History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast

During the 13th century, Europe was controlled by a militant church, and France was ruled by Louis IX - a bitter enemy of the Jews. All copies of the Talmud were seized and four Baalei Tosfos were interrogated in public.  How did Jewry recover from this calamity? Was this tragedy related to the burning of the Rambam’s writings? 

 

Chapters

00:00 Divine Retribution and Historical Context

04:38 Rambam and Rabbeinu Yonah's Controver...

In 1263 the Ramban was forced to attend a public Disputation and defend the truths of the Talmud against attacks by the Dominicans, who were led by an apostate Jew.   The Ramban would be exiled from Spain as a result and settle in Eretz Yisrael where he described with both pride and pain of the state of the Jewish community.  Using his medical knowledge, the Ramban also authored a central halachic work on healing and consultin...

By the 13th century, Spain was becoming a more uncomfortable place for Jews, partly due to  communal structure. Ramban will engage in dampening the flames of controversy both about the Rambam and regarding power and authority. But he will face strong personal attacks in the process.   The Ramban was also a prolific author of sefarim. They range from Halacha to Chumash, Kabbala & Talmud. R' Shmuli Levison joins us to introduce u...

Many Jews were reluctant first-hand witnesses to Nazi cruelty and suffering.    For many Hungarian survivors,  often deliberately misled about the truth of Auschwitz's existence, betrayal only added to their pain. Risa Shayowitz - aged a young 95 years old - relays that tragedy, even as she looks only to move forward. An American chaplain in the US Army in April 1945 - Rabbi Hershel Schachter - opened up the gates of Hell. In a lit...

We speak of 'Holocaust Survivors' without understanding what they survived, without knowing the trauma and guilt they carried.  A young 16-year-old girl (now 97 years old) was taken through the cruelty of Auschwitz - and asked by Mengele to decide the fate of her own mother. 

1. How did she find the strength of mind? How did she become a beacon to others, learn to redefine freedom and turn her wounds into a source of hope? 

2. A...

Despite being a Western country, Holland almost equalled the East in its destructiveness during the Holocaust. 2 non-Jews created their own narrative by bypassing the system. One took great risks, the other received great reward. Their unusual stories, extend forgery into new territory. And a mention of Mein Kampf - one hundred years later.

 

Chapters

00:00 The Journey into Danger

01:40 The Context of the Holocaust

06:41 The System...

Hidden away in a tiny attic in Paris, a Jew created freedom for thousands by forging Identity cards, ration books and travel passes. Hunted by Nazis, his genius and dedication came with enormous risk. And his experiences left him with a sense of guilt that would never leave him.   Email giana.elav@gmail.com for the Prague trip...  

Chapters

00:00 Trapped in History: The Beginning of a Journey

01:35 The Holocaust Series: A Focus on...

In the Medieval period, Jerusalem was repeatedly fought over and at times only 2 Jews lived there. Yet there were always those who braved making Aliya including Ramban, Bartenura and Rav Yechiel of Paris - all recording accounts of their journey. But who were the Mamluks? Where is the Holy Toothpick? And who built the Sultan's Pool?    To book a place on the Maharal Prague trip 8th-11th September: giana.elav@gmail.com  

Chapters

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How do we relate to the most recent events in the Middle-East?

In 638 the Moslems transformed the city; but what was their motivation? What created the divisions of Jewish observance in the 10th century?  Why was the Golden Gate sealed off? How did the Christian East-West Schism of 1054 affect Jewish lives in Jerusalem? 

To register for the Maharal - Prague Tour 8th-11th September contact: giana.elav@gmail.com

 

Chapters

00:00 The ...

What does Yerushalayim represent? How does the current conflict with Iran impact upon that?   Were the Jews expelled from Jerusalem after the Temple was destroyed? Why did the Romans rebuild the city? Who were the Byzantines who occupied Eretz Yisrael for 300 years? How did the Jews get permission to start rebuilding the Temple and why was it ultimately unsuccessful?  

Chapters

00:00 The Historical Significance of Jerusalem

03:05 ...

The existence of an Oral Law brought about debate and argument. So why not preserve it all in the Written text alone? And how do we decide who is right? Who makes that decision?  Are all Rabbis equally qualified? Can any Jew contribute to Torah?   

Chapters

01:51 The Importance of Oral Law

06:06 Understanding Halacha and Truth

11:50 The Role of Teacher and Student in Torah

17:59 The Nature of Disputes in Torah

24:10 The Concept of...

How do we classify the various sections of the Oral Law (Torah She'Baal Peh)? Is the Oral Law Rabbinic or Biblical? Why do we need an Oral Law? How was it transmitted through the generations?  Why do we record all the arguments in the Talmud and not just the conclusions?  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Reflections on Jewish Heritage

03:11 Understanding the Oral Law

05:58 Categories of Oral Law

09:00 The Role of Sages in Halach...

Was the 1919 Baseball series really determined by hardline gamblers?

Why did a Rabbi give the eulogy at a gangster’s funeral?

How did Issy Einstein become the greatest Prohibition Agent?

What were the Nazis trying to achieve in America in 1939?

 

Chapters

00:00 The Dark Side of Baseball: The 1919 World Series Fix

16:54 The Rise and Fall of Arnold Rothstein

26:07 Izzy Einstein: The Prohibition Agent Who Became a Legend

27:29 The Dan...

Between the wars - due mainly to Prohibition - crime flourished in America and Jews were not immune to the effects. 

Gangs of irreligious working class Jews, made their fortunes and met their untimely ends during the 20s & 30s. But the narrative is not without a number of surprising twists, particularly in Chicago - the home of Al Capone. 

And why did one notorious thief do Teshuva?

 

Chapters

 

00:00 The Rise of Jewish Gangste...

In the last 150 years, few things have created disputes in Jewish communities, in the way Eruvin has. Why? What makes an Eruv so very different to Kashrus? And in hindsight can we now work out who was right?  Could Yerushalayim hold the key?   

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Eiruv and Jewish Heritage

02:53 The Historical Context of Eiruv in Toronto

05:47 Rabbi Graubart's Contributions to Eiruv

09:01 The Evolution of Eiruv in Tor...

Documents and Responsa from across the Jewish world reveal that for centuries Jews discussed, debated and disagreed over the Shabbos Eruv

Walled cities, canals, telegraph poles, Kabbala, fires and powerful secular rulers all played their role and affected entire communities. And from the 19th century onwards, strong personalities would influence and colour the narrative.

 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Erevin and Halacha

03:04 Und...

(To book the Provence trip with Rabbi Tatz & Rabbi Hersh - email giana.elav@gmail.com)

Jewish leadership found itself in a crisis post-1881, affecting not only their options but their identity. In response, Rabbis turned to the international community for help, especially from  non-Jewish politicians.

This period was exacerbated by the public...

1855 brought a new dawn to Russia, and was embraced by many, although poverty remained a constant.

When the Czar was assassinated, all hell broke loose and the Jews were given a stark reminder of their status. By 1897 Socialism, Zionism & Emigration seemed to offer the only routes out.

 

Chapters

00:00 The Shift in Jewish Education and Identity

01:46 The Impact of Tsar Alexander II's Reforms

06:40 The Rise of Jewish Assimilatio...

Given the extreme circumstances, orders went out to remove informers using all available means; which led to arrests, interrogations and harsh sentences.   Meanwhile in 1844, the government issued a new decree forbidding traditional Jewish clothing and head coverings, with dire consequences.   Would Sir Moses Montefiore’s visit alleviate any of these difficult challenges?  

Chapters

00:00 The Struggle Against Forced Assimilation

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