Legends of the Talmud
Classes on the legends of the Talmud (Ein Yaakov) in Tractates Sotah and Gittin, through the lens of Halacha and Chassidus.
Episodes
Sheep to the Slaughter
400 children sanctify G-d's name, 7 sons and their mother die defending the truth, as our story of the Destruction continues. Plus, Chassidus on the verse "we are as if sheep to the slaughter", with insights into Torah learning that lasts.
The Voice of Jacob
We continue the narrative of the Destruction with a reflection on "the voice is the voice of Jacob but the hands are the hands of Esau", a verse that indicates tragedy in the Talmud, but salvation in the Midrash and in Chassidus.
Seething Blood & Enemy Converts
Our tale of woe continues with the tale of more than the 3 million murdered by Nevuzardan during the Destruction of the First Temple. We also encounter the bubbling blood of Zechariah the priest and prophet, and meet a number of unlikely converts descended from our greatest enemies.
The Fall of Beitar
The massacre of Beitar, with Hasidic insights into the annual celebration on 15 Av that marks the day that we finally were permitted to bury the victims.
A Most Righteous Village
Three stories extolling the virtue of the holy residents of Kfar Sechanya--and a chilling explanation for their destruction.
City of 360 billion souls
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 Fall of Tur Malka
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 Raises The Dead
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.
The Downfall of Titus
Titus' triumphant return to Rome, and his painful demise.
Titus Profanes the Sanctuary
Curing R. Tzadok; Titus destroys Jerusalem and the Holy Temple
A Negotiation With Titus
R. Yochanan is smuggled out of a beseiged Jerusalem, where he first impresses, and then negotiates with, the wicked Titus
Marta Bas Baytus
The life and demise of one of the richest women in Jerusalem
The Billionaires of Jerusalem
The three wealthiest families in Jerusalem launch a plan to save the city (plus: the crime of wasted talent)
Kamtza & Bar Kamtza (Part 2)
Bar Kamtza betrays the Jewish people, Zecharya Ben Avkulus makes a fatal error, and Nero converts to Judaism
Kamtza & Bar Kamtza (Part 1)
Bar Kamtza is humiliated, the Rabbis do not protest, and he hatches a plan to get revenge.
R. Meir versus Satan
How R. Meir defeated Satan. Plus the mystical significance of peace, Shabbos, and clearing the way for repentance.
Dreams and Visions
R. Meir saw in a dream that property he had saved was meant to be destroyed. Here's how he responded
Defeating the Cannibals
The incredible story of Resh Lakish's confrontation with cannibals (or gladiators), with lessons for our own confrontations with the evil inclination.
The Gibeonites
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?
Witches and Talking Birds
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"
Learning From Our Mistakes
"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.
The Case Against Kiddush Club
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.
The Insulted Who Do Not Retort
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
Dangerous Oaths
A survey of the dangers of taking an oath, even truthfully, in our tractate and elsewhere in the Talmud.
A Harsh Eastern Wind
A discussion of the eastern wind, a blistering breeze that warps wood and harms fertility in the Talmud and in Chassidus.
A Harsh Southern Wind
A discussion of the southern wind, a hot breeze that silences all other winds, in the Talmud and in Chassidus.
Gabriel vs the Angel of Persia
The Rabbis protest a Persian holiday; Writing G-d's name with intent; Why the Persian exile was worse than the Roman exile.
Self-Preservation
Lips in Kabbalah; How one rabbi survived a transaction that went south.
Mt Amnon & Our True Borders
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.
Charity That You Can't Afford
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
An Idol in the Temple
Outlawing bridal outfits; R. Chisda, Kohanim, and kindness; a survey of hyperbole regarding idols in the Temple
How to Act When Justifiably Angry
Outlawing music; Responding to those who harm you or take away your livelihood; the power of self-control
Let G-d Handle Your Enemies
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
Don't Yell At Your Family
The Talmud lists the dire consequences of instilling "excessive fear" within one's family.
All Opinions Are Holy
Trusting R. Evyatar; The Concubine in Giva; the inner meaning of "Eilu ViEilu"
Siyum on Tractate Sotah
Mazal Tov! The final Shiur on Ein Yaakov Sotah
Greek Wisdom
How a Hasmonean Civil War led to the banning of Greek wisdom, and an explanation in Chassidus
Before Moshiach Comes
The Talmud describes the state of decline of the world in the days leading up to the coming of Moshiach
The Power of Ein Yakov
Lost flavors and recurring curses since the Temple was destroyed; How Kaddish after Ein Yakov keeps the world afloat.
Torah and Poverty
The importance and power of learning Torah despite challenges
Can I have faith and a savings account?
"After the destruction of the Temple, men of faith ceased to exist". An explanation of "faith" in Talmud, commentaries, and Chassidus.
Lost Sweetness
After the Temple was destroyed even delicacies, fine fabrics, and fancy glassware disappeared. Plus, a mystical deep dive into the Kabbalah of honey.
The Shamir Worm
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.
Deep dive on the Urim ViTumim
Another casualty of the destruction of the Temple: what happened to the Urim ViTumim from the Kohen Gadol's vestments?
The End of Music
After the Temple was destroyed, we phased music out of Judaism. How does this work with modern Halacha?
A Slippery Slope
How one bad attribute led to another after the Destruction, culminating in the loss of many of our finest attributes
No One Asked
The inner meaning of the words "there is no inquirer, requester, or asker".
What We've Lost
A journey through a long Mishna that lists the many things that have changed since the destruction of the Holy Temple
Utter Rejection
The downfall of infamous Jews is often tied to rebuke delivered too harshly.
A home, a spouse, and a purchase
Three inherent appealing divine gifts.
Elisha and the Bears
"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."
Adam's Forest
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?
Immortal City of Luz
Great Mitzvah of escorting a guest to safety; The founding of Luz, a city impervious to war, where no one can die
Mitzvos are Fruits
Life and death in Halacha; Organ donations; Why Mitzvos are called fruits
To Flee Is To Fall
Women going to war; A Chassidic perspective on the dangers of fleeing
A House, a Wife, a Field
An order for life, Torah study, and good deeds; Why there are 40-1 Melachos
Pinchas's Ancestry
The Rebbe on worries; Parentage of Pinchas; Why Pinchas slew Zimri
Dealing with Worries
All about Shovach; Advice for one who has anxiety
Goliath's Mother
Complimenting the wicked; invalid conversions; All about Orpa
Goliath's Great Fall
Beginning the Talmud's takedown of Goliath, champion of the Philistines.
Priest of War
How the Kohen anointed for battle encouraged his soldiers.
The Joker and the Scoffer
An exploration of the four "cults" that cannot experience Gdliness, with an emphasis on defining Laytzonus.
Who Flattery Harms
Further discussion of the unique punishments reserved for the flatterer.
Flattery Will Get You No Where
A deep dive into the Isur of Chanufa, with practical discussions of behaviors that count as forbidden flattery.
Flattering Herod Agrippa
Background on King Agrippa and an intro to the rules of forbidden flattery.
Hakhel: A Primer
A review of Hakhel in the Temple era, and the Rebbe's revival of its theme.
Honoring the Congregation
Can a Rav turn his back to the Ark when addressing the congregation? Does Kavod HaTzibur trump Kavod HaTorah?
The Power of Legends
Why people are drawn toward Ein Yakov and the legends of the Talmud; The unique power of Aggadah according to Chassidus
R. Abahu's Humility
Stories of how Talmudic geniuses remained down-to-Earth
Order in the Synagogue
Orderly prayers, orderly blessings
Taking Shortcuts
Why the key to long life is not taking a shortcut through a synagogue.
Talking During the Torah Reading
A comprehensive discussion of when, how, and if it is permitted to talk or learn during Kris's HaTorah.
Birds Hate Stingy People
A discussion of stinginess in Halacha, Chassidus, and, oddly, bird hunting.
All Who Bless, Get Blessed
A deep dive into the Talmudic statement, and its implications in Chassidus
Curses for Adulterers
The Talmud applies every curse at Mt Eval to adulterers. Rashi unpacks that.
R. Akiva vs R. Yishmael
An exploration of how two great sages build arguments across the Talmud
The Wrong Time to Pray
Moshe gets in trouble for praying for divine intervention at the Sea. Why?
Jumping into the Sea
Multiple opinions as to who jumped into the Sea of Reeds first, and what motivated them
Yosef's Language Barrier
How Yosef learned 70 languages overnight--and whether Hebrew counts as one of them
Why was Yosef even tempted?
We explain how a Tzadik almost committed a serious sin.
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