Rabbi David Sedley

A repository of written, audio and video Torah classes given by Rabbi David Sedley

Blog Posts

  • Parshat Noach, Where is Noah’s Ark and should we care?

    This is a talk I gave at Five Blocks about Parshat Noach. Where is Noah’s ark today and should we care? I also look at some claims in a Jewish book as to the possible location of the Ark, and explain why not only do I think the information is wrong and misleading, but also…

  • Parshat Chukat, the burning of the Talmud and Rabbi Eliezer

    This is a talk I gave at Five Blocks about Parshat Chukat, the burning of the Talmud in 1240, the French rabbis’ ban and burning of Rambam’s books, and Rabbi Eliezer. The YouTube video is actually just audio, and you can follow along on the source sheet here.

  • History of Machloket introduction

    I’m starting a new series on shiurim on the history of machloket and began with what I thought was the earliest halachic dispute, between Yosef and his brothers about whether they had the status of Bnei Yisrael before the Torah was given or if they also had the stringencies of Bnei Noach. Afterwards, someone pointed…

  • Personalities in the Book of Ruth

    Unity as the connection between kindness and kingship The Book of Ruth traces an arc from Elimelech, a leader who ran away from his responsibilities, to David, who united the kingdom through his care and concern for his people. Naomi and Ruth are the pivotal people who cause that transition. This class looks at the…

  • Hillel and the Davidic Dynasty

    Is Yehuda Hanasi descended from the royal family? The rabbis tell us that Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi and Hillel were descended from King David. Their royal lineage earned them respect with the Roman government and the office of Nasi remained in the family of Hillel for over 400 years. But there are contradictions between the Babylonian…

  • Transmission of Torah

    Hillel and Bnei Beteira This is a lunch and learn I gave at Five Blocks. In it, I discuss why Bnei Beteira are not mentioned in the mishna, why they did not know the halacha that should have been a recurring event, why Hillel became the Nasi, and why his descendants were the leaders for…