My research is focused on the interpretations of biblical texts in the contexts of ancient culture, languages, and history.
This extrabiblical Jewish book was written in Hebrew around 2 Century BCE. The book is full of proverbial wisdom teachings, peppered with pre-rabbinic spiritual and moral ideas often resounded in the gospels and in apostolic era letters. Imagine hearing perspectives on death, happiness, honor, shame, sin, money, proper speech, social...
This is a lecture by Daniel Boyarin, who taught at Hebrew University, Yale, Harvard, Yeshiva University, and now lectures at Berkley. Besides being a prolific writer, Professor Boyarin constantly challenges conventional scholarship with ideas that seem provocative but always well-researched. In this lecture, he proposes that Judaism is not an...
This seminar explains various Jewish purity customs, such as washing hands and avoiding certain foods, as "fences" built around commandments that direct Israelites to be pure as they approach God (like in Ex 30:17-20). If you are not familiar with the rabbinic practice of "building fences&...
In our weekly reading, Behukotai, Vaikra ch. 27, Leviticus, we encounter arakhin - valuations related to vows made before Hashem. Torah is a very ancient document, which sometimes means it will be challenging for us to relate to the situations it describes. It speaks to a very different word. Nevertheless,...
What is the difference between “Testament” and “Covenant”? In the Western world, many people are familiar with a “Final Will and Testament” — a legal document read when someone dies. The document expresses the wishes of the deceased, often in connection with estate and inheritance. As a unilateral declaration of one’...
Jump into a segment of the teaching about the symbolism of TuBiShvat delivered in front of a mixed audience of Jews and Christians. To fully appreciate the pattern of restoration and redemption, we explore the agricultural concepts of orlah, bikkurim, and three tithes as they are expressed in the Torah....
If you like perusing Pshir.com, then what are the odds you might enjoy my books? I invite you to consider the titles I highlight below in print, in digital format, or as audiobooks. Paid Subscribers can flip through full digital versions of all these titles inside the READ section....
This etiquette of shelomim offering may sound strange to us today if we do not fully grasp the symbolism and the implications of the scenario Torah presents us. Shelomim is a special offering of well-being, shalom, and wholeness. It means everything is well between you and Hashem. A worshipper is...
Meditating and especially hearing God's voice is a challenge in a world filled with noise and distractions. But it's a healthy spiritual exercise, especially if you feel unsettled and agitated. If you have 30 minutes, I invite you to step into the wilderness to rediscover that...