Simply Deep

The Gemara in Chagiga 4b recounts some of Rav Bibi’s conversations with the Malach Ha'maves. This episode develops the idea that these conversations are a parable for Rav Bibi working through the area of justice in the context of a well-known story about the death of Mary. In the course of the discussion, this episode also discusses the idea of Mazal (the topic/title of an earlier podcast episode).

In Shemos 2:5-10, the Torah tells us about the daughter of Pharoah saving Moshe and deciding to keep him alive. Rashi, midrashim, and the Gemara in Sotah 12b provide some more details about what caused her to let Moshe live. This episode discusses these sources as well as the famous midrash about Moshe burning his tongue on the coals.

Rafi noticed that the Torah calls her Bas Pharoah five times without telling us her name. This episode suggests a possible explanation for this omission.

What is the Torah’s outlook on avoda zara and why is it so bad? By discovering two different types of avoda zara, this episode tries to deal with these questions.

The Torah (Shmos 2:11-15) describes Moshe’s initial entrance into Egyptian society. While the pshat describes a basic story of Moshe killing the Egyptian, Rashi adds many details to the story. This episode analyzes these details and shows how the midrashim provide a deeper insight into Moshe’s personality.

Rashi in Shmos 2:9 teaches that the daughter of Pharaoh unknowingly conveyed a prophecy when she told Yocheved, “take your own son”. This episode analyzes this enigmatic Rashi.

This episode deals with Ayala Cohen’s question on the episode about Shechem being a bad place.

This episode discusses the significance of the Rambam’s 12th Ikkar: Yemos Hamoshiach. By analyzing the text of the Rambam, we discover new insights into this fundamental principle.

In Parshas Vayechi, Yaakov wanted to tell his children about the of days, but HaShem prevented him. This episode takes up why he wanted to tell and why Hashem prevented him?

At the end of Vayigash, the Torah tells us how Yosef managed the land of Egypt during the years of famine. Among other things, he moved all Egyptians from city to city. Rashi (47:21) says that this illustrates the greatness of Yosef - for his intent was to prevent his brothers from being called ‘exiles’. This episode raises a few questions on this interpretation. The answers reveal a deeper insight into the greatness of Yosef.