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Simply Deep

Elie Feder•gematriarefigured.com
Religion & Spirituality
Judaism
Although the words of the Torah, Chazal, and Rishonim may at times seem simple, they are deeply layered with profound insights and lessons. This podcast explores the hidden depths beneath seemingly straightforward statements in Rashi, Aggadata, and other Torah sources.
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Episodes

The Choshen and the Eifod

This episode analyzes various Rashis to gain some insights regarding the Choshen and the Eifod (specifically the stones on the Eifod’s shoulder straps).

Feb 28, 2024•39 min

Kappara for the Egel

The first korban the kohanim brought in their inauguration was a par chatas. Rashi (Shmos 29:1) says it was a mechaper for the egel. This episode explores the significance of this connection. Along the way, we discuss ideas about the chet ha’egel, korbanos, kappara, Mishkan, and more.

Feb 23, 2024•14 min

Yisro, Degrees of Knowledge, and the Physics to God podcast

While Yisro already knew about Hashem, Rashi (Shmos 18:11) says that the midda knegged midda expressed in krias yam suf showed him even more that Hashem was greater than all other gods. What does this mean? Did he previously know this or not? This episode answers this question by developing the idea of degrees of knowledge. It then discusses the value of the Physics to God podcast, even for those who already know that God exists. To listen, check out https://www.physicstogod.com/podcast-episodes...

Feb 02, 2024•17 min

What was wrong with Moshe davening?

In Shmos 14:15, Hashem questions Moshe as to why he was Davening at that time (when the Mitzrim were chasing the Jews into the sea). This episode analyzes Rashi’s two interpretations as to why Moshe’s tefilla was inappropriate.

Jan 31, 2024•35 min

Me’ein olam haba

We’re all familiar with the description of Shabbos as me’ein olam haba, somehow partaking of the world to come. But what exactly does this mean? The source is a Gemara in Brachos 57b - I’m sure you’ll be quite surprised to hear the other two things that the Gemara says are me’ein olam haba.

Jan 26, 2024•20 min

Kosher Kosher Tefillin

The Gemara in Shabbos 28b discusses the Halacha that for tefillin to be kosher, they must be made from a kosher animal. In analyzing this Gemara, this episode develops several ideas involved in the mitzvah of tefilin.

Jan 21, 2024•28 min

Va’eira’s Discussion of Reuvein, Shimon, and Levi

In the middle of telling the story of the Exodus, the Torah (Shmos 6:14) digresses to review the lineage of Reuvein, Shimon, and Levi. This episode uses Rashi to analyze why the Torah does this and what lessons can be learned.

Jan 17, 2024•33 min

Hashem is Here

In Shmos 8:18, the Torah says that the makah of arov demonstrated that “I am HaShem in the midst of the land.” Rashi explains “even though my Shechina is the heavens, my decree is fulfilled on the earth.” This episode analyzes the meaning of this lesson and ties it to yesodos that are elucidated in the beginning of the Rambam in Yesodei Hatorah and referenced in Shema.

Jan 12, 2024•18 min

Pharoh’s Attempt to Outsmart Midah k’neged Midah

Rashi (Shmos 1:10 based on Sotah 11a) says that the reason Pharoh used water to kill the Jewish babies was because he knew that Hashem punishes Midah k’neged Midah and that Hashem swore not to bring another flood. As such, Pharoh reasoned that Hashem wouldn’t be able to punish the Mitzrim for their crime. But Pharoh was wrong because Hashem only promised that he wouldn’t bring a flood on the entire world, but to one nation would be OK. This episode analyzes this difficult Rashi.

Jan 10, 2024•54 min

Yosef HaTzadik

At the beginning of Shmos (1:5), the Torah tells us that Yosef was in Mitzrayim. Don’t we already know this? Rashi says it’s teaching us something special about Yosef, which in my opinion is the reason he’s called “Yosef HaTzadik.” This episode discusses Yosef’s unique quality.

Jan 05, 2024•7 min

Moshe's Near Death Due to Mila

This episode (a 2015 shiur) analyzes the strange story of Moshe's near death due his failure to do Bris Mila on his son.

Jan 05, 2024•1 hr 7 min

Who is rich? (It’s not what you think)

The Gemara in Shabbos 25b cites a four way machlokes about who is rich? Rabbi Meir gives the classic answer (from Avos 4:1) that it’s one who is happy with his portion. Rabbi Tarfon says it’s one who has 100 vineyards, 100 fields, and 100 servants to work them. Rabbi Akiva says it’s one who has a wife who is “pleasant in her actions.” Rabbi Yossi says it’s one who has a bathroom near his table. This episode analyzes these positions.

Jan 03, 2024•45 min

Add-on to my shiur about Reuven’s sin

This recording addresses the position that Chazal knew that Reuven (and others) sinned in the manner literally described in Tanach but taught otherwise in order to cover up those sins.

Jan 02, 2024•18 min

Anyone who says Reuven sinned is making a mistake

While the Torah says that Reuven slept with Bilhah, the Gemara in Shabbos 55b says, “Anyone who says Reuven sinned is making a mistake.” It does the same thing with five other leaders in Tanach. This episode discusses these discrepancies between pshat and drash and analyzes why the pesukim would say these things if they didn’t actually occur as written.

Dec 31, 2023•2 hr 15 min

Who is Rich?…(it’s not what you think): The Facts

While we’re all familiar with the Mishna in Avos 4:1 which tells us that a rich man is someone who is happy with his portion, it’s not so simple. It’s actually a four way machlokes in Shabbos 25b. This episode presents the facts of the machlokes for you to think about. I hope to give shiur discussing this in more depth on Tuesday.

Dec 29, 2023•2 min

A New Perspective on Birchos Yaakov

This episode delves into some Rashis to develop a new (to me) perspective on the Brachos that Yaakov gave to his children.

Dec 29, 2023•18 min

Rav Chaim on Rotzaiach u’shmiras hanefesh 1:9 Part 1

Though I usually only post episodes on Chumash or Hashkafa, I really enjoyed this Rav Chaim. It’s short, not too complicated, and IMO really gives an idea of the brilliance of Rav Chaim. The topic is when it’s permitted to abort a fetus/baby to save the life of the mother. If you're looking to save time, you can only listen to Part 2. But if not, I'd recommend listening to both.

Dec 27, 2023•48 min

Rashi on Tikkun Sofrim

Guest episode with Rabbi Zimmer: This is a compelling defense of Rashi from the accusation of modern academics that Rashi advocated the heretical position that the text of Tanach was amended by later scribes.

Dec 22, 2023•12 min

Yosef’s Wagons

Rashi (45:27) says that Yosef’s wagons (agalos) contained a hidden message to Yaakov about egla arufa, the subject they were learning before Yosef was sold. This episode analyzes this strange connection.

Dec 22, 2023•13 min

The Fine Tuned Tzaros of Yaakov Avinu

This episode resolved an apparent contradiction between two Rashis which discuss the afflictions of Yaakov Avinu. It reveals an aspect of Hashem’s fine tuning in His treatment of humans.

Dec 20, 2023•41 min
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