Machshavah Lab

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By: Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss

My name is Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss. My goal as a Torah educator is not merely to teach my students my OWN hashkafah. Rather, my goal is to equip them with the foundations, the methodological training, and the tools which will enable them to arrive at their OWN understanding of Judaism and cultivate their OWN relationship with Hashem and His Torah. This podcast is devoted to the shiurim I give which are geared specifically towards that end. As such, the range of topics covered here will be diverse. There will be shiurim on Jewish philosophy, Chumash methodology, aggadic midrashim, maybe even...

Rambam on the Satan and Ra (Part 5: Intro to the Types of Ra)
#34
Yesterday at 9:00 PM

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Length: 53 minutes
Synopsis: This morning (5/1/26), in our shorter-than-usual Friday morning Sefer Iyov series for women, we began with an efficient review of the Rambam's theory of ra which we covered last time in 3:10. We then read and discussed the short 3:11 about the cause of interpersonal ra. Finally, we learned through the first part of 3:12, where the Rambam diagnoses the philosophical disease that makes people think there is more ra in the world than tov. Next time (בג"ה) we'll learn through the second half of this chapter in whi...


Rambam: On the Purpose of the Universe (Moreh 3:13)
#33
Yesterday at 1:00 AM

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Length: 1 hour 43 minutes
Synopsis: This evening (4/30/25), in our Thursday night women’s shiur, we learned through the entire chapter in the Moreh ha'Nevuchim in which the Rambam discusses the purpose of the universe. Technically speaking, this is part of our Friday morning Sefer Iyov Machshavah Lab series for women, but in order to make up for lost time, I decided to take it up in our Thursday night shiur. Thankfully, it's also a standalone topic. I'm happy with our analysis, and hope you find the Rambam's ar...


Rambam on the Satan and Ra (Part 4: Theory of Ra)
#32
04/24/2026

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Length: 1 hour 22 minutes
Synopsis: This morning (4/24/26), in our Friday morning Sefer Iyov series for women, we began with a review of 3:8 and the satan, then quickly learned through 3:9 while avoiding epistemological potholes, and finally began 3:10, one of the most important chapters in the series. Here the Rambam formally presents his theory of ra, defining what it is, what it's not, and where it stands in relation to God. We read and discussed this chapter at a quicker pace than usual because I wanted to make sure...


Rambam on the Satan and Ra (Part 3: Matter as the Cause of Ra)
#31
04/17/2026

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Length: 1 hour 22 minutes
Synopsis: This morning (4/17/26), in our Friday morning Sefer Iyov series for women, we finally began the "Moreh ha'Nevuchim" portion of our Iyov journey. After a very brief review of matter and form, we read, analyzed, and discussed the Moreh 3:8 about the relationship between matter and ra. We concluded by decoding the basic elements of the satan allegory (which, ironically, was interrupted a few minutes before shiur ended by the satan himself). Next week, I hope to cover 3:9 and the all-important 3:10! 
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מקורות:
רמב...


Shemini / Tazria / Metzora: What a REAL Rationalist Would Say About Tumah
#30
04/17/2026

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Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 3-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 4/16/26 title: Shemini / Tazria / Metzora: What a REAL Rationalist Would Say About Tumah. These three parshiyos all deal with tumah (impurity), which many regard as a mysterious force. Self-described rationalists will likely reject such a notion. But what if THEY are the irrational ones?

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This week's Torah content is sponsored by Seth Speiser, in honor of the yahrzeit of his father, Rabbi George Speiser...


Q&A #47 - Hashgachah Diagnosis, Rambam on Lashon ha'Ra, Dividing Learning Into Thirds
#29
04/16/2026

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Length: 28 minutes
Synopsis: This morning (4/16/26), in lieu of our usual morning Mishlei, we had a short Q&A session! We discussed three questions: (1) To what degree can we "diagnose" whether something in our life was hashgachah pratis? (2) What does the Rambam mean by all the aggadic statements he brings down in Hilchos Deios Perek 7 about lashon ha'ra? (3) What are my views on how/whether we do/should implement the halacha about dividing one's learning time into thirds: a third in Torah she'bi'Chsav, a third in Torah...


Rambam on the Satan and Ra (Part 2: The Form of Man)
#31
03/20/2026

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Length: 1 hour 7 minutes
Synopsis: This Friday morning (3/20/26), in our Friday morning Sefer Iyov series for women, we were GOING to begin the section of the Rambam's Moreh ha'Nevuchim that will be our focus for the next couple of months, beginning with 3:8 on the nature of matter. However, five minutes before shiur, I spontaneously decided to read some Rambams in the Mishneh Torah that I hadn't prepared, but thought would be a good way to review and clarify what we covered in Part 1. The good news is...


Rambam on the Satan and Ra (Part 1: Aristotelian Primer on Form and Matter)
#30
03/20/2026

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Length: 1 hour 47 minutes
Synopsis: Turns out, I accidentally forgot to upload last Friday's Iyov shiur! This past Friday morning (3/13/26), in our Friday morning Sefer Iyov series for women, I gave a shiur with the aim of introducing the basics of Aristotelian "hylomorphic" thinking, explaining the concepts of "matter" and "form" to lay the groundwork for the Rambam's explanation of the satan and the nature of ra. We began and ended with halachos in the Rambam but the bulk of the material came from "Aristotle for Everybody"...


Vayikra: Toward a Theory of Jewish Guilt
#29
03/20/2026

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Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 3/20/26 title: Vayikra: Toward a Theory of Jewish Guilt. Most people who think they know what the asham talui (suspended guilt-offering) is for are missing an important fact - one that sheds light on the Torah's conception of guilt.

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This week's Torah content is sponsored by Seth Speiser, in honor of the yahrzeit of his father, Rabbi George Speiser (Rav Yosef ben Dovid). Rabbi...


How to Relate to Arbitrary Halachic Details (Part 2 - Rambam and Rav Kook)
#28
03/20/2026

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Length: 1 hour 50 minutes
Synopsis: This week (3/19/26), in our Thursday night Machshavah Lab series for women, we continued the topic we embarked on the week before. First, we revised our understanding of the Rambam's approach and my "Pillow Theory." Then we answered all the questions we raised last time. We then learned through a perek of Rav Kook's Le-Nevukhei ha-Dor, in which he spells out two foundations of the need to be meticulous in halacha. We concluded with a halacha in the Rambam which suggests that he...


Vayakhel / Pikudei: Remembering Minas Tirith … I Mean Mikdash
#27
03/13/2026

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Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 3/11/26 titled: Vayakhel / Pikudei: Remembering Minas Tirith … I Mean Mikdash. Saadia Gaon states that contemplating the architecture of the Mishkan earns us reward. What is the nature of this reward? How should this shape our reading? And how does this relate to Boromir?

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This week’s Torah content is sponsored by Rabbi Dr. Ben Aaronson in honor of NYHS (Northwest Yeshiva High School), our alma...


How to Relate to Arbitrary Halachic Details (Part 1 - WILL BE REVISED IN PART 2)
#26
03/13/2026

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DISCLAIMER: I almost didn't post this shiur because it wasn't as clear as I hoped AND because we revised it in Part 2. I'm happy with Part 2, but I'm posting Part 1 for the sake of thoroughness and transparency. Just know that if you listen to it, you should NOT expect the level of clarity that I typically aim for.

Length: 1 hour 47 minutes
Synopsis: This week (3/12/26), in our Thursday night Machshavah Lab series for women, we took up a question I've wanted to address for a...


Post-Purim 5786: Operation Growling Bear
#25
03/11/2026

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Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 4-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 3/11/26 titled: Post-Purim 5786: Operation Growling Bear. This began as a recap of a Mishlei/Megilah/Midrash crossover shiur I gave before Purim. Then Operation Roaring Lion, which commenced on Shabbos Zachor, added another dimension. Better late than never!

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This week’s Torah content is sponsored by Rabbi Dr. Ben Aaronson in honor of NYHS (Northwest Yeshiva High School), our alma mater. So many of ou...


What Modern Orthodoxy Means to Me (or Rabbi Fox’s 2007 NYHS Commencement Address)
#24
03/09/2026

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Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 3/9/26 titled: What Modern Orthodoxy Means to Me (or Rabbi Fox’s 2007 NYHS Commencement Address). Since NYHS’s annual fundraising campaign is in full swing, I figured this would be a good time to share the educational philosophy of the school, as articulated by former head of school R. Bernie Fox.

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This week’s Torah content is sponsored by Rabbi Dr. Ben Aaronson in honor...


Rabbeinu Yonah on Bitachon (Part 3)
#23
03/06/2026

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Length: 1 hour 40 minutes
Synopsis: This evening (3/5/25), in our Thursday night women’s shiur, we continued our exploration of Rabbeinu Yonah on bitachon. The bad news is that I didn't have a chance to prepare. The good news is that our review went SO far in-depth that we ended up covering a whole lot that I hadn't planned. In the text of Rabbeinu Yonah, we only read one additional sentence, but our understanding of bitachon was sharpened AND deepened. Next time (בג"ה) we'll attempt to finish the Rabbeinu Yonah...


Ki Tisa: Is Shabbos a Day of Simchah?
#22
03/05/2026

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Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 1-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 3/5/26 titled: Ki Tisa: Is Shabbos a Day of Simchah? If so, why isn't it presented this way in the Torah and in halacha? And if not, then why are there so many references to Shabbos joy in the songs we sing on Shabbos?

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The Torah content for the month of February is sponsored by the Koffsky family in memory of Adira Rose Koffsky a...


Q&A #46 - 30 Days Before the Chag, Necessity of Haggadah, Mishlei vs. Gemara, Hodaah Anniversaries
#21
03/05/2026

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Length: 31 minutes
Synopsis: This morning (3/5/26), in lieu of our usual morning Mishlei, we had a Q&A session! We discussed four questions: (1) What's the nature of the halacha of "learning the halachos of the chag 30 days before the chag"? (2) How necessary is it for people to read and understand every line of the Haggadah? (3) Why do I prefer Mishlei over Gemara b'iyun? (4) Is there any idea of having a recurring seudas hodaah on the anniversary of an event one feels grateful for?
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מקורות:
רמב"ם - משנה תור...


The Tail of Vashti and Gavriel ha'Malach
#20
02/27/2026

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Length: 1 hour 26 minutes
Synopsis: This morning (2/27/26), in our Friday morning Sefer Iyov series for women, we capped off our series of shiurim on malachim with a midrash on Megilas Esther about a malach (in preparation for Purim, of course). This is a well-known midrash, but the version in the Gemara differs markedly from the version in the popular imagination. After raising questions and problems, we took a detour into the topic of angelic names, then analyzed the midrash, first on our own and then through the...


Rabbeinu Yonah on Bitachon (Part 2)
#19
02/27/2026

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Length: 1 hour 46 minutes
Synopsis: This evening (2/26/25), in our Thursday night women’s shiur, we continued our exploration of Rabbeinu Yonah on bitachon. After a lengthy, in-depth review of what we covered last time on Mishlei 3:5, we began learning his commentary on Mishlei 3:6. If Part 1 focused on the theoretical aspects of bitachon, Part 2 shifted to the practical. We had to examine several premises about how Hashem runs the world and about the faculties of the soul in man, but we emerged with a working model of what bi...


Explaining Arayos (Forbidden Relations) to an Aunt and Her Nephew Who Are In Love
#18
02/22/2026

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Length: 2 hours
Synopsis: Back in 2022, I gave a shiur on the extremely niche topic of avunculate marriage, that is, an uncle marrying his niece. Two years later, I received an email titled “Avunculate Marriage: Need Some Spiritual Guidance” from an aunt and nephew who were in love and seeking rabbinic guidance about whether their relationship would meet with Divine approval. I responded to the best of my ability. This morning (2/22/26), in our YBT Sunday shiur, I presented the answer I gave them.
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מקורות:
רמב"ם - משנה תורה...


What are Malachim (Angels) According to the Rambam? (Part 3) Why Depict Angels as Physical?
#17
02/20/2026

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Length: 1 hour 26 minutes
Synopsis: This morning (2/20/26), in our Friday morning Sefer Iyov series for women, we continued our exploration of the Rambam’s view of angels. After a brief review, a question led us on an unplanned detour through his presentation of angels in the Mishneh Torah. We then returned to the central question: Why are angels depicted as physical, and why are those depictions sometimes so wacky? We offered three answers and concluded with the Rambam’s statement about how we should relate to people who...


Terumah – The “Where?” “What?” and “Why?” of Shechinah
#16
02/20/2026

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Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 2/20/26 titled: Terumah – The “Where?” “What?” and “Why?” of Shechinah. I typically rely on the Rambam's explanation of shechinah in the Moreh 1:25. This time, I'd like to showcase the explanations of two Italian chachamim which I believe are consistent with Rambam.

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The Torah content for the month of February is sponsored by the Koffsky family in memory of Adira Rose Koffsky a”h, whose third yahrzeit is...


Mishpatim – Is there a Conflict Between Trusting in Hashem and Trusting in Doctors?
#14
02/13/2026

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Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 3-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 2/13/26 titled: Mishpatim – Is there a Conflict Between Trusting in Hashem and Trusting in Doctors? The Torah unequivocally allows us to rely on physicians for healing, but should we regard that allowance as reluctant or as an endorsement? Ibn Ezra and Ibn Kaspi disagree. I side with Rabbeinu Yonah.

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The Torah content for the month of February is sponsored by the Koffsky family in me...


What are Malachim (Angels) According to the Rambam? (Part 2) Review and Clarification
#15
02/13/2026

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Length: 56 minutes
Synopsis: This morning (2/13/26), in our Friday morning Sefer Iyov series for women, I had planned to continue our analysis of the Rambam's view of angels. Instead, we did something more important: review and clarification! We did a complete review of all the main points from last time, and raised additional questions which resulted in greater clarity. Given my preface of this shiur, which underscored the importance of taking it slow and in small doses when learning metaphysics, I'm happy with how our shiur turned...


What are Malachim (Angels) According to the Rambam? (Part 1)
#13
02/06/2026

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Length: 1 hour 30 minutes
Synopsis: This morning (2/6/26), in our Friday morning Sefer Iyov series for women, we initiated the next phase: decoding the allegory of the satan. After reviewing and raising questions about the first few pesukim of the allegory, we turned to the Rambam’s primary treatment of angels in the Moreh, summarizing and analyzing along the way. By the end, we had a clear “Maimonidean” definition of an angel, in several formulations, along with a working theory for why such a concept is necessary. There are st...


Rabbeinu Yonah on Bitachon (Part 1)
#12
02/06/2026

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Length: 1 hour 59 minutes
Synopsis: This evening (2/5/25), in our Thursday night women's shiur, we embarked toward an unknown destination, though in very specific waters. Our goal was to understand Rabbeinu Yonah’s take on bitachon (trust, or security, in God). Our journey began with his essay-like commentaries on Mishlei, chapter 3. Tonight, we learned his beautifully nuanced interpretation of Mishlei 3:5, which, in an unplanned detour, we contrasted with the jaw-droppingly abhorrent take presented in The Garden of Emuna (ימח שמו). Many of our questions were left unanswered by design, because Rabbeinu...


Yisro – Ralbag: On Drafting an AI Policy for a Jewish Day School
#11
02/05/2026

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Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 4-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 2/5/26 titled: Yisro – Ralbag: On Drafting an AI Policy for a Jewish Day School. Is this a dvar Torah on the parashah, an overview of Ralbag’s theory of Torah, or a set of guidelines for drafting AI policy? The answer is: YES! I’m especially curious to hear from educators.

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The Torah content for the month of February is sponsored by the Koffsky family...


Shlomo, Soloveitchik, and Slytherin (In Loving Memory of Adira Rose Koffsky, a"h)
#10
02/02/2026

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Length: 1 hour 7 minutes
Synopsis: Last night (2/1/26), I was honored to give a shiur at Congregation Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park (West Hempstead, NY) in memory of my dear student Adira a"h, on the occasion of her third yahrzeit. As I mention in the disclaimers toward the beginning, a friend of mine was worried that it might come across as "a wackadoodle shiur," on account of its eclectically ambitious scope and agenda. I didn't care. My goal was to give over the type of Torah that...


Gam Zu l'Tovah: What does it mean and how do we live it? (Part 2 - Review, Main Idea, and Answers)
#9
01/30/2026

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Length: 1 hour 13 minutes
Synopsis: This morning (1/30/26), in our Friday morning Machshavah Lab series for women, we began with a comprehensive review of the facts, questions, and steps we took last time. Then I presented my approach, which we developed with our own insights supplemented by ideas from Rabbi Chait's shiur (which I hadn't listened to, but others said was along remarkably similar lines). In the end, we emerged with a REALLY nice idea, and answers (whether definite or possible) to all the questions we raised. I'm...


Bo/Beshalach: How Many Israelites Died in the Plague of Darkness?
#8
01/29/2026

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Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 4-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 1/28/26 titled: Bo/Beshalach: How Many Israelites Died in the Plague of Darkness? This article spotlights a highly problematic midrash on a pasuk in Beshalach about an event in Bo which has bothered me for over a decade. Thankfully, I finally found a satisfying explanation.

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The Torah content for the month of January is sponsored by Naomi Schwartz in memory of her father, Dovid Y...


Gam Zu l'Tovah: What does it mean and how do we live it? (Part 1 - Facts, Questions, and Set-up)
#7
01/23/2026

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Length: 1 hour 26 minutes
Synopsis: This morning (1/23/26), in our Friday morning Machshavah Lab series for women, we took a brief interlude from our learning of Sefer Iyov to analyze the well-known slogan of Nachum Ish Gam Zu, as well as the similar but lesser known slogan of his student, R. Akiva. We went through all the facts, raised a ton of questions, and took four solid steps, developing a general approach but stopping before developing a main idea. Next time, we'll take this approach and develop it...


AI-Generated Podcast on My Paywalled Rav Kook Post (WARNING: Only 70% Accurate)
#6
01/20/2026

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Length: 17 minutes 53 seconds

Synopsis:  Last week (1/14/26), I published an article on my Substack titled Rav Kook: First Impressions of a New Chapter in My Learning. This was a surprisingly challenging article to write, but I’m proud of how it turned out, and I’ve received great feedback on it so far. However, I chose to keep most of it behind a paywall, for reasons I explain in the free introduction to the article. 

Fast forward to this week. Even though I’m a die-ha...


Iyov Catch-up Crash Course - Part 2: Review, Bildad, and Tzofar (Ch8-14)
#5
01/16/2026

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Length: 1 hour 28 minutes
Synopsis: This morning (1/16/25), in our Friday morning Machshavah Lab series for women, we concluded our catch-up crash course. After reviewing our mission and Iyov's exchange with Eliphaz, we covered Bildad's speech and Iyov's thorough response, then wrapped things up with Tzofar's speech and an even briefer summary of Iyov's response. While I would have loved to spend many more weeks taking up each of these speeches in-depth, and then conducting an equally in-depth analysis on Rounds 2 and 3, I'm afraid that's not in the...


Vaeira: An Explanation of Hashem Hardening Paroh’s Heart You May Not Have Heard
#4
01/16/2026

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Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 1/16/26 titled: Vaeira: An Explanation of Hashem Hardening Paroh’s Heart You May Not Have Heard. Many explanations have been offered for Hashem hardening Paroh’s heart, some more satisfying than others. Here is an approach I only recently encountered that is simple yet thought-provoking.

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The Torah content for the month of January is sponsored by Naomi Schwartz in memory of her father, Dovid Yitzc...


Iyov Catch-up Crash Course - Part 1: Overview, Review, Eliphaz (Ch4-7)
#3
01/09/2026

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Length: 1 hour 8 minutes
Synopsis: This morning (1/9/26), in our Friday morning Machshavah Lab series for women, we changed course. I explain my reasons at the beginning of shiur and justify them based on how the meforshim approach Iyov, but the upshot is that we're going to switch into high gear and cover "Round 1" of the debate between Iyov and his three friends in a broad overview fashion instead of analyzing the pesukim in-depth. After going over the new plan, we did a brief review of what we...


Avos 1:6 - Rabbeinu Yonah on Friendship (Knei Lecha Chaver)
#2
01/09/2026

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Length: 1 hour 34 minutes
Synopsis: This evening (1/8/26), in our Thursday night Pirkei Avos shiur for women, we finally concluded our analysis of Avos 1:6. In many ways, this was a follow-up to our Rambam Shiur on friendship, both because I originally intended to cover Rabbeinu Yonah in that shiur, and because Rabbeinu Yonah complements the Rambam. We ended up building on the foundation of the previous shiur, but this one can still be listened to as a standalone. I found Rabbeinu Yonah's focus to be a bit more...


Shemos: The “Second Chumash”?
#1
01/09/2026

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Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 2-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 1/9/26 titled: Shemos: The “Second Chumash”? No, this isn’t a reference to apocrypha. It’s a real book, and it’s the subject of the Netziv’s preface to Sefer Shemos. Read this, and you may never look at Shemos the same way again.

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The Torah content for the month of January is sponsored by Naomi Schwartz in memory of her father, Dovid Yitzchok ben...


Vayigash: Hulk Yehuda Threatens to Kill Yosef for Wanting Binyamin as a Sex Slave?!
#35
12/26/2025

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Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 6-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 12/26/25 titled: Vayigash: Hulk Yehuda Threatens to Kill Yosef for Wanting Binyamin as a Sex Slave?! Despite my preference for peshat, this midrash is so wild and so against the peshat that I couldn't resist the urge to work on it. I may not have answered all the questions, but here are my findings.

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SPECIAL CHANUKAH DISCOUNT—EXTENDED THROUGH JANUARY 2026: I originally offered 50% off my...


Mikeitz: And Then They Got DRUNK
#34
12/19/2025

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Length of article: 4 pages
Length of audio: 12 minutes 36 seconds
Synopsis: This is the audio version of the 4-page article I wrote and published on rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/ on 12/19/25 titled: Mikeitz: And Then They Got DRUNK. Why does the Torah mention that Yosef’s brothers got drunk? Here are four distinct approaches, each with its own methodological aim, and my take on each.

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SPECIAL CHANUKAH DISCOUNT: For the eight days of Chanukah, I’m offering 50% off my paid Substack subscription, just $5 per...


Prologue to Sefer Iyov - Part 6: Analysis of Iyov's Monologue
#33
12/12/2025

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Length: 1 hour 21 minutes
Synopsis: This morning (12/12/25), in our Friday morning Machshavah Lab series for women, we analyzed Iyov's "post-breakdown monologue" in Chapter 3 through the eyes of the Malbim and the Rambam, comparing and contrasting their approaches. Although we answered all the questions we initially asked, there are some outstanding difficulties that remain to be solved. Next on the agenda is Eliphaz's first speech, in which he attempts to prove Iyov wrong.
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מקורות:
איוב א:יג - סוף פרק ג
מלבי"ם - הקדמה לפרק ג; ג:כד
רמב"ם - מורה הנבוכים ג:טז
Lenn E. Goodman, "The Guide to the Perplexed: A New Translation" (2024)
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