History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast

#127 - Kabbalah II - Heresy : Spain 1290-1350

Unraveling the Mystery  - Who was Moshe de Leon? How did the Zohar impact Jewish history? Is there a deep divide between Academics & Kabbalists. What did Rav Yaakov Emden write? And how was Marriage seen in 13th century Spain?
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Mystery of the Zohar
13:09 The Historical Context of Spain in the 13th and 14th Centuries
30:42 The Impact of the Zohar on Jewish History and Thought
31:12 The Complexity of the Zohar
34:01 Geographic References in the Zohar
36:48 Questioning the Existence of Places in the Zohar
38:14 The Enigma of Moshe de Leon
41:02 Possible Origins of the Zohar
44:17 The Role of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in the Zohar
49:00 Different Perspectives on the Zohar
52:22 Understanding the Entire Torah
54:19 The Beliefs of a Believing Jew
58:59 The Laws of Shmita
 

#126 - Kabbalah I - Controversy : Spain 1250-1295

In the 1200s Spanish Jewry faced great challenges within the community including Murder, Immorality & Defection.
 
This was exacerbated by dangerous teachings within Kabbalah which had to be rooted out by the Rashba and banned.
But 700 years later a pathway was found to Redemption. 
 
Chapters
00:00 Challenges of 13th-Century Spain: Tensions, Wealth, and Power
03:06 Controversies in Jewish Scholarship: Philosophy and Kabbalah
08:20 Internal Conflicts and Legal Authority
15:03 Religious Challenges and the Ban on Philosophy
26:50 The Legacy of Rabbi Avraham Abulafia
48:26 Kabbalistic Techniques and Mathematics

#125 - Spanish Jewry III - Targets of Resentment: Prominent Jewish Figures in Spain

The Golden Age was over but what drove Jews to settle in Christian Spain?
What is the true story of the pirates in Cordoba?
Why was the commentary of the Rif so vital and why did the Ba’al HaMaor critique it?
Who controlled the Jews: The Church or The Kings?
 
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:05 Legends and Stories in Jewish History
08:50 Prominent Jewish Scholars and Physicians
16:30 Transition from Muslim to Christian Rule
24:48 Power Dynamics: Kings and the Church
29:00 Challenges to Jewish Authority
31:58 Clothing and Distinguishing Marks
36:12 Freedom and High Profile
39:01 Tensions and Uncertainty
 
 

#124 - Spanish Jewry II - The Golden Age : Poetry, Power and Politics

A unique world existed for two centuries in which a  Jewish general lead Moslem armies into battle and authored 1,500 poems while Chasdai, the most famous Jew, discovered the antidote to poison and oversaw the creation of Jewish grammar.
Was Yosef Hannagid responsible for the death of an Arab prince? And how did Spain over-rule Babylonia?
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry
14:18 The Achievements and Influential Figures of the Golden Age
35:58 The Cultural Significance of Poetry and Literature
39:21 Emergence of Jewish Literary Works in Muslim Spain
41:37 The End of the Golden Age
43:28 Disputes Among Jewish Grammarians

#123 - Spanish Jewry I - The Dark Ages: The Forced Conversion of the Jews

The history of the Jews in Spain has always been part of our collective memory. But the real story starts 1,000 years earlier.
 
Long before the Rishonim, flourishing communities existed. What were their lives like? Why do we not know more about them? And what happened in 711CE?
 
For the trip, please email: giana.elav@gmail.com
 
Chapters
00:00 The Visigothic Period: Anti-Jewish Legislation and Forced Conversions
15:40 The Muslim Invasion: The Golden Age of Spain for Jews
33:43 Uncovering the Forgotten History: The Jews of Spain

#122 - Responsa in History III

Do synagogues have rights over membership?
Why did a Chazan risk excommunication in Perpignan?
Why were responsa printed in defiance of the author’s wishes?
And the 1708 Chametz glue on a Pesach document…
 
 
Chapters
00:00 Excommunication and Imposing Bans
06:18 Excommunication and Scholarly Disputes
13:28 The Role of the Chazan in the Synagogue
26:04 Insights from Historical Responsa
 
 

#121 - Financial Responsa in History II - Shuls, Politics & Power (feat. Dayan Y Posen)

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

#120 - Financial Responsa in History I - Taxes, Charity & Freedom (feat. Dayan Y Hool)

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
 
 
 

#119 - Yishmael vs Yisrael X – A personal account in Gaza

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

#118 - Douglas Murray - Raw Opinion on the Israel Conflict

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

#117 - The Karaites III - Unusual Episodes

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

#116 - The Karaites II - Forgeries & History

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

#115 - The Karaites I - Origins & Practices

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

#114 - 500 Years Ago: February 1524

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

#113 - Yishmael vs Yisrael IX - The Father of a Hostage

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

#112 - Yishmael vs Yisrael VIII - The ICJ

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?

#111 - The Letters Which Made History - Part III

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?

#110 - The Letters Which Made History - Part II

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.
 

#109 - The Letters Which Made History - Part I

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!?

#108 - Yishmael vs Yisrael VII - Vital Answers for Difficult Times (feat. Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz)

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