Curious Tales of the Talmud

A Ticket to Paradise

The Security of Stagnation and the Challenge of Change

How can a small donation surpass a lifetime of life-risking devotion? Illogical rates at a”rent-a-donkey” location and a royal dispute about sheep and goats teach us the dangers of stagnation and suggest a path to radical growth.

The Great Oven Debacle

When the Rabbis Overruled a Heavenly Decision

After exhausting his arguments, Rabbi Eliezer makes a carob tree jump, reverses a stream of water, crumbles the walls of the study hall, and evokes a heavenly voice, all to make a point. What is so important about Rabbi Eliezer’s message? How is it relevant to us today?

Greek Riddles 

A Camouflaged Theological Debate
A snake’s gestation period, a butcher’s head for sale, and how to mend a broken millstone are just a few of the paradoxical riddles in a battle of wits between Jewish and Athenian sages, presenting profound intellectual challenges to the fundamentals of our faith.

The Vindication of an Idolatrous King

Seeing the Divine within Everything

The lessons of a vinegar-fueled lamp; singing toddlers; and a tale of a king, a sage, and a dream affect how we judge others and help us to find purpose in our nation’s exile and within all that transpires in our lives.

When G-d Prayed

A Study in the Art of Anthropomorphism

G-d prayed, sinned, and even requested a blessing from a human being. Talmudic anthropomorphisms highlight the importance of vulnerability in relationships and how being vulnerable shapes the character and essence of our relationship with G-d.

Whale of a Tale

Life Lessons from Gargantuan Fish, Geese,and Corpses

An island turns out to be the back of a mammoth sea creature, oceanic waves rise miles high, and an encounter with the”dead of the wilderness:” Rabbah bar bar Chanah’s strange parables hold the secret to Jewish survival and offer powerful tips on how to rise above life’s challenges.