The Rishonim

The Rishonim

By ShmuelReligion & SpiritualityJudaism
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The Rishonim episodes

  • R Nissim: Gaon of Africa

    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]⁠

    2 hr 34 min
  • R Hananel II: His Commentary and Legacy


    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]⁠ 

    1 hr 41 min
  • R Hananel I: The Man and His Methods

    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] 

    1 hr 51 min
  • Intro II: Decline and Fall of the Geonic Empire

    Sourcesheet link:

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kLWjTHPxmD1NDESzpElZlS88TUbFxJYGN7CRLyzekLs/edit


    This episode will discuss:

    • The Geonim as heads of an intellectual empire

    • The uneven but inexorable decline of the Geonic hegemony 

    • Periodization: how do we know when an era is over?

    • How Rishonim came to replace the Geonim 

    • The story of “the four captives”

    • The city of Kairouan and its scholars

    • Two “founders’ fathers”: R. Hushiel, father of R. Hananel, and R. Yaakov, father of R. Nissim Gaon

      • 1 hr 19 min
    • Intro I: Setting the Stage - Amoraim, Savoraim, Geonim

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

      This episode will discuss:

      • Transitions between the Amoraim, Savoraim, and Geonim
      • The Iggeres (Letter or Epistle) of R. Sherira Gaon
      • Compilation of the Gemara by Amoraim and Savoraim
      • The three “C”s of Talmudic commentary
      • Literary output - and literary lacuna - of the Geonim 
      • Teaching and transmitting Torah in person and through texts 

        • 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] 

        1 hr 15 min
      • The Rishonim Podcast!

        What is this thing? It's a podcast about the Rishonim!

        For source sheets check out ⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠
        Theme music: “La Quinte Estampie Real,” from a recording available at musopen.org

        Cover art: “The Brother Haggadah,” The British Library, Oriental 1404 folio 9v


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

        5 min

      About The Rishonim

      From the publisher's feed

      In-depth discussions of the "Rishonim" and their books, the Medieval rabbinic scholars who transmitted Torah learning from the eleventh to fifteenth centuries. A bit of history, a bit of bibliography,…