Simply Deep

The Gemara in Sukkah 52a says that the yetzer hara is called by seven names. This episode analyzes the first few of them.

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.

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.

Rashi (Esther 2:11) tells us that Mordechai and Dovid were shown hints of future salvation. He uses this to explain why Mordechai went to check on Esther daily. This episode discusses the significance of these hints.

The beams of the Mishkan were made from atzei shittim. Where did they get this wood on the desert? Rashi (Shmos 25:5 and 26:15) tells us that Yaakov Avinu planted trees in Egypt in preparation for the wood of the Mishkan. This episode draws two lessons from this claim.

Despite my mother’s many illnesses, she was very happy with her portion in life. This episode discusses this midda and how one can try to attain it. It also discusses: Abraham’s lack of realization of Sarah’s beauty, the paradox of humility of great people, and the prohibition of coveting.

Shmos 22:21-23 tells us that one who oppresses a widow or orphan will be killed with a sword, making his wife and children into widows and orphans. Rashi adds that they will be permanently so. In this episode, Ezra discusses the justice of such extreme punishments.

Rashi in Shmos 22:30 tells us that dogs are given tereifos as a reward that they didn’t bark at the Jews on the night of Makas Bechoros. Rashi says that this demonstrates that HaShem doesn’t withhold reward from any creature. This episode discusses how it’s possible to apply reward to an animal who has no free will and how this can be used as a lesson to HaShem’s reward in general.

Rashi (Shmos 22:30) tells us that if we are kadosh by abstaining from eating neveilos and tereifos, then we are “to God.” If not, not. This episode discusses this meaning of this puzzling statement.

Rashi in Shmos 19:2 teaches that just as the Jews were in a state of teshuva at Sinai, they did teshuva before they left Rifidim. What is the significance of this seemingly trivial detail? To understand this Rashi, this episode traces the events of Refidim to learn important and surprising lessons about the (continuous) battle against Amaleik.