History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast

#135 - Understanding Halacha, History & Change: Taking Interest on a Loan (feat. Dayan Y. Posen)

The Torah explicitly forbids lending money at interest, yet the Hetter Iska document seems to allow it.
Is it legal? Should we all have one? Did the 17th century create a watershed moment?
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview
02:26 The Historical Context of Money in Jewish History
08:11 The Role of the Vaad Arba Arotzos in Creating the Hetter Iska Document
11:29 Navigating Financial Transactions within the Framework of Halacha
19:27 Understanding the Document
35:04 The Prohibition of Ribis (interest bearing loans)
43:18 Different Types of Hetter iska

#134 - Tisha B'Av Episode - The Hideout in Slovakia

Rabbi Yossi Steiner spent the war years on the run - as a child - and survived through a series of miracles.
 
He found himself alone in a ghetto, needing to take care of his 5 year old brother. He hid in a bunker for 9 months, whilst Nazis came searching with trained dogs. He crossed borders through forests and fields and spent months pretending to be a mute child.
 
His story and that of the non-jewish family who saved him, must be heard...
 
To see a clip of the bunker that saved R' Steiner, click here - https://www.jle.org.uk/pages/podcast
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:19 Life Before the War
03:46 Imposition of Decrees and Restrictions
06:14 Escape to Hungary
09:38 Safety in Hungary and the Divide Between Hungarian Jews and Jewish Refugees
13:25 Dangers for Foreign Jews in Hungary
16:20 Desperate Attempts to Save Loved Ones
21:52 Life Under False Identities
27:03 Return to Slovakia
29:00 Escape and Disappearance
30:28 Hiding and Seeking Refuge
31:57 The Mosulak Family's Heroic Act
32:55 The Consequences of the Slovak Uprising
34:22 Nazi Threats and Close Calls
36:20 Living in Fear and Constant Danger
37:19 Jan Mosulak's Courageous Denial
43:29 Honoring the Mosulak Family
46:40 The Fear and Resilience of a Child
50:33 The Importance of Not Giving Up
52:49 Finding Meaning in Loss and Tears

#133 - Holocaust Identities IV - The Church, The Red Cross & Nuremberg

1945. The war is over and Germany is in chaos. But now the church has to explain its silence. And two other groups emerge.
 
There are thousands of Jewish orphans scattered across Europe. At the same time there are thousands of Nazis on the run. Will justice prevail?
 
Chapters
00:00 The Church's Denial and Defense
04:19 Suppression of the Draft Encyclical
16:17 Treatment of Jewish Children in Convents
25:43 Collaboration with the International Red Cross
28:06 Complicity and Deficient Moral Map
30:30 Complicity of the Red Cross and the Catholic Church
38:39 The Role of the Red Cross in Aiding Nazis
46:10 The Vatican's Opposition to the Nuremberg Trials
54:39 Positive Contributions of the Red Cross and the Church

#132 - Holocaust Identities III - Hitler’s Olympics, Nation & Church

Berlin 1936 saw Germany win more Gold medals than any other country, while the world looked on. But at what price?
How aware was the Church of Jewish persecution? What role did the ordinary German play in Hitler’s regime? And what motivated those who saved Jews?
Chapters
00:00 The Berlin Olympics of 1936: Hitler's Showcase
05:04 Calls to Boycott or Relocate the Olympics
09:42 Why Did Ordinary Germans Participate in the Holocaust?
18:42 The Role of Obedience and Peer Pressure
23:24 The Church's Influence on Anti-Semitism
28:36 The Catholic Church's Silence and Inaction
31:27 Debating the Motivation behind the Church's Inaction
49:24 Individuals and Churches that Actively Helped and Saved Jews
 

#131 - Holocaust Identities II – Secret Soldiers Part 2

In 1944 X-troop were fighting in France.
With heavy losses and secret identities, some of them would tragically be buried under a cross.
By 1945 they had made their way to Germany, always searching for family members who may have survived, even if this required driving across no-man’s land into enemy territory.
When the war ends, they begin a new mission, rooting out Nazis in Germany & Austria. But Judgement is hard to come by.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: X-Troop's Mission
17:24 Finding Family: Ron Gilbert's Search
25:01 Manfred Gantz's Journey to Terezin
31:41 Rescuing Family: The Personal Mission of the X-Troop
38:00 Post-War Challenges and Denazification
44:43 Bravery and Resilience: The Legacy of the X-Troop
49:58 Conclusion: Lessons from the Holocaust

#130 - Holocaust Identities I - Secret Soldiers Part 1

To donate tefillin for the soldiers, please click - https://bit.ly/historyforthecurioustefillin
 
Forged through adversity and fuelled by the fate of their families who were trapped in Nazi Europe, a ragtag crew of Jewish refugees volunteered to become an elite army unit and significantly impact the enemy during WWII.
 
Initially interned as enemy aliens they risked their lives time and time again. A quarter of them would fall in battle.
 
Chapters
 
00:00 Introduction: The Story of Jewish Refugees in World War II
05:24 Joining an Elite Commando Troop
10:17 A Jewish Soldier's Encounter with Field Marshal Rommel
13:29 Obtaining Vital Intelligence for the Allies
16:57 The X-troop: Jewish Refugees Fighting Against the Nazis
21:04 Challenges and Discrimination Faced by Jewish Refugees
25:28 The Impact of Antisemitism and Propaganda
26:54 The Cruelty Faced by Jewish Refugees
29:20 The Formation of the X-Troop
30:19 Intense Training and Preparation
39:27 Crucial Roles in the D-Day Landings
45:30 Bravery and Resilience in the Face of Challenges

#129 - Rabbi Akiva Eger II - Rulings, Plague & Portrait

To appreciate Rabbi Akiva Eger we need to understand his era;
 
The cholera epidemic he lived through, the personalities of his generation as well as his rulings and how they were set out.
 
Who was he really and what did he look like?
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Rabbi Akiva Eger
13:46 Rabbi Akiva Eger's Role During the Cholera Epidemic
27:09 Conflict with the Community and the Hospital Management
35:31 The Accuracy of Portraits Depicting Rabbi Akiva Eger
38:49 Legacy and Impact of Rabbi Akiva Eger

#128 - Rabbi Akiva Eger I - Genius, Battles & Compassion

Famous as a scholar and lamdan, his life was beset by challenges and setbacks, all of which he faced with remarkable fortitude.
As the leader of Central Europe's Jewry, the impact of his writings and personality re-wrote the history of the 19th century for the Jews
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Government Intervention
08:01 Reb Akiva Eger's Scholarship and Influence
16:10 Reb Akiva Eger's Reluctance to Give Decisions
27:21 The Appointment Controversy in Posen
35:24 Acts of Kindness and Strength in Psak
39:40 Conclusion and Preview of
Part 2

#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