On hierarchy and miscommunication

What does Power reveal about Shaul?

I did not know Avidan before we recorded this. We hit it off. It's a very cool Maamar with lots of different applications. Just trust me, this one's really cool.

After being Facebook friends for years, I finally "meet" Aryeh and get into a really good conversation, telling stories, pulling books off shelves, making interesting observations, and its going great until we realize we need to start recording the episode. I think this is the best one so far. This episode goes lots of different places and a covers…

PY Pesach, Samech Tet. A favorite of mine. Just Akiva on this one

The thing about R. Klapper is that I genuinely do not know where he's gonna end up when he starts talking. This goes to some fun places.

Our first episode with a guest welcomes Avigayil Halpern, author of the "Approaching" parsha substack and namer of this podcast, to talk with us about Shavuot 13, and the possible applications of a wider definition of limmud Torah.

Episode One of my "Judaism from the Ground Up" series, an attempt to articulate a philosophy of Judaism for those who, like me, have had a lot to rethink over the past 6 years or so. In this episode: Order vs. Chaos, Tzimtzum, Division of Labor in society, words I may or may not have pronounced correctly.…

A New Podcast Series, with guests (hopefully). This episode with me, Akiva Weisinger, talking about Purim 4

The Kli Yakar and his commentary are discussed. Heinreich Graetz is dragged. The ramifications of secret chavrutas in the Moreh Nevuchim are explicated. Future episodes are alluded to. Paternity is hedged. Manichaeism is too briefly mentioned. The line between mysticism and rationalism is blurred. The color red becomes important at one point. Half-…

Why have I had a religious crisis? What is this series trying to do?

Binaries are proposed and rejected. The author's alma mater is briefly mentioned. Italians' rationality is defended. Historical headcanons are proposed. Context is continuously provided. Quotes are read in a haughty voice. Aesthetics become spiritual, but are clumsily explained. The limits of ethical apologetics are pondered. The ability to step ou…

Part 10 of the "Who the Heck is that Guy" series. Modernity is discussed, existence is pondered, paths around the sun are considered. Comparisons to hit musicals are made, prolific writing is marveled at, our protagonist rapidly gain power and just as rapidly loses it, rabbinic jokes are made and explained, the utility of questions is explained lin…

Part 9 of the "Who The Heck is that Guy" series Akiva wraps up the unit on medieval commentators with a roundup of commentators that are important but didn't get their own episode. Authors are thanked and remembered. Listeners are urged to read. Saadia Gaon is called a badass. Mahari Kara's name is mispronounced, maybe. Bechor Shor's astuteness is …

The Zohar is discussed. Stories of young firebrands getting shut down are told. Hearts are warmed. Things get a little raunchy. The limits of rationalism are probed. The word "theosophy" presents some trouble. Promised edits never arrive. The significance of sea monsters is discussed. Gaps appear between vocabulary and pronunciation. Davidic improp…

The relationship between religion and truth is pondered. The Ralbag is introduced. A joke about Maimonidean esotericism is clumsily made. An article is promoted. Stories are rationalized, naturalized, and reinterpreted. The podcast becomes PG-13. Some wacky comments of The Ralbag are read. Light misogyny and body shaming is awkwardly handled. Death…

The Baal Haturim is discussed, and defended. Our host's origin story is recounted. Codes are explained. Diagrams are needed but not provided. Names of siblings are revealed and interpreted.

The Ramban is discussed. Diversity is extolled. Sephardic and Ashkenazi learning styles are oversimplified. Genius is asserted. Pulp Fiction is quoted. The moral decay of strongmen is analyzed. Rainbows are directly observed. Christopher Lee is mentioned positively.

Ibn Ezra is discussed. Stars are railed against. Riddles are puzzled over. Palindromes are given and taken on faith. Bovine-based insults are explicated. Hamilton is invoked and millenials are pandered to. The nature of inconsistency and doubt are probed.

In our latest episode, Akiva talks about the Rashbam, what makes his commentary so out there, why Artscroll censored a rishon, and why Jack White's solo albums suck. Ancient Crimes are re-examined and new evidence is considered.

Rashi is cool. Let me tell you why.

We introduce our series about Biblical Commentators with an analysis of Humpty Dumpty and an outlining of the goals of biblical commentary.