Podcast Episodes

Generosity and Miserliness (5:13)

In the question of generosity and miserliness, our Mishnah tells us that there are four kinds of people. Interestingly, a group that we would view quite innocuously is labeled as Sodom-like.

This Eth…

Published on 4 months ago

Individual Prophecy and Collective Punishment (5:10-12)

In ancient times, our nation benefitted from the service of prophets. The primary responsibility of a prophet was to rebuke and admonish the people when they veered off course from the proper path th…

Published on 4 months ago

The Seven Keys to Wisdom (5:9)

What separates a wise person from someone who has to potential to be a wise person but has not actualized it? In the words of our Sages, such a person who has not cultivated their wisdom is a “Golem”…

Published on 4 months ago

Defanged Demons (5:8)

In the final installment of the series of Tens, our Mishnah reveals to us the ten things that were created at twilight of Friday during the week of Genesis. What is the deeper meaning of twilight? Wh…

Published on 4 months, 1 week ago

Concentric Realms of Holiness (5:7)

For 800+ years our nation had a Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple was a special place. It contained the vessels described in Scripture, it was the site of annual, national pilgrimages, it is where the …

Published on 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Faith and Fear (5:6)

Fear of God and Faith in God are both laudable qualities worthy of great people. Both, of course, are mitzvos as well. Which one is loftier? At first glance, fear of God can only be built upon an edi…

Published on 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Miracles at the Sea (5:5)

Ten is a very significant number in Jewish numerology and philosophy. The previous teachings in this chapter revolve around tens and the present Mishnah teaches that the Exodus was marked by a series…

Published on 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Spiritual Epigenetics (5:4)

The story of our forefather Abraham is told in great detail in the Torah. We read about his challenges and triumphs, travails, and travels. The Mishnah calculates that Abraham underwent ten distinct …

Published on 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Greedy When Others are Fearful (5:2-3)

Ten generations elapsed both from Adam to Noah and from Noah to Abraham. The trend over those generations was away from God and into idolatry. At the end of each of these groups of ten generations ca…

Published on 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Nuclear Football (5:1)

How important are we? Do we even matter? What difference does it make if I live of die? What difference can one person make in the grand scope of existence? These are tough existential questions that…

Published on 4 months, 3 weeks ago