Ramban on the Torah

Ramban #59: Lech Lecha: When Did Bris Bein Habesarim Happen?

Elisha Friedman — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 14:44:00 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 12:7, 15:1, Shemos 12:40 - discussion between Rashi, Tosafos, Ibn Ezra, Ramban and Vilna Gaon, whether Bris Bein Habesarim (ch. 15) happened when Avraham was 70 years old, before Lech Lecha (12:1), or afterwards when he was 75 years old

Ramban #58 - Noach: Are Rainbows Natural or Miraculous?

Elisha Friedman — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 02:44:00 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 1) 6:18 - debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban what the covenant mentioned to Noach is, 2) 9:12 - debate between Rashi/Ibn Ezra vs. Rav Saadia Gaon/Ramban (and other commentators) whether rainbows are a natural occurence or a miraculous event

Ramban #57 - Bereishit: Who was Naamah?

Elisha Friedman — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 14:51:58 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 1) 4:17 - did any of Cain's descendants survive the flood, 2) 4:22 - three views in the midrash what was significant about Naamah, 3) 4:23 - debate with Rashi/Ibn Ezra why Lemech's wives separated from him.

Ramban #56 - Bereishit: Is Shamayim the Heaven or the Sky?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 18:19:18 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 1:6, 1:8, 1:10 - debate between Rashi/Ibn Ezra vs. Rambam/Ramban whether the Shamayim in verse 1:1 is the spiritual Heavens or the physical Sky

Ramban #52 - Shoftim: The Gibeonites Lie

Elisha Friedman — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 10:55:00 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 20:10, 20:11, 29:10 - debate between Rashi vs. Rambam/Ramban whether Canaanite nations can surrender, and discussion of why the Gibeonites had to lie to surrender and not do so openly? Rambam, Tosafos and Ramban's answers.

Ramban #53 - Ki Teitzei: Moav's Sin

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:04:00 GMT

Explantion of Ramban - 23:5, 23:7 - debate between Ibn Ezra and Ramban whether Moav gave the Jewish people food and water, and what it means not to offer them peace.

Ramban #50: Reeh: What Does Miketz Mean?

Elisha Friedman — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 11:48:00 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 15:1 - debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban what 'miketz' means, and when hakhel and cancelling the debts in shemitah happens.

Ramban #49 - Ekev: Moshe's Ark

Elisha Friedman — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:26:57 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 10:1 - debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban whether there were one or two arks in the desert.

Ramban#55 - Vezot Habracha: Why Was Shimon Omitted?

Elisha Friedman — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 11:36:00 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 1) 33:2 - debate between Rashi, Rav Saadia Gaon, Ibn Ezra and Ramban where God 'came from' to Mt. Sinai, 2) 33:5 - debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban who is the king of Yeshurun, 3) 33:6 - debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban why the tribe of Shimon is skipped in the blessings, and why the tribes are blessed out of order.

Ramban #51 - Shoftim: Three Witnesses and Lying Witnesses

Elisha Friedman — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 11:20:00 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 1) 17:6 - debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban reagrding why the Torah mentions 'three witnesses'? 2) 19:19 - Ramban and other commentators' explanations for why when the victim is killed the lying witnesses get no punishment, whereas if he's still alive they get killed?

Ramban #54 - Vayelech: Children at Hakhel

Elisha Friedman — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 11:56:00 GMT

Discussion of Ramban - 31:13 - at what age are children brought to Hakhel: as toddlers, or only once they will have some understanding (6-7 years old).

Ramban #48 - Vaetchanan: The Reasons for Shabbos

Elisha Friedman — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 11:37:00 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 1) 5:15, 16:12 - debate between Rashi/Ibn Ezra versus Rambam/Ramban regarding the two different reasons for Shabbos in the Ten Commandments. 2) 4:19, 32:12, Shemos 12:12, Vayikra 18:25, Bamidbar 11:16, 14:9, 23:23 - Ramban's theory about the mistake of idolatry.

Ramban #47 - Devarim: The Introduction to Devarim

Elisha Friedman — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 11:32:00 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 1:1, 1:2 - debate between Rashi versus Ibn Ezra/Ramban how to read the first four verses in Devarim and what they are trying to accomplish and setup.

Ramban #46: Masei - Why List the Stops?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:10:14 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 33:1 - who cites Rashi and Rambam's explanations for why the Torah lists the locations where the Jewish people stopped in the desert.

Ramban #45: Matot - Half of Menashe

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:09:16 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 32:33, 32:40 - debate between Ramban versus Ibn Ezra over the role of the half tribe of Menashe in the story in ch. 32, including the debate between Ramban and Rashi what percentage of Menashe lived outside Israel, and the debate between Mesech Chochma versus the Brisker Rav whether the half tribe of Menashe had the same status as the tribes of Reuven and Gad

Ramban #44: Pinchas - Serach bat Asher's Lifespan

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:08:48 GMT

Explantion of Ramban - 1) 26:46 - what made Serach bat Asher so unique? Three approaches of Rashi, Onkelos and Ramban. 2) 26:13 - discussion of Rashi (and R. Moshe Hadarshan) and Ramban what criteria the Torah used to identify and divide the families in the census.

Ramban #43: Balak - Was Bilam a Prophet or Magician?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:08:13 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 22:5, 22:31, 23:4, 23:16, 23:23, 24:1 - debate over what Bilam's abilities were: Rashi (prophet) vs. Ibn Ezra (astrologer) vs. Ramban (magician), and discussion of Bilam's prophetic abilities compared to Moshe.

Ramban #42: Chukat - Does the Torah Quote Another Book?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:07:32 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 22:13, 19 - debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban about the book cited in 21:14, and the meaning of the two poems recorded in the Sixth Aliyah.

Ramban #41: Korach - When and Why Did Korach Rebel?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:07:11 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 16:1, 4, 5 - 1) Debate between Ibn Ezra versus Ramban whether Korach's rebellion was before or after the spies, 2) Who joined Korach's rebellion and why? A) Rashi - Korach wanted power, and got his neighbors from Reuven to join. B) Rabbenu Chananel - Korach led Leviim in rebelling against the Kohanim's elevation. C) Ibn Ezra - Korach led firstborns in rebelling against the Leviim's elevation. D) Ramban - It was a disunited group, Korach wanted power, some people from Reuven opposed Moshe's leadership, and some firstborns opposed the Leviim's elevation

Ramban #40: Shlach - Did the Spies Lie?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:06:33 GMT

Explantion of Ramban - 1) 13:2 debate between Rashi vs. Ramban about what the mission of the spies was, and whether sending spies was a mistake to begin with, 2) 13:27, 13:32, 14:37 - Ramban's theory that the spies told lies about the land of Israel

Ramban #39: Behaalotecha - The Order of Bamidbar

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:06:02 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - Introduction, 5:2, 5:6, 8:1, 9:1 - Ramban's comprehensive theory, versus Rashi and Ibn Ezra, for the order and central themes of Sefer Bamidbar, particularly the placement of Sotah, Nazir, Menorah, and Pesach Sheni.

Ramban #38: Naso - The Miraculous Sotah Water

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:05:20 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 5:18, 5:20 - 1) Debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban what the Torah means in calling the Sotah water 'bitter', and the debate over what the Ibn Ezra's secret is. 2) Ramban's explanation that Sotah only happens when the Jewish people are worthy of a miracle

Bamidbar #37: Bamidbar - Why Were the Leviim the Smallest Tribe?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:03:56 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 3:14 - Ramban's two explanations for why the Leviim were the smallest tribe, and discussion of Ohr Hachaim and Klei Yakar's (3:39) approach.

Ramban #36: Bechukotai - The Prophecies in the Rebuke

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:03:22 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 26:16, Devarim 28:48 - discussion of Ramban's theory that the Vayikra tochacha refers to the first exile, and the Devarim tochacha refers to the second (current) exile, versus R. Avraham bar Chiya who argues precisely the opposite.

Ramban #35: Behar - When was Behar said?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:02:44 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 25:1, 16:1 - when were parshas Behar (shemita) and Bechukosai (tochacha) said? Three way debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban where these parshas fit in chronologically.

Ramban #34: Emor - Minyan on Yom Tov

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:02:22 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 23:2 - debate between Rashi/Ramban vs. Ibn Ezra whether 'moadim' includes Shabbos, and discussion of Ramban's insight that davening with a minyan on Yom Tov may be a Torah obligation.

Ramban #33 - Kedoshim: Prohibition of Shatnez

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:01:40 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 19:19 - debate between Rashi vs. Ramban whether there is a reason for the kilayim prohibitions, debate between Ibn Ezra vs. Rambam vs. Ramban what that reason is, discussion of Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Ramban how to translate shatnez, and debate between Rashi vs. Ramban/Tosafos about the details of shatnez

Ramban #32 - Achrei Mot: Prohibition of Incest

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:00:58 GMT

Discussion of Ramban - 18:6, 18:18, 18:19 - debate between Rambam/Ibn Ezra versus Ramban why incest is prohibited, and discussion whether Ramban authored Iggeret Kodesh with a positive attitude towards sexual relations

Ramban #31 - Tazria: Niddah and Menotoxins

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:00:25 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 12:2, 12:4, 18:19, Bereishit 31:35 - discussion of Ramban's medical theory that there are toxins in menstrual blood, and the Dvar Avraham of Kovno's 1936 speech defending this notion based on the contemporaneous scientific notion of menotoxins.

Ramban #30 - Shemini: Kashrut of Sturgeon

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:59:48 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 11:9 - Ramban's stringency that the scales of fish must be peelable, and the debate based on this whether sturgeon and swordfish are kosher, and the story surrounding Noda Biyehuda's permitting sturgeon.

Ramban #29 - Tzav: Eating Korban on the First Day

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:59:27 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 7:16 - about Ramban's halachic innovation that even Korban meat which can be eaten for 2 days, there's a mitzva to eat it on the first day specifically. And the Chacham Tzvi's extension of this to the Chagiga of the Seder, that must be able to be eaten on Erev Pesach

Ramban #28 - Vayikra: The Reasons for Korbanot

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:58:41 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 1:9 - debate between Rambam vs. Ramban what the reason for animal sacrifice is.

Ramban #27 - Pekudei: When was the Mishkan put up?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:58:06 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 40:2, 40:17, Vayikra 8:2 - debate between Rashi/Ramban vs. Ibn Ezra what date the Mishkan was inaugurated, and debate between Rashi vs. Ibn Ezra/Ramban when Shemos ch. 40 happened

Ramban #26 - Vayakhel: Mishkan Building on Shabbos

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:57:35 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 31:13, 35:2 - debate between Rashi and Ramban how we know it's forbidden to build the Mishkan on Shabbos, and Meshech Chochma's explanation as to why in Ki Tisa the Mishkan precedes Shabbos, and in Vayakhel it's reversed.

Ramban #25 - Ki Tisa: Was the Golden Calf Idolatry?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:56:55 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 32:1, 32:4, 32:5, 32:6, 32:21, 32:22 - reconstruction of the views of Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban about what the sin of the golden calf was and what Ahron's role in it was.

Ramban #24 - Ki Tisa: When did Moshe go up to Heaven?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:56:19 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 33:7, 34:28 - debate between Rashi/Tosafos versus Ramban/Vilna Gaon whether Moshe lived in Heaven two or three times, and discussion of the Vilna Gaon's revolutionary view of what Yom Kippur celebrates.

Ramban #23 - Tetzaveh: Kohen Gadol's Clothes

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:55:50 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 28:2, 28:31, 39:24, 39:28 - debates between Rashi vs. Rambam vs Ramban and other commentators about the specific details of the Kohen Gadol's cloak and hat.

Ramban #22 - Terumah: When was the Mishkan Commanded?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:55:01 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - Introduction to Terumah - discussion of the Rambam/Ramban debate about the purpose of the Mishkan, and the debate between Rashi versus Ibn Ezra/Ramban whether the Mishkan preceded the golden calf or came afterwards.

Ramban #21 - Mishpatim: The Order of Mishpatim

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:54:24 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 21:1, 21:2, 21:15 - the approaches of Rashi, Ibn Ezra, and Ramban to explain the placement, theme and order of Mishpatim.

Ramban #20 - Mishpatim: When did they say Naaseh Vnishma?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:53:40 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 24:1 - the debate between Rashi versus Ibn Ezra/Ramban whether naaseh vnishma happened before Matan Torah or after

Ramban #19 - Yitro: When did Yitro Come?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:53:02 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 18:1, 18:13 - debate between Rashi/Ibn Ezra versus Ramban whether Yitro came before the giving of the Torah or after.

Ramban #18 - Bo: 400 or 430 Years?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:52:23 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 12:40 - debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban how to calculate the 430, 400, and 210 years which are all part of the Exodus timeline.

Ramban #17 - Vaera: Pharaoh’s Free Will

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:51:28 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 7:3 - about Hashem hardening Pharaoh's heart and how this fits in with free will and personal responsiblty. Discussion of the views of Rambam, Rashi, Ramban, Rav Yosef Albo, and Professor David Shatz's article.

Ramban #16 - Shemot: The Secret Code of Redemption

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:50:44 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 2:23, 3:18 - about Moshe's code to prove he was the redeemer, and the debate between Ramban and Maharal how this worked. Including debate about how old Moshe was when he fled Egypt, and what he did during his years of wandering.

Ramban #15 - Vayechi: What Chanukah Celebrates

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:50:01 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 49:10 - about Yaakov giving the monarchy to the tribe of Yehuda, and why there were exceptions to this, including the Maccabees, and whether they sinned by becoming kings. Including the debate between Rambam and Ramban whether Chanukah celebrates political sovereignty as well as spiritual salvation.

Ramban #14 - Vayigash: Did Yaakov Ever Know Who Sold Yosef?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:49:25 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 45:27 - the debate between Rashi and Ramban whether Yaakov ever found out the truth that the other brothers had sold Yosef? Rashi - he knew the details, Ramban - he never knew.

Ramban #13 - Vayigash: Yocheved’s Birth

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:48:16 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 46:7, 46:15, 17:17 - debate between Rashi and Ramban versus Ibn Ezra as to when Yocheved was born, and why the Torah omits some of the incredible miracles which are recorded in the Midrash

Ramban #12 - Miketz: Why Didn’t Yosef Contact His Father?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:47:38 GMT

Explanation of Ramban 42:9 - why didn't Yosef contact his father to let him know he was alive? Discussion of Tosafos' 2 answers, Ramban's approach, and the discussion surrounding Ramban's approach.

Ramban #11 - Vayeshev: Tamar’s Yibum

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:47:01 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 1) 38:3, 38:5 - explanation of Yehuda's three older sons' names and who named them, and 2) 38:8, 38:26, 46:2 - debate between Rashi and Ramban what the purpose of yibum is (a memorial versus the kabbalistic concept of reincarnation) and whether Yehuda's marriage to Tamar was motivated by yibum.

Ramban #10 - Vayishlach: The Killing of Shechem

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:46:35 GMT

Explanation of Ramban 34:7, 34:13, 48:22 - a wide-ranging debate between Rambam and Ramban as to Shimon and Levi's justification for killing the men of Shechem and why Yaakov was upset with them, and what the seven Noahide laws are.

Ramban #9 - Vayetze: Yaakov’s Dream

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:45:49 GMT

Explanation of Ramban 28:12, 32:3, 35:18 - what was the message of Yaakov's dream? Why were the angels going up and only afterwards down? Discussion of three approaches: Rashi - the dream is about angels who serve Yaakov; Ramban/Ibn Ezra - it's a message about the total power of God; Rambam - the dream teaches philosophocal lessons

Ramban #8 - Toldot: Was Yitzchak Poor?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:45:09 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 25:34 - debate between Ibn Ezra versus Ramban and Rashi as to whether Yitzchak was rich or poor

Ramban #7 - Chaye Sarah: Where Did Avraham Live at the Akedah?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:44:33 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 1) 23:2 - debate between Rashi and Ramban where Avraham was living when Akedat Yitzchak happened, and whether Sarah died because of the Akedah (and how old Yitzchak was at the Akeda), 2) 24:62 - where Avraham lived after Sarah's death and who he married

Ramban #6 - Vayera: Avraham’s Angelic Visitors

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:43:52 GMT

Explanation of Ramban 18:1, 18:3 - Debate between Rambam and Ramban whether the angels appeared in physical form or in a prophecy, and debate between Rashi and Ramban whether Avraham knew they were angels or was fooled that they were people

Ramban #5 - Lech Lecha: Avraham’s Birthplace

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:43:10 GMT

Explanation of Ramban 11:28, 11:32, 12:1, 12:2 - debate between Rashi/Ibn Ezra versus Ramban where Avraham was born, debate between Rashi/Ramban versus Ibn Ezra where he got commanded 'Lech Lecha', and debate between Ramban and Maharal why Avraham was the one chosen

Ramban #4 - Noach: Who Defiled Noach?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:42:34 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 1) 6:10, 9:18, 10:21 - debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban about the birth order of Noach's sons and debate between Rashi/Ramban/Rav Saadia Gaon versus Ibn Ezra about who defiled Noach (Cham or Canaan) and 2) 9:26 - Ibn Ezra and Ramban on the curse of Canaan.

Ramban #3 - Bereishit: Why Did the Ancients Live so Long?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:41:36 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 1) 5:4 - Debate between Rambam and Ramban whether all ancient people lived very long or only a few exceptions 2) 6:4 - Debate between Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Ramban as to who were the 'sons of God'

Ramban #2 - Bereishit: How Did God Create the World?

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:11:59 GMT

Explanation of Ramban - 1) 1:1 - debate between Rashi and Ramban how to read the first verse of the Torah and what was the first thing created 2) 2:17 - debate between Rambam and Ramban whether death is a result of physical decay or Adam's sin

Ramban #1 - Introduction to the Torah

Elisha Friedman — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:07:10 GMT

Ramban's approach in his commentary on the Torah, compared to Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Rambam