History for the Curious
היסטוריה לסקרן
JLE Podcasts • 182 episodes
מנחם רייסנר
#
Name
Release Date
Duration
151
Purim Kattan II - Casablanca, Prague & Rhodes 1620-1944
Purim Kattan II - Casablanca, Prague & Rhodes 1620-1944
Feb 16, 2022
32:42
When communities came under threat, timing often made the crucial difference. Invasion, Blood Libels & Siege. Reminders of the Original Purim.
152
Purim Kattan I- The Soviet Union & Cairo: 1524-1954
Purim Kattan I- The Soviet Union & Cairo: 1524-1954
Feb 8, 2022
36:38
Across entire continents, Jews have had to deal with political intrigue and corrupt rulers. Occasionally these were overlaid with decrees of destruction and sincere prayer. And throughout the ages, the unexpected outcomes inspired communities to create a Purim which celebrated their particular miracle.
153
Provence IV - Faith & Perseverance: 1305-1791
Provence IV - Faith & Perseverance: 1305-1791
Feb 1, 2022
33:17
What happens when Torah becomes a fable? Where was Aristotle's error? How did Meiri's writings suddenly re-appear after 600 years? And why did Jews go to hear sermons in church on Shabbos?
154
Provence III - The Controversies: 1191-1305
Provence III - The Controversies: 1191-1305
Jan 25, 2022
34:50
For over a century, Provence split between those who banned (& burned) the works of the Rambam, and those who excommunicated their opponents. Philosophy vs. Kabbala. Rabbeinu Yonah, Nachmanides & the authors of Tosfos all took strong positions - echoes of which continued into the 20th century.
155
Provence II - Scholars & Opponents: 1150-1200
Provence II - Scholars & Opponents: 1150-1200
Jan 18, 2022
37:50
What made the Provencal sages write critiques of the greatest rabbinic scholars? Why did the Baal Hamaor never wear Tzitzis? Which sefer was written entirely by angels - And was it accepted halachically? Why was the Ravaad imprisoned?
156
Provence I - Independence & Courage :330-1860
Provence I - Independence & Courage :330-1860
Jan 11, 2022
34:36
Jews existed there continuously for 1,500 years; at one point being forced into the only four ghettos in France. Neither Ashkenaz nor Sefarad, they produced some of the greatest scholars of the era. Who were they? How did they survive the storms for so long? And at what cost?
157
Time III - The Holocaust Calendars: 1944
Time III - The Holocaust Calendars: 1944
Dec 13, 2021
41:45
Were the Jews the victims of WWII? How did they experience Time? The passing of a single day... And how did a few unsung heroes sanctify Shabbos and give hope to those around them?
158
Time II - The Schism: 921-923
Time II - The Schism: 921-923
Dec 8, 2021
28:17
What year are we in? When is New Year’s Day? (Not Rosh Hashana - The other one !)? Why did Jews celebrate Yom Kippur on different days 1,100 years ago? A look at 2,000 years of disputes and the occasional ex-communication
159
Time I - The Journey: 882
Time I - The Journey: 882
Nov 30, 2021
33:05
Travelers often leave imprints, but perhaps none as mysterious or eye-opening as a Jewish explorer in the 9th century. An enigma which will very probably impact events at the End of Time. And of course there is the matter of the elephant in the room
160
Political intrigues III - London: 1655
Political intrigues III - London: 1655
Nov 23, 2021
30:38
The Jews are unwelcome across Europe although England now offers the appearance of hope. But it's a high-stakes game which someone will lose and the tangled politics may just be too much too soon.
161
Political intrigues II - Italy: 1556
Political intrigues II - Italy: 1556
Nov 16, 2021
28:24
Ancona was a place of refuge for Portuguese Marranos, until the betrayal. Which left the Jews of Pesaro with a choice: Take revenge and risk the anger of the Pope or flee to Turkey.
162
Political Intrigues I - Paris: 1894
Political Intrigues I - Paris: 1894
Nov 11, 2021
37:09
Dreyfus - a watershed event in France’s history. But it is preceded by dire scandals, leaving France looking for a scapegoat, which would linger until the French holocaust in 1942
163
American Beginnings V - The Passport: 1911
American Beginnings V - The Passport: 1911
Nov 4, 2021
32:32
In the game of politics, an American passport is the ticket to freedom, but not necessarily for the Jews. And victory is often short-lived. But who was She? The Jew described by the NY Times as the most politically powerful woman in the USA?
164
American Beginnings IV - The Immigrant: 1905
American Beginnings IV - The Immigrant: 1905
Oct 26, 2021
32:56
It took enterprise to survive in the early years, with some taking their 'careers' to an extreme. But The Forverts was always around to offer advice - some of it decidedly UnOrthodox
165
American Beginnings III - The Passage: 1881
American Beginnings III - The Passage: 1881
Oct 20, 2021
29:02
To Go or Not to Go - that was The Question. Although the German Jews got there first, as did Jewish America’s first congressman (1845-1851), only to be committed later to an asylum for the insane.
166
American Beginnings II - California: 1851
American Beginnings II - California: 1851
Oct 13, 2021
38:05
The Gold Rush brought thousands of Jews from all over the world to the untamed Wilderness of the West, arousing the interest of the Rothschilds, Strauss and the Orthodox community of Jerusalem.
167
American Beginnings I- The Jewish Spy: 1776
American Beginnings I- The Jewish Spy: 1776
Oct 5, 2021
34:39
Three Jews in Colonial America: An Officer serving under Benedict Arnold, a Spy who worked for George Washington and a Chocolate manufacturer who tried to make peace.
168
Controversial Prayers III- The Angels 1609
Controversial Prayers III- The Angels 1609
Sep 23, 2021
28:51
Sholom Aleichem - a Friday night prayer of possible heresy, that breaks one of the Rambam’s 13 Principles of Faith. And how did Hollywood get it so wrong?
169
Controversial Prayers II - Amsterdam 1708
Controversial Prayers II - Amsterdam 1708
Sep 14, 2021
30:51
“Times are a Changing” and change brought a clash between Kabbala & Halacha, Orthodoxy & Reform, The New World & The Old.
170
Controversial Prayers I - The Czar: 1861
Controversial Prayers I - The Czar: 1861
Sep 1, 2021
30:38
How loyal were the Jews to Czar Alexander II ? Why was there a fast day in England in 1803 & in America in 1812? Salvation isn’t always Redemption.
171
Prague IV - The Edict of Tolerance: 1782
Prague IV - The Edict of Tolerance: 1782
Aug 26, 2021
36:16
A new emperor & new clothes. Language. Education. Freedom?. And a eulogy in Shul for Maria Theresa by the Noda Biyehuda, the world-famous Rabbi of Prague.
172
Prague III - The Exile: 1745
Prague III - The Exile: 1745
Aug 17, 2021
35:41
An 8 year war involving Vienna, Berlin & Prague, which leaves the Jews no option other than a face-to-face meeting with King George II of England.
173
Prague II - The Priest: 1726
Prague II - The Priest: 1726
Aug 4, 2021
30:09
Why would a zealous missionary priest, print the Talmud for the Jews of Prague? And what controversial role did a famous Dayan in Prague play?
174
Prague I- The Books: 1704
Prague I- The Books: 1704
Jul 20, 2021
31:26
The revenge of an apostate Jew and the clash of Politics, Religion and Money over a library valued in the millions.
175
Holocaust Dilemmas III- The Fugitive: 1944
Holocaust Dilemmas III- The Fugitive: 1944
Jul 14, 2021
27:55
How do you survive lying alone in a grave for 2 months? Where does a teenager find the determination and belief to overcome betrayal, loss and danger through the terrible years of war?
176
Holocaust Dilemmas II- The Kapo: 1943
Holocaust Dilemmas II- The Kapo: 1943
Jul 7, 2021
26:56
Who were the Kapos? Listen to an unknown story of tragedy and heroism. A Kapo in Auschwitz. A family pulled apart. A truth eventually uncovered.
177
Holocaust Dilemmas I - The Rabbi: 1941
Holocaust Dilemmas I - The Rabbi: 1941
Jun 29, 2021
23:04
What would you do if you were told a truth which you could not do anything about, but which would change lives forever?
178
Scandals in UK IV- The Chancellor: 1912 pt.2/2
Scandals in UK IV- The Chancellor: 1912 pt.2/2
Jun 21, 2021
28:50
Two prominent Jews in Parliament, the sinking of the Titanic and insider share trading made up the ingredients of a scandal that threatened the foundations of the UK Government - 2/2
179
Scandals in UK IV- The Chancellor: 1912 pt.1/2
Scandals in UK IV- The Chancellor: 1912 pt.1/2
Jun 15, 2021
21:42
Two prominent Jews in Parliament, the sinking of the Titanic and insider share trading made up the ingredients of a scandal that threatened the foundations of the UK Government - Part 1 of 2
180
Scandals in UK III- The Renegade: 1817
Scandals in UK III- The Renegade: 1817
Jun 8, 2021
21:36
In the 19th century, Jews may not become Members of Parliament. But somehow they get elected anyway. Apostasy, division and determination, in pursuit of the greatest political goal: Prime Minister of Britain. The story of the Disraelis
181
Scandals in UK II - The Cherem: 1705
Scandals in UK II - The Cherem: 1705
May 31, 2021
22:55
Why was a Jew subjected to an excommunication in 1705, that was never revoked? And how did it create a power struggle in the Ashkenzai community of England?
182
Scandals in UK I- The Coins: 1278
Scandals in UK I- The Coins: 1278
May 26, 2021
29:01
Jews lived across England from 1070 onwards, but 600 of them were imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1278? Why? And how did the Jews add Hebrew words to the English medieval language?