History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#102 - Yishmael vs Yisrael III - Mesiras Nefesh (feat. Rabbi Y.Y Jacobson) Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

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 Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

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 Oct 17, 2023

Show notes

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 Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

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 Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

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) Sep 12, 2023

Show notes

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) Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

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) Aug 30, 2023

Show notes

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?

#94 - The Silent War IV - The Prosecutor Jul 26, 2023

Show notes

When the Holocaust ended, the Jews awaited justice. Sadly it would be denied to them.

But one man - a Jew names Ben Ferencz - made it his business to bring at least some of the Nazi murderers to trial and make Germany pay.

This is his story, and the untold story of so many others.

#93 - The Silent War III - Trading with the Enemy Jul 19, 2023

Show notes

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?