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/1MjTs3eG4Y5FfE5AO7jnfMer8Bp4fhavyau7UzBHZSKE/edit?usp=sharing This episode introduces us to an often under-appreciated by exemplary figure of the Spanish Golden Age, who worked out a sophisticated synthesis of Arabic intellectual culture and Torah study. Why did Moshe ibn Ezra believe that Hebrew poetry would best be served by using Arabic literary conventions? In what way can Muslim writers help Jews appreciate and understand their own Torah? And is a "frum (religious) Jew" allowed to say that the Torah might not be the most beautiful book ever written? 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]⁠⁠⁠

Sourcesheet: ⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WJ7XoKkEkvWhPRXTwmuHGGyVQkRf2ei58zWBRARp7r8/edit?usp=drive link⁠ The episode continues where the last one left off, discussing the extraordinary work by R. Yehudah Halevi known as the Kuzari. In exploring the second part of this book, we learn how to find God in the world through the history of the Jewish people and their teachings? Throughout, we take up the challenge: "come on, really, the Jews???" 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/1nTbnPdB3EcACb-gLjd7YL3Ol0ND1akVT/edit?usp=drive link&ouid=113373638612291302231&rtpof=true&sd=true A historical (and somewhat thematic) introduction to the development of piyyut and poetry. Rewinding a bit in history, we ask, where did all these Spanish poets come from? What's the deal with interrupting the prayers to sing rhyming songs? 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]⁠⁠

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]⁠