Simply Deep

We analyze Yaakov’s rebuke to the shepherds for not grazing their sheep.

Rashi (Bereishis 27:15) tells us that Yaakov wore the clothing that Eisav took from Nimrod. The Gemara in Psachim 54b says that these clothing originally belonged to Adam Ha‘Rishon and were created at Bein Hashmashos on Erev Shabbos.

This episode analyzes one expression of this enigmatic principle, perhaps shedding some light on the principle itself.

This episode discusses an apparent contradiction between two Rashis: In Bereishis 13:7 , he says that Lot had no right to take land in Eretz Yisrael because it wasn’t yet given to Avraham. But in Bereishis 23:4, he says that Avraham threatened to rightfully take land in Eretz Yisrael if they didn’t sell him a burial spot for Sarah.

The Gemara in Sanhedrin 65b describes Rava making a “man” and Rav Oshiya and Rav Chanina making a calf.

This episode surveys various writing of the Ramban to elucidate his theory on nisyonos—tests.

This episode discusses various ideas about Avraham’s Milah: (1) How and why Hashem helped Avraham do Milah? (2) The purpose of Milah acc to the Ramban; (3) How Milah completed the perfection of the remaining five of Avraham’s 248 limbs.

The Gemara in Sanhedrin 63a asks why the Jews spoke in plural when they said, “This is your god, O Israel.” Rav Yochanan says they hadn’t fully rejected Hashem—they included Him with the Egel. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai argues that joining Hashem with anything else is itself a terrible sin. We analyze this machlokes.

Rashi (Breishis 7:11 and 11:7) says that the words the Torah used to describe Hashem’s punishments of Dor Hamabul (rabba) and Dor Haflaga (hava) correspond to their sins. In explaining these strange examples of Midda knegged Midda, we uncovered fundamental ideas about the different sins of these two generations.

The Gemara in RH 16a cites a 5-way machlokes when/how often the world is judged. This episode analyzes this machlokes.