This episode delves into the Vilna Gaon's criticism of Beshtian Chassidus, focusing on accusations of revealing explanations in Torah against Halacha and possible links to changes in prayer.

In this episode, the focus is on the significant letter written by the Vilna Gaon in 1796, where he explains his objections to the ideas of the Besht (founder of Hasidism).

The first letter discusses the debunking of claims regarding the Zionism of the Vilna Gaon and his followers, while also mentioning early proponents of Zionism in religious circles.

In this episode of Gaon, Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the Vilna Gaon's nuanced approach toward the Chassidim in the 1770s, questioning whether his opposition to Beshtian Chassidus affected his personal interactions with them.

In recent decades, a mythological counterhistory has emerged among contemporary religious Zionists in Israel, claiming that the true seeds of Zionism can be found among the followers of the Vilna Gaon, a great rabbinic scholar, a century before the recognized founding fathers.

In the podcast episode "GAON #18 - The Vilna Cherem of 1772," Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein discusses the Vilna Cherem of 1772 within its historical context.

The podcast discusses the communal turmoil in Vilna during the 1760s, focusing on the conflict between Rabbi Shmuel ben Avigdor and the Kahal.

In episode 15 of GAON, Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein discusses the Vilna Gaon and his Bais Medrash, focusing on biographical details such as when the Bais Medrash was built and the Gaon's close students like R Chaim Volozhin.

In episode 14 of the podcast "GAON," Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein discusses the Vilna Gaon's unrealized ambitious projects, specifically his endeavors to write a final version of the Shulchan Aruch and to make Aliyah to Israel.

In episode 13 of Gaon, the discussion explores the Vilna Gaon's heavy editing of Rabbinical documents like Shas and other materials, questioning why some were heavily edited while others barely touched, and how his editing compares to other Acharonim.

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein's podcast episode discusses the Vilna Gaon's Torah accomplishments, particularly focusing on his role as a posek and his extensive editing of Rabbinic material like Shas.

In this episode of GAON #11, Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein discusses the legacy of the Vilna Gaon, focusing on the image he created in his students' eyes, particularly his legendary diligence.

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein discusses the early life of the Vilna Gaon in episode 10 of the Gaon podcast series.

This podcast episode delves into the theological ideas of the Baal Shem Tov (Besht), particularly focusing on Divine Providence (Hashgacha Pratit) and how it differs from the perspectives of other Jewish scholars like the Vilna Gaon.

The discussion revolves around whether individuals should read Shir ha-Shirim during the Covid-19 pandemic when synagogue services are limited.