The Art of Haggling for the Best Deal
Parshas Tazria 5784

When I was twelve years old, there was nothing I enjoyed more than going to the Shuk Machane Yehuda. The massive indoor/outdoor market in Jerusalem was an assault of sights, sounds, and smells coming from the garbled masses of people…

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Parshas Tazria 5784

Let’s Get Uncomfortable
Parshas Tzav 5784

The Robert Y. Love was the little towboat that could. It spent its time merrily chugging up and down the Arkansas River, pushing barges loaded with asphalt, construction debris, coal, or oil. While it was only 104 feet long and 30 feet…

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Parshas Tzav 5784

The Boy with the Oversized Head
Parshas Vayikra and Purim 5784

It was clear that Paul Bryant was different the moment he was born. He did look a bit strange, his head seemed almost bigger than his body, but all babies are born looking a little strange, so his parents weren’t…

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Parshas Vayikra and Purim 5784

Being a Motorcycle Man
Parshas Ki Sisa 5784

When I was about seven years old, I wanted to be a motorcycle-man. This was way before I would dream of becoming a basketball star, a pro-snowboarder, or a brilliant mathematician (O.K. so that last one never really happened). At the…

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Parshas Ki Sisa 5784

You Think Air Travel is Tough Now?
Parshas Tetzaveh 5784

Hello Everybody, Los Angeles International Airport, July 2029 As he stepped onto the curb, David waved Josh a hurried goodbye, hoping he’d get out of the airport before the five minute mark when he’d get hit with another $5.20 in…

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Parshas Tetzaveh 5784

You’re Mining What?
Parshas Terumah 5784

It’s time to talk about mining. Not mining for gold, not mining for silver, not mining for coal, and not even mining for rare earth metals like neodymium, gadolinium, and dysprosium. No, it’s time to talk about bitcoin mining. Bitcoin…

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Parshas Terumah 5784