History for the Curious

151

Maharal of Prague II - (featuring Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz)

Sep 6, 2022

45:09

Aged over 70, he is yet to be elected as the Rov of Prague. So what is his actual connection? Why did his son leave town? Where did the Maharal spend Yom Kippur in 1602? ...And a key insight into the teachings and ideas of the Maharal.

152

Maharal of Prague I (featuring Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz)

Aug 30, 2022

38:55

Surrounded by Mystery, Mysticism & Folklore… But what was his name? Why did he leave Nikolsburg? And why was his very legitimacy questioned?

153

Holocaust V - Defying the Nazis

Aug 4, 2022

39:08

During the dark years, in the most unexpected places, there were individuals who turned the tables on the nazis. At great personal risk they made a difference.

154

Holocaust IV - Collaborators & Opponents

Jul 31, 2022

39:09

In the forests of Poland survival was unlikely. Betrayal made it even more hazardous. A documented story of courage, loneliness and determination - with an unexpected final turn.

155

The Holocaust III - Holocaust Denial: Why & Who cares?

Jul 21, 2022

33:45

Denial matters not just for reasons of historical accuracy but because of what it says about Jews. Even innocuous statements contain the potential for real damage.

156

The Holocaust II - Holocaust Denial: How & Who

Jul 19, 2022

33:04

Despite the enormous amount of evidence to the contrary, Holocaust denial persists in both the Western world and the Middle-East, causing tremendous pain to survivors and the Jewish People. What are their claims and how do we combat them?

157

The Holocaust I - Heroes & Villains

Jul 13, 2022

33:16

Some Jews in Germany served in Hitler’s Wehrmacht - even in the SS - but the outcome was always an unknown. As was trading with the Nazi empire.

158

Venice II - The Personalities: 1516-1866

Jun 30, 2022

34:22

Despite the Ghetto restrictions, it was home to a number of noteworthy figures. And a Levantine merchant turn the Ghetto into a minor haven? But controversy soon followed with a sinister visit from Nathan of Gaza.

159

Venice I - The Origins: 1204-1516

Jun 22, 2022

33:04

The origins of Venetian Jewry start more than 150 years before the Ghetto was opened. What went wrong? What brought the Jews back? And how did Shakespeare’s Shylock operate in the enclosed ghetto of Venice?

160

Chasidus II -Leadership & Survival: 1772

Jun 12, 2022

26:23

How did Chasidus survive excommunication? Who really led the movement? And how did 1772 affect all of Eastern Europe for the next 150 years?

161

Chasidus I -The Controversy: 1772

May 31, 2022

33:17

Why was Chassidus such a radical movement? Who gained from 1772? Why was the Mezericher Maggid the chosen successor?

162

Genizah IV - Poetry, Government & the European Saga

May 24, 2022

32:33

The greatest Jewish poet lived during the 11th century. But are the legends true? And why does the government feature so often in the Genizah? Plus details of an exclusive tour of the Cairo Genizah in Cambridge with Rabbi Hersh

163

Geniza III - Pre-Nups, Politics & Palestine

May 17, 2022

33:10

Egypt dominates international sea trade, and the Jews share the success. But Women's Rights are on the agenda, the Chief Rabbi is taken to court and egos get in the way of truth.

164

Geniza II - The Contents

May 10, 2022

34:56

One single fragment changed history forever. Giving access to personal letters, handbooks for magic and even some Yiddish... Although putting Bible critics in their place was sweet revenge too.

165

Geniza I - The Scandals

May 3, 2022

32:49

A liar, a smuggler and a forger. All after the prize - the most lucrative of the 19th century. Meanwhile Cairo is opening up to foreigners... DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE SO YOU DON'T MISS ANOTHER EPISODE

166

Pesach II - War & Peace

Apr 26, 2022

31:12

Pesach icons - Manischewitz vs. IRS - Late additions & 20th Century changes. And don't forget to Remove the Plagues.

167

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?

168

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?

169

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

170

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.

171

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.

172

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.

173

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.

174

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.

175

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.

176

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?

177

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.

178

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?

179

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?

180

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?

181

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

182

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

183

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.

184

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.

185

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

186

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?

187

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

188

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.

189

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.

190

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.

191

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?

192

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.

193

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.

194

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.

195

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.

196

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?

197

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.

198

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?

199

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.

200

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?

History for the Curious

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