About

Welcome to the AstroRav blog!

This blog focuses on exploring the confluence of Torah and Astronomy, my two great interests that I love to share with anyone and everyone.

Sometimes I may also throw in a post or two that deal with other sciences, or, occasionally, some drasha on Torah not directly related to science that I just really wanted to share.

 

My BIO:

Disclaimer: I am not an actual Rav but I play one in the blogosphere. (By which I mean I don’t have Yoreh Yoreh smicha, yet… However, FWIW – which is not much – Agudath Israel does address me as “Rav” in their mail to Daf Yomi maggidei shiur.) I just really liked “AstroRav” as a name for this blog, so I went with it. So, please, don’t ask me any shailas about what to do if a drop of milk falls into your chicken soup. But please do ask me about astronomy…

I am a real astronomer. I have a PhD in Astronomy from the University of Maryland, where my research focused on computer modeling of cometary spectroscopy for the Deep Impact space mission. I also hold a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Columbia University (NY, NY) and dual bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Computer Science from Cornell University (Ithaca, NY). I have taught astronomy as a Visiting Professor at West Chester University (West Chester, PA).

I am a boger (alumnus) of Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh and Yeshivat Har Etzion, where I learned before, during and after college for several years.
I have taught Daf Yomi shiur at Ohab Zedek (NY, NY) and Kesher Israel (DC) for many years, and have taught many other Bible and Talmud classes in my communities for over two decades.
Currently employed as a software developer, I am also a (p/t) Research Associate at the University of MD working on the Digital Mishnah project.
I am married to Lili K. Gersch, we have three boys and live in Washington, DC.Univer