We continue our exploration of Derashos haRan. In this chaburah, we discuss the creation of the elements on the Ran’s discussion of the value of compounds beyond that of their components leads to one about the value of and how to relate to community. And how community requires diversity to be healthy, whereas echo chambers cause the magnification of any flaw its members may share in common.

Derashos haRan is an explanation of the fundamentals of the Torah as explicated from texts in the Chumash. The first derashah explains the beginning of Breishis — from Creation through the change in humankind that came with the expulsion from Gan Eden.

The text is available on Sefaria, beginning at https://www.sefaria.org/Derashot_HaRan.1.14