Simply Deep

The Gemara in Sanhedrin 94a describes how Hashem wanted to make Chizkiyahu moshiach but the midas hadin objected because Chizkiyahu didn’t sing Shira. We analyze this Gemara and the ensuing discussion, and elucidate the tragedy of the consequences of this lost opportunity.

Rashi in Breishis 18:19 explains that Avraham told his kids to follow the derech Hashem of tzedaka and mishpat in order that Hashem will bring upon Avraham that which He spoke about him. What does this mean? And why not say to follow to path of Hashem because it’s true?

At the beginning of Lech Lecha, Hashem blesses Avraham with multiple expressions of blessing. One Rashi connects the blessing of his name becoming great to adding a heh onto his name, changing its gematria from 243 (of Avram) to 248 (of Avraham), the total number of limbs in the human body. Another Rashi connects these brachos to the fact that we’ll mention “the God of Avraham, the God of Yitzchak, and the God of Yaakov” in the first bracha of Shmona Esrei. What’s the meaning and significance of these tenuous connections?

The Gemara in Shabbos 119b says that anyone who says Yehei Shmei Rabba Mevorach will all his might, tears up his (bad) decree. The Gemara in Brachos 21b entertains interrupting Shmona Esrei and even Maaseh Merkava to say Yehei Shmei Rabba Mevorach. Tosafos in Brachos 3a suggests that we say it in Aramaic so the Malachim (who don’t understand Aramaic) won’t be jealous that we’re saying such a beautiful tefilla. What’s so special about Yehei Shmei Rabba Mevorach?

We analyze the bracha of Asher Yatzar based on the Gemara in Brachos 60b. We also discuss the Gemara’s Halacha of addressing angels before going to the bathroom.