Gematria Refigured +

Follow Gematria Refigured +
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

This podcast follows the spirit of the book “Gematria Refigured” in providing new insight into areas of Torah which, like gematria, often appear superficial or difficult to understand. Some topics discussed include: midrash, miracles, evolution, and slavery. See gematriarefigured.com for more info.

Elie Feder


    • May 28, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 37m AVG DURATION
    • 304 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Gematria Refigured + with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Gematria Refigured +

    The Backward Listing of the Avos

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 28:49


    After the Tochacha, when we confess our sins, Hashem says He'll rememeber the bris with Yaakov, with Yitzchak, and with Avraham. Rashi (Vayikra 26:42) explains why it switches the order of the avos.

    Learning Torah: Motivations, Strategies, and Resistances

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 105:32


    Part 2 of a 2011 discussion around devoting ourselves towards learning Torah. This part discusses some motivations, strategies, and resistances to learning Torah.

    “Zonah, meet Tzitzis”

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 41:45


    The Gemara in Menachos 44a tells a fascinating story of a talmid who was about to succumb to a top Zonah until his Tzitzis miraculously slapped him in the face. After introducing her to Tzitzis, she ended up converting. This episode analyzes this story which is meant to show the great reward of mitzvos in this world.

    Balancing Torah and Melocha

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 100:16


    Part 1 of a 2011 discussion about devoting ourselves towards learning Torah and balancing it with other parts of our life (like work).

    Don't Curse a Deaf Person

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 39:05


    Rashi (Vayikra 19:14) says that even though one isn't allowed to curse any Jew (from Shemos 22:27), the Torah singles out a deaf person to teach that the prohibition is limited to the living. This seems like a strange way to teach this Halacha?! Besides answering this question, we discuss the nature of the issur of cursing people.

    Dealing with your Emotions: Why Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai was Afraid of Dying?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2025 48:28


    The gemara in Brachos 28b recounts that when Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai's students came to visit him when he was deathly ill, he began to cry? His surprised students asked him why...

    How to Attain Olam Haba?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 39:42


    The gemara in Brachos 28b teaches that when Rabbi Eliezer was sick, his students came and asked him for advice in attaining olam haba. He told them four things...

    Ramban on Tzaraas

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 38:38


    The Torah (Vayikra 13:51) tells us about Tzaraas mameres. Rashi/Ramban have three interpretations. We analyze these in light of the Ramban's general comments about Tzaraas (Vayikra 13:47).

    Yetzer Hara #3 - Dealing with Your Overpowering Urges

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 40:38


    The Gemara in Kiddushin 30b provides guidance for one whose desires are aroused—drag yourself to the Beis Midrash. We analyze why and how this works.

    Yetzer Hara #2 - Hashem calls the Yetzer Hara evil and it always renews

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2025 43:29


    Two statements in the Gemara in Kiddushin 30b about the yetzer hara: (1) Even it's Creator calls it rah—evil; (2) it's always renewing, strengthening, and trying to kill you.

    Yetzer Hara #1 - Torah is like medicine for the yetzer hara

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2025 47:25


    The Gemara in Kiddushin 30b likens the yetzer hara to a wound inflicted by a father and the Torah to a bandage the father provides to protect the son from damage due to the wound.

    The Order of Tzaraas and Earthenware Utensils

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 10:35


    Aharon Fischbein asked why the order Tzaraas is presented in the Torah (person, clothes, house) is the opposite of the order that the Rambam (Tumaas Tzaraas 16:10) and the Midrash Vvayikra Rabba 17:4) say occurs to a sinner. Rashi (Vayikra 14:36) says that when the Torah allows a person to remove his possessions from his house before the kohen declares it tamei with Tzaraas, this is merely to protect his (lowly) earthenware vessels from tumaah. On the surface, this seems extreme. This episode addresses both of these questions. Note: After I recorded, I noticed that the midrash (cited above) supports our explanation of the order that Tzaraas occurs.

    Did the Heavenly Fire Burn Nadav and Avihu's Bodies or Souls?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 43:24


    Rashi (Vayikra 10:5) references Sanhedrin 52a which cites a machlokes whether Nadav and Avihu's entire body was burnt or only their insides. The reverse machlokes applies to the adas Korach. This episode analyzes these two types of deaths.

    Shmini: The Reward for Silence

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 39:24


    Rashi tells us the rewards that Aharon and his sons received for their silence after Nadav and Avihu's punishment with death—Parshos of the Torah were taught through them. This episode analyzes the greatness of this silence and the appropriateness of this reward.

    Rabban Gamliel vs Rabbi Yehoshua Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 50:23


    At times, people incorrectly depict Chazal as being petty or small-minded—and they often cite stories from the Gemara that seem to support this perspective. One such Gemara is Brachos 27b which depicts Rabban Gamliel (the Nasi) putting Rabbi Yehoshua in place for arguing with him, the other Rabbanan demoting Rabban Gamliel for this mistreatment, and the ensuing events (like Rabbi Elazar ben Azaria miraculously growing a massive beard overnight). This pair of episodes analyzes this story in light of the fact these were great men.

    Methodology in Midrash and Pharaoh's Death/Tzaraas

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 18:30


    The Torah (Shemos 2:23) tells us that Pharaoh died and the Jews cried out to Hashem from their work. Rashi cites a Midrash that says Pharaoh didn't actually die but got Tzaraas and was trying to heal himself by washing in the blood of Jewish babies. What do we do we midrashim like this that seem to totally go against pshat? This episode provides a general methodology and applies it to this case.

    Haggada: Bechol dor v'dor

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 39:59


    This episode analyzes the part of the haggada that says we must view ourselves as if we left Egypt. How so? We derive two answers to this question from a careful reading of this paragraph. We also discuss some nice tidbits from the Rav.

    Rabban Gamliel vs Rabbi Yehoshua Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 50:23


    At times, people incorrectly depict Chazal as being petty or small-minded—and they often cite stories from the Gemara that seem to support this perspective. One such Gemara is Brachos 27b which depicts Rabban Gamliel (the Nasi) putting Rabbi Yehoshua in place for arguing with him, the other Rabbanan demoting Rabban Gamliel for this mistreatment, and the ensuing events (like Rabbi Elazar ben Azaria miraculously growing a massive beard overnight). This pair of episodes analyzes this story in light of the fact these were great men.

    Haggada: Baruch shomer havtachaso and ve'hi she'amda

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 34:19


    This episode analyzes these parts of the haggada and their significance.

    Rabbi Meir, the Satan, and Psychotherapy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 9:13


    The Gemara in Gittin 52a discusses a story of the Satan causing two people to fight every Friday night. While Rabbi Meir helped them make peace, he ultimately heard the Satan's final response. This episode analyzes this story while providing some insight into peacemaking and psychotherapy.

    Betzalel

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 41:48


    The Ramban (Shemos 31:2) explains how Hashem miraculously “made” Betzalel—one man who had the combination of the practical wisdom to make the Mishkan and philosophical wisdom to understand its ideas. This episode explores the significance of this miracle.

    Talent vs. Devotion: Betzalel's Place in Vayakhel

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 12:06


    Rashi (Shmos 37:1) explains why the Torah singles out Betzalel's making the Aron: because he devoted himself more fully than all others. This episode discusses the meaning of this Rashi and the lesson we can learn from it.

    Vashti's Sin and Punishment

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 32:34


    Rashi (Esther 1:12, based on the Gemara Megilla 12b) says that Vashti was asked to come out naked on Shabbos because she demanded that the Jewish women would work naked on Shabbos.

    Megilla 19a - How Much of the Megilla must you Read #3

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 52:03


    What lessons are we supposed to learn from reading the Megilla?

    Megilla 19a - How Much of the Megilla must you Read #2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 32:15


    Which of the four tokefs (strengths) much you read about: Achashverosh, Mordechai, Haman, or the nes? Why not all four? This episode analyzes this machlokes.

    Megilla 19a - How Much of the Megilla must you Read #1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 41:55


    This is the first of a three part shiur discussing the machlokes tanaim about how much of the Megilla one must read to be yotzei. This sugya is a mix of Halacha and Hashkafa/megillah.

    Why is it Called Purim?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 22:12


    While the Megilla (9:26) tells us why it's called Purim (because of Haman's lottery), this explanation seems unsatisfying. After all, it's based on a seemingly inconsequential element of the action-packed Purim story. This episode discusses the significance of the name Purim and derives a lesson that's applicable to politics in our day and age.

    The Mishkan is like a Bride

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 14:05


    Rashi (Shemos 26:9) says that the covering of the Mishkan is reminiscent of the veil of a modest bride. Rashi (26:13) also says that the covering of the covering of the Mishkan teaches that a person should take care of beautiful things. This episode analyzes these Rashis and elucidates basic ideas about the beauty of the Mishkan.

    The Malach Splitting the Blood of the Covenant

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 39:43


    The Torah in Shemos 24:6 describes Moshe putting half of the blood of the korbanos on the mizbeach and the other half on the people. Rashi is bothered: Who split the blood??? He answers that a malach came and split it. This episode analyzes why there's any need for a malach to do something as mundane as splitting the blood. In doing so, we discuss ideas about a covenant between Hashem and man.

    Hashem Returns Your Soul Daily

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 7:27


    Rashi (Shemos 22:25) says that just like Hashem returns your nefesh daily, so too you should return the poor person's collateral daily. This episode analyzes this strange analogy.

    What Did Yisro Hear?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 30:18


    The first passuk in Yisro describes what Yisro heard that caused him to come to the Jews in the desert. The Rashis on this passuk add alot to the pshat in the passuk. This episode analyzes these Rashis.

    Lessons from Pharaoh's Heart

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2025 79:52


    While people often learn lessons from Hashem hardening Pharaoh's heart, this shiur focuses more on the lessons to be learnt from Pharaoh hardening his own heart. It also discusses the confusing issue of who hardened Pharaoh's heart after Barad.

    Moshe Judging from Morning until Evening

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 10:36


    Even though the passuk (Shmos 18:13) says Moshe judged from morning until evening, Rashi says that this isn't literal but is teaching us a lesson. Namely, someone who judges a true din, even for one moment, it's as if he is involved in Torah all day and it's as if he's a partner with Hashem in Creation (where it often says, “and it was evening, and it was morning, day x.”)

    What Demons Won't Do

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 42:21


    The Gemara in Sanhedrin 44a says that Yehoshua knew that the malach of Hashem wasn't a sheid because he did something that no sheid would do…

    Which Firstborns?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 13:32


    In Shmos 11:5 and 12:29, Rashi discusses why makas bechoros extended to all firstborns, even of the maidservants and the captives. This episode discusses the justice of this and deals with the question why the makkah would have extended to Jewish firstborns but for Hashem's salvation (as indicted in Rashi on Bamidbar 8:17).

    Invisible Mazikin

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 72:50


    The Gemara in Brachos 6a discusses various ideas about mazikin or sheidim. Among other points, it discusses their chicken footprints in ashes around your bed. This episode (a shiur given during COVID time) provides an approach to explaining this and similar gemaras about sheidim.

    Reward for Accepting, Going, and Doing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2025 11:09


    This episode analyzes the various elements of reward that Rashi (Shmos 12:28) says the Jews received for doing the Korban Pesach.

    Bechira and Hardening Pharaoh's Heart

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 34:17


    In Shmos 7:3, Hashem tells Moshe that He'll harden Pharaoh's heart. Why is it just to punish him if he didn't have free will? This episode discusses various answers to this question, with a specific focus on Rashi.

    Stoning from Sinai

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 16:11


    The details of the mitzvah of stoning certain sinners are learned from how the Torah describes what would be done to someone who breached the boundary of Har Sinai (Sanhedrin 45a). This episode analyzes why the details of this permanent mitzva would be learned from the momentary event at Har Sinai. In doing so, we discuss some fundamental ideas about capital punishment in the Torah.

    Detecting Sheidim

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 25:13


    This episode analyzes the Gemara in Gittin 66a that discusses how to detect if someone is a sheid (demon) or a regular person: look if his shadow has a shadow.

    Yaakov's Gift of Shechem to Yosef

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 41:33


    In Bereishis 48:22, Yaakov gave Yosef one “Shechem” over his brothers. Rashi has two pshatim in Shechem: (1) the city Shechem; (2) a portion. This episode analyzes how each of these pshatim learn this passuk.

    How Yosef Appeased his Brothers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 9:42


    After Yaakov died, Yosef's brothers worried that he would take revenge. Yosef appeased them by saying (Bereishis 50:19-20) two points: 1) Am I in place of God? 2) While you planned evil against me, God planned that this would be for the good, so that I can be here, in Egypt, to support our nation. On the surface, Yosef's answers don't seem compelling. This episode analyzes them according to Rashi and Rashbam.

    Pharaoh's Prophecy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 35:20


    Rashi in Bereishis 45:18 teaches that when Pharaoh told Yosef that he would give his family the good of the land of Egypt, he was unknowingly expressing a prophecy that the Jews would empty Egypt of all its wealth. This episode discusses the meaning and significance of this hidden prophecy.

    Binyamin's Ten Sons

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2025 19:10


    Rashi (Bereishis 43:30) tells us that Binyamin's ten sons were all named for Yosef and the tzaros that happened to him. This episode analyzes these names to derive lessons about Binyamin's relationship with Yosef.

    Three Forefathers and the Many Similarities Between Yaakov and Yosef

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2025 35:18


    Rashi (Bereishis 37:2) quotes a Midrash that lists more than twenty similarities between the lives of Yaakov and Yosef. This episode analyzes the significance of these similarities and develops two perspectives for viewing the unfolding of our nation.

    Tamar and Avraham's Tent

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2024 40:03


    This episode analyzes Rashi's (Bereishis 38:14) claim that Tamar chose to meet Yehuda at Avraham's door.

    Benefits of Learning Gemara

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 75:03


    This episode discusses three benefits of learning gemara.

    Dinah in a Box

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 35:49


    Rashi (Bereishis 32:23) says that Yaakov hid Dinah in a box to prevent Eisav from taking her. He was therefore punished with Dinah being raped by Shechem. This episode discusses the following questions and more: 1) Would it really have been a good idea to use Dinah to bring Eisav to Torah? 2) Why was this appropriate punishment for Yaakov? 3) Where's the justice to Dinah?

    Dealing with your mazik - takeaways from the 7-headed serpent

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 28:47


    After hearing the episode on the seven-headed serpent, someone asked me how one should deal with their own mazikim. This episode discusses some practical takeaways from this story.

    Rav Acha vs. The Seven-Headed Serpent

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 21:00


    This episode discusses the Gemara in Kiddushin 29b about the “mazik” that appeared like a seven-headed serpent in the Beis Midrash of Abayei.

    Lavan's Dream

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 40:45


    Hashem told Lavan in a dream to be careful not to speak to Yaakov from good to bad (Bereishis 31:24). While it's not clear exactly what this means, Lavan followed up by engaging Yaakov in an extended conversation - an apparent violation of Hashem's warning. This episode analyzes the import of Lavan's dream and the dialogue that followed.

    Claim Gematria Refigured +

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel