Simply Deep

In Devarim 26:12-15, the Torah tells us about the “confession” a person makes after finishing the cycle of maasros. We analyze the significance of this mitzvah.

Why do we blow shofar in Elul? The Tur brings down three reasons.

The gemara in RH 16b says we blow shofar twice on Rosh Hashana to confuse the Satan. This episode analyzes Tosafos’s interpretation of this gemara.

The gemara in RH 16b says we blow shofar twice on Rosh Hashana to confuse the Satan. This episode analyzes Rashi's interpretation of this gemara.

This episode discusses the Rashi (Devarim 19:17) that says people standing before judges should view it as if they’re standing before Hashem.

The Gemara in Eiruvin 13b describes how the three year argument between Beis Shamai and Beis Hillel culminated in a bas kol saying, “These and these are the words of the living God, and the Halacha is like Beis Hillel.” The Gemara goes on to explain that the psak is like Beis Hillel because of various good middos they had. We analyze these middos and discuss why they’re relevant for halachik psak....

Yirmiyahu 9:22-23 says: “Thus says Hashem, "Don't let the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, don't let the rich man glory in his riches. But, let him who glories glory in this, that he has understanding, and knows Me, that I am Hashem who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness, in the earth, for in these things I delight,⁠" says Hashem.” Thi...

As we approach Tisha B’av, we gain some insight from the Gemara in BB 60b that discusses the basis of putting ashes on the head of the chassan—specifically on the place of the tefillin.

Rashi (Bamidbar 31:8) says that we killed Bilaam with the sword - the weapon of nonjews- because he tried to kill us with his mouth - the weapon of the Jews.

Rashi (Bamidbar 26:5) teaches that the Torah puts a yud and a hey around the names of the Jewish families to testify that the Jews lineage is pure, thereby undermining the ridicule of the nations who claim that the Egyptians had their way with the Jewish women.

In Parshas Pinchas, Rashi (Bamidbar 26:54) tells us that after dividing the land of Israel based upon size of the shevatim AND after the lottery confirmed this division, the lottery itself yelled out which shevet got which piece of land. Why was this massive miracle necessary?

This episode analyzes the basis of the mitzvah of kibud av va’aim and provides a helpful perspective on the mitzvah.

The episode analyzes the incident of the fiery serpents, with the assistance of Rashi.

Rebbe and Bar Kappara debate the value of joking around. Nedarim 50b-51a

The first Rashi in Behaalosecha explains the juxtaposition of the gifts of the nesiim to the parsha of the menora. Aaron was sad that neither he nor his shevet were involved in the Chanukas Hamishkan. Hashem assured Aharon that his portion—lighting and fixing the Menora—is greater than their portion. This episode deals with the many difficulties that can be raised on this Rashi.

While we can’t marry a male convert from Ammon or Moav, we can from Amaleik. Why?

This episode explores Hashem’s punishment to Naami. We analyze a few relevant Rashis.

After the Tochacha, when we confess our sins, Hashem says He'll rememeber the bris with Yaakov, with Yitzchak, and with Avraham. Rashi (Vayikra 26:42) explains why it switches the order of the avos.

Part 2 of a 2011 discussion around devoting ourselves towards learning Torah. This part discusses some motivations, strategies, and resistances to learning Torah.

The Gemara in Menachos 44a tells a fascinating story of a talmid who was about to succumb to a top Zonah until his Tzitzis miraculously slapped him in the face. After introducing her to Tzitzis, she ended up converting. This episode analyzes this story which is meant to show the great reward of mitzvos in this world.

Part 1 of a 2011 discussion about devoting ourselves towards learning Torah and balancing it with other parts of our life (like work).

Rashi (Vayikra 19:14) says that even though one isn’t allowed to curse any Jew (from Shemos 22:27), the Torah singles out a deaf person to teach that the prohibition is limited to the living. This seems like a strange way to teach this Halacha?! Besides answering this question, we discuss the nature of the issur of cursing people.

The gemara in Brachos 28b recounts that when Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai's students came to visit him when he was deathly ill, he began to cry? His surprised students asked him why...

The gemara in Brachos 28b teaches that when Rabbi Eliezer was sick, his students came and asked him for advice in attaining olam haba. He told them four things...

The Torah (Vayikra 13:51) tells us about Tzaraas mameres. Rashi/Ramban have three interpretations. We analyze these in light of the Ramban’s general comments about Tzaraas (Vayikra 13:47).