The Rishonim – Details, episodes & analysis

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 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 ⁠⁠⁠therishonim@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠

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 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 ⁠⁠therishonim@gmail.com⁠⁠

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 ⁠therishonim@gmail.com⁠

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 ⁠therishonim@gmail.com⁠ 

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 questions? Contact me at therishonim@gmail.com 

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. Yaakov, father of R. Nissim Gaon

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 therishonim@gmail.com 

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 therishonim@gmail.com 

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 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠therishonim@gmail.com⁠⁠

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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠therishonim@gmail.com⁠⁠