The Rishonim

Source sheet:

⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lN-O34kPd8FSbtgsNGc8PhkOtgn5_B220OYA-Sk476M/edit?usp=sharing⁠

We grapple with the philosophy of the great poet Shelomo ibn Gabirol, whose identity as the author of Fountain of Life, a highly influential work for Medieval Christain scholasticism, was hidden under the name "Avicebron." In bringing this work back to its Jewish context, we puzzle over its metaphysics, connect it to ibn Gabirol's poems, and use this book and other philosophical writings of Shelomo ibn Gabirol to ponder his legacy as a key figure in Jewish thought and even kabbalah.

For more sheets and other info check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Source Sheet:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nTbnPdB3EcACb-gLjd7YL3Ol0ND1akVT/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=113373638612291302231&rtpof=true&sd=true

A historical (and somewhat thematic) introduction to the development of piyyut and poetry. Rewinding a bit in history, we ask, where did all these Spanish poets come from? What's the deal with interrupting the prayers to sing rhyming songs?

For more sheets and other info check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Source Sheet: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lN-O34kPd8FSbtgsNGc8PhkOtgn5_B220OYA-Sk476M/edit?usp=sharing

Introducing the man who called himself "master of the song," the philosopher-poet Shelomo (Solomon) ibn Gabirol. By sampling from his poetry, we try to appreciate how he was indeed a master of both the poem and the piyyut, despite his exceptionally short and troubled life, and wonder about whether he belongs in the beit midrash as much as in the synagogue.

For more sheets and other info check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Source Sheet: 

⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FN86253bMbOADfXwkyq53FtxOPagkpknBGDctZy7bdA/⁠

This episode continues our discussion of the Rishonim's "Most Interesting Man in the World," by focusing on the writings - both lost and found - of Rabbi Shmuel ibn Naghrila, known as Shmuel ha-Nagid. We talk some halakhic positions, his attitude towards the Geonim, and various aspects of his thought that is cited by later Rishonim and that can be discerned from his gorgeous poetry.

For more sheets and other info check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠⁠⁠⁠

Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Source Sheet: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FN86253bMbOADfXwkyq53FtxOPagkpknBGDctZy7bdA/

This episode introduces the "Disney character" of the Rishonim, Rabbi Shmuel ibn Naghrila, known as Shmuel ha-Nagid. We explore his epic career through the lens of his own poetic compositions, talking about how he rose to the greatest social positions available at the time. How did this great religious scholar live so much of his life on the battlefield and in a Muslim royal court?

For more sheets and other info check out ⁠⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠⁠⁠

Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Source Sheet:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tqpV9_9uyDQiQBpKu5NAUCULz4j3JGbZL8MnC21e6Xg

On this episode, we meet Rabbi Nissim of Kairouan. We discuss his works and personality at length, showing his incredible efforts at synthesizing all of rabbinic literature together for generations of students, and also how he sought to make Torah more reasonable in responding to anti-rabbinic critics. Broadening the lens to look at Rabbi Nissim’s historical context, we also try to answer the question: was this man a “Gaon,” a “Rishon,” or both? 

For more source sheets and other info check out ⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠⁠

Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Source Sheet:  ⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RtogU6W81ocniuCG0F3H9Q5lJCuNa-Bji8kvt0v8yqM/edit?usp=sharing⁠

This is a second episode about Rabbeinu Hananel (or "Chananel"), discussing some of his more interesting and influential positions in halakha and philosophy. What did R. Hananel say, what did he believe, and how can his impact be seen on Judaism today?

For more source sheets and other info check out ⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠⁠ 

Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

Source Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Qv-bP9kAz7FZr4v3xywvlNbHGax7WDtkety7BuwNEA8/

This episode is about Rabbeinu Hananel (or "Chananel"): it covers some biographical deatails about his life and books, and then delves into his Talmudic commentary. What does R. Hananel's commentary do, and how does he do it?

For more source sheets and other info check out ⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠ 

Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at [email protected] 

Sourcesheet link:

This episode will discuss:

Source Sheet: ⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SNyNnVdFnZCoBTyuwf8ocJfCeTRGE7-t8pM-uW0TTpM/edit?usp=share_link

For more source sheets and other info check out ⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠ 

Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at [email protected]