Justice
This episode attempts to gain some insight into the Torah’s perspective on Justice. It does so through analyzing various stories in the Torah through the lens of the Rishonim.
May 30, 2023•1 hr 35 min
Simply Deep
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 Nesiim's Donation, Gematria, and At-bash
This episode discusses the role of gematria and at-bash in understanding the quantities involved in the Nesiim's donations to the Mishkan.
May 29, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Rus as a Model for Conversion
In perhaps the most dramatic part of the book (1:16-17), Rus tells Naomi that she wants to be with her in all facets of her life (and death). While the emphasis seems to be on the person of Naomi, Rashi presents a different picture - one focused on various facets of the Torah life. This episode tries to reconcile these apparently different perspectives on the conversion of Rus and of future converts to Judaism.
May 24, 2023•36 min
Comparison of Rebbe to Father
The Torah (Bamidbar 3:1) introduces the offspring of Moshe and Aharon but then only tells us about the children of Aharon. Rashi says that since Moshe taught them Torah, it’s as if he fathered them. This episode discusses the general theme of the comparison of a Rebbe to a father.
May 19, 2023•8 min
Hashem Strolling with us in Gan Eden
In Bechukosai (Vayikra 26:12), the Torah culminates the list of Brachos by saying HaShem will walk with us. Rashi explains that it means that He will stroll with us in Gan Eden like one of us. This episodes tries to explain the meaning of this very difficult metaphor.
May 17, 2023•32 min
A Jew who is sold to slavery
In Parshas Behar (25:45), the Torah describes the halachos regarding a Jew who is sold to a nonjew. In passing, Rashi infers lessons about how nonjews often learn from Jews, and vice versa. This episode analyzes this tendency and the lessons we can learn from it.
May 12, 2023•10 min
The Mekalel
This episode pieces together different pshatim in Rashi to build a picture of the Mekalel, his background, and his sin.
May 10, 2023•46 min
The Mekalel’s Critique of the Lechem Hapanim
One explanation Rashi gives for the motivation of the mekalel to curse towards HaShem is his question of why the lechem hapanim were only eaten on the ninth day. This episode discusses a possible answer to this question.
May 05, 2023•7 min
Various Uses of אני ה׳
The Torah ends many pesukim with the phrase אני ה׳, I am HaShem. Rashi explains this differently in different places. This episode discusses a few of these (from this parsha - Emor), trying to explain the discrepancies.
May 03, 2023•44 min
The Torah Talks to your Yetzer Hara
The Torah (Vayikra 19:25) tells us that the mitzva of orlah will lead to your fruits being additionally blessed. Rashi explains that this promise is addressing your evil inclination which will be bothered that you have to work four years for no personal benefit. This episode discusses the message of this Rashi.
Apr 28, 2023•9 min
Avodas Yom Ha'kippurim and the Gematria of Be'zos
This episode discusses the claim that the gematria of be'zos in Avodas Yom Ha'kippurim references the 410 years of the first Beis Hamikdash.
Apr 28, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 7
My Mother A”H, Dale Carnegie, and Sever Panim Yafos
The Mishna in Avos 1:15 tells us to greet people with a pleasant countenance. This episode explores Rabbeinu Yonah’s interpretation of this Mishna. It also discusses my mother’s advice in this area and Dale Carnegie’s book “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”
Apr 26, 2023•45 min
Two Rashis in Tazria
Tazria: (1) vayikra 12:2 - tumah of man follows tumah of animals just like in Creation; (2) vayikra 13:51 - Tzaraas mameres: two facets of Tzaraas
Apr 19, 2023•33 min
Dan Lekaf Zechus and the Middle Path
The Mishna in Avos 1:6 tells us to judge a person favorably. This episode discusses the Rambam’s explanation of this Mishna in which he provides a methodology for judging other people’s actions. It also discusses the relevance of dan lekaf zechus to the Gemara in Shabbos 55b which says that Dovid and Shlomo didn’t sin (in the way that the plain reading of the pesukim imply). Furthermore, this episode discusses the benefits of the middle path and why chassidim diverge from this path slightly towa...
Apr 16, 2023•1 hr 58 min
Afilu kulanu chachamim…
Even before telling us about the basic mitzva of sipur, the hagadah tells us that even the greatest chachamim are obligated in it. This episode explores why.
Apr 05, 2023•9 min
Lashon Hara and the Big Three
The Gemara in Arachin 15b says that one who speaks lashon hara, his sins become big like the big three sins (murder, avoda zara, and gilui arayos). It brings support from pesukim which use the world “gadol” in all these instances. This episode analyzes this difficult Gemara, providing new insight about lashon hara and about “The Big Three.”
Mar 31, 2023•18 min
Yachol Mai’Rosh Chodesh…
This episode discusses the Yachol Mai’Rosh Chodesh… part of the Pesach Hagadah.
Mar 30, 2023•38 min
Why is ha lachma anya in Aramaic?
The Avudraham and Ritva explain that ha lachma anya is in Aramaic so that the malachai hasharais (who don’t understand Aramaic) won’t hear us praising ourselves and then argue that we aren’t really fit to be redeemed. This episode addresses many difficulties with this pshat. In doing so, it also explains why we begin maggid with ha lachma anya, a cryptic and seemingly disconnected paragraph.
Mar 29, 2023•36 min
The Chatas for the Sin of the Tzibur
The Torah describes the Chatas for a tzibur who sins by following the incorrect psak of Sanhedrin. Rashi deduces from the passuk that such a sin somehow undermines the kedushas hamikdash. This episode analyzes this Rashi through looking carefully at the mashal he brings.
Mar 24, 2023•12 min
The Chatas of the Kohen Gadol and of the Nasi
Rashi tells us that when the Kohen Gadol sins - even accidentally -it is bad for the nation. On the other hand, when the king sins and seeks atonement for the sin, it is good fortune for the nation. This episode tries to explain the reason for the discrepancy between these two people.
Mar 21, 2023•14 min
Sukka 52a Seven Names for the Yetzer Hara #4
Cont
Mar 21, 2023•31 min
Sukka 52a Seven Names for the Yetzer Hara #3
Cont
Mar 17, 2023•33 min
Mishkan Ha’eidus
In 38:21, Rashi says that the Mishkan is called the Mishkan Ha’eidus because it is a testimony to the fact that HaShem overlooked the chet ha’eigel. This episode discusses the significance of this testimony.
Mar 17, 2023•7 min
Sukka 52a Seven Names for the Yetzer Hara #2
continued
Mar 14, 2023•39 min
Two Equal Luchos
The Torah (Shmos 31:18) tells us about the Luchos but describes the two of the them by writing the word לחת, which appears to be singular. Rashi says that this teaches that the two Luchos are equal. This episode probes the meaning of this Rashi by analyzing the significance of the two Luchos.
Mar 10, 2023•12 min
Gesundheit: The Wonder of Illness
Gesundheit: The Wonder of Illness
Mar 10, 2023•1 hr 36 min
Eulogy for the Yetzer Hara
The Gemara in Sukkah 52a tells us that at the end of days, Hashem will slaughter the yetzer hara and show tzadikim and reshaim its true nature - this will lead to both groups eulogizing it. This episode analyzes this strange gemara.
Mar 10, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Seven Names of the Yetzer Hara #1
The Gemara in Sukkah 52a says that the yetzer hara is called by seven names. This episode analyzes the first few of them.
Mar 09, 2023•37 min
Purim Episode: Arrur Haman and Baruch Mordechai
We all know that we are obligated to drink until we can’t differentiate between Arrur Haman and Baruch Mordechai. Why is this the amount? On a different note, Rashi (5:13) says that what really enraged Haman was that Mordechai showed him a contract in which Haman sold himself to Mordechai as a slave. It sounds hard to understand why Mordechai would make such a move. This episode discusses these two points and develops a new perspective on the celebration of Purim.
Mar 07, 2023•23 min
Esther Wore Ruach Hakodesh
The megilla (5:1) tells us that Esther wore malchus when she entered the king’s chamber. Rashi says that while plain pshat is that she wore bigdei malchus, the drasha is that she wore ruach hakodesh. This episode explores the meaning of this statement.
Mar 03, 2023•11 min
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