On today’s pages, Zevachim 117 and 118, a poetic verse in Deuteronomy becomes a timeline of Jewish history, tracing how divine presence is experienced across eras. Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin helps us explore the shift from miraculous protection to mature partnership—and why the messianic vision is one of clarity rather than concealment. How does holiness change as we grow into it? Listen and find out.

On today’s page, Zevachim 116, the rabbis tell the unlikely story of Rahav, a woman defined by disgrace who transforms the very tools of her past into instruments of redemption. The Presidentscher Rav, Dr. Tevi Troy, joins us to explore how missteps, public failure, and even humiliation can become the raw material for leadership—and why the ability to reverse a narrative matters as much in politics as it does in the Bible. How do you turn your worst chapter into your greatest credential? Listen and find out.

On today’s page, Zevachim 115, the rabbis argue that there are moments when speech heals—and moments when silence does. Through Aaron’s tragedy, they suggest that quiet endurance can itself be holy. In an age of endless talk, what might we regain by holding our peace? Listen and find out.

On today’s page, Zevachim 114, the Talmud draws a hard line: you cannot forbid what is not yours. From ritual law to everyday life, the rabbis frame ownership as the precondition for moral responsibility. How does private property become the ground on which ethical life is built? Listen and find out.

On today’s pages, Zevachim 112 and 113, the Talmud examines why and how sacred service shifted from firstborns to priests and from private altars to a single Temple. Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin joins us to explain how this transformation reflects Judaism’s move from individual devotion to national religious life. What does it take for sacred service to change shape as a people becomes a nation? Listen and find out.

On today’s pages, Zevachim 110 and 111, the rabbis debate whether libations were offered during Israel’s years wandering in the wilderness. Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin joins us to show how this technical disagreement reflects two radically different ways of understanding Torah itself. Is sacred law fixed from the outset, or does it unfold through history and experience? Listen and find out.

On today’s page, Zevachim 109, the Talmud models how precision dissolves contradiction. We highlight an animated explainer from the YouTube channel of Joshua Waxman — watch it here. But before we get to the explainer, we stop to examine the explainer itself, with Professor Waxman joining us to discuss AI experimentation, its limits, and why human judgment still matters. What happens when clarity comes not from new answers, but from better questions? Listen and find out.

You can visit Professor Waxman's website: girsology.com

For the previous version of the explainer referenced in the episode, you can go here.

On today’s page, Zevachim 108, a pigeon’s head, a pinch of salt, and an olive-sized requirement spark a surprisingly elegant debate. Is sameness defined by substance, by function, or by obligation? As the rabbis slow everything down and refuse to rush to judgment, they remind us that clarity often comes from sharper questions, not cleaner answers. What does it mean to let a dilemma stand? Listen and find out.

On today’s page, Zevachim 107, the Gemara asks if the land of Israel keeps its holiness even without the Temple. Our discussion includes a visit to the National Library of Israel, home to the Rambam’s handwritten manuscripts. How does sanctity persist when the world changes? Listen and find out.

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On today’s pages, Zevachim 105 and 106, the Talmud explores the radical holiness of shemita, the sabbatical year, when produce itself becomes sacred and even transfers that sanctity to money. Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin joins us to trace how this law shaped Jewish farming, Zionist history, and modern Israeli life. What does it mean to live in a world where ownership pauses? Listen and find out.