Simply Deep
by Elie Feder
Latest episode
The Tragedy of Chizkiyahu’s Failure to be Moshiach
The Tragedy of Chizkiyahu’s Failure to be Moshiach
About this podcast
Although the words of the Torah, Chazal, and Rishonim may at times seem simple, they are deeply layered with profound insights and lessons. This podcast explores the hidden depths beneath seemingly straightforward statements in Rashi, Aggadata, and other Torah sources.
Episodes
The newest 50 of 386 episodes
- The Tragedy of Chizkiyahu’s Failure to be Moshiach · 49 minThe Gemara in Sanhedrin 94a describes how Hashem wanted to make Chizkiyahu moshiach but the midas hadin objected because Chizkiyahu didn’t sing Shira. We analyze this Gemara and…
- The reason Avraham gave his kids for following the path of Hashem · 32 minRashi in Breishis 18:19 explains that Avraham told his kids to follow the derech Hashem of tzedaka and mishpat in order that Hashem will bring upon Avraham that which He spoke…
- Hashem’s Bracha to Avraham · 43 minAt the beginning of Lech Lecha, Hashem blesses Avraham with multiple expressions of blessing. One Rashi connects the blessing of his name becoming great to adding a heh onto his…
- The Power of Yehei Shmei Rabba Mevorach · 53 minThe Gemara in Shabbos 119b says that anyone who says Yehei Shmei Rabba Mevorach will all his might, tears up his (bad) decree. The Gemara in Brachos 21b entertains interrupting…
- Asher Yatzar and Intelligent Design of the Body · 1 h 15 minWe analyze the bracha of Asher Yatzar based on the Gemara in Brachos 60b. We also discuss the Gemara’s Halacha of addressing angels before going to the bathroom.
- The Naming of the Isha · 15 minAdam named his wife Isha. Rashi (Bereishis 2:23) says that this teaches that the world was created with Lashon HaKodesh. What does this mean?
- The Naming of Noach · 20 minThe Torah (Bereishis 5:28) says Noach was named because he would bring rest to man after the curse of Adam. Rashi says this refers to the fact that he invented the plow. How did…
- What is the Livyasan (Leviathan)? · 54 minIn Bereishis 1:21, the Torah describes the creation of the taninim gedolim (big sea-giants). Rashi cites a Gemara in BB 74b that says this refers to the Livyasin and its mate…
- 3 Types of Teshuva · 36 minThe Gemara in Yomah 86a discusses three types of Teshuva: from love, from fear, and from afflictions. We analyze these types and their features.
- Hayom Haras Olam · 33 minWhy do we say this paragraph after each of the middle Brachos of musaf Rosh Hashana. How is it different from Zichronos? And what’s it all about?
- Vidui Maaser and Hashkifa · 35 minZoom summary: The meeting focused on understanding the meaning and context of the Vidui Maaser prayer, particularly the phrase "look out from Your holy abode from the heavens."…
- Why Does Hashem Trick Idolaters? · 36 minRashi tells us that Hashem tricks idolaters to worship the heavenly bodies (Devarim 4:19) and Baal Tzefon (Shmos 14:2). Why would He do this? It doesn’t seem just.
- Two Facets of Teshuva on Tisha B’av · 1 h 4 minWe discuss the two Halachik aspects of Tisha B’av and show how they have philosophical analogues which motivate two different types of Teshuva.
- Lessons on the Churban from Eliyahu Hanavi and a Bas Kol · 39 minThe Gemara in Brachos 3a recounts a story of Rabbi Yossi going into one of the ruins of Yerushalayim to daven, where he hears a bas kol singing like a bird and has a conversation…
- Why Couldn’t Moshe Judge the People? · 36 minDevarim: Rashi (Devarim 1:9) says that Moshe (and Shlomo) couldn’t judge the people alone because Hashem punishes Jewish judges for mistakes they make. We analyze the unique…
- Moshe’s Anger about Sparing the Daughters of Midyan · 43 minParshas Mattos: While Moshe got angry that the Jews left the daughters of Midyan alive, Rashi (Bamidbar 31:13) introduces a different problem that’s seemingly absent from the…
- How to Balance Hashem’s Hashgacha with the Laws of Nature? The Middle Path of Tefilla and Gratitude · 1 h 21 minThis shiur was given on the 13th Yahrtzeit of my mother, Shani Feder A’H.
- Bilaam’s Power · 9 minWhat would have happened if Bilaam was able to curse the Jews? Did his curses somehow have power?
- Aharon’s Argument with the Malach Hamaves · 43 minParshas Korach: When the plague threatened to wipe out the Jews, Moshe instructed Aharon to muse the ketores to stop it - a secret Moshe learned from the Malach Hamaves. Rashi…
- The Middas Hashem of Erech Apayim (Slow to Anger) · 16 minParshas Shelach: After the sin of the spies, Moshe begged Hashem to make His strength great, as He had previously said, “Hashem, who is slow to anger…” Rashi (Bamidbar 14:17-18)…
- Hashem’s Mussar to Aharon and Miriam · 40 minRashi (Bamidbar 12:4) explains how Hashem miraculously simultaneously spoke to Moshe, Aharon, and Miriam in order to rebuke Aharon and Miriam for speaking against Moshe. Because…
- Techiyas Ha’meisim and the Dry Bones · 1 h 27 minThe Gemara in Sanhedrin 92a-b discusses nine different approaches to understanding the Dry Bones Nevuah of Yechezkel 37, including whether it was literal or metaphorical, and who…
- Lessons from the Minchas Sotah on Avoiding Sin · 49 minParshas Naso: We follow Rashi’s path (Bamidbar 5:15-17) in explaining the details of the Minchas Sotah, the sacrifice brought by the suspected adulteress. We derive relevant…
- Moshe’s debate with Malachim about who should receive the Torah · 46 minThe Gemara in Shabbos 88b discusses a lengthy argument between Moshe and the Malachim whether man was fitting to receive the Torah.
- Massive Pearls and Mocking Chachamim · 38 minThe Gemara in Sanhedrin 100a tells a story of Rav Yochanan claiming that in the future, the gates of Yerushalayim will be massive pearls (30x30 Amos) that are hollowed out. When…
- Taking on Your Parents’ Punishment · 54 minWhen quoting your parent after their death, the Gemara in kiddushin 31b says that it’s kavod for you to say “I should be an atonement for their bed.” What does this mean? Rashi…
- Omer, Shtei Ha’lechem, and Rabbinic Curses · 1 h 1 minThe Gemara in Menachos 68b discusses a question Rav Tarfon asked in the Beis Midrash: why is a korban brought before the Omer passul while one brought before the shtei halechem…
- Achav and the Spirit of Navos · 58 minSanhedrin 89a and Melachim I:22 The Navi/Gemara describes how Hashem sent the spirit of Navos to seduce Achav to go to war (and get killed, as punishment for the death of Navos)…
- How to Give a Shiur · 1 h 17 minSource sheet for the shiur Steps in Giving a Shiur • Intro/Hook: sometimes vitally important, sometimes not needed at all • The Facts: read and explain clearly • The Questions…
- Kappara through Kohanim eating a Korban Chatas · 11 minRashi in Vayikra 10:17 deduces from the passuk that the kohanim eating a korban chatas brings atonement to the person who brings the korban. Why should this be?
- Why is a Metzora isolated? · 23 minThough we ordinarily think a metzora is isolated in order to break his addiction to social approval, Rashi (13:46) provides a different explanation: because he separated with his…
- Aharon’s Remaining Sons · 33 minThe Torah (Vayikra 10:12) refers to Elazar and Isamar as Aharon’s remaining sons. Rashi explains that they too were supposed to die because Aharon’s role in the egel warranted…
- Hashem Calling Moshe and How to Learn from a Rebbe · 28 minThe first Rashi in Vayikra says that before speaking to Moshe, Hashem called him - in a loving manner - unlike the way he speaks to non-Jewish prophets. He then says that this…
- The Miraculous Building of the Mishkan · 31 minRashi (Shemos 39:33) says that when the Mishan was too heavy for anyone to erect, Hashem told Moshe to pretend to lift it and Hashem would help him. Why?
- Why is an Avel patur in Tefillin? · 41 minThe Gemara in Sukkah 25a says an avel doesn’t wear tefillin because thy are called a pe’er — an adornment. Firstly, how so? And more importantly, so what? Why does this create an…
- Brisker Math: Unnatural Powers · 36 minWhat sense is there to numbers being raised to the 0 power? Or to a negative power? Or to the 1/2 power? To answer these questions, we have to define what exponents really are…
- Were Mordechai and Esther Married? · 43 minThe Gemara in Megilla 13b says that Esther would go right from sleeping with Achashverosh (and washing herself off) to sleeping with Mordechai. It’s hard to believe that such a…
- Esther or Hadassa? · 1 h 11 minThe gemara in Megilla 13a cites a 5-way machlokes about which was her real name and which name teaches an idea about her. We analyze these five positions and see what they're all…
- The Connection between Haman’s Lottery and the Death/Birth of Moshe · 38 minThe Gemara in Megilla 13b says that Haman was happy that his lottery landed on the month Moshe died. But he didn’t realize it was also the month he was born. What’s the…
- Zachor v’Shamor b’dibur echad · 39 minWhat’s the import of Zachor and Shamor being said by Hashem simultaneously ? And how does it relate to the other three examples of dibur echad that Rashi (Shemos 20:8) cites…
- The Difference between Honoring Parents and Idolatry · 33 minThe Rambam describes the origin of Avoda Zara as giving honor to created beings as a means of giving honor to God. Isn’t this what we do when we honor our parents?
- Moshe, Stop Davening! · 44 minWhy did Hashem tell Moshe to stop davening for the Jews when the Egyptians were chasing them? Rashi (Shemos 14:15) gives two explanations.
- Why Peter Chamor? · 10 minWhy is a donkey the only nonkosher animal that has a mitzvah with its bechor? Rashi (Shemos 13:13) gives two difficult answers.
- The Sad Parshas Vayechi · 35 minThe first Rashi in Vayechi gives two explanations why Parshas Veyechi is stuma (closed)—that is, it doesn’t start with a break as other parshios do. We analyze these two…
- The God of his Father Yitzchak · 40 minAfter being told Yosef was alive, Yaakov offered korbanos to “The God of his Father Yitzchak” (Breishis 46:1). Why not just say God or connect God with Avraham as well? Rashi…
- Micha: The Baby in the Wall and its Impact on Jewish History · 1 h 43 minRashi in Sanhedrin 101b cited an Aggada about Moshe’s discussion with Hashem about removing a Jewish baby (who ended up becoming Micha) from a wall in Egypt. This episode…
- 1. Yosef’s Bracha of Chein; 2. Yosef and the Brothers not Drinking Wine · 44 minThis episode discusses two Rashis on the pesukim describing when Yosef met Binyamin.
- The Connection between Lighting Candles and Children becoming Talmidei Chachamim · 34 minShabbos 23b discusses the reward for certain mitzvos and says the mitzvos of lighting candles (Shabbos and Chanukah) leads to children who are talmidei chachamim. We analyze this…
