History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast

Across entire continents, Jews have had to deal with political intrigue and corrupt rulers. Occasionally these were overlaid with decrees of destruction and sincere prayer. And throughout the ages, the unexpected outcomes inspired communities to create a Purim which celebrated their particular miracle. 

What happens when Torah becomes a fable? Where was Aristotle's error? How did Meiri's writings suddenly re-appear after 600 years? And why did Jews go to hear sermons in church on Shabbos? 

For over a century, Provence split between those who banned (& burned) the works of the Rambam, and those who excommunicated their opponents. Philosophy vs. Kabbala. Rabbeinu Yonah, Nachmanides & the authors of Tosfos all took strong positions - echoes of which continued into the 20th century.

What made the Provencal sages write critiques of the greatest rabbinic scholars?Why did the Baal Hamaor never wear Tzitzis?Which sefer was written entirely by angels -  And was it accepted halachically?Why was the Ravaad imprisoned?

Jews existed there continuously for 1,500 years; at one point being forced into the only four ghettos in France. 
Neither Ashkenaz nor Sefarad, they produced some of the greatest scholars of the era. Who were they? How did they survive the storms for so long? And at what cost?

Were the Jews the victims of WWII? How did they experience Time? The passing of a single day... And how did a few unsung heroes sanctify Shabbos and give hope to those around them?

What year are we in? When is New Year’s Day? (Not Rosh Hashana - The other one !)? Why did Jews celebrate Yom Kippur on different days 1,100 years ago? A look at 2,000 years of disputes and the occasional ex-communication

Travelers often leave imprints, but perhaps none as mysterious or eye-opening as a Jewish explorer in the 9th century. An enigma which will very probably impact events at the End of Time. And of course there is the matter of the elephant in the room

The Jews are unwelcome across Europe although England now offers the appearance of hope. But it's a high-stakes game which someone will lose and the tangled politics may just be too much too soon.

Ancona was a place of refuge for Portuguese Marranos, until the betrayal. Which left the Jews of Pesaro with a choice: Take revenge and risk the anger of the Pope or flee to Turkey.

Dreyfus - a watershed event in France’s history. But it is preceded by dire scandals, leaving France looking for a scapegoat, which would linger until the French holocaust in 1942

In the game of politics, an American passport is the ticket to freedom, but not necessarily for the Jews. And victory is often short-lived.
But who was She? The Jew described by the NY Times as the most politically powerful woman in the USA? 

It took enterprise to survive in the early years, with some taking their 'careers' to an extreme. But The Forverts was always around to offer advice - some of it decidedly UnOrthodox

To Go or Not to Go - that was The Question. Although the German Jews got there first, as did Jewish America’s first congressman (1845-1851), only to be committed later to an asylum for the insane.

The Gold Rush brought thousands of Jews from all over the world to the untamed Wilderness of the West, arousing the interest of the Rothschilds, Strauss and the Orthodox community of Jerusalem.

Three Jews in Colonial America:  An Officer serving under Benedict Arnold, a Spy who worked for George Washington and a Chocolate manufacturer who tried to make peace.

Sholom Aleichem - a Friday night prayer of possible heresy, that breaks one of the Rambam’s 13 Principles of Faith.And how did Hollywood get it so wrong?

“Times are a Changing” and change brought a clash between Kabbala & Halacha, Orthodoxy & Reform, The New World & The Old.

How loyal were the Jews to Czar Alexander II ? Why was there a fast day in England in 1803 & in America in 1812?Salvation isn’t always Redemption.

A new emperor & new clothes. Language. Education. Freedom?. And a eulogy in Shul for Maria Theresa by the Noda Biyehuda, the world-famous Rabbi of Prague.