Simply Deep

After a brief introuction to gematria, this episode (from a shiur I gave a few years ago and wrote about in my book) discusses two interesting gematrias regarding Purim. The first involves the gematria of Haman's rov banav, many sons, which indicates that he had 208 sons. The second involves the gematria equivalence of hakesef, the money (that Haman offered Acheshverosh to kill the Jews), and ha'e...

The famous Gemara in Taanis 23a tells the story of Choni refusing to leave his circle until it rained, thereby “manipulating” Hashem to provide rain.

The Gemara in Chagiga 11b discusses the terrible sin of staring at a rainbow. One can help but wonder: Why is this so bad??? By analyzing the aftermath of the story of the flood, this episode explains this enigmatic Gemara and elucidates the significance of the rainbow.

Rashi (Shmos 35:27) says that the Torah left out a yud of nesi’m because their laziness caused them to offer to pay the balance of the funds for the Mishkan instead of paying first.

When the women brought their vanity mirrors as gifts to the mishkan, Rashi (Shmos 38:8) tells us that Moshe Rabbeinu didn't want to accept these tools of the yetzer hara. But Hashem told him that these were the most beloved gifts to Him because they were used to help build klal yisrael. It's also therefore fitting that the kiyor (which is made from these mirrors) is used to bring peace bet...

In Shmos 33:7, the Torah tells us that ALL who sought out Hashem would go to the Ohel Moed, i.e., Moshe’s tent. Rashi has two interpretations of ALL: (1) anyone who seeks out a Zaken is like they’re encountering the presence of the Shechina. (2) even the angels would seek the Shechina in the tent of Moshe. This episode analyzes these two pshatim.

Why is chelbana, a bad-smelling spice listed amongst the ingredients of ketores? Rashi says it’s to teach us to include sinners in our gatherings of Taanis and Tefilla. This episode discusses the lesson we can learn from this.

A strange Gemara in Shabbos 32a discusses thoughts that a person should have in various stages of illness - from having a mere headache, to being bedridden, to being on one’s deathbed. This episode analyzes the Gemara and provides a framework for utilizing illness to contribute to our growth.

This episode discusses two gematrias. One regarding the amount of gold used in the golden calf and the other regarding the amount of oil in the shemen ha'mishchah, annointing oil. 

This episode analyzes various Rashis to gain some insights regarding the Choshen and the Eifod (specifically the stones on the Eifod’s shoulder straps).

The first korban the kohanim brought in their inauguration was a par chatas. Rashi (Shmos 29:1) says it was a mechaper for the egel. This episode explores the significance of this connection. Along the way, we discuss ideas about the chet ha’egel, korbanos, kappara, Mishkan, and more.

Shabbos 30b

Shmos 25:21 and 26:15

Taanis 21b

Menachos 29b

Shmos 21:1; Morah Nevuchim 3:27 and 3:54

Shmos 23:7

Shmos 19:8

Shmos 19:4

While Yisro already knew about Hashem, Rashi (Shmos 18:11) says that the midda knegged midda expressed in krias yam suf showed him even more that Hashem was greater than all other gods. What does this mean? Did he previously know this or not? This episode answers this question by developing the idea of degrees of knowledge. It then discusses the value of the Physics to God podcast, even for those...

In Shmos 14:15, Hashem questions Moshe as to why he was Davening at that time (when the Mitzrim were chasing the Jews into the sea). This episode analyzes Rashi’s two interpretations as to why Moshe’s tefilla was inappropriate.

We’re all familiar with the description of Shabbos as me’ein olam haba, somehow partaking of the world to come. But what exactly does this mean? The source is a Gemara in Brachos 57b - I’m sure you’ll be quite surprised to hear the other two things that the Gemara says are me’ein olam haba.

The Gemara in Shabbos 28b discusses the Halacha that for tefillin to be kosher, they must be made from a kosher animal. In analyzing this Gemara, this episode develops several ideas involved in the mitzvah of tefilin.

In the middle of telling the story of the Exodus, the Torah (Shmos 6:14) digresses to review the lineage of Reuvein, Shimon, and Levi. This episode uses Rashi to analyze why the Torah does this and what lessons can be learned.

Why did Moshe have to leave the city to Daven to stop the barad and not the other Makos?