Yesterday afternoon, I went to the neighborhood gathering of the day, "Parshanut Hamikra: An Afternoon of Tanach Learning", a program sponsored by Yeshiva University's Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel Yom Rishon and the Millie Arbesfeld Midreshet Yom Rishon and co-sponsored by the Orthodox Union and initiated by two YU students. It was a nice event, spanning several hours in the afternoon. I got to hear Rabbi Yehuda Sarna speak on "God: A Character Analysis," Rabbi Moshe Simkovich speak on "Biblical Sources of the Mitzva of Tefilla: Are Any Really About Prayer?", Malka Simkovich speak on "The Role of Fertility and Infertility in the Gan Eden Story and in the Patriarchal Narratives in Genesis," and Rabbi Menachem Leibtag speak on "The Underlying Logic Behind 'Ein Mukdam u’M’uchar ba’Torah'".
Rabbi Sarna's presentation of "God: A Character Analysis" was a study of the character of God in Genesis. The presentation took place, as did all of the presentations in Furst Hall, although his was the only packed lecture I attended, with well over 50 people present. He tried to show the tension between the plain meaning of the text and of philosophical understandings. He said that we're used to thinking of God in Maimonidean terms. He highlighted two complexities: God in His tension with humanity and God as knower of good & bad in regards to justice. Rabbi Sarna, whom I had never previously met him before, was a young-looking rabbi who is very smiley, openly warm, charming and humorous. Next, I heard Rabbi Moshe Simkovich speak on
the topic of "Biblical Sources of the Mitzva of Tefilla: Are Any Really About Prayer?" Once again, the class took place in a classroom in Furst Hall, with there being roughly 35-50 people. He largely focused on Maimonides as well as some Nahmanides, and, eventually, did not want us to be biased by the views of the ראשונים (medieval Jewish intellectual authorities), and that prayer does not seem to be one of the 613 mizvot. 
I stayed in the same room to listen to his daughter-in-law, Malka Simkovich, who had been a havrusa with my wife in seminary in Israel (who, by the way, joined me in time to listen to Malka) and who had been in the SBM with me a couple of years ago, who spoke on "The Role of Fertility and Infertility in the Gan Eden Story and in the Patriarchal Narratives in Genesis,"
Lastly, we went to hear Rabbi Menachem Liebtag, who spoke in a big room with many dozens of people, especially many undergrad students present, on the topic of "The Underlying Logic Behind 'Ein Mukdam u’M’uchar ba’Torah'". Rabbi Liebtag was very energetic in his speaking. His main point was that those proponents of pieces not necessarily being in chronological order of stories in the Torah are not random but rather that they are out of chronological order for a reason.
Last night, I attended YCT's fifth annual gala dinner - my fourth YCT gala dinner in a row. It was a nice event - I always enjoy going, especially on account of the hors d'oeuvres and wine.
As Aliza said, who was seated near us, we "were seated together in what we would lovingly come to call 'the closet,' the table furthest away from any socialization with donors", but that was otherwise alright, as there were flat-screen TVs around so that we could still watch what was going on during the dinner and presentations.
The desserts, though, after the main course took up a whole room unto themselves, which was certainly a treat, although I had to contain myself, as I was already quite full from the meal, itself.
Oh, I forgot to mention, it took place at the UN, which was neat, although it made me realize that I've never been there before for a tour or such, something I should do while we are still living in New York.
For what it's worth, I decided I'd put together a little links page for Washington Heights stuff online. It is available by clicking here.
As I had mentioned previously, my blogging's certainly fallen off as of late. This is neither because of things to say/post nor due to lack of interest, just being busy, lacking time and energy. Oh well, this week, I hope to blog a bit as I have a break this week, but we shall see.
Yeah, my blogging's been falling off as of late. Although really it's been kind of on the lame side since I secondly stepped back (though there was also an initial step back that preceded that), these past few months, since I got married, have been especially low on the posting meter. This past weekend was particularly interesting as I ran into a few people who haven't been blogging so much so recently (eg Josh & Dina), helping me realize it wasn't just me who hadn't been doing so much blogging.
In any event, we'll see how much blogging I'm actually able to do, though there are still many topics about which I'd like to blog.
Last night, my wife and I arrived back to my parents' house Gahanna, Ohio. The significance of this trip is that it is the first time we've been in Ohio as a married couple. In any event, happy Thanksgiving!
Yesterday was my first day of physical therapy for my knee [since the surgery (which was nearly three weeks ago)],which was helpful, as there is a light at the end of this handicapped tunnel in which I am. Along with learning some exercises to be doing to help me recover, I learned that I can return to lifting upper body weights, for which I am glad I can return to physical exercise of some sort.
As such, I just got back this morning from lifting weights for the first time since my surgery, which was three weeks ago today. I must say that my [upper body (it goes without saying my lower body)] strength noticeably diminished in those few weeks. I look forward to regaining my lost strength.
One remaining appendix that I had meant to include in my article on ברכת המפיל (the blessing) is on the topic of the shifting connotation of the term "my bed" in rabbinic literature. It would help prove a point I made in my paper. However, an appendix was not deemed to be fitting for Milin Havivin, so it, like my appendix on קריאת שמע (reading out of Shema'), was excised. So, here is the link to this "mini-article" on "my bed".
Now that my recent knee surgery is now two weeks in the past, I am now walking limping around without crutches. Up through last week, I was still on two crutches, but on Friday, I made it down to just one crutch. Then, on Sunday, I was able to get around in short distances crutchlessly. As of yesterday, I am now able to perambulate even further without any walking aids. The next step in my recovery is physical therapy, which begins next week.
This week, Canfei Nesharim posted a devar Torah that I wrote for their Eitz Chayim Hee: A Torah Commentary for Environmental Learning and Action project. I, of course, want to thank them for providing me with the opportunity to contribute to their project. At some point here, I may elaborate about why I find that the environment is important, but especially in a religious sense.
Now, those who know me will notice that some of the material towards the end, such as quoting Rav Nahman of Breslov is not quite my style - it's true - it's editorial addition, though I'm fine with that, as it may be more helpful for some of the readers.
Also, they prepared a source sheet to accompany my devar Torah, which is fine, although, had they asked me, I would have been happy to put together such a source sheet.
Anyways, enjoy & shabbat shalom.
the topic of "Biblical Sources of the Mitzva of Tefilla: Are Any Really About Prayer?" Once again, the class took place in a classroom in Furst Hall, with there being roughly 35-50 people. He largely focused on Maimonides as well as some Nahmanides, and, eventually, did not want us to be biased by the views of the ראשונים (medieval Jewish intellectual authorities), and that prayer does not seem to be one of the 613 mizvot. 
