Devarim
Rabbi Schapiro on the Parshah: Devarim
Examines a Mishnah in Menachos over whether the oil from Regev, identified with the Argob conquered from Og, ranks second only to Tekoa's for use in the Beis HaMikdash, showing that the dispute is not a disagreement about the oil's actual quality but a halachic question of whether oil from outside Eretz Yisrael proper counts at all. Develops the symbolism of oil as bitul, self-nullification achieved through the olive being crushed and burned away entirely, and argues that true bitul cannot be produced by a person's own effort but only descends as a gilui from Hashem. Applies this to explain why Eretz Yisrael, given entirely milma'alah, carries a fuller gilui haShechinah than Ever HaYarden, which the Bnei Gad and Bnei Reuven first requested for themselves.
Parshas Devarim
A vort on Parshas Devarim exploring Rashi's comment on Moshe's blessing of a thousandfold increase, and why the verse adds that Hashem will bless them further.