Legends of the Talmud

Ein Yakov on the Talmudic section in Gittin (Daf 56-58) that deals with the Destruction of the Temple.

Ein Yakov on the Talmudic section in Gittin (Daf 56-58) that deals with the Destruction of the Temple.

Ein Yakov on the Talmudic section in Gittin (Daf 56-58) that deals with the Destruction of the Temple.

The story of Har HaMelech, a mountain range that contained 600,000 cities each with 600,000 citizens during the reign of King Yannai.

The tragic story of how the metropolis of Tur Malka fell over the simple matter of a rooster and a hen, with Kabbalistic commentary from the Tzemach Tzedek and the Rebbe's father.

Onkelos the Convert, in his search for truth, uses necromancy to raise and interview three deceased enemies of the Jewish people: Titus, Bilaam, and Jesus.

Titus' triumphant return to Rome, and his painful demise.

Curing R. Tzadok; Titus destroys Jerusalem and the Holy Temple

R. Yochanan is smuggled out of a beseiged Jerusalem, where he first impresses, and then negotiates with, the wicked Titus

The life and demise of one of the richest women in Jerusalem

The three wealthiest families in Jerusalem launch a plan to save the city (plus: the crime of wasted talent)

Bar Kamtza betrays the Jewish people, Zecharya Ben Avkulus makes a fatal error, and Nero converts to Judaism

Bar Kamtza is humiliated, the Rabbis do not protest, and he hatches a plan to get revenge.

How R. Meir defeated Satan. Plus the mystical significance of peace, Shabbos, and clearing the way for repentance.

R. Meir saw in a dream that property he had saved was meant to be destroyed. Here's how he responded

The incredible story of Resh Lakish's confrontation with cannibals (or gladiators), with lessons for our own confrontations with the evil inclination.

Gibeon joined the Jewish people under false pretenses in the times of Joshua. Why did they feel the need to lie, and what can we learn from their unique role?

The strange story of R. Nachman's daughters, and Chassidus on the verse that motivates the story: "one man in one thousand I have found; one woman I have not found"

"One does not understand the words of Torah until one stumbles in them": making humilitating mistakes in public can solidify our Torah knowledge and make us better.

A deep dive into the spiritual causes of poverty, featuring a lively discussion about stepping out of Shul to eat during the Rav's speech on Shabbos.

Among the most celebrated qualities: one who is insulted and does not retort, one who is disgraced and does not answer, one who acts out of love and is joyful while suffering

A survey of the dangers of taking an oath, even truthfully, in our tractate and elsewhere in the Talmud.

A discussion of the eastern wind, a blistering breeze that warps wood and harms fertility in the Talmud and in Chassidus.

A discussion of the southern wind, a hot breeze that silences all other winds, in the Talmud and in Chassidus.

The Rabbis protest a Persian holiday; Writing G-d's name with intent; Why the Persian exile was worse than the Roman exile.

Lips in Kabbalah; How one rabbi survived a transaction that went south.

Whether islands like Cyprus are considered part of Biblical Israel; Israel's geography; A Kabbalistic discussion of Mt. Amnon, a Messianic part of our northern border.

The reward for poor people who give charity in spite of their hardships; Kabbalah on the names of Talmudic rabbis; The Rebbe's answer to people facing financial hardship

Outlawing bridal outfits; R. Chisda, Kohanim, and kindness; a survey of hyperbole regarding idols in the Temple

Outlawing music; Responding to those who harm you or take away your livelihood; the power of self-control

How Mar Ukva defeated his enemies by waking up earlier and going to bed later; The Rebbe's message to Hasidim who were engaging directly with those who opposed them

The Talmud lists the dire consequences of instilling "excessive fear" within one's family.

Trusting R. Evyatar; The Concubine in Giva; the inner meaning of "Eilu ViEilu"

Mazal Tov! The final Shiur on Ein Yaakov Sotah

How a Hasmonean Civil War led to the banning of Greek wisdom, and an explanation in Chassidus

The Talmud describes the state of decline of the world in the days leading up to the coming of Moshiach

Lost flavors and recurring curses since the Temple was destroyed; How Kaddish after Ein Yakov keeps the world afloat.

The importance and power of learning Torah despite challenges

"After the destruction of the Temple, men of faith ceased to exist". An explanation of "faith" in Talmud, commentaries, and Chassidus.

After the Temple was destroyed even delicacies, fine fabrics, and fancy glassware disappeared. Plus, a mystical deep dive into the Kabbalah of honey.

All about the miraculous worm that helped Solomon build the Temple--and a bit on the demon king (and wild rooster) that reluctantly facilitated it.

Another casualty of the destruction of the Temple: what happened to the Urim ViTumim from the Kohen Gadol's vestments?

After the Temple was destroyed, we phased music out of Judaism. How does this work with modern Halacha?

How one bad attribute led to another after the Destruction, culminating in the loss of many of our finest attributes

The inner meaning of the words "there is no inquirer, requester, or asker".

A journey through a long Mishna that lists the many things that have changed since the destruction of the Holy Temple

The downfall of infamous Jews is often tied to rebuke delivered too harshly.

Three inherent appealing divine gifts.

"He turned around and looked at them and cursed them in the name of G-d. Thereupon, two she-bears came out of the woods and mangled forty-two of the children."

Rav Kahana said to Rav Shimi bar Ashi: Is it true that you say that these palm trees of Babylonia have been in this place since the years of Adam the first man?