History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast

#93 - The Silent War III - Trading with the Enemy

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?

#92 - The Silent War II - IBM’s Deceit

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.

#91 - The Silent War I - Deceiving the Gestapo

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.

#90 - The Sinai Revelation II (1312BCE) - Challenges & Deniers

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?

#89 - The Sinai Revelation I (1312BCE) - Exploding the Myths

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?  

#88 - The Maharam of Rottenberg II (1215-1307)

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.

#87 - The Maharam of Rotenberg I (1215-1293) featuring Rabbi S.F Zimmerman

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?

#86 - A Look Back at History

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.

#85 - Budapest III (1686-1877) - The Hapsburg Years

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

#84 - Budapest II (1526-1686) - The Ottoman Era

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?

#83 - Budapest I (1037-1526) - Kings, Money & Religion

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?

#82 - The Unknown Genius III - Life on the Run

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.

#81 - The Unknown Genius II - His Later Years

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...

#80 - The Unknown Genius I - His Early Life

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.

#79 - 17th Century Traitors IV - Aftermath: 350 Years of Chaos

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?

#78 - 17th Century Traitors III - Spinoza Ex-communicated

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?

#77 - 17th Century Traitors II - Shabbetai Tzvi (1665-1676)

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.

#76 - 17th Century Traitors I - Shabbetai Tzvi (1626-1665)

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.

#75 - The Vilna Gaon III - Leadership & Controversy

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. 

#74 - The Vilna Gaon II - When Heaven Intervened (featuring Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz)

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?