi Dunner offers a compelling solution to a most puzzling Talmudic conundrum.

There are countless examples of great intellectuals descending into bitter disputes. Rabbi Dunner cites "Sayres Law" as he introduces some of the most notorious examples. But how about religious scholars? Are they vulnerable to this phenomenon? Rabbi Dunner explains how a Midrash on Parshat Bamidbar sheds light on this troubling topic.

Rabbi Dunner examines the topic of humor and comedy in Judaism. Does the halacha allow it? What does the Talmud say? When is it appropriate to laugh and engage in humor and comedy? Rabbi Dunner shares a range of sources. (This shiur was sponsored by Lee Samson to commemorate the yahrtzeit of his mother, Sylvia Samson, Sheindel bat Aryeh Leib a”h, whose yahrtzeit is on 26 Iyar.)

Rabbi Dunner describes a recent TikTok trend encouraging young people to spend their money on travel. But how could this be good advice in the midst of an economic downturn? Despite the kneejerk disdain for this trend, specifically among older people, perhaps the TikTokers have it right. A commentary on Behar might be the key.

The widely held view is that religious people are kinder and more altruistic than non-believers. Rabbi Dunner challenges this view, citing studies that prove the opposite. Some people even use God as an excuse not to be kind. An Abarbanel interpretation in Emor reveals that the Torah is acutely aware of this phenomenon, and warns us against falling into this trap.

Rabbi Dunner shares his incredible encounter with an unexpected treasure trove in Miami, Florida. Presiding over this remarkable repository is an unassuming scribe, Rabbi Moshe Druin, whose determination and expertise are the backbone of an organization with an international reach. Rabbi Dunner finds inspiration in Rabbi Druin's work, which he sees reflected in a lesson from Parshat Kedoshim.