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ALHATORAH

ALHATORAH

By ALHATORAH.ORG

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Achashverosh: Fickle Fool or Machiavellian Monarch – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

ALHATORAHMar 07, 2019

00:00
15:18
Repentance Rejected – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
May 23, 201912:30
Purpose of Shemittah – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
May 16, 201913:57
MiMachorat HaShabbat – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
May 10, 201915:01
Prohibition of Ov and Yidoni and the Story of Shaul and Ba'alat Ha'Ov – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
May 02, 201914:17
What Was the Purpose of the Slavery in Egypt? – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
Apr 11, 201913:60
Tzara'at – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
Apr 04, 201912:36
The Deaths of Nadav and Avihu – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
Mar 28, 201913:56
Relationship Between Vayikra 1-5 and 6-7 – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
Mar 21, 201915:50
Sacrificing for God – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
Mar 14, 201916:03
Achashverosh: Fickle Fool or Machiavellian Monarch – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
Mar 07, 201915:18
Parashat Shekalim – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
Feb 28, 201913:28
Sin of the Golden Calf – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
Feb 21, 201915:41
Warning Bells and Preventing Priestly Fatalities – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
Feb 14, 201914:24
Purpose of the Mishkan – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
Feb 07, 201913:49
An Eye for an Eye – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
Jan 31, 201914:56
Did Moshe Need Yitro's Advice? – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

Did Moshe Need Yitro's Advice? – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

Shemot 18 describes how the Israelites wait from morning to night to hear judgment from Moshe.  Yitro, recognizing that the situation is untenable, advises Moshe that he should delegate responsibility and appoint judges to share in the burden. Given the somewhat obvious nature of this advice, it is perplexing that Moshe could not figure it out on his own.  Why did Moshe, the greatest of all prophets, need Yitro to state the obvious? Is it possible that Yitro's suggestion includes more than meets the eye?  This Torahcast, brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky, explores this issue and more.  For sources and analysis, see https://alhatorah.org/Did_Moshe_Need_Yitro%27s_Advice.

Jan 24, 201912:27
Miracles, Mitzvot, and Messages at Marah – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
Jan 17, 201913:38
Purpose of the Pesach Rite – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

Purpose of the Pesach Rite – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

Shemot 12 discusses the very first commandment given to the nation, the Pesach ritual, highlighting how Hashem directed the Israelites to slaughter a lamb and apply its blood to their doorposts.  What was the purpose of this ritual? (http://alhatorah.org/Purpose_of_the_Pesach) Though, at first glance, it appears to be a protective rite, aimed at saving the Israelites from the Plague of Firstborns, why would Hashem need a sign to distinguish Israelite and Egyptian? How else can the ceremony be understood? This Torahcast, brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky, explores these questions and more.

Jan 10, 201915:56
Paroh's Hardened Heart – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

Paroh's Hardened Heart – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

One of the recurring motifs in the opening chapters of Sefer Shemot is the hardening of Paroh's heart (http://alhatorah.org/Hardened_Hearts). The verses suggest that Hashem made Paroh intransigent, forcing him to refuse to free the Israelites. How, though, can this be reconciled with the assumption that everyone always has free will?  Are there circumstances in which Hashem overrides this principle?  Is it possible that Hashem would ever prevent someone from repenting and changing his ways? This Torahcast, brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky, explores these questions and more.

Jan 03, 201914:55
Moshe's Killing of the Egyptian – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

Moshe's Killing of the Egyptian – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

Should Moshe's killing of the Egyptian taskmaster ( http://alhatorah.org/Moshe%27s_Killing_of_the_Egyptian ) be understood as a righteous championing of the oppressed or an overly harsh act of vigilante justice?  Did the Egyptian really deserve to die simply for smiting the Hebrew slave under his command?  And if he did, why did Moshe not have him punished through regular judicial procedures?  In general, what circumstances allow for, or perhaps even mandate, taking the law into one's own hands? This Torahcast, brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky, explores these questions and more.

Dec 27, 201814:54
Yaakov's Parting Words to Shimon and Levi – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

Yaakov's Parting Words to Shimon and Levi – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

Yaakov's parting words to Shimon and Levi ( http://alhatorah.org/Yaakov's_Parting_Words_to_Shimon_and_Levi ) focus on the brothers' fiery temperament. What events provide the backdrop for Yaakov's words? How does he view this trait of the brothers? Is anger inherently a negative quality, or can it, too, be a positive force? This Torahcast, brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky, explores these questions and more.
Dec 20, 201815:60
Yosef – Economic Wizard or Cruel Dictator – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

Yosef – Economic Wizard or Cruel Dictator – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

Why does the Torah expound at such length about Yosef's economic policies during the years of famine ( alhatorah.org/Yosef%27s_Economic_Policies ). How are they relevant to the history of the Nation of Israel? Moreover, what can we learn about Yosef through the episode? Does the story portray him in a positive or negative light? Were his policies evidence of economic genius or of exploitation? This Torahcast, brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky, explores these questions and more.
Dec 13, 201815:59
Miracles – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

Miracles – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

What are miracles ( alhatorah.org/Philosophy:Miracles ) and how do they work? Are miracles part of the natural world? This Torahcast, brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky, explores these questions and more through Tanakh, its commentators, and the miracles of Chanukkah.
Dec 07, 201816:26
Yehuda and Tamar – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

Yehuda and Tamar – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

What is the Torah's purpose in sharing the story of Yehuda and Tamar ( alhatorah.org/Purpose_of_the_Yehuda_and_Tamar_Story ), and why have it interrupt the drama of Yosef's sale? What light does the story shed on Yehuda's character? Does it portray him positively, negatively, or neutrally? How does the portrait drawn of Yehuda affect our understanding not only of this story but of the broader Yosef narrative which surrounds it? This Torahcast, brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky, explores these questions and more.
Nov 29, 201818:32
Wrestling With Angels and Men – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH ORG

Wrestling With Angels and Men – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH ORG

One of the highlights of Parashat Vayishlach is Yaakov's nocturnal wrestling match with an unknown assailant ( alhatorah.org/Wrestling_With_Angels_and_Men ). Who is the mysterious figure with whom Yaakov struggles until dawn? Why is he confronting Yaakov? What message did the incident convey to Yaakov and what meaning does it have for us today? This Torahcast, brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky, explores these questions and more.
Nov 22, 201816:28
Miraculous Births and Precocious Tweens – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
Nov 15, 201813:21
Sale of the Birthright – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

Sale of the Birthright – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

A Torahcast brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky exploring the story of the Sale of the Birthright ( alhatorah.org/Sale_of_the_Birthright_%E2%80%93_A_Fair_Deal ). How are we to understand Yaakov's apparent exploitation of his brother's hunger? Was he not guilty of extortion when buying the birthright for a meager pot of lentils? This Torahcast will survey how various commentators read the story and attempt to justify Yaakov's actions.
Nov 08, 201818:14
Wanted A Wife for Yitzchak – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

Wanted A Wife for Yitzchak – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

A Torahcast brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky discussing Avraham and his servant's search for a wife for Yitzchak (alhatorah.org/Wanted:_A_Wife_for_Yitzchak). What was the most important criterion Avraham was looking for in a potential daughter-in-law? Was it family lineage, good character, or proper beliefs?
Nov 05, 201815:51
Avraham's Plea for Sedom – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

Avraham's Plea for Sedom – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG

A Torahcast brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky exploring Avraham's plea for Sedom ( alhatorah.org/Avraham%27s_Prayer_for_Sedom ) and the issues of collective punishment and collective salvation. How do these models of Divine judgment compare? Was Avraham praying for justice, mercy or both?
Nov 05, 201814:19
Avram and Sarai in Egypt – Neima Novetsky - ALHATORAH.ORG

Avram and Sarai in Egypt – Neima Novetsky - ALHATORAH.ORG

A Torahcast brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky exploring the story of Avraham's endangering of Sarah in Egypt ( alhatorah.org/Endangering_Sarai_in_Egypt ). This Torah lesson analyzes various commentators' views on whether it is legitimate to criticize our ancestors' actions, or whether it is preferable to view them as impeccable role models, reinterpreting any story which might suggest otherwise. For source material and more detailed analysis, visit: alhatorah.org/Endangering_Sarai_in_Egypt
Nov 05, 201814:42
Migdal Bavel – Neima Novetsky - ALHATORAH.ORG
Nov 05, 201817:30
Kayin and Hevel – Neima Novetsky – ALHATORAH.ORG
Nov 05, 201816:22