Purim

Siyum Mesechet Shekalim

In this siyum mesechet, dedicated to the memory of Zamir Burke, HYD, I explore the underlying message of the half-shekel donation to the Temple. I present R. S. R. Hirsch’s explanation of the essential role of contributing to the people of Israel, propose a reason why the custom of *zecher lemahatzit hashekel* emerged only in the 13th century, and suggest that the miraculous eternity of the Jewish people is what justifies the obligation to sell even one’s clothes in order to take part in the half-shekel donation.

Rejoicing in Adar Rishon during Wartime

The Talmud teaches that when the month of Adar arrives we should increase in Joy. But perhaps the extra Adar inserted merely to align the lunar cycle with the solar cycle is not a time for rejoicing. And regardless, at a time of war and great stress in the nation, perhaps now is not the time to rejoice? In this short lesson I argue that nothing could be further from the truth.

The Moral Response to Radical Evil

In the shadow of the barbaric massacre committed by Palestinian terrorists in Israel on October 7, 2023, we must ask how to respond – morally – to radical evil. This is critical because, while our enemies have lost their humanity we must not lose ours in our battle against them. Using the rules of war against Amalek, the biblical paradigm of radical evil, I demonstrate how these rules also conform to the internationally accepted principles of Just War Theory.

Brit Mila and the Eternal People

Brit Mila, Circumcision, Survival, Self,Sacrifice, Redemption, Sanzer, Mercaz Harav, Drasha Rosh Hodesh Adar, Zachor, Purim, DRASH