1/ My Torah work is published under the title of #ReshetKeshet which, I don't make the rules, makes my "rabbi name" The Reshet Keshet (e.g. the Chofetz Chaim is Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan & he also wrote the Mishnah Berurah he's named after his first) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yisrael_M…
2/ In order to embrace hashtag technology, I'll try to label my Torah writing with #ReshetKeshet.
3/ Diversity in interpretation, in thought, and of course in inclusion. Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch explains that the rainbow after the Flood symbolizes the totality of humanity, see my rebbe Rabbi Riskin for more on this: jpost.com/magazine/judai…
4/ I translate #ReshetKeshet as "Chromatic Visions" but, of course, it's better in Hebrew. Because of the full depth of each word (reshet is for the internet, or the word 'media'; keshet needs no help from me) and because it rhymes.
5/ If possible, I will use this thread to link to other Torah threads, and I will try to add the hashtag to previous things I've written here.
8/ Parshanut thread about why a calf was crafted from gold and not a different creature. This also (kinda) explains the impulse to ask for an idol, and why Aaron went along with it.
10/ #ReshetKeshet for 48 tweet thread from Sept. 2020, answering the question: "which 5 books I should read to be an 'educated Jew'" (posed by Moment Magazine)
15/ From Dec. 10, 2020. #ReshetKeshet. Thread about my attitude - in my roles/identity as a rabbi, medical-ethicist, and American citizen - towards abortion. AKA, the debate between forced-birth vs. anti-forced-birth.
16/ Dec. 21, 2020. Thread about why I've avoided the easiest money available for someone with multiple graduate degrees: 'conservative' think-tanks. TL;DR: they exist to place a patina of philosophy on cruelty & greed.
18/ Dec. 25, 2020. #ReshetKeshet thread about memory in Jewish cultural practice that demonstrates history isn't written by the 'winners' if we put effort into recording atrocities.
21/ Jan. 12, 2021. #ReshetKeshet thread about #Literalist thinking (a subject I've invented, sorry) which inevitably ended up with a Dvar Torah on Va'era (that week's parsha). It's good, I swear! I think!
22/ Jan. 12, 2021. #ReshetKeshet, this thread connects with the previous & is about free-will, determinism, the role of the leader in both (and how God interacts with the world).
24/ Feb. 3, 2021. #ReshetKeshet on parshat Beshalach, specifically analyzing the word "chamushim." I think I have pshat on the parsha, and that's exciting.
28/ #ReshetKeshet
This is barely Torah, heh, but a thread about how much Cuomo hates Sukkot & it's relationship to Lag BaOmer and the famous Jewish Holiday Chart
37/ #ReshetKeshet, 9av 5780, about injustice with a focus on the infamous Talmudic character of Zekharya ben Avkulas, his identity & what he represents.
230.02/ The Assad regime collapsing over Shabbas #Vayetze seems especially appropriate. I had long compared Lavan to Assad, the urbane facade hiding real cruelty and depravity. I celebrate the toppling of a murderous regime and the liberation of Saydnaya prison.
230.03/ Mets Twitter is having a party right now. This is fun. #LGM
229.03/ #ChochmatNashim for #Vayetze #Vayetzei #Vayeitzei 5784 2023 (LAST YEAR). @ChochmatNashim.
Downloadable PDF with working links to Divrei Torah from Orthodox women scholars on the parsha and other topics of the week. 20 pages. drive.google.com/file/d/1JqU6Lt…
228.02/ Fundamentally, a plurality want a minority to do all the work but get no reward while they do very little work & get all the reward. The only system that will get close to that - liberal Democracy - gives too much to people the plurality hates, so they vote for fantasies.
228.03/ #ChochmatNashim for #Toldot #Toledot 5784 2023 (LAST YEAR). @ChochmatNashim.
Downloadable PDF with working links to Divrei Torah by Orthodox women scholars on the parsha and other topics of the week. 20 Pages. drive.google.com/file/d/1dpJe7R…
227.02/ #ChochmatNashim for #ChayeiSara 5784 2023 (LAST YEAR) @ChochmatNashim.
Downloadable PDF with working links to Divrei Torah by Orthodox women scholars. 19 pages. #ChayaSara #ChayeiSarah
227.03/ The first time through the cruel & stupid Trump (ym'sh) circus I read the news with trepidation because I didn't know what terrible thing he'd do next. This time, I read the news with contempt & anger because the MSM helped elect him and wants him to succeed.
225.02/ Finally dropped off our ballots this morning & took a selfie. A fun thing then happened: a young dad carrying a baby arrived after us & he said that it was his first time voting after becoming a citizen! So I insisted on taking a photo of him (with his camera). USA! USA!
225.03/ Yes, I'm the one who waited all Shabbas for the poll, taught my kids how polls work (social science PhD, baby) & what I hoped would happen (GOP leading by only 5). And they got to see my stunned elation in real time when I read the news.