PODCAST · religion
It's Genius
by JewishPodcasts.fm
The great Talmudic commentators of the past century have produced some of the most profound and penetrating Talmudic analyses in history. These writings offer us a window into the profound depth and insight of Jewish law and tradition. But often these ideas are not accessible to many people because of their complexity. These audio presentations by Rabbi Elisha Friedman are intended to make some of these insights more widely accessible.
Episodes
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Ramban #46: Masei - Why List the Stops?
Explanation of Ramban - 33:1 - who cites Rashi and Rambam's explanations for why the Torah lists the locations where the Jewish people stopped in the desert. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue...
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Ramban #45: Matot - Half of Menashe
Explanation of Ramban - 32:33, 32:40 - debate between Ramban versus Ibn Ezra over the role of the half tribe of Menashe in the story in ch. 32, including the debate between Ramban and Rashi what percentage of Menashe lived outside Israel, and the debate between Mesech Chochma versus the Brisker…
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Ramban #44: Pinchas - Serach bat Asher's Lifespan
Explantion of Ramban - 1) 26:46 - what made Serach bat Asher so unique? Three approaches of Rashi, Onkelos and Ramban. 2) 26:13 - discussion of Rashi (and R. Moshe Hadarshan) and Ramban what criteria the Torah used to identify and divide the families in the census. This podcast has been…
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Ramban #43: Balak - Was Bilam a Prophet or Magician?
Explanation of Ramban - 22:5, 22:31, 23:4, 23:16, 23:23, 24:1 - debate over what Bilam's abilities were: Rashi (prophet) vs. Ibn Ezra (astrologer) vs. Ramban (magician), and discussion of Bilam's prophetic abilities compared to Moshe. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by…
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Ramban #42: Chukat - Does the Torah Quote Another Book?
Explanation of Ramban - 22:13, 19 - debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban about the book cited in 21:14, and the meaning of the two poems recorded in the Sixth Aliyah. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please…
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Ramban #41: Korach - When and Why Did Korach Rebel?
Explanation of Ramban - 16:1, 4, 5 - 1) Debate between Ibn Ezra versus Ramban whether Korach's rebellion was before or after the spies, 2) Who joined Korach's rebellion and why? A) Rashi - Korach wanted power, and got his neighbors from Reuven to join. B) Rabbenu Chananel - Korach led Leviim in...
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Ramban #40: Shlach - Did the Spies Lie?
Explantion of Ramban - 1) 13:2 debate between Rashi vs. Ramban about what the mission of the spies was, and whether sending spies was a mistake to begin with, 2) 13:27, 13:32, 14:37 - Ramban's theory that the spies told lies about the land of Israel This podcast has been graciously sponsored by...
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Ramban #39: Behaalotecha - The Order of Bamidbar
Explanation of Ramban - Introduction, 5:2, 5:6, 8:1, 9:1 - Ramban's comprehensive theory, versus Rashi and Ibn Ezra, for the order and central themes of Sefer Bamidbar, particularly the placement of Sotah, Nazir, Menorah, and Pesach Sheni. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by...
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Ramban #38: Naso - The Miraculous Sotah Water
Explanation of Ramban - 5:18, 5:20 - 1) Debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban what the Torah means in calling the Sotah water 'bitter', and the debate over what the Ibn Ezra's secret is. 2) Ramban's explanation that Sotah only happens when the Jewish people are worthy of a miracle This…
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Bamidbar #37: Bamidbar - Why Were the Leviim the Smallest Tribe?
Explanation of Ramban - 3:14 - Ramban's two explanations for why the Leviim were the smallest tribe, and discussion of Ohr Hachaim and Klei Yakar's (3:39) approach. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us...
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Ramban #36: Bechukotai - The Prophecies in the Rebuke
Explanation of Ramban - 26:16, Devarim 28:48 - discussion of Ramban's theory that the Vayikra tochacha refers to the first exile, and the Devarim tochacha refers to the second (current) exile, versus R. Avraham bar Chiya who argues precisely the opposite. This podcast has been graciously…
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Ramban #35: Behar - When was Behar said?
Explanation of Ramban - 25:1, 16:1 - when were parshas Behar (shemita) and Bechukosai (tochacha) said? Three way debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban where these parshas fit in chronologically. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to…
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Ramban #34: Emor - Minyan on Yom Tov
Explanation of Ramban - 23:2 - debate between Rashi/Ramban vs. Ibn Ezra whether 'moadim' includes Shabbos, and discussion of Ramban's insight that davening with a minyan on Yom Tov may be a Torah obligation. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead…
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Ramban #33 - Kedoshim: Prohibition of Shatnez
Explanation of Ramban - 19:19 - debate between Rashi vs. Ramban whether there is a reason for the kilayim prohibitions, debate between Ibn Ezra vs. Rambam vs. Ramban what that reason is, discussion of Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Ramban how to translate shatnez, and debate between Rashi vs. Ramban/Tosafos...
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Ramban #32 - Achrei Mot: Prohibition of Incest
Discussion of Ramban - 18:6, 18:18, 18:19 - debate between Rambam/Ibn Ezra versus Ramban why incest is prohibited, and discussion whether Ramban authored Iggeret Kodesh with a positive attitude towards sexual relations This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much...
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Ramban #31 - Tazria: Niddah and Menotoxins
Explanation of Ramban - 12:2, 12:4, 18:19, Bereishit 31:35 - discussion of Ramban's medical theory that there are toxins in menstrual blood, and the Dvar Avraham of Kovno's 1936 speech defending this notion based on the contemporaneous scientific notion of menotoxins. This podcast has been...
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Ramban #30 - Shemini: Kashrut of Sturgeon
Explanation of Ramban - 11:9 - Ramban's stringency that the scales of fish must be peelable, and the debate based on this whether sturgeon and swordfish are kosher, and the story surrounding Noda Biyehuda's permitting sturgeon. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm.…
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Ramban #29 - Tzav: Eating Korban on the First Day
Explanation of Ramban - 7:16 - about Ramban's halachic innovation that even Korban meat which can be eaten for 2 days, there's a mitzva to eat it on the first day specifically. And the Chacham Tzvi's extension of this to the Chagiga of the Seder, that must be able to be eaten on Erev Pesach This...
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Ramban #28 - Vayikra: The Reasons for Korbanot
Explanation of Ramban - 1:9 - debate between Rambam vs. Ramban what the reason for animal sacrifice is. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become…
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Rashi Shir Hashirim #2: Chapter One
Explanation of Shir Hashirim chapter one with Rashi's commentary This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us with a donation:...
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Rashi Shir Hashirim #1: Introduction
Introduction to Rashi's commentary on Shir Hashirim, versus Rambam's approach, and the question of why Shir Hashirim is connected to Pesach. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of...
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Ramban #27 - Pekudei: When was the Mishkan put up?
Explanation of Ramban - 40:2, 40:17, Vayikra 8:2 - debate between Rashi/Ramban vs. Ibn Ezra what date the Mishkan was inaugurated, and debate between Rashi vs. Ibn Ezra/Ramban when Shemos ch. 40 happened This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to...
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Ramban #26 - Vayakhel: Mishkan Building on Shabbos
Explanation of Ramban - 31:13, 35:2 - debate between Rashi and Ramban how we know it's forbidden to build the Mishkan on Shabbos, and Meshech Chochma's explanation as to why in Ki Tisa the Mishkan precedes Shabbos, and in Vayakhel it's reversed. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by...
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Ramban #25 - Ki Tisa: Was the Golden Calf Idolatry?
Explanation of Ramban - 32:1, 32:4, 32:5, 32:6, 32:21, 32:22 - reconstruction of the views of Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban about what the sin of the golden calf was and what Ahron's role in it was. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain...
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Ramban #24 - Ki Tisa: When did Moshe go up to Heaven?
Explanation of Ramban - 33:7, 34:28 - debate between Rashi/Tosafos versus Ramban/Vilna Gaon whether Moshe lived in Heaven two or three times, and discussion of the Vilna Gaon's revolutionary view of what Yom Kippur celebrates. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There...
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Ramban #23 - Tetzaveh: Kohen Gadol's Clothes
Explanation of Ramban - 28:2, 28:31, 39:24, 39:28 - debates between Rashi vs. Rambam vs Ramban and other commentators about the specific details of the Kohen Gadol's cloak and hat. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so...
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Ramban #22 - Terumah: When was the Mishkan Commanded?
Explanation of Ramban - Introduction to Terumah - discussion of the Rambam/Ramban debate about the purpose of the Mishkan, and the debate between Rashi versus Ibn Ezra/Ramban whether the Mishkan preceded the golden calf or came afterwards. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by...
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Ramban #21 - Mishpatim: The Order of Mishpatim
Explanation of Ramban - 21:1, 21:2, 21:15 - the approaches of Rashi, Ibn Ezra, and Ramban to explain the placement, theme and order of Mishpatim This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of...
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Ramban #20 - Mishpatim: When did they say Naaseh Vnishma?
Explanation of Ramban - 24:1 - the debate between Rashi versus Ibn Ezra/Ramban whether naaseh vnishma happened before Matan Torah or after This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of…
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Ramban #19 - Yitro: When did Yitro Come?
Explanation of Ramban - 18:1, 18:13 - debate between Rashi/Ibn Ezra versus Ramban whether Yitro came before the giving of the Torah or after. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of...
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Beshalach: Why Were the Bnei Ephraim in Israel?
Explanation of the mysterious tragedy of the massacre of Bnei Ephraim in Israel during Ephraim's lifetime, which is mentioned in Divrei Hayamim I 7:21-22, and the tradition quoted by Rashi in Shemot 15:14 about it. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much...
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Ramban #18 - Bo: 400 or 430 Years?
Explanation of Ramban - 12:40 - debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban how to calculate the 430, 400, and 210 years which are all part of the Exodus timeline. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us...
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Vaera: Frogs or Crocodiles?
Discussion of Rabbenu Chananel's view that the second plague in Egypt should be translated as crocodiles (!) rather than frogs (like Rashi, Ibn Ezra). And Abarbanel's explanation based on this as to how crocodiles ended up in freshwater, like the Nile River, to begin with. This podcast has been...
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Ramban #17 - Vaera: Pharaoh’s Free Will
Explanation of Ramban - 7:3 - about Hashem hardening Pharaoh's heart and how this fits in with free will and personal responsiblty. Discussion of the views of Rambam, Rashi, Ramban, Rav Yosef Albo, and Professor David Shatz's article. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by…
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Shemot: Moshe’s Speech Impediment
What was Moshe's speech impediment? Debate between Rashi/Ibn Ezra versus Rashbam whether it was a lisp or that he didn't speak Egyptian. And was Moshe's lisp ever healed? Debate between Rav Saadia Gaon versus Ibn Ezra/Ramban. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There…
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Ramban #16 - Shemot: The Secret Code of Redemption
Explanation of Ramban - 2:23, 3:18 - about Moshe's code to prove he was the redeemer, and the debate between Ramban and Maharal how this worked. Including debate about how old Moshe was when he fled Egypt, and what he did during his years of wandering. This podcast has been graciously sponsored…
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Ramban #15 - Vayechi: What Chanukah Celebrates
Explanation of Ramban - 49:10 - about Yaakov giving the monarchy to the tribe of Yehuda, and why there were exceptions to this, including the Maccabees, and whether they sinned by becoming kings. Including the debate between Rambam and Ramban whether Chanukah celebrates political sovereignty as...
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Ramban #14 - Vayigash: Did Yaakov Ever Know Who Sold Yosef?
Explanation of Ramban - 45:27 - the debate between Rashi and Ramban whether Yaakov ever found out the truth that the other brothers had sold Yosef? Rashi - he knew the details, Ramban - he never knew. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to...
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Ramban #13 - Vayigash: Yocheved’s Birth
Explanation of Ramban - 46:7, 46:15, 17:17 - debate between Rashi and Ramban versus Ibn Ezra as to when Yocheved was born, and why the Torah omits some of the incredible miracles which are recorded in the Midrash This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much...
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Ramban #12 - Miketz: Why Didn’t Yosef Contact His Father?
Explanation of Ramban 42:9 - why didn't Yosef contact his father to let him know he was alive? Discussion of Tosafos' 2 answers, Ramban's approach, and the discussion surrounding Ramban's approach. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain...
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Ramban #11 - Vayeshev: Tamar’s Yibum
Explanation of Ramban - 1) 38:3, 38:5 - explanation of Yehuda's three older sons' names and who named them, and 2) 38:8, 38:26, 46:2 - debate between Rashi and Ramban what the purpose of yibum is (a memorial versus the kabbalistic concept of reincarnation) and whether Yehuda's marriage to Tamar…
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Ramban #10 - Vayishlach: The Killing of Shechem
Explanation of Ramban 34:7, 34:13, 48:22 - a wide-ranging debate between Rambam and Ramban as to Shimon and Levi's justification for killing the men of Shechem and why Yaakov was upset with them, and what the seven Noahide laws are. This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm....
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Ramban #9 - Vayetze: Yaakov’s Dream
Explanation of Ramban 28:12, 32:3, 35:18 - what was the message of Yaakov's dream? Why were the angels going up and only afterwards down? Discussion of three approaches: Rashi - the dream is about angels who serve Yaakov; Ramban/Ibn Ezra - it's a message about the total power of God; Rambam - the...
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Ramban #8 - Toldot: Was Yitzchak Poor?
Explanation of Ramban 25:34 - the debate between Ibn Ezra versus Ramban and Rashi as to whether Yitzchak was rich or poor This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish…
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Ramban #7 - Chaye Sarah: Where Did Avraham Live at the Akedah?
Explanation of Ramban - 1) 23:2 - debate between Rashi and Ramban where Avraham was living when Akedat Yitzchak happened, and whether Sarah died because of the Akedah (and how old Yitzchak was at the Akeda), 2) 24:62 - where Avraham lived after Sarah's death and who he married This podcast has…
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Vayera: Avraham’s Tent
Did the story of the angels visiting Avraham (Bereshis ch. 18) happen on Succos or Pesach? This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support...
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Ramban #6 - Vayera: Avraham’s Angelic Visitors
Explanation of Ramban 18:1, 18:3 - Debate between Rambam and Ramban whether the angels appeared in physical form or in a prophecy, and debate between Rashi and Ramban whether Avraham knew they were angels or was fooled that they were people This podcast has been graciously sponsored by...
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Ramban #5 - Lech Lecha: Avraham’s Birthplace
Explanation of Ramban 11:28, 11:32, 12:1, 12:2 - debate between Rashi/Ibn Ezra versus Ramban where Avraham was born, debate between Rashi/Ramban versus Ibn Ezra where he got commanded 'Lech Lecha', and debate between Ramban and Maharal why Avraham was the one chosen This podcast has been…
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Ramban #4 - Noach: Who Defiled Noach?
Explanation of Ramban - 1) 6:10, 9:18, 10:21 - debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban about the birth order of Noach's sons and debate between Rashi/Ramban/Rav Saadia Gaon versus Ibn Ezra about who defiled Noach (Cham or Canaan) and 2) 9:26 - Ibn Ezra and Ramban on the curse of Canaan. This...
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Bereishit: Tree of Life in Gan Eden
What was the 'tree of life' mentioned in the Torah alongside the 'tree of knowledge'? This podcast has been graciously sponsored by JewishPodcasts.fm. There is much overhead to maintain this service so please help us continue our goal of helping Jewish lecturers become podcasters and support us...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The great Talmudic commentators of the past century have produced some of the most profound and penetrating Talmudic analyses in history. These writings offer us a window into the profound depth and insight of Jewish law and tradition. But often these ideas are not accessible to many people because of their complexity. These audio presentations by Rabbi Elisha Friedman are intended to make some of these insights more widely accessible.
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JewishPodcasts.fm
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How many episodes does It's Genius have?
It's Genius currently has 209 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is It's Genius about?
The great Talmudic commentators of the past century have produced some of the most profound and penetrating Talmudic analyses in history. These writings offer us a window into the profound depth and insight of Jewish law and tradition. But often these ideas are not accessible to many people because...
How often does It's Genius release new episodes?
It's Genius publishes regularly with 209 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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It's Genius is created and hosted by JewishPodcasts.fm.
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