History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast
History for the Curious The most talked-about Jewish History Podcast History for the Curious features the dynamic historian and famous tour guide & lecturer: Rabbi Aubrey Hersh, live from the JLE in London, hosted by myself: Mena Reisner Join us as we cross continents, sail through the centuries, tracing lives, uncovering events and following epic journeys, to reveal the untold stories, the scandals, and the mysteries, that have impacted our history and shaped us into who we are today. Encounter leaders, visionaries, spies, heroes & traitors and unpack 2,000 years of Jewish heritage. Go back to the story of Jews in the Temple of Jerusalem. Confront the dilemmas of the Holocaust. Visit Paris, Prague, Vilna, London, Venice, New York & the Cairo Geniza. Meet The Russian Czar, Ramchal, Maharal, Maimonides, Churchill, Shabbetai Zvi and the Hapsburgs.
Episodes
Episodes
Friday Apr 12, 2024
Friday Apr 12, 2024
For centuries Jews faced restrictions building their shuls.
Halachic questions arose across Europe concerning rights, ownership and use. And closer to our day, when communities split, the assets would often be fought over.
For the trip, please email: giana.elav@gmail.com
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview
07:41 Shul as a Place of Assembly and Governance
14:13 Challenges in Shul Expansion and Renovation
29:14 Ownership and Rights of a Community in a Shul
38:13 The Changing Dynamics of Shuls and the Role of Trustees
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
Financial Responsa in History I - Taxes, Charity & Freedom (feat. Dayan Y Hool)
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
In times of war and peace and throughout the centuries, Jews have asked questions. Some became the foundations of halacha, others were forgotten.
In this episode we trace back through the ages to find that the new is often very old.
To purchase Dayan Hools book, click here -
Beth Din Commercial Arbitration: https://amzn.eu/d/hSkOB53
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Urgency of the Question
03:04 The Importance of Responsa in Jewish Law
06:22 Preserving and Recording Responsa
10:45 Debates on Jewish Community and Communal Organization
14:04 Reduction in Responsa and the Need for New Answers
25:46 Communal Financial Responsa in Times of Crisis
26:42 Repurposing Funds and the Power of Handwriting
29:37 Contributing to Communal Projects in Tehran
30:06 Apportioning Funds for Weddings and Inflation
31:02 Returning Donations Given in Error
35:22 The Role of Community Contributions
51:01 Security as an Individual Requirement
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Yishmael vs Yisrael X – A personal account in Gaza
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Unlike the secular worldview, Jewish history looks at individuals and at details. And although we have closely followed the general conflict in Israel, we are at arm’s length from the war.
Hearing first-hand some of the challenges that Yona Pinchos Gedalia ben Soroh Chana faced, will thereby give a deeper perspective to what Israel is experiencing.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode
03:04 The Importance of Individuals in Jewish History
06:28 The Jewish View of History
09:20 Lessons from the Story of Esther
12:10 Interview with a Soldier who Fought in Gaza
19:25 Powerful and Evocative Moments in Gaza
22:15 Worrying about Family and Coping with Breaks
27:55 The Role of Faith and Processing the Experience
35:10 Takeaway: Making Sacrifices and Supporting Soldiers
Monday Mar 18, 2024
Douglas Murray - Raw Opinion on the Israel Conflict
Monday Mar 18, 2024
Monday Mar 18, 2024
To Watch This Podcast, click here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRbtzDOtBAY&t=2021s
A wide-ranging discussion with author & international broadcaster Douglas Murray, on the questions: Why the Media Lie - The Liberal Left - Antisemitism, modern and ancient - The Future in Israel.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection
00:38 Interview with Douglas Murray
06:50 Journalistic Bias and Bigotry
09:40 Media Coverage of Israel-Palestine Conflict
11:37 Displacement of Israeli Families
14:30 Impact of Advocacy and Truth
21:33 Denial and Response to Terrorism
22:41 Complacency and Strategic Thinking
24:35 Israel's Technological Advantages
25:24 Living with Rockets
26:21 Deprogramming Hate
27:48 Education and De-Radicalization
29:40 The Insoluble Problem
30:09 The Future of Palestine
31:28 Anti-Semitism and Humanity
32:27 Anti-Semitism on Campuses
33:20 Sinister and Stupid Anti-Semitism
34:29 The Disappearance of Adults
35:25 Liberalism and Judaism
36:18 Two Types of Liberalism
37:09 The Rise of Anti-Semitism
38:08 The Perception of Jews
39:04 The Danger of Open Borders
40:27 Anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe
41:18 Anti-Semitism and Liberalism
42:37 Anti-Semitism as a Reality
43:06 Decency and Solidarity
45:32 Running for Public Office
46:28 Supporting Threatened MPs
Sunday Mar 10, 2024
The Karaites III - Unusual Episodes
Sunday Mar 10, 2024
Sunday Mar 10, 2024
The Karaites arrive in Ponovezh, Lithuania; Seraya Shapshal abruptly changes direction; Ibn Ezra writes Zemirot [link below]; the Nazis preside over a Karaite debate; Voltaire quotes a Karaite scholar; The 21st century reconfigures Karaism.
Ki Eshmera Shabbat - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Um8Z5Wdok-WeA7zNmKFkEjG06eH21Sax/view?usp=drivesdk
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:16 Karaites in Ponovitch
04:42 Karaites in Trakai
06:35 Relations with Orthodox Jews
09:27 Karaites under Tsarist Russia
15:15 Secularization and Reform
19:28 Communist Rule and World War II
24:12 Karaites and the Holocaust
28:30 Communist Rule and Decline
29:57 Karaites in the Middle East
32:47 Karaites in Europe and the USA
35:10 Karaites in Israel
39:24 Halakhic Status of the Karaites
44:43 The Evin Ezra and the Karaites
47:05 Conclusion
Sunday Feb 25, 2024
The Karaites II - Forgeries & History
Sunday Feb 25, 2024
Sunday Feb 25, 2024
Refugees arrived in Egypt from Toldeo in 1459, with ideas of their own.
But as the centuries progressed, the Karaites spread out from the Middle East. Crimea became the headquarters of the movement.
However Abraham Firkowitz had his own ideas about history, in which facts did not necessarily feature. Although St. Petersburg owes him a continuing debt of gratitude.
Chapters
00:00 Quarrel between Karaites and Rabbinites in 1833
03:17 Karaites in Egypt in the mid-1400s
06:05 Karaites and Rabbanites in 1465
07:01 Karaites seeking religious answers from Muslim jurists
08:30 Karaites' status as Jews
10:22 Karaites in Crimea and Eastern Europe
13:17 Karaites in Crimea in the late Middle Ages
19:33 Russian rule over Crimea and discriminatory laws
20:58 Avram Firkovich and his forgeries
25:35 Firkovich's influence and success
36:29 Firkovich's efforts and legacy
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
The Karaites I - Origins & Practices
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
1,200 years ago, a new form of Judaism was created, and it has lasted through the centuries.
How far did Karaism spread? Did the Rambam allow them to be circumcised? Did Islam bring about the new ideology? And why would they observe Rosh Hashana without a Shofar?
Please email giana.elav@gmail.com for details on the upcoming Vienna Trip.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Karaites
03:07 Beliefs and Practices of the Karaites
05:32 Rav Saadia Gaon and the Defense of Orthodoxy
06:29 Origins and Founding of the Karaites
09:19 Historical Context and Factors Influencing the Karaites
11:12 Interaction between Karaites and Orthodox Jews
15:24 Halakhic Requirements and Practices of the Karaites
20:04 Stringency and Uniqueness of Karaites' Observance
21:24 Differences in Shabbat Candle Lighting and Prayer
23:50 Comparison with the Sadducees and Tzadokim
24:46 Relationship between Karaites and Orthodox Jews
25:44 Spread of the Karaites in Iraq, Jerusalem, and Egypt
29:08 Presence of Karaites in Constantinople and Cyprus
32:56 Decline of Karaites in Jerusalem
35:20 Karaites in Egypt and Influence of the Rambam
39:34 Karaites in Toledo and Mixed Marriages
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
500 Years Ago: February 1524
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
When Europe became the battleground between opposing armies, a very unlikely candidate met up with the Pope and proposed a solution.
It would involve the Jews, and start in the heart of Inquisition Portugal.
But it brought about unexpected results.
Ultimately we have a cloak and a flag to reflect upon.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Trip Announcement
01:24 ICJ Case Against Israel
03:16 Ongoing Case and Accusation of Genocide
04:12 Podcast Achievement and Offline Listening
05:07 Introduction to the Story of Shlomo Molcho and David Reuveni
06:05 Arrival of David Reuveni in Venice
07:02 Encounter between David Reuveni and Diego Pérez
09:26 David Reuveni's Background and Travels
10:52 David Reuveni's Arrival in Rome
11:47 David Reuveni's Meeting with Pope Clement VII
12:45 David Reuveni's Visit to Portugal
16:29 Shlomo Molcho's Life in Salonika
18:50 Shlomo Molcho's Return to Italy
20:12 Shlomo Molcho's Meeting with Pope Clement VII
22:31 Shlomo Molcho's Imprisonment and Execution
23:29 Meeting with Emperor Charles V
24:47 Emperor's Reaction and Execution of Shlomo Molcho
25:43 Conclusion and Legacy of Shlomo Molcho
31:23 Discussion on Shlomo Molcho's Motivations
33:44 Reactions and Impact of Shlomo Molcho
36:05 Closing Remarks and Trip Announcement
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Yishmael vs Yisrael IX - The Father of a Hostage
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
A moving, personal first-hand account of trial, tribulation and faith. Recorded live at the JLE.
Chapters
00:00 The Kidnapping of Ori Danino03:29 The Search for Ori05:24 Ori's Heroic Actions08:08 The Power of Emunah09:32 Seeing Hashem in Difficult Times12:12 The Unexplainable Nature of the War13:47 Praying and Believing in Hashem15:53 A Message to Ori17:20 Coping with Disappointment18:44 The Impact of Ori's Story19:43 The Power of Emunah from Generations Past23:40 A Call to Prayer
Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
Yishmael vs Yisrael VIII - The ICJ
Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
In 2004 Israel was prosecuted at the ICJ for building a barrier through the West Bank. But Israel didn’t bother to turn up. What changed in 2024?
Why did South Africa in particular, take the lead against Israel?
Why does the proportionality argument (regarding civilian casualties) not help Israel’s defense?
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
The Letters Which Made History - Part III
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
Why was Sir Moses Montefiore in Malta for Tisha B’Av?
Who wrote the poem Bli Mazal (Out of Luck)?
Which British politician suggested in 1841, that the Jews create an independent State?
What made London famous in 1159?
Whom did Rabbeinu Tam bow to?
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
The Letters Which Made History - Part II
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
How did a small hole in a parchment create Crusader history?
What do Chopin, Karl Marx, Alexander Dumas & Goethe have in common?
Why would the Barons of Franconia insist that Jews go to Synagogue on Monday & Thursday?
What was life like for Jews in Sicily?
Listen to fascinating insights from four very different eras in Jewish History.
Thursday Jan 04, 2024
The Letters Which Made History - Part I
Thursday Jan 04, 2024
Thursday Jan 04, 2024
Did a Christian censor help the Jews of Bohemia?
Who was Rav Sherira Gaon and why is the letter he wrote over 1,000 years ago, so important today?
What brought Jews to America in the 1600s?
And why did a Rabbi in Indiana write to the US Secretary of State - in Hebrew!?
Tuesday Dec 26, 2023
Tuesday Dec 26, 2023
Recorded in Jerusalem, this ground-breaking episode includes testimony based on eyewitnesses, linking together Israel’s Past, Present & Future.
Are the Settlements illegal?
Does Islam’s monotheism bring any spiritual benefit to the Jews?
Is Israel imposing Apartheid on the Palestinians in the West Bank?
What does tomorrow hold for Israel?
Link to contact Zevi Kaufman at Cedar Media Studios - https://www.cedarmediastudios.com/
Link to donate Tefillin for soldiers - https://thechesedfund.com/israelselect/tefillin?aff=HFTCP
Friday Dec 15, 2023
Friday Dec 15, 2023
A must listen!
What rights to land did Jews have in Palestine?How does Israel explain the Deir Yassin massacre?Did they engage in ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in 1948?Should we regulate free speech of the BBC & Universities?
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Yishmael vs Yisrael V - The Harder Questions I (feat. R’ Yitzchok Breitowitz)
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Featuring Rav Yitzchok Breitowitz & Rav Osher Weiss.
How do we view War, Collateral Damage and Siege in Halacha? Did the Chafetz Chaim think that we can change the minds of non-Jewish governments? What rights do Jews have in Golus and what message should we take from the matzav?
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Yishmael vs Yisrael IV - The Hostages (feat. Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz)
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
The fate of 240 Jews still remains unknown… What are our spiritual obligations at this time? What does Jewish Law rule for these situations? And where does Advocacy fit into the equation?
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
London Through the Eyes of the Curious
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Experience London in a very unique way by clicking the link below-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wHjkkNGKUk
And please consider making a donation to allow us to continue the podcasts' reach and content - https://www.charityextra.com/jle/133970
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Rambam III - The Final Years
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Why was the letter to the Jews of Yemen so essential? Who was Guide to the Perplexed written for?
How did the Rambam steer his community through turbulent political times? And where does the bullfight in Cordoba fit in?
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Yishmael vs Yisrael III - Mesiras Nefesh (feat. Rabbi Y.Y Jacobson)
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Yishamel’s 3rd power is their veneration of martyrdom. Our spiritual antidote, is Mesiras Nefesh.
Although this includes self-sacrifice and is often translated as giving up one’s life, it is actually life-giving and forms the pillar of the survival of the Jewish Nation through the ages, as Rabbi YY Jacobson explains.