How can kavannah after tevila still count? Isn’t intention supposed to come before the act? In this episode, we explore the halachic mechanics of kavannah in tevila—whether it’s a condition in the act itself or a din of hesech hadaas. We’ll unpack how kavannah can sometimes take effect even after immersion, and what this teaches us about the deeper structure of mitzvos and the role of conscious intent in creating spiritual transformation.

If you washed your hands before Mincha and then sat down for Shalosh Seudos, do you need to wash again—and can you make a bracha? In this episode, we explore whether netilas yadayim requires specific kavannah for eating bread, or if any washing counts. We’ll look at the classic case of washing for one reason but then deciding to eat, and uncover when a new washing and bracha are required—and when your first one still works.

Before eating bread, we wash our hands—but why? In this episode, we explore the reason behind netilas yadayim l’seudah: is it about cleanliness, holiness, or both? We’ll discuss the decree of Chazal rooted in the purity laws of terumah, how it connects us back to the Beis HaMikdash, and why this simple act turns an ordinary meal into something sacred.

Is the prohibition of melacha on Chol HaMoed from the Torah or rabbinic? We’ll explore both sides of the debate—and why it matters. The nafka mina is huge: if it’s d’Oraisa, any doubt must be treated strictly (safek d’Oraisa l’chumra). If it’s d’Rabbanan, we’re lenient in cases of doubt. It also affects whether one may benefit from melacha done improperly and how seriously we treat violations. This episode breaks down the core question and its real-world halachic impact.

Why does Rabbeinu Yerucham hold that after the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash , midoraisa, we’re only obligated to count the days of the Omer—but not the weeks? This unusual view has puzzled commentators for centuries. In this episode, we trace his reasoning back to an unexpected source—our very sugya—and uncover how a subtle shift in the Gemara’s focus reshapes the entire mitzvah of Sefiras HaOmer in post-Mikdash times.

Chagigah 17a: Geder din Tashlumin by Shavuos, Tachanun for the Week after Shavuos

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מדוע סמיכה איננה מצוות עשה שהזמן גרמא

מצוות סמיכה – סמיכת הידיים על הקרבן – נעשית דווקא ביום. אם כן, מדוע אין היא נחשבת מצוות עשה שהזמן גרמא? בפרק זה נעמיק בסוגיא, נברר כיצד חכמים הבינו את מהות הסמיכה, האם הגבלת הזמן מגדירה את עצם המצוה או רק את קיומה בפועל, ולמה נשים אינן חייבות אף על פי כן.

Chagigah 16a: Looking at the Hands of Kohanim during Birkas Kohanim and the Geder of The Mitzvah

The sugya of Ambatya becomes the halachic fault line for one of the most heated debates of the 20th century. In this episode, we trace how Rav Moshe Feinstein used this Gemara to rule that children born through donor insemination are not mamzeirim—and why the Satmar Rebbe fiercely disagreed. We’ll explore the halachic logic, the hashkafic divide, and how a single sugya shaped the modern fertility discussion in the frum world.

Chagigah 15a:

Milah on Shabbos: Does Artificial Insemination Delay the Bris? — Rabbeinu Chananel’s Girsa

When a baby is conceived through artificial insemination, and the birth falls on Shabbos, a halachic question arises: Is the bris milah held on the following Shabbos or postponed to Sunday? In this episode, we explore the critical girsa of Rabbeinu Chananel that frames the entire discussion. This is a deep dive into classic text, nuanced lomdus, and real-world halacha.

The Gemara teaches that night was created for Torah — and those who learn then are blessed with long life and a special chein. Rambam says most Torah wisdom is acquired at night, because it’s the time you choose what matters most. When others rest, your learning stands out. In this episode, we’ll explain why learning at night carries such extraordinary reward and spiritual power.

What’s the halacha of learning Torah at night? Can you learn Tanach after tzeis? What if it’s a public shiur? And what about learning after Veyitein Lecha? This episode breaks down the practical halachos and common scenarios — clearly and simply.

Chagigah 13b: Teaching Non Jews Torah - Geder HaIssur

Chagigah 13a: Teaching a Non Jew Torah + Lifnei Iver

This episode dives into the famous machlokes between Bais Shammai and Bais Hillel about what was created first — Heaven or Earth. Drawing on the Malbim (Bamidbar 19:2), we uncover the deeper worldview behind their disagreement: Is this world only a means to reach the next, or is it holy in its own right? We’ll connect this to their different approaches to everyday life — like how they prepared for Shabbos — and see how one debate reflects an entire philosophy of how to live in this world.

This episode explores whether darkness is a real creation or just the absence of light, featuring the views of the Gra, Ramban, Rambam, and Ran.

It’s fascinating how Maaseh Merkava — one of the deepest, most esoteric sections of Torah — is read on Shavuos morning, precisely when the entire shul is exhausted from staying up all night. By contrast, Maaseh Bereishis — the foundation of creation — is read in Bereishis, a time when many people are rushing through Shnayim Mikra and barely have time to reflect. It’s almost as if Hashem intentionally places the most profound ideas at moments when they can’t be fully grasped… hinting that some mysteries are meant to remain beyond our reach.

What if a mikveh has 40 se’ah of water but it’s too shallow for a person to immerse in? Can you simply add mayim she’uvim (drawn water) to make it kosher?

This sugya in Chagigah 11a gets into the lomdus of shiur mikveh — whether 40 se’ah is a definition of mikveh volume or a requirement for practical tevillah.

The Ra’ah holds you can’t fix it with added water; the Rashba says you can. This core machlokes shapes how we understand the very essence of what makes a mikveh kosher.

Exploring whether the obligation of Simchas Yom Tov belongs to the wife herself or is placed on the husband to provide — and what happens if she waives it.

Chagigah 10a: ב דינים בהתרת נדרים