Source sheet: ⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lN-O34kPd8FSbtgsNGc8PhkOtgn5_B220OYA-Sk476M/edit?usp=sharing⁠ We grapple with the philosophy of the great poet Shelomo ibn Gabirol, whose identity as the author of Fountain of Life, a highly influential work for Medieval Christain scholasticism, was hidden under the name "Avicebron." In bringing this work back to its Jewish context, we puzzle over its metaphysics, connect it to ibn Gabirol's poems, and use this book and other...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Source Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Qv-bP9kAz7FZr4v3xywvlNbHGax7WDtkety7BuwNEA8/ This episode is about Rabbeinu Hananel (or "Chananel"): it covers some biographical deatails about his life and books, and then delves into his Talmudic commentary. What does R. Hananel's commentary do, and how does he do it? 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...

Sourcesheet link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kLWjTHPxmD1NDESzpElZlS88TUbFxJYGN7CRLyzekLs/edit This episode will discuss: The Geonim as heads of an intellectual empire The uneven but inexorable decline of the Geonic hegemony  Periodization: how do we know when an era is over? How Rishonim came to replace the Geonim  The story of “the four captives” The city of Kairouan and its scholars Two “founders’ fathers”: R. Hushiel, father of R. Hananel, and R....

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...

What is this thing? It's a podcast about the Rishonim! For source sheets check out ⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠ Theme music: “La Quinte Estampie Real,” from a recording available at musopen.org Cover art: “The Brother Haggadah,” The British Library, Oriental 1404 folio 9v Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at [email protected]