This episode explores the depth and breadth of the law of Rabbi Nattan (Shi'abuda deRabbi Nassan) giving a creditor the right to claim directly from his debtor's debtor. We expand the idea into understanding the nature of networks and communities, legally, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

This episode deals with two comments by Rava, the great Rosh Yeshiva and Rav of Mechoza in Babylon, in connection with the practice of the Babylon depositing flour with Jewish families from which they had to bake bread for the garrison in the city. This had implications for Pesach and the day after Pesach.

Exploring the subtle difference between isurei hana'ah (commodities from which the Torah prohibits us from having any benefit) that have no present value but will have future value, and financial instruments that will mature in the future and, although they have no  inherent value in the present are tradable based on their future value.
R Shimon Shkopp, Shaa'arei Yashar 1:9
Ketzot Hachoshen, 386:7

The Tosfot Harosh reveals an understanding in Rashi and the Rambam that yields insight as to how and why Halacha deals with human experience even where this is not aligned with scientific reality. 

A new insight in Rashi about the limitations of the injunction "vechai bahem" - Live by Torah revealing the impossibility for the human being to evaluate the relative value of one life to another.

The episode explores the relationship between eating and other forms of pleasure. By analyzing two versions of a statement by Rabbi Avahu in the name of his teacher, Rabbi Yochanan, we develop an appreciation of how we can be physically nourished by intangible pleasures.

This episode teaches how to mine significance from technical passages of Talmud. Exploring the different methods of interpretation of the Chachamim and R Yehudah, we gain fresh insights into the law of Orlah (prohibition of eating fruit from trees in their first three years of growth), and the idea that more is sometimes less.

We show different qualities of honor to different personalities: Parents, scholars and one's own rebbe (teacher/mentor). Your own rebbe is the person responsible for your way of seeing the world and your method of learning Torah. He is the person who gave you your world-view, and the honor you show to him is different from any other. This episode explores why and teaches how to extrapolate ideas like these from text.

Artwork: https://www.bergsonart.com/acrylics-and-oils.html

Highlighting a difference in the views of  Rashi and R Peretz, we explore how economic value in a commodity can be destroyed by rabbinic legislation.

Hands are treated uniquely in Halacha and we wash them a lot! We wash in the morning, for davening (prayer), before meals, after meals, and the Kohanim wash their hands. Is it for cleanliness, or  for sanctity?