Legends of the Talmud

Isi Ben Yehuda recounts the praises of several famous sages of the Talmud. Many of his praises are, at first glance, difficult to understand and/or somewhat insulting. This episode explores these praises in context, with insights from Chassidus.

The Talmud describes several decrees made for the benefit of peace, and then finished the fifth chapter of Gittin with yet another story of the argumentative but brilliant Sage Geneiva. We explore the deeper Kabbalistic dimension behind Geneiva's central claims, and provide more background on his story.

Is the majority of Torah in writing or oral tradition? Also: Brief halachic discussion of writing individual verses, and a Chassidic approach to decrees that overturn Torah law.

The debate over whether the Torah was given as a single sealed document or as a series of scrolls, explained with Chassidus

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.

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

A discussion of the rights and privileges afforded a Kohen; The Chassidic depth behind the notion that the entire Torah was given because of peace and is synonymous with peace

Moshe, Rebi, and Rav Ashi are highlighted as the only individuals who had "Torah and Greatness in one place". Today's class discusses why others between these luminaries were disqualified, and how the Rebbe uses this to teach us all a lesson about consulting with others.

Our discussion of the Destruction concludes with an assessment of what caused our exile, and a celebration of the redemption that awaits us.

Two tales of Jewish people kidnapped by Rome around the time of the Destruction of the Second Temple; A mystical perspective on G-d mourning the loss of Yom Tov in the Bes HaMikdash

Estimates of those massacred at Beitar; the beautiful sons of Jerusalem; the schoolchildren's uprising; the importance of holy images; finding blessings in the Torah's Admonition

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.

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.

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 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.

Three stories extolling the virtue of the holy residents of Kfar Sechanya--and a chilling explanation for their destruction.

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.