The Rishonim Shmuel

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