The legal culture of Muslim Spain and North Africa from the ninth to the thirteenth century focused on making the Talmud accessible through practical applications of Gaonic interpretations. This episode follows two scholars: Rabenu Hananel ben Hushiel whose approach is one of the earliest known attempt to provide a systematic commentary on the Talmud and that of Rabbi Isaac Alfasi (the RIF) whose work superseded Hananel’s within two generations. This period in general and the Rif’s work specifically kicked off the period of the Rishonim. Hosted by: Rabbi Mordecai Marcus Schwartz Produced by Ellie Gettinger Edited by Sarah Brown Cover art: Lee Willet Theme music: Stock media provided by u19_studios / Pond5