Shavuot night class, 5785

The following is the content of a class that was delivered on Shavuot night, 2025. The subject matter is Shevuot - Oaths. What was the oath at Sinai, and what are some other interesting oaths we find in the sources? The post explores some history, geography, and some famous controversies. Enjoy!

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Discovering the Talmudic Antoninus

Disovering Antoninus: Identifying the Talmudic Emperor as Septimius Severus - A Counter Narrative of Historical Memory Abstract: The enduring enigma of "Antoninus" in the Babylonian Talmud, the close Roman imperial confidante of Rabbi Judah the Prince, has long defied singular historical identification, leading scholars to posit a composite figure drawing from various emperors of the Antonine dynasty. This article challenges that prevailing view, proposing that Septimius Severus (reigned 193–211 CE) served as the singular historical referent for the Talmudic Antoninus, unifying previously disparate narrative threads into a coherent and historically grounded account. Through a critical re-examination of key Talmudic narratives—including the alleged requests for senatorial approval, the cryptic "Gira" story (with its nuanced, bidirectional plant counsel), the strategic "vegetable plucking" metaphor, the discussions on secrecy (underpinned by a pervasive at...

Death Came Through My Window

Introduction As we enter this period of national mourning, I feel moved to share a more personal mourning that also takes place during these days. Last year, my father z''l passed away on the 6th of Av, and his first yahrzeit is fast approaching. For my family, this week on the Jewish calendar has long been marked by grief, as my sister a''h died under tragic circumstances on the 3rd of Av many years ago. In this series of three posts, I will reflect on themes relating to mourning and loss, beginning with the eulogy I delivered at my father's funeral. Death Came Through My Window Twenty-one years ago, almost to the day, I stood in this very place, at this same funeral home, to speak some words at my sister’s funeral. I remember how people said then that it was unnatural, for a parent to bury their own child. It was an upside-down world. Now I find myself standing here again, this time as a son burying his father. They say this is the natural order of things, the w...

Dama ben Netina: The Hidden Narrative Beyond Filial Piety

Dama ben Netina, a unique non-Jewish figure in rabbinic literature, is celebrated for his extraordinary ethical qualities. His story, recounted in distinct episodes across the Talmud and its commentaries, offers more than simple moral lessons; these narratives subtly pose profound questions about human behavior and meaning. By examining these accounts closely, and particularly a less-known third account, we can unlock a profound and unexpected understanding of his character. The Foundational Narratives: Two Repeated Accounts We begin with two primary episodes featuring Dama ben Netina, found in various rabbinic texts. 1. The Gem for the Ephod (Bavli Kiddushin 31a) The Bavli Kiddushin (31a) records the following incident: The sages sought a precious gem for the High Priest’s ephod, and it was found in Dama’s possession in Ashkelon. They agreed to pay him a large sum for it, either six hundred thousand zuz or eight hundred thousand. However, the key to the chest containing the ...

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