Why was Chassidus such a radical movement? Who gained from 1772? Why was the Mezericher Maggid the chosen successor?
Why was Chassidus such a radical movement? Who gained from 1772? Why was the Mezericher Maggid the chosen successor?
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Pesach icons - Manischewitz vs. IRS - Late additions & 20th Century changes. And don't forget to Remove the Plagues.
Pesach icons - Manischewitz vs. IRS - Late additions & 20th Century changes. And don't forget to Remove the Plagues.
A Seder during the Civil War - a Forged Haggada - Questions in Siberia - Which Spouse is Maror?
A Seder during the Civil War - a Forged Haggada - Questions in Siberia - Which Spouse is Maror?
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?
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?
An Italian emigre, a wandering Prince & a vacant Polish throne. The making of a true legend. Alongside a Jewish Parliament & money lending made halachic.
An Italian emigre, a wandering Prince & a vacant Polish throne. The making of a true legend. Alongside a Jewish Parliament & money lending made halachic.
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.
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.
Two intellectuals dominated the halachic arena in the 1500s. Cousins by birth, writers by nature. The timely & the timeless.
Two intellectuals dominated the halachic arena in the 1500s. Cousins by birth, writers by nature. The timely & the timeless.
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.
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.
When communities came under threat, timing often made the crucial difference. Invasion, Blood Libels & Siege. Reminders of the Original Purim.
When communities came under threat, timing often made the crucial difference. Invasion, Blood Libels & Siege. Reminders of the Original Purim.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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?
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?
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
“Times are a Changing” and change brought a clash between Kabbala & Halacha, Orthodoxy & Reform, The New World & The Old.
“Times are a Changing” and change brought a clash between Kabbala & Halacha, Orthodoxy & Reform, The New World & The Old.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
The revenge of an apostate Jew and the clash of Politics, Religion and Money over a library valued in the millions.
The revenge of an apostate Jew and the clash of Politics, Religion and Money over a library valued in the millions.
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?
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?
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.
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.
What would you do if you were told a truth which you could not do anything about, but which would change lives forever?
What would you do if you were told a truth which you could not do anything about, but which would change lives forever?
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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?
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?
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?
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?
