History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast

#166: Jerusalem III : 1099-1568

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
00:00 Welcome Back and Celebrations
03:07 Reflections on the Poland Trip
06:01 The Crusades and Their Impact on Jerusalem
08:48 The Aftermath of the Crusader Conquest
12:10 Saladin's Rise and the Muslim Response
15:02 The Third Crusade and Negotiations for Jerusalem
17:52 The Mamluks and Their Rule
21:02 The Jewish Presence in Jerusalem
24:07 The Aliyah of Scholars to Eretz Yisrael
27:01 The Ottoman Conquest and Its Effects
30:03 Life in Jerusalem Under Ottoman Rule
32:52 The Economic and Social Conditions of Jews
36:02 Travel and Migration to Eretz Yisrael
39:01 The Keys of Jerusalem and Their Significance
42:09 The Jewish Community in Jerusalem
45:01 The Future of Jerusalem and Upcoming Topics
 
 

#165: Jerusalem II: 638-1098

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 Treaty of Jerusalem: A Historical Overview
04:03 The Islamic Conquest and Its Impact on Jerusalem
09:46 The Role of Caliph Omar and the Covenant of Omar
13:56 The Dynasties of Islamic Rule in Jerusalem
19:52 The Jewish Community in Jerusalem: A Historical Perspective
25:50 The Golden Gate and Its Significance
31:37 The Cultural Exchange Between East and West
37:45 The Fatimid Period and Its Tolerance
41:39 The Decline of Islamic Rule and the Rise of the Crusaders

#164: Jerusalem I: 70-636CE

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 Jerusalem: A City of Conflict and Unity
05:52 The Role of Prayer in Jewish Identity
08:50 Reflections on Leadership and Faith
11:56 The Roman Destruction and Its Aftermath
14:46 The Impact of Hadrian's Rule
17:53 The Bar Kokhba Revolt and Its Consequences
28:04 The Destruction of Judea and Jewish Martyrdom
31:32 Christianity's Shift and the Loss of Jerusalem's Centrality
35:31 Constantine's Reign and the Christianization of Jerusalem
40:36 Helena's Influence and the Rise of Christian Pilgrimage
44:22 Julian's Brief Reprieve for the Jews
49:02 Justinian's Persecution and the Transformation of Jerusalem
52:50 The Persian Conquest and Jewish Resurgence
56:27 The Muslim Era and Jewish Return to Jerusalem

#163: Oral Law II - Who is Right? Who is a Scholar?

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 Eilu ve Eilu
29:57 Halacha in Practice
44:01 The Role of the Sanhedrin
52:23 Defining a Talmid Chochom today

#162: Oral Law I (Torah She'Baal Peh) - Definitions

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 Halacha
11:55 The Transmission of Torah
15:01 The Distinction Between Written and Oral Law
18:14 The Process of Halachic Decision-Making
20:49 The Authority of the Sages
23:50 Conclusion and Future Discussions
25:21 The Necessity of Oral Law
28:03 The Role of Oral Tradition in Judaism
30:00 Halachic Authority and the Importance of Analysis
36:51 Principles of Halacha and Their Application
44:29 The Spiritual Connection to Torah Study

#161 - Mavericks II : Villains & Heroes

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 Dangers of Prohibition and Jewish Identity
29:00 Jewish Gangsters and Anti-Nazi Actions
32:40 The Rise of Anti-Semitism in America
36:58 The Madison Square Garden Rally and Jewish Resistance
40:51 Complexities of Jewish Identity and Resistance
43:46 Individual Acts of Courage Against Anti-Semitism
47:09 Post-War Contributions of Jewish Gangsters
50:57 The Transformation of Las Vegas by Jewish Mobsters
54:46 Lepke Buchalter and the FBI's Pursuit
56:42 Legacy of Jewish Gangsters and Their Impact

#160 - Mavericks I: Crime in the USA

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 Gangsters in America
20:51 Prohibition: A Catalyst for Crime
24:00 The Interplay of Politics and Crime in Chicago
26:12 The Role of Jewish Gangsters in Chicago's Community
28:36 Protection and Power: The Duality of Gangster Generosity
29:12 Violence and Rivalry: The Miller Brothers' Story
31:51 The Rise and Fall of Jewish Organized Crime
34:15 Max Friedman: From Thief to Notorious Criminal
39:21 Rudensky's Escapes and Criminal Career
44:15 Transformation: From Criminal to Consultant
52:40 Legacy of Change: The Life of Red Rudensky

#159 - Eruv II : The Controversies

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 Toronto
11:45 Challenges of Eiruv in Yerushalayim
15:03 Halachic Perspectives on Eiruv
17:51 Debates on Eiruv and Community Needs
21:00 The Role of Local Rabbanim in Eiruv Decisions
24:10 Conclusion and Future of Eiruv Discussions
30:11 The Complexity of Eruvin Decisions
34:30 Halachic Perspectives on Shabbos and Eruvin
39:51 Community Needs and Rabbinical Authority
45:40 Historical Context and Modern Implications of Eruvin
52:18 The Challenges of Eruvin in Contemporary Society

#158 - Eruv I : The History

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 Understanding the Concept of Erevin
05:53 Historical Context of Erevin
08:54 Disputes and Rulings on Erevin
11:48 Erevin in Different Regions
14:55 The Role of Authority in Erevin
17:53 Contemporary Applications of Erevin
21:05 The Historical Context of Eruvin in Jewish Communities
24:41 Challenges and Innovations in Eruvin Construction
28:03 The Evolution of Eruvin in Krakow
36:00 Eruvin in the New World: St. Louis Case Study

#157 - The Russian Empire V – Genius, Identity & Revolution

(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 publication of the infamous Protocols of the Elders of Zion and the notorious Kishinev pogrom of 1903, which was followed by the abortive 1905 Revolution.
As a conclusion, the podcast also defines the historical context of Jewish suffering and the cycle of Jewish history.
 
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Jewish Suffering Through History
02:54 The Impact of the May Laws and Pogroms
05:53 The Shift in Jewish Identity and Response
09:05 The Role of Rabbinic Leadership During Crisis
12:08 International Responses to Jewish Persecution
15:00 The Kovner Circle and Smuggling Information
18:04 The Aftermath of Pogroms and Changing Policies
20:46 The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and Its Legacy
27:53 The Systematic Transition to Violence
30:47 The Rise of Revolutionaries and the 1905 Uprising
36:32 Understanding Jewish Suffering Through History
39:27 Insights on Divine Purpose and Jewish Existence
51:10 The Cycle of Jewish History and Its Lessons

#156 - The Russian Empire IV - Freedom, Poverty & Pogroms

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 Assimilation and National Pride
12:46 The Economic Divide Among Jews
18:02 The Harsh Realities of Poverty in the Pale
22:34 The Reversal of Reforms and Growing Tensions
25:48 The Generational Divide and Revolutionary Movements
28:37 The Anarchist Campaign Against the Tsar
33:24 The Assassination of Tsar Alexander II
36:46 The Aftermath: Repression and Pogroms
41:04 The May Laws and Their Impact on Jewish Life
49:14 The Rise of Jewish Nationalism and Emigration
54:55 Historical Memory and Current Events  

#155 - The Russian Empire III - Fight or Flight?

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
02:55 The Role of Informants in Jewish Communities
05:47 The Consequences of Informing
08:51 The Murder of Informers and Community Response
15:01 The Rizhner's Imprisonment and Escape
21:11 The Clothing Decree and Its Implications
30:38 Resistance to Assimilation and Clothing Laws
37:55 Impact on Women and Family Dynamics
44:33 The Role of Sir Moses Montefiore
52:40 Continuing Challenges in the Russian Empire

#154 - The Russian Empire II – Persecution, Heroism & Informers

Czar Nicholas hated Jews and Judaism in equal measure. He initiated 600 decrees against them over a 30 year period, and destroyed community life in Russia. The terror of his reign is relieved only by the faith and courage of families across the Pale of Settlement, carried out in defiance of the secret police and of Jewish informants. 
 
Chapters
00:00 The Jewish Plight in the Russian Empire
02:54 Russian Policies and Jewish Resettlement
06:05 Nicholas I and the Cantonist Decree
08:57 The Impact of Conscription on Jewish Families
12:00 The Agony of Jewish Children in the Army
14:54 The Struggles of Jewish Identity and Survival
18:08 The Role of Informers and Community Dynamics
21:01 Resistance and the Response of Jewish Leaders
26:25 The Impact of the Cantonist Decrees
32:10 The Struggle for Jewish Identity
34:26 Nicholas I's Repressive Policies
36:51 Censorship and Cultural Suppression
39:43 The Role of Hevras in Jewish Life
40:40 Cohesion Amidst Oppression
44:50 The Irony of Forced Preservation
45:41 Educational Reforms and Their Consequences
53:08 Moses Montefiore's Visit to Russia
54:51 Reflections on Suffering and Resilience

#153 - The Russian Empire I - Origins, Conquest & Confinement

For centuries, Russia was home to the largest Jewish community in the world. But why did Jews choose to move to a country that never wanted them?
Understanding this complex history is at the heart of Jewish Modern history. 
And was Kiev or Moscow the capital of the Empire.
 
Chapters
00:00 Political Intrigue
11:01 The History of Russian Jewry
25:48 Catherine the Great's Reign and Jewish Policies
27:41 The Transformation of the Russian Empire
30:00 The Jewish Population in Eastern Europe
34:21 The Impact of Russian Rule on Jewish Life
37:22 Resistance and Rebellion in Poland
40:01 Diverging Paths: Prussian and Galician Jews
42:11 The Russian Government's Approach to Jews
45:05 The Long Nightmare of Russian Governance
50:28 Reactions from Jewish Leaders
54:00 The Legacy of Eastern European Jewry

#152 - Jewish Physicians III – Ottoman Vignettes and Halachic Questions feat. Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz

In Eastern Europe quacks and soothsayers were in abundance, as were invented remedies whilst the Ottoman Empire provided refuge from Spain but came with its own risk.
But do the best doctors end up in Hell according to Jewish tradition? Can one give a vaccine that also kills people? And may one smoke on Shabbos to perform better surgery?
 
Chapters
00:00 The Landscape of Medical Practice in 18th Century Russia
02:55 The Role of Jewish Physicians in Europe
05:52 The Influence of Jewish Medical Practitioners in the Ottoman Empire
12:08 Challenges Faced by Jewish Physicians in France and Germany
18:00 The Ethical Dilemmas of Medical Practice
27:04 Reflections on the Medical Profession and Its Perception
27:50 The Weight of Medical Decisions
28:47 Personal Anecdotes and Cultural Reflections
32:31 Halachic Insights in Medical Practice
34:23 Ethical Dilemmas in Medicine
40:12 The Role of Transparency in Medical Decisions
41:20 Halachic Questions in Medical Scenarios

#151 - Jewish Physicians II - China & the Middle East feat. Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz

Why did Jewish doctors in the Middle East get involved in Politics?
How should modern day doctors combine ethics and law? How many Jewish women medics were there in Europe? Who were the Chinese Jewish physicians? How do we define sanctity of Life?
And should everyone own a copy of Pu Ji Fang?
 
Chapters
02:34 Jewish Doctors in the Islamic World
09:50 Cultural Interactions and Medical Ethics
15:04 Conversion and Identity Among Jewish Physicians
18:59 The Role of Women in Jewish Medicine
27:55 Marco Polo and Jewish Communities in China
29:36 Jewish Physicians in Chinese History
34:32 Personal Anecdotes: Medicine and Judaism in South Africa
49:05 Ethical Dilemmas in Medicine and Judaism
54:34 The Intersection of Autonomy and Jewish Law  

#150 - Jewish Physicians I - European Challenges feat. Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz

‘My son-in-law the Doctor’ may be a cliche, but it is based on the very real narrative of thousands of Jewish physicians who practiced through the ages. 
What was their environment during the Middle Ages in Christian Europe? How did Jewish doctors gain their knowledge? Why did the Popes always have a Jewish physician? And how are the Rambam’s medical writings viewed today?
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jewish Medicine and History
02:47 The Role of Jewish Physicians in Europe
06:10 Historical Context of Jewish Medical Literature
09:04 The Influence of Islamic Medicine on Jewish Practices
11:55 The Evolution of Medical Practices in Medieval Europe
15:14 The Relationship Between Jewish and Christian Physicians
18:02 The Societal Perception of Jewish Doctors
20:48 Accusations and Stereotypes Against Jewish Physicians
24:02 The Impact of the Black Death on Jewish Medicine
26:56 Conclusion: The Legacy of Jewish Medicine
33:37 The Perils of Jewish Physicians in History
46:00 The Legacy of Maimonides and Jewish Medicine
01:01:56 The Evolution of Medical Specialization and Its Impact

#149 - Vienna III : Leading to Darkness

WWI was a catastrophic event for the Austrian Empire, and the Jews immediately became unwelcome residents. 
When the Chancellor was assassinated it seemed that time was running out. However, Vienna still played host to important people and events in the inter-war years.
The Chortkover Rebbe, the founding of Daf Yomi and a Zionist Congress. And then there was the unusual visit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1903
 
Chapters
00:00 The Rise of Anti-Semitism in Pre-War Austria
02:55 World War I: A Turning Point for Austrian Jewry
06:05 Post-War Challenges: Economic Hardships and Scapegoating
08:55 The Emergence of Political Anti-Semitism
11:48 The Role of Universities in Anti-Semitic Sentiment
15:02 The Zionist Congress and Public Demonstrations
17:54 The Impact of Anti-Semitism on Jewish Identity
21:13 Conclusion: Lessons from History
26:35 The Rise of Anti-Semitism in Austria
29:50 Unexpected Allies: The Christian Social Chancellor
32:11 The Complex Relationship Between Jews and the Austrian Government
35:34 Internal Divisions Within the Jewish Community
39:17 The Role of Religious Leadership in Vienna
43:10 The Influence of the Chotkver Rebbe
50:11 The Encounter Between Freud and the Lu
bavitcher Rebbe

#148 - Vienna II - pre-WWI: Freud, Herzl & Rabbi Flesch

Why did Vienna produce so many revolutionary Jews?
 
How Jewish was Freud? Was Herzl always a Zionist? Did the Beis Yakov movement actually start in Vienna rather than Krakow?
 
Nathan Birnbaum created the term Zionism - why don’t we know more about him? What was Gustav Mahler’s epitaph on his tombstone?
 
Chapters
03:12 Jewish Identity vs Jewish Society
06:04 Responses to Antisemitism: A Spectrum of Reactions
09:00 Five Cultural Figures and Their Influence
11:51 Theodor Herzl: From Assimilation to Zionism
20:54 The Collision of Ideas: Herzl and Viennese Jewry
23:50 Herzl's Proposals: Why they happened in Vienna
30:09 Nathan Birnbaum: The Ideologue of Zionism
35:24 Sigmund Freud: A Complex Jewish Identity
39:14 Freud's Psychoanalysis: Does it have religious value?
46:30 Rabbi Moshe David Flesch: A Voice for Jewish Women

#147 - The BBC: Biased Broadcasting Corporation - The Insiders View feat. Trevor Asserson

It has long been suspected that the BBC is anti-Israel and employs pro-Palestinian reporters and editors. But how do you prove suspicion? And how far does the betrayal go? 
 
Using objective forensic methodology and scientific analysis, a year long report was created by a team of researchers, spear-headed by Trevor Assesrson, that makes shocking reading and listening.
Post-interview we then spoke to Rabbi Zev Leff, Rabbi Osher Weiss and others, to determine how we should react?
https://asserson.co.uk/assersonreport/
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jewish History Podcast
01:07 Media Bias and Its Impact on Jewish Identity
03:25 Interview with Trevor Asserson: Uncovering BBC Bias
05:45 The Findings of the Asserson Report
10:06 Analysis of BBC Arabic Coverage
12:28 BBC Arabic and Its Influence
17:34 The BBC's Institutional Challenges
19:30 Hamas's Strategy and Media Reporting
24:24 BBC's Institutional Bias
27:14 Freedom of Information and BBC Accountability
32:20 Public Awareness and Criticism of the BBC
39:37 The Challenge of Objectivity in Reporting
40:34 Funding and Support for Continued Research
46:34 Conclusion and
Call to Action