History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast

#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

#107 - Yishmael vs Yisrael VI - The Harder Questions II (feat. Lord David Wolfson KC)

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?

#106 - Yishmael vs Yisrael V - The Harder Questions I (feat. R’ Yitzchok Breitowitz)

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?

#105 - Yishmael vs Yisrael IV - The Hostages (feat. Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz)

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?

#104 - London Through the Eyes of the Curious

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

#103 - Rambam III - The Final Years

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?

#102 - Yishmael vs Yisrael III - Mesiras Nefesh (feat. Rabbi Y.Y Jacobson)

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.

#101 - Yishmael vs Yisrael II - The Israeli - Arab Conflict

Social Media is alive with facts about Israel, many of which are inaccurate or taken out of context.
With the help of International Foreign policy analyst Dr Mitchell Bard, this podcast comprehensively takes the listener through 120 years of Middle Eastern history, pointing out the major events and documented truths about them and dispelling myths. 
 
Recommended websites and books have been uploaded to: www.jle.org.uk/podcast

#100 - Yishmael vs Yisrael I - A Biblical Conflict

The events of 7th October have left us reeling. How should Jews react? What are our obligations  - especially those who are geographically distant? And where are the spiritual origins of this war? 
 
The special tefilah to be said in a place of danger has been uploaded to: www.jle.org.uk/podcast

#99 - Rambam II - Egypt

The Rambam spent 38 years of his life in Cairo. Here, he authored his two most famous works,  became involved in Medicine, dealt with hostages, suffered tremendous personal loss, and wrote hundreds of Responsa - some of which challenged the Status Quo.

#98 - Rambam I - The Early Years

The Rambam is arguably the most famous Jew of the last two thousand years.
But do we really know him? Who were his family? Did he have enemies? And why did he write the 13 Principles of Faith?

#97 - The French Revolution III (1799-1808)

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?

#96 - The French Revolution II (1789-1799)

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?

#95 - The French Revolution I – The Prelude (1552-1788)

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?