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
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?
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
17th Century Traitors II - Shabbetai Zvi (1665-1676)
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
Tuesday Mar 14, 2023
In 1665 Shabbetai Zvi is declared the Messiah across the Jewish world. Entire communities and their rabbis eagerly anticipate the final revelation in 1666 - Jewish blood will be avenged.
Christians are in shock while the Moslem world awaits instruction from the Turkish Sultan.
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
17th Century Traitors I - Shabbetai Zvi (1626-1665)
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
In 1655, two people turned the entire Jewish world on its head. 10,000s of people were swept up in the revolution and the aftermath still echoes.
This series will explore the deceptions that permanently changed Judaism & Jews.
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
The Vilna Gaon III - Leadership & Controversy
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
In the second half of the Gaon's life, he was imprisoned twice, he initiated a ban against Chassidus and he gave direction to future generations of leaders.
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
The Vilna Gaon II - When Heaven Intervened (featuring Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz)
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
Why was the Gaon unable to carry out certain ideas? Why remain neutral in the dispute that engulfed the 1700s? And who is buried next to him?
Wednesday Feb 08, 2023
Wednesday Feb 08, 2023
Rabbi Hersh & Rabbi Akiva Tatz have teamed up again - bringing to life the Origins, Events, Ideas & Impact of this towering genius, in a 3-part series.
Sunday Jan 29, 2023
Royal Family Conflicts & Jewish Consequences
Sunday Jan 29, 2023
Sunday Jan 29, 2023
Monarchy and Power have bred controversy throughout the centuries.
Jews were often impacted by association: the Abarbanel in Portugal, Richard the Lionheart & advice from a Chief Rabbi.
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Holocaust Reflections III - Swiss Gold
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
What is the price of crime and who should it be paid to?
A topical and controversial insight into post-war payments from Germany and subsequently from Switzerland. Personal accounts, documented events & international demands.
Tuesday Jan 10, 2023
Holocaust Reflections II - The Theft
Tuesday Jan 10, 2023
Tuesday Jan 10, 2023
Everyone is vaguely aware that alongside the destruction of Jewish lives, there was a large-scale theft of Jewish assets.
However the details and amounts are truly shocking as was the behaviour of certain individuals and countries.
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
Holocaust Reflections I - The Undaunted
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
The Holocaust offered almost no possibilities to strike back. Yet whenever the opportunity did arise, there were always some who risked everything; often paying the ultimate price.
Two girls - under very different circumstances - became legendary. This is their story
Monday Dec 19, 2022
History of History for The Curious
Monday Dec 19, 2022
Monday Dec 19, 2022
Curious about Rabbi Hersh & the Podcast? Please check out our annual peek behind the scenes where I get to ask all the burning questions we've all had...
https://vimeo.com/779294036
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
What Happened to the Chashmona’im?
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
Thursday Dec 15, 2022
They ruled for 100 years after the Chanukah events and then suddenly disappear from history. How? Who were they?
And where do the Saducees & Idumeans fit into the picture?
Tuesday Dec 06, 2022
The Origins of Christianity III
Tuesday Dec 06, 2022
Tuesday Dec 06, 2022
What was the Donation of Constantine? What is the crime of Deicide? And how do I respond to a Missionary?
Tuesday Nov 29, 2022
The Origins of Christianity II
Tuesday Nov 29, 2022
Tuesday Nov 29, 2022
Why was the 19th blessing of the Amida created?
How did Christianity survive the 300 years before there was a 'New Testament'? What extreme change happened in Nicea in 325CE?
And what does belief mean?
Wednesday Nov 23, 2022
The Origins of Christianity I
Wednesday Nov 23, 2022
Wednesday Nov 23, 2022
Who was he? When was he actually born? Why was he crucified? And how did 2.3 billion people become his followers?
This podcast is required listening for any Jew.
Wednesday Nov 16, 2022
The Jews & Britain’s Prime Ministers III
Wednesday Nov 16, 2022
Wednesday Nov 16, 2022
The Jew Bill 1753
A perfectly harmless Act of Parliament becomes the launch pad for a war against the Jews of England. In the streets, the press, and Whitehall.
Faced by a wall of opposition, Parliament moves to restrict the freedom of the Jews.... But all is far from lost.
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
The Jews & Britain’s Prime Ministers II
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
Is there an international Jewish conspiracy?
Why did England's Jews move away from Orthodoxy without Haskallah or Reform.
Were Jews involved in crime during the 1700s? And who was the Jewish wife of the P.M.?
Wednesday Nov 02, 2022
The Jews & Britain’s Prime Ministers I
Wednesday Nov 02, 2022
Wednesday Nov 02, 2022
British Jewry has lived through 56 Prime Ministers.
Some have supported us. Others hid their anti-semitism behind policy. And then there were those who simply abandoned us.
But surprisingly, repentance would still be on the cards for a few.
Wednesday Oct 26, 2022
Printing IV - The Legacies
Wednesday Oct 26, 2022
Wednesday Oct 26, 2022
Why did the Russian Czar and the US army finance different printings of the Talmud over the course of a century?
Who was the Widow Romm?
And who was the 12 year old type-setter looking for a husband?