Explore every episode of the podcast It's Genius - Think Like a Lamdan

The second shiur in Shiurim L'zecher Abba Mari, also about Shema.

Presentation of the first piece in Shiurim L'zecher Abba Mari, about Shema and remembering the Exodus

Survey of Rav Soloveitchik's insights into teshuvah, primarily from the work, Al Hateshuvah

Rav Soloveitchik resolves a contradiction in the Rambam whether the dimensions of the Mizbeach (altar in the Temple) have to be precise, and develops a fundamental idea regarding the Mizbeach, which is similar to his uncle's, the Brisker Rav.

Rav Soloveitchik differentiates between the sanctified structure of the Beit Hamikdash and the location upon which it rests, a concept which also applies also to Jerusalem, and which the Brisker Rav also discusses

Rav Soloveitchik formulates a new understanding of the status of the Sotah scroll, and debates the issue with Reb Yitzchak Hutner

Rav Soloveitchik analyzes the difference between Lulav on the first and second days and explains the views of the Rambam and Rashi

Rav Soloveitchik articulates a fundamental distinction between the obligatory gifts of produce to the poor vs. the tithes to the Kohein, and the Chazon Ish disagrees with him.

Rav Soloveitchik builds on insights from Reb Chaim and Reb Moshe to explain how we sanctify the calendar nowadays without a Jewish court

1. Explanatipn of Sanhedrin 92b and two models of spiritual development. 2. Explanation of Shabbat 88a and the connection between the Jewish people and the Etrog. (Based on Chotem Tochnit, chs. 6 & 7, pgs. 185-260.)

Explanation of the Rambam's view that a minor girl can give consent (based on Chotem Tochnit, pgs. 287-320)

Explanation of the line in Succah 18a differentiating between the laws of Tumah vs. Succah, with a comparison to R. Chaim Brisker. (Based on Chotem Tochnit, ch. 4, pgs. 156-69)

Rav Reines explains the discussion in Sanhedrin 29a about a witness who hates the person he's testifying about. (Based on Chotem Tochnit, ch. 3, pgs. 136-56)

Introduction to the conceptual system of R. Yitzchak Yaakov Reines, rav of Lida and founder of Mizrachi, and explanation of Moed Katan 2b (based on Chotem Tochnit, ch. 2, pgs. 52-136)

Presentation of the Rogatchover's bold idea that Rosh Hashana doesn't fully begin until late morning

Survey of nine of the Rogatchover's ideas, based on R. Moshe Kasher's sefer

The Rogatchover explores the nature of halachic marriage, including the status of secular marriage

The Rogatchover explores the nature of borders in halacha

The Rogatchover discusses whether according to halacha owners own their property inherently or just its monetary value

The Rogatchover differentiates between full ownership and surface ownership as it applies to a number of halachot

Survey of some of the Rogatchover's key concepts about words and letters in halacha, based on R. Moshe Grossberg ch. 4

Survey of some of the Rogatchover's key concepts about measurements in halacha, based on R. Moshe Grossberg ch. 3

Survey of some of the Rogatchover's key concepts about numbers in halacha, based on R. Moshe Grossberg ch. 2.

A wide ranging survey of some of the Rogatchover's key concepts about time in halacha, based on R. Moshe Grossberg ch. 1

Discussion of R. Yosef Rosen, the Rogatchover's, biography and the context of his times and his unique learning methodology.

R. Shimon articulates two elements within the halachic concept of ShlichutR. Shimon articulates two elements within the halachic concept of Shlichut

R. Shimon explains Rambam's view of the nature of testimony on Shtarot.

R. Shimon discusses the essential differences between witnesses on a marriage versus financial transactions

R. Shimon explains the discussion in Gittin 2b about the believability of one witness

One of R. Shimon's most central and famous (and controversial) concepts, that the Torah's rules governing financial laws are guided by independent legal and moral categories.

R. Shimon explains the difference between a stationary vs. traveling doubt, and reiterated his view of rov (majority status) (Based on R. Reuven Raz's sefer.)

Discussion between R. Shimon and R. Chaim Brisker how the principle of majority rules in judicial cases works

Discussion of when rov (majority status) impacts financial uncertainties (based on R. Reuven Raz's sefer.)

Explanation of the nature of rov (majority status) in halacha (based on R. Reuven Raz's sefer.)

Explanation of the nature of chazakah (status quo) in halacha (based on R. Reuven Raz's sefer.)

R. Shimon explains the concept of a warning from the witnesses not to violate an uncertain prohibition (based on Rabbi Raz ch. 4).

R. Shimon explains 1. the basis for rabbinic law and 2. the concept of a double safeik (based on Rabbi Raz chs. 2 & 3.)

Introduction to R. Shimon Shkop and his analysis of cases of uncertain prohibition (based on R. Reuven Raz's sefer.)

Reb Moshe and Reb Yosef Dov debate a youthful insight of Reb Ahron Soloveichik (which appears in other commentators as well), explaining the story of Moshe killing the Egyptian and the Rambam's ruling based on that

Reb Moshe and Reb Yosef Dov differentiate between two components to the sanctity of the land of Israel

Reb Moshe analyzes the process for becoming the Kohen overseeing the military and how it worked in the period of the second Beit Hamikdash (during Chanukah)

Reb Moshe analyzes the status of the Korban Pesach meat after midnight when the mitzvah to eat it ends

Reb Moshe analyzes the halachic criteria for ownership in Israel

Reb Velvel and Reb Yosef Dov formulate differently the unique status of the Ark vs. the rest of the vessels of the Beit Hamikdash

Reb Velvel and his nephew Reb Yosef Dov have a wide ranging debate over when the mitzvah of Ketoret (incense in the Temple) is fulfilled and the nature of the Kohen Gadol entering the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur

The Brisker Rav explains the Rambam's view about doing laundry during the week of Tisha B'av

The Brisker Rav quotes an important distinction from Reb Chaim between the first day of shiva and the last six, and then suggests his own approach

Both the Brisker Rav (first piece in Avel) and Rav Soloveitchik (Shiurim L'zecher Abba Mari) discuss the problematic formulation of the Rambam about a kohen becoming tamei to his close relatives.

Reb Velvel explains how the concept of Mehadrin (beautifying a Mitzvah) applies to lighting the Chanukah candles

Reb Velvel analyzes two different types of Hallel, and specifically the nature of Hallel at the Seder night