History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast

#72 - Royal Family Conflicts & Jewish Consequences

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.

#71 - Holocaust Reflections III - Swiss Gold

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.  

#70 - Holocaust Reflections II - The Theft

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. 

#69 - Holocaust Reflections I - The Undaunted

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

#68 - History of History for The Curious

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

#67 - What Happened to the Chashmona’im?

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?

#66 - The Origins of Christianity III

What was the Donation of Constantine? What is the crime of Deicide? And how do I respond to a Missionary?

#65 - The Origins of Christianity II

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?

#64 - The Origins of Christianity I

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. 

#63 - The Jews & Britain’s Prime Ministers III

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.

#62 - The Jews & Britain’s Prime Ministers II

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.? 

#61 - The Jews & Britain’s Prime Ministers I

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.

#60 - Printing IV - The Legacies

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?

#59 - Printing III - Deceptions & Self-Deceptions

Who creates fakes and who has been taken in by them?
Why was the first English  translation of the Talmud so controversial?
And a challenge for our listeners…

#58 - Printing II - The Printing Revolution

Why did the world change with the printing press? Why were mistakes included and were they deliberate ?
Who censored the Rama?And how do you translate Alma?

#57 - Printing I - All the King’s Men

Why would the King of Poland order Jews to buy Sefarim? What was so unusual about Yiddish printing…. and did The Queen live because of a 1938 blessing?

#56 - Jews, Queens & Kings - A Special Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Elizabeth II: A century of life & 70 years of service. Historical Reflections & Personal Recollections of Britain’s monarchy.

#55 - Maharal of Prague II - (featuring Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz)

Aged over 70, he is yet to be elected as the Rov of Prague.
So what is his actual connection? Why did his son leave town? Where did the Maharal spend Yom Kippur in 1602?
...And a key insight into the teachings and ideas of the Maharal.

#54 - Maharal of Prague I (featuring Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz)

Surrounded by Mystery, Mysticism & Folklore…
But what was his name? Why did he leave Nikolsburg? And why was his very legitimacy questioned?

#53 - Holocaust V - Defying the Nazis

During the dark years, in the most unexpected places, there were individuals who turned the tables on the nazis. At great personal risk they made a difference.