Simply Deep

The Gemara in BB 12b discusses the value of eating and drinking wine before learning. In doing so, it uses a very strange analogy. This episode uses this Gemara to derive important practical lessons about successfully incorporating learning Torah into our lives.

In Parshas Pinchas, Rashi on two consecutive pesukim seems to give contradictory perspectives on Moshe’s request for a new leader. In 27:15, Rashi highlights how, before his death, Moshe abandoned his personal needs for the sake of communal needs. Then in 27:16, Rashi imputes a personal agenda to Moshe’s request - that his sons will inherit his position. This episode addresses this apparent contradiction, highlighting an important duality in the attitude of Jewish leaders.

Despite her many years of pain and illnesses, my mother wrote the following before a life-threatening surgery: “As I hope you realize, the point of this all is to simply say, I thank God every day that I am truly blessed with happiness (to be cliche, Yiddishe Nachas). Bumps in the road are just that and make me appreciate what I have more.”

This episode analyzes these moving words by probing the theme of Hakaras Hatov, gratitude.

At the end of Parshas Chukas, the Torah tells us the story of the spies that Moshe sent to Yaazer. Rashi explains how these spies learned from the mistakes of the first set of spies. This episode tries to piece together the story of these second spies.

When Moshe tried to make peace with them, Dasan and Aviram said, “We will not go up!” Rashi explains that their words caused them to stumble. Since they said that they will not go up, in fact they only ended up going down (to the depths of the Earth). This episode addresses this strange correlation.

The Torah traces Korach’s lineage to Levi and not to Yaakov Avinu. Rashi explains that Yaakov davened not to be mentioned with Korach. This episode explores Yaakov’s motivation in making this request.

Rashi (Bamidbar 15:38) on Lo Sasuru likens one’s eyes and heart to spies which bring him to aveira. This episode analyzes this analogy to gain insight into avoiding sin.

At the very end of Shelach, Rashi brings Rav Moshe Hadarshan who “explains” many details of tzitzis in strange ways. This episodes discusses these drashos with an eye towards understanding the role of drash in general.

Gematria and the 613 Mitzvos

The Gemara in Chulin 60a discusses strange features of the bull that Adam HaRishon brought as a korban. This episode analyzes this Gemara with an eye towards methodology of interpreting cryptic Aggados.