59. Tenuous Texts, Hot Air Balloons, and Shai Agnon: Not Your "Typical" Chalitza Case - Feat. Rabbi Jeffrey Saks

In this episode, Rabbi Jeffrey Saks delves into the intriguing world of Chalitza, a Jewish law procedure for dissolving a levirate marriage, through the lens of the Maharsham's Responsum (1:14). This complex case involves a hot air balloon ride, obscure texts, and an exclusive revelation about the Nobel laureate Shai Agnon's potential influence from this case. Rabbi Jeffrey Saks is the founding director of ATID – The Academy for Torah Initiatives and Directions in Jewish Education, in Jerusalem, and its WebYeshiva.org program. He is the Editor of the journal Tradition, Director of Research at the Agnon House in Jerusalem, and teaches at Midreshet Amudim. A three-time graduate of Yeshiva University (BA, MA, Semicha), Rabbi Saks has published widely on Jewish thought, education, and literature and served as Series Editor of The S.Y. Agnon Library at The Toby Press.