History for the Curious

151

Pesach I - Unusual Texts

Apr 19, 2022

33:03

A Seder during the Civil War - a Forged Haggada - Questions in Siberia - Which Spouse is Maror?

152

Ramchal II - Amsterdam 1736 (featuring Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz)

Apr 7, 2022

45:11

Accused of heresy, Ramchal flees Italy to face a showdown in Germany. How is he rehabilitated, what is his legacy and what is the essence of his Mesilas Yesharim?

153

Ramchal I - Italy 1707 (featuring Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz)

Apr 1, 2022

42:41

Revolutionary, Kabbalist, Pietist & Intellectual Polymath. Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzatto was the subject of tremendous controversy during his lifetime. What drove him and what are the principles of his teachings. A Podcast special with Rabbi Hersh & Rabbi Tatz

154

16th Century Poland IV - The Legend & the Council

Mar 23, 2022

32:20

An Italian emigre, a wandering Prince & a vacant Polish throne. The making of a true legend. Alongside a Jewish Parliament & money lending made halachic.

155

16th Century Poland III - Understanding Ukraine & and the Identity of Ashkenazim

Mar 15, 2022

38:34

Ukraine has housed Jews for almost seven centuries. How do we view them? And where do we stand during this conflict? How did Poland create the Ashkenazim - with what authority and with what outcome? A revolutionary insight.

156

16th Century Poland II - The Maharshal & The Rema

Mar 2, 2022

39:46

Two intellectuals dominated the halachic arena in the 1500s. Cousins by birth, writers by nature. The timely & the timeless.

157

16th Century Poland I - Roots & Origins

Feb 22, 2022

39:36

Making a Life whilst Making a Living. A 500-year tale, with humble origins. Sought after by nobility, given rights and self-governance, the early Jewish communities spread across Poland and Lithuania. But not everyone was a success story.

158

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.

159

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.

160

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?

161

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.

162

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?

163

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?

164

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?

165

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

166

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

167

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.

168

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.

169

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

170

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?

171

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

172

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.

173

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.

174

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.

175

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?

176

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.

177

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.

178

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.

179

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.

180

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?

181

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.

182

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?

183

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.

184

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?

185

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

186

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

187

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

188

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?

189

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?

History for the Curious

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