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
Tuesday Sep 12, 2023
The French Revolution III (1799-1808)
Tuesday Sep 12, 2023
Tuesday Sep 12, 2023
Having conquered much of Europe, Napoleon turned his attention to the Jews. Not by request but by demand; to make Jewish law compatible with France’s constitution.The rabbis walked a tightrope to respond. And of course there’s the matter of 10,000s of documents that disappeared. How justifiable was it?
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
The French Revolution II (1789-1799)
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
How glorious was the Revolution and where does the Tennis Court Oath fit in? Did the Jews actually want to be emancipated? How did they cope with the Year of Terror; Were the Jews victims or collateral damage?
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
The French Revolution I – The Prelude (1552-1788)
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
In 1789, the French proclaimed liberty to all their citizens including the Jews of France.
Except that Jews hadn’t been allowed in the country since 1394 – so who was actually emancipated? Why was Metz so important? What happened to Sefardi arrivals into the country?
And in the battle between the King and Strasbourg, whose side were the Jews on?
Wednesday Jul 26, 2023
The Silent War IV - The Prosecutor
Wednesday Jul 26, 2023
Wednesday Jul 26, 2023
When the Holocaust ended, the Jews awaited justice. Sadly it would be denied to them.
But one man - a Jew names Ben Ferencz - made it his business to bring at least some of the Nazi murderers to trial and make Germany pay.
This is his story, and the untold story of so many others.
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
The Silent War III - Trading with the Enemy
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
IBM’s partnership enabled the cattle trains to run to schedule, and even after the Holocaust, the spoils were there for the taking.
What did the allied governments know?
And who else co-operated with the Nazis?
Thursday Jul 13, 2023
The Silent War II - IBM’s Deceit
Thursday Jul 13, 2023
Thursday Jul 13, 2023
In pursuit of profit, IBM disregarded all morals and supplied Nazi Germany with the technological capabilities to identify and pursue the Jews.
To avoid scrutiny, IBM’s transactions were carried out through neutral countries and veils of corporate secrecy.
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
The Silent War I - Deceiving the Gestapo
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
Heroism took on many forms during the Holocaust, collective & individual, spiritual & armed.
But the choice to live a double life meant choosing to live with the constant fear of betrayal.
This is the story of Helene’s choice.
Wednesday Jun 28, 2023
The Sinai Revelation II (1312BCE) - Challenges & Deniers
Wednesday Jun 28, 2023
Wednesday Jun 28, 2023
In the Western world, academia dismisses the idea that Torah is G-d given.
How robust is their theory of Documentary Hypothesis? Who was P? Did Ezra author any of Chumash?
Wouldn't a hurricane explain the Sinai experience or perhaps Mass-Hypnosis?
Monday Jun 26, 2023
The Sinai Revelation I (1312BCE) - Exploding the Myths
Monday Jun 26, 2023
Monday Jun 26, 2023
All religions have a narrative regarding their origins.
Judaism states that G-d appeared on Mt Sinai 3335 years ago to communicate with mankind.
Is it rational to believe in this history of the divine origin of the Torah?
Can we prove beyond a reasonable doubt that we encountered G-d?
Does Judaism make sense?
Thursday Jun 15, 2023
The Maharam of Rottenberg II (1215-1307)
Thursday Jun 15, 2023
Thursday Jun 15, 2023
To ransom or not? And why after he died?
The Maharam’s responsa: Who matters - the individual or the community.
Taking life during the Crusades, removing leprosy and deciding halacha based on dreams.
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
The Maharam of Rotenberg I (1215-1293) featuring Rabbi S.F Zimmerman
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Featuring special guest speaker Rabbi Shraga Feivel Zimmerman.
As the 13th century drew to a close and persecution in Germany increased, one individual gathered together thousands of responsa and rulings: Rabbi Meir of Rotenberg.
Who was he? How did his writings influence the next 700 years of Jewish life? And why was he never set free?
Wednesday May 31, 2023
A Look Back at History
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Celebrating 200,000 downloads! Thank you all!
Answering your questions on the Jews in England, Budapest's personalities, the Noda Biyehuda, Shabbetai Zvi in the 21st century, and introducing the life and times of Rabbi Naftali Zilberberg.
Wednesday May 24, 2023
Budapest III (1686-1877) - The Hapsburg Years
Wednesday May 24, 2023
Wednesday May 24, 2023
Hungary might forbid Israelites to live in their cities, but the Seven Communities change the rules. Nevertheless, the Jews are still barely tolerated.
They join the revolution of 1848, but when emancipation comes their way, the cracks will widen. Be careful what you wish for
Wednesday May 17, 2023
Budapest II (1526-1686) - The Ottoman Era
Wednesday May 17, 2023
Wednesday May 17, 2023
In 1526, Hungarian Monarchy & Christianity was replaced with Moslem law. Jews brought West to East and vice versa.
The era was one of communal endeavours, halachic responsa and targeted kidnappings.
But how do you spell Buda?
Wednesday May 10, 2023
Budapest I (1037-1526) - Kings, Money & Religion
Wednesday May 10, 2023
Wednesday May 10, 2023
Hungary changes from being Pagan to becoming Christian in the 11th century.
How did this affect the Jews? What was the Jewish Prefect? Who was Shlomo Seneor? And where is Ofen?
Wednesday May 03, 2023
The Unknown Genius III - Life on the Run
Wednesday May 03, 2023
Wednesday May 03, 2023
In the 1630s: The Catholic censors want his writings burnt and the secular authorities want him expelled. Meanwhile the French Ambassador brings him personal regards from the King.
But with the spectre of Kol Sakhal looming in the background, his reputation was always going to be challenged.
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
The Unknown Genius II - His Later Years
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
Who was this iconoclast?
A Rabbi addicted to gambling, who spoke out against Kabbalah. A Halachic authority and expert in Hebrew. Innovator in Jewish music, survivor of a devastating plague and speaker of great acclaim...
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
The Unknown Genius I - His Early Life
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
The 17th century provided plenty of Jewish drama - much of it unfortunate.
But no individual lived through more personal twists and turns than Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh Mi’Modena. Respected and reviled, acclaimed and attacked both during his lifetime and beyond… he remains an enigma to this day.
Monday Apr 03, 2023
17th Century Traitors IV - Aftermath: 350 Years of Chaos
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Spinoza & Shabbetai Zvi had very different goals, however the historical overlap of their lives initiated a very destructive cycle of events.
Jewish Modern History is dated from the mid-1600s but this history contains some very dark corners.
Have we learned the lessons of the past?
Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
17th Century Traitors III - Spinoza Ex-communicated
Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
Raised in Orthodox Jewish Amsterdam and buried in a church graveyard, Spinoza unleashed the most destructive attack on Judaism for 1,000 years.
But was he betrayed or did he betray?