Simply Deep

Simply Deep

By Elie FederReligion & SpiritualityJudaism
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Simply Deep episodes

  • Gematria: Kushis = Beautiful
    The Torah tells us that Miriam spoke about the isha kushis that Moshe took. Rashi says the Gematria of kushis (736) is the same as yefas maareh - beautiful. Just like nobody doubts the blackness of a kushis, so too nobody doubted the beauty of Tzippora - and yet Moshe divorced her. This episode analyzes these and other strange Rashis on this matter and probes the significance of using Gematria to teach them.
    17 min
  • Shura
    Ever wonder why we make rows after burial for the mourners to walk through? Listen to this episode to find out what it’s all about.
    39 min
  • Slow Birchas Kohanim
    Rashi (Bamidbar 6:23) says that the passuk writes an extra vav to teach the kohanim to give their beracha slowly and with proper intent. This episode discusses four different ways to relate to birchas kohanim and the relationship of these ways to the speed at which the kohanim enunciate their beracha.
    7 min
  • Benefit of Giving Maaser
    Rashi tells us that if we give maaser, then we’ll have a lot of money and if we withhold it, then we’ll only have a little. This episode considers how this works.
    59 min
  • The Two Mitzvos of Writing a Sefer Torah
    The Torah has two mitzvos to write a Sefer Torah: one for a regular person (learned from the passuk in Devarim 31:19 commanding us to write shiras ha’azinu) and one for a king (learned from Devarim 17:18). This episode analyzes the character of each of these mitzvos.
    23 min
  • An Insensitive Shiva Call?
    The Gemara in BK 38a describes Ulla’s remarks to Rav Shmuel bar Yehuda upon the loss of his daughter. His words are shocking and seem very insensitive to a grieving father. This episode analyzes this story and derives a message about giving nechama.
    20 min
  • Mathematics Pursuits
    In Vayikra 26:8 (bechukosai), the Torah tells us that when we are doing the Mitzvos, 5 of us will pursue 100 enemies and 100 of us will pursue 10,000 enemies. Rashi points out the mathematics of these pursuits is off: the ratio changed from 1:20 to 1:100. Rashi says that the lesson is that you cannot compare a few people doing the mitzvos to many people doing the mitzvos. This episode analyzes this Rashi and develops a framework for understanding the Brachos (and the klalos).
    35 min
  • The Undistgusting Beracha, Statistical Hashgacha, and Trusting in God instead of Doctors and Medicine

    The episode is an interactive discussion (even my bird and kids had alot to say) from 2016 about Rashi and Ramban on Vayikra 26:11 (Bechukosai). It covered a few topics: (1) Among the list of berachos that we'll get for keeping the mitzvos, the Torah says that Hashem won't be disgusted with us; (2) the Ramban discusses how hashgachas Hashem is at times manifest through statistical unlikelihood; (3) The Ramban says that when the Jews are fully keeping the Torah, we need not seek out doctors and medical advice but can instead rely totally on Hashem.

    1 hr

About Simply Deep

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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…