Today’s Talmud page, Gittin 72, explains that a request for a divorce decree to be written must be made verbally, and not just in writing. Alex Pappademas, author of Quantum Criminals: Ramblers, Wild Gamblers, and Other Sole Survivors from the Songs of Steely Dan joins us to discuss the importance of words in expressing our deepest emotions, and the ways that the lyrics of Steely Dan, as written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen did this in their songs. What can we learn from the song ‘Rikki Don't Lose That Number”? Listen and find out.

Like the show? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Send us a note at [email protected]. Follow us on Twitter at @takeonedafyomi and join the conversation in the Take One Facebook group.

Take One is a Tablet Studios production. The show is hosted by Liel Leibovitz, and is produced and edited by Darone Ruskay, Quinn Waller and Elie Bleier. Our team also includes Stephanie Butnick, Josh Kross, Robert Scaramuccia, and Tanya Singer. 

Check out all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.