Simply Deep

The Power of Yehei Shmei Rabba Mevorach

The 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 interr

Asher Yatzar and Intelligent Design of the Body

We 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

Adam 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

The 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.

What is the Livyasan (Leviathan)?

In 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

3 Types of Teshuva

The 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

Why 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

Zoom 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 hea

Why Does Hashem Trick Idolaters?

Rashi 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

We 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

The 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 conv

Why Couldn’t Moshe Judge the People?

Devarim: 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 uni

Moshe’s Anger about Sparing the Daughters of Midyan

Parshas 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

How to Balance Hashem’s Hashgacha with the Laws of Nature? The Middle Path of Tefilla and Gratitude

This shiur was given on the 13th Yahrtzeit of my mother, Shani Feder A’H.

Bilaam’s Power

What would have happened if Bilaam was able to curse the Jews? Did his curses somehow have power?

Aharon’s Argument with the Malach Hamaves

Parshas 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.

The Middas Hashem of Erech Apayim (Slow to Anger)

Parshas 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

Hashem’s Mussar to Aharon and Miriam

Rashi (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.

Techiyas Ha’meisim and the Dry Bones

The 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,

Lessons from the Minchas Sotah on Avoiding Sin

Parshas 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 relev