Al HaRishonim
Al HaRishonim
35 episodes 1 show
Popular Shows
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Name
Release Date
Duration
1
Adar - The Sound That Defeats Haman
Adar - The Sound That Defeats Haman
Feb 20, 2026
32:05
How to donate to the Mishkan today (without spending any money) [Regarding the Midrash Tanchuma: my explanation is more like the nusach of the Menoras HaMaor (AlNekave) vol 3. p. 277] Why do Chazal make the joy of Adar connected to the sadness of Av? (כשם ש... כך משנכנס אדר) The Shitta Mekubetzes (... and his Klalei HaShas waiting to be published) Where the Arizal wrote his name in our Shitta Mekubetzes Was Rav Shmuel bar Shilas a Talmid Chacham Is “Shilas” the name of a man or a woman ? Understanding his name - and the yesod to battle Amalek
2
Vayeishev Chanuka
Vayeishev Chanuka
Dec 12, 2025
32:03
Why Chanuka Seudos are greater than all other Seudos. Why are there blood libels nowadays? Why do only 8 psukim in the Parsha not start with the letter Vav? The importance of Bris Millah to our Parsha and Chanuka.
3
Parshas Vayechi - January 1st
Parshas Vayechi - January 1st
Jan 2, 2026
29:04
Now the happiest day for klal Yisrael on the English calendar. Parenting lessons in the Parsha. Why we give the bracha to be like Ephraim and Menashe.
4
Shemos 5786
Shemos 5786
Jan 9, 2026
33:19
What does it meant to be a good boy? Getting married at the age of 1 (!?) What was the plan when putting Moshe in the water? Did the Rashbam call the Shemos Rabbah one of the Seforim Chitzonim? Did Moshe Rabbeinu have a speech impediment? Did Jews wear gloves all the time? Harmless Handshake or Chukas Akum?
5
"Midrashim" which are not Midrashim
"Midrashim" which are not Midrashim
Jan 14, 2026
8:49
This shiur is essential for anyone beginning to study the meforshim on Chumash, and especially for those who quote or reference them without a firm grounding in their origins and methodology. The episode clarifies a common misconception: many seforim that include the word “Midrash” in their title are not midrashic works at all, but later compositions in which “Midrash” functions merely as the name of the sefer. Understanding this distinction is critical for accurate learning, citation, and interpretation of Torah sources.
6
Thoughts on Parshiyos Shemos and Va’Eira
Thoughts on Parshiyos Shemos and Va’Eira
Jan 16, 2026
17:30
How was Moshe able to go in and out of Pharaoh’s palace? Also: Could anyone be shevet Levi in Mitzrayim? An interesting possibility to say in the Ramban.
7
Dtzach Adash Bachav (?) - What do the words mean?
Dtzach Adash Bachav (?) - What do the words mean?
Jan 23, 2026
30:41
Is d’tzach a’dash b’achav just gibberish?How did the Rishonim actually pronounce דצ”ך עד”ש באח”ב?The lost pronunciation Rabbi Holzer “accidentally” uncoveredWhy was its pronunciation concealed? The one day all agree it can be pronouncedWhat does the mnemonic really mean?
8
Understanding Yisro: Who Was Ready for Sinai?
Understanding Yisro: Who Was Ready for Sinai?
Feb 6, 2026
32:50
Why Parshas Yisro is intentionally out of order Why Moshe’s children’s names appear here—again Why the Torah keeps calling them “her children” Why did Moshe send Tzippora away? How could Moshe's wife and children miss Mattan Torah? What type of lawsuits did they have in the Midbar at this point?
9
Making sense of Mishpatim
Making sense of Mishpatim
Feb 13, 2026
35:30
Why is slavery the first Mishpat in the Parsha? Why does he go free after specifically 6 years? Why was the first mitzvah in Mitzrayim about slavery? Is there any order to the Mitzvos in the ParshaWas everybody really a slave in Mitzrayim? Kelm on the Parsha Pshat in the song - עברי אנכי ואת ה' אלקי השמים אני ירא How do you read Rashi (psukim in Vayikra were said at Har Sinai/ leil Yetzias Mitzrayim?!)
10
Is not shaving during sefira a goyish idea ?!
Is not shaving during sefira a goyish idea ?!
May 1, 2026
35:00
Why we play games on Lag Ba'Omer A fascinating opinion from the Ramchal's Rebbe, Rav Moshe Dovid Valle, regarding shaving during Sefira. Can a Nazir shave their beard? The minhag of Yeshivas Chafetz Chaim and Rav Soloveitchik regarding shaving The missing page from Sefer Kushyos Finding 8 pages missing from the Cambridge Manuscript The Chasam Sofer regarding shaving The Chavos Yair and his illustrious grandmother The Chavos Yair on various minhagim Did the Rama M'Pano have a beard? The great debate