| Rabbi Yehoshua Geller Rabbi Yehoshua Geller received Smicha from Rav Mordechai Elefant zt”l and the ITRI Yeshiva, where he was a Talmid for many years. He served as the Rosh Beit Medrash of the English Speakers’ Program at the Jerusalem College of Technology/Machon Lev, Rabbi Geller has also taught at Yeshivat Yam HaTalmud and Yeshivat Hamivtar. Rabbi Geller holds an M.A. in Hebrew Studies. | Google Notebook LM NotebookLM was initially launched in 2023 as “Project Tailwind”. The team building the product includes popular science author Steven Johnson and product manager Raiza Martin. In mid-October 2024, Google removed the “experimental” status/badge for the software. In December 2024, Google launched the paid version of NotebookLM, called NotebookLM Plus, to enterprises and paid Gemini subscribers. |
In a world where technology constantly reshapes our understanding, we are thrilled to introduce a groundbreaking initiative that bridges ancient wisdom with cutting-edge innovation. Welcome to a new dimension in the study of Rabbi Yehoshua Geller’s Shiurim, brought to you by WebYeshiva.org. For generations, Jewish scholarship has thrived on rigorous study, insightful commentary, and profound discussion. Now, we are embarking on a journey to enrich this tradition further, harnessing the power of Google’s Language Model (LM).
This initiative is not about replacing the irreplaceable depth of human teaching and the profound insights of our esteemed mentors. Rather, we envision Artificial Intelligence as a knowledgeable and voluminous adjunct. This unparalleled resource can offer perspectives on our Shiurim previously unattainable, and illuminate connections that might otherwise remain hidden. Imagine an escort for Jewish scholarship into the future – a powerful tool to explore the vast ocean of Torah with unprecedented breadth and accessibility. We invite you to discover how this innovative approach can add another profound layer to your learning, enhancing your connection to Rabbi Geller’s teachings and the timeless wisdom of our heritage.
NOTE :- These Shiurim are sourced from Webyeshiva.org and used in this prototype with the full permission of Rabbi Yehoshua Geller. They are offered as a proof of concept and may contain pronunciation errors this will improve in time. Please also note that these shiurim are not recordings of the shiurim, but rather AI-generated discussions and summaries from the original material – as such they may differ from the original shiur in wording or emphasis. Visit webyeshiva.org to register for the course (free of charge), watch the original recordings and/or download the archives in video or audio format.
May 04, 2025
The 12 Tribes in Torah: The 12 Tribes in Torah
May 11, 2025
The 12 Tribes in Torah: The 12 Tribes in Torah
May 18, 2025
The 12 Tribes in Torah: The 12 Tribes in Torah
May 25, 2025
The 12 Tribes in Torah: The 12 Tribes in Torah
June 08, 2025
The 12 Tribes in Torah: The 12 Tribes in Torah
Summary
The Significance of the “Firstborn” and its Distribution
The lecture begins by examining the concept of the “firstborn” in the context of Jacob’s blessings to his sons. Reuben, the firstborn, had the potential to inherit significant responsibilities but lost this due to instability. The privileges of the firstborn were then divided among Judah (kingdom), Levi (priesthood), and Joseph (double inheritance, split into Ephraim and Manasseh). Despite losing full privileges, Reuben is consistently referred to as the firstborn due to his actions, such as saving Joseph, protecting Benjamin, leading battles, and establishing cities of refuge.
Theological Parallel: Egypt as God’s “Firstborn”
The concept of the “firstborn” extends to nations, with Egypt initially considered God’s “firstborn” among nations. The plague of the firstborn in Egypt symbolized God’s removal of Egypt as the world’s leader and its replacement with the Jewish nation as the new “firstborn” or “light to the nations.” This transition required the Hebrew people to internalize God’s control and reject Egyptian idolatry.
The Story of the Mandrakes (Dudaim)
The document discusses the story of Reuben finding mandrakes and bringing them to his mother, Leah, leading to a negotiation between Leah and Rachel. The mandrakes, traditionally understood as fertility-enhancing plants, reflect Reuben’s tendency to rely on physical means to address spiritual challenges. Leah’s willingness to give all the mandrakes to Rachel marks a profound spiritual turning point, leading to her conceiving two more sons, Issachar and Zebulun.
The Concept of “310 Worlds” and Spiritual Reward
The lecture concludes by introducing the esoteric concept of “310 worlds” as a reward for the righteous, linking it to the story of the Mandrakes and the nature of spiritual understanding. The Hebrew word for “world” (olam) can also mean “to hide,” implying that God put a hidden world in everyone’s heart. Leah’s act of rejecting reliance on physical means and achieving a high spiritual level is presented as her gaining her “reward,” symbolized by the 310 worlds. Her subsequent son, Issachar, becomes a great Torah scholar, highlighting the link between spiritual achievement and understanding.
AUDIO ‘Deep Dive’
