Sourcesheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WJ7XoKkEkvWhPRXTwmuHGGyVQkRf2ei58zWBRARp7r8/edit?usp=drive link The episode tackles the first (of five) essays of the great book by R. Yehudah Halevi known as the Kuzari. Building off of the previous episode outlining the book's framing and methodology, we see how this is applied to the primary question of Judaism: why the Jewish people? We take R. Yehudah Halevi's answer to this question seriously, while noting that it may not be representative of mainstream Jewish thought. For more sheets and other info check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out my Substack writing: ⁠Shmuel's Substack⁠⁠⁠ Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠

Source Sheet: ⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SNyNnVdFnZCoBTyuwf8ocJfCeTRGE7-t8pM-uW0TTpM/edit?usp=share link This episode will discuss: Transitions between the Amoraim, Savoraim, and Geonim The Iggeres (Letter or Epistle) of R. Sherira Gaon Compilation of the Gemara by Amoraim and Savoraim The three “C”s of Talmudic commentary Literary output - and literary lacuna - of the Geonim  Teaching and transmitting Torah in person and through texts  For more source sheets and other info check out ⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠  Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at [email protected] 

Source Sheet:  ⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RtogU6W81ocniuCG0F3H9Q5lJCuNa-Bji8kvt0v8yqM/edit?usp=sharing⁠ This is a second episode about Rabbeinu Hananel (or "Chananel"), discussing some of his more interesting and influential positions in halakha and philosophy. What did R. Hananel say, what did he believe, and how can his impact be seen on Judaism today? For more source sheets and other info check out ⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠⁠  Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

Source Sheet:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tqpV9 9uyDQiQBpKu5NAUCULz4j3JGbZL8MnC21e6Xg On this episode, we meet Rabbi Nissim of Kairouan. We discuss his works and personality at length, showing his incredible efforts at synthesizing all of rabbinic literature together for generations of students, and also how he sought to make Torah more reasonable in responding to anti-rabbinic critics. Broadening the lens to look at Rabbi Nissim’s historical context, we also try to answer the question: was this man a “Gaon,” a “Rishon,” or both?  For more source sheets and other info check out ⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠⁠ Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Source Sheet:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FN86253bMbOADfXwkyq53FtxOPagkpknBGDctZy7bdA/ This episode introduces the "Disney character" of the Rishonim, Rabbi Shmuel ibn Naghrila, known as Shmuel ha-Nagid. We explore his epic career through the lens of his own poetic compositions, talking about how he rose to the greatest social positions available at the time. How did this great religious scholar live so much of his life on the battlefield and in a Muslim royal court? For more sheets and other info check out ⁠⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠⁠⁠ Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Source Sheet:  ⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FN86253bMbOADfXwkyq53FtxOPagkpknBGDctZy7bdA/⁠ This episode continues our discussion of the Rishonim's "Most Interesting Man in the World," by focusing on the writings - both lost and found - of Rabbi Shmuel ibn Naghrila, known as Shmuel ha-Nagid. We talk some halakhic positions, his attitude towards the Geonim, and various aspects of his thought that is cited by later Rishonim and that can be discerned from his gorgeous poetry. For more sheets and other info check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠⁠⁠⁠ Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Source Sheet:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lN-O34kPd8FSbtgsNGc8PhkOtgn5 B220OYA-Sk476M/edit?usp=sharing Introducing the man who called himself "master of the song," the philosopher-poet Shelomo (Solomon) ibn Gabirol. By sampling from his poetry, we try to appreciate how he was indeed a master of both the poem and the piyyut, despite his exceptionally short and troubled life, and wonder about whether he belongs in the beit midrash as much as in the synagogue. For more sheets and other info check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠