History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#122 - Responsa in History III Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

Do synagogues have rights over membership? Why did a Chazan risk excommunication in Perpignan? Why were responsa printed in defiance of the author’s wishes? And the 1708 Chametz glue on a Pesach document…

Chapters

00:00 Excommunication and Imposing Bans

06:18 Excommunication and Scholarly Disputes

13:28 The Role of the Chazan in the Synagogue

26:04 Insights from Historical Responsa

#121 - Financial Responsa in History II - Shuls, Politics & Power (feat. Dayan Y Posen) Apr 12, 2024

Show notes

For centuries Jews faced restrictions building their shuls. Halachic questions arose across Europe concerning rights, ownership and use. And closer to our day, when communities split, the assets would often be fought over. For the trip, please email: giana.elav@gmail.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

07:41 Shul as a Place of Assembly and Governance

14:13 Challenges in Shul Expansion and Renovation

29:14 Ownership and Rights of a Community in a Shul

38:13 The Changing Dynamics of Shuls and the Role of Trustees

#120 - Financial Responsa in History I - Taxes, Charity & Freedom (feat. Dayan Y Hool) Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

In times of war and peace and throughout the centuries, Jews have asked questions. Some became the foundations of halacha, others were forgotten. In this episode we trace back through the ages to find that the new is often very old. To purchase Dayan Hools book, click here - Beth Din Commercial Arbitration: https://amzn.eu/d/hSkOB53

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Urgency of the Question

03:04 The Importance of Responsa in Jewish Law

06:22 Preserving and Recording Responsa

10:45 Debates on Jewish Community and Communal Organization

14:04 Reduction in Responsa and the Need for New Answers

25:46 Communal Financial Responsa in Times of Crisis

26:42 Repurposing Funds and the Power of Handwriting

29:37 Contributing to Communal Projects in Tehran

30:06 Apportioning Funds for Weddings and Inflation

31:02 Returning Donations Given in Error

35:22 The Role of Community Contributions

51:01 Security as an Individual Requirement

#119 - Yishmael vs Yisrael X – A personal account in Gaza Mar 26, 2024

Show notes

Unlike the secular worldview, Jewish history looks at individuals and at details. And although we have closely followed the general conflict in Israel, we are at arm’s length from the war.

Hearing first-hand some of the challenges that Yona Pinchos Gedalia ben Soroh Chana faced, will thereby give a deeper perspective to what Israel is experiencing.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode

03:04 The Importance of Individuals in Jewish History

06:28 The Jewish View of History

09:20 Lessons from the Story of Esther

12:10 Interview with a Soldier who Fought in Gaza

19:25 Powerful and Evocative Moments in Gaza

22:15 Worrying about Family and Coping with Breaks

27:55 The Role of Faith and Processing the Experience

35:10 Takeaway: Making Sacrifices and Supporting Soldiers

#118 - Douglas Murray - Raw Opinion on the Israel Conflict Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

To Watch This Podcast, click here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRbtzDOtBAY&t=2021s A wide-ranging discussion with author & international broadcaster Douglas Murray, on the questions: Why the Media Lie - The Liberal Left - Antisemitism, modern and ancient - The Future in Israel.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection

00:38 Interview with Douglas Murray

06:50 Journalistic Bias and Bigotry

09:40 Media Coverage of Israel-Palestine Conflict

11:37 Displacement of Israeli Families

14:30 Impact of Advocacy and Truth

21:33 Denial and Response to Terrorism

22:41 Complacency and Strategic Thinking

24:35 Israel's Technological Advantages

25:24 Living with Rockets

26:21 Deprogramming Hate

27:48 Education and De-Radicalization

29:40 The Insoluble Problem

30:09 The Future of Palestine

31:28 Anti-Semitism and Humanity

32:27 Anti-Semitism on Campuses

33:20 Sinister and Stupid Anti-Semitism

34:29 The Disappearance of Adults

35:25 Liberalism and Judaism

36:18 Two Types of Liberalism

37:09 The Rise of Anti-Semitism

38:08 The Perception of Jews

39:04 The Danger of Open Borders

40:27 Anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe

41:18 Anti-Semitism and Liberalism

42:37 Anti-Semitism as a Reality

43:06 Decency and Solidarity

45:32 Running for Public Office

46:28 Supporting Threatened MPs

#117 - The Karaites III - Unusual Episodes Mar 10, 2024

Show notes

The Karaites arrive in Ponovezh, Lithuania; Seraya Shapshal abruptly changes direction; Ibn Ezra writes Zemirot [link below]; the Nazis preside over a Karaite debate; Voltaire quotes a Karaite scholar; The 21st century reconfigures Karaism.

Ki Eshmera Shabbat - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Um8Z5Wdok-WeA7zNmKFkEjG06eH21Sax/view?usp=drivesdk

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:16 Karaites in Ponovitch

04:42 Karaites in Trakai

06:35 Relations with Orthodox Jews

09:27 Karaites under Tsarist Russia

15:15 Secularization and Reform

19:28 Communist Rule and World War II

24:12 Karaites and the Holocaust

28:30 Communist Rule and Decline

29:57 Karaites in the Middle East

32:47 Karaites in Europe and the USA

35:10 Karaites in Israel

39:24 Halakhic Status of the Karaites

44:43 The Evin Ezra and the Karaites

47:05 Conclusion

#116 - The Karaites II - Forgeries & History Feb 25, 2024

Show notes

Refugees arrived in Egypt from Toldeo in 1459, with ideas of their own.

But as the centuries progressed, the Karaites spread out from the Middle East. Crimea became the headquarters of the movement.

However Abraham Firkowitz had his own ideas about history, in which facts did not necessarily feature. Although St. Petersburg owes him a continuing debt of gratitude.

Chapters

00:00 Quarrel between Karaites and Rabbinites in 1833

03:17 Karaites in Egypt in the mid-1400s

06:05 Karaites and Rabbanites in 1465

07:01 Karaites seeking religious answers from Muslim jurists

08:30 Karaites' status as Jews

10:22 Karaites in Crimea and Eastern Europe

13:17 Karaites in Crimea in the late Middle Ages

19:33 Russian rule over Crimea and discriminatory laws

20:58 Avram Firkovich and his forgeries

25:35 Firkovich's influence and success

36:29 Firkovich's efforts and legacy

#115 - The Karaites I - Origins & Practices Feb 14, 2024

Show notes

1,200 years ago, a new form of Judaism was created, and it has lasted through the centuries. How far did Karaism spread? Did the Rambam allow them to be circumcised? Did Islam bring about the new ideology? And why would they observe Rosh Hashana without a Shofar? Please email giana.elav@gmail.com for details on the upcoming Vienna Trip.
Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Karaites

03:07 Beliefs and Practices of the Karaites

05:32 Rav Saadia Gaon and the Defense of Orthodoxy

06:29 Origins and Founding of the Karaites

09:19 Historical Context and Factors Influencing the Karaites

11:12 Interaction between Karaites and Orthodox Jews

15:24 Halakhic Requirements and Practices of the Karaites

20:04 Stringency and Uniqueness of Karaites' Observance

21:24 Differences in Shabbat Candle Lighting and Prayer

23:50 Comparison with the Sadducees and Tzadokim

24:46 Relationship between Karaites and Orthodox Jews

25:44 Spread of the Karaites in Iraq, Jerusalem, and Egypt

29:08 Presence of Karaites in Constantinople and Cyprus

32:56 Decline of Karaites in Jerusalem

35:20 Karaites in Egypt and Influence of the Rambam

39:34 Karaites in Toledo and Mixed Marriages

#114 - 500 Years Ago: February 1524 Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

When Europe became the battleground between opposing armies, a very unlikely candidate met up with the Pope and proposed a solution.

It would involve the Jews, and start in the heart of Inquisition Portugal.

But it brought about unexpected results.

Ultimately we have a cloak and a flag to reflect upon.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Trip Announcement

01:24 ICJ Case Against Israel

03:16 Ongoing Case and Accusation of Genocide

04:12 Podcast Achievement and Offline Listening

05:07 Introduction to the Story of Shlomo Molcho and David Reuveni

06:05 Arrival of David Reuveni in Venice

07:02 Encounter between David Reuveni and Diego Pérez

09:26 David Reuveni's Background and Travels

10:52 David Reuveni's Arrival in Rome

11:47 David Reuveni's Meeting with Pope Clement VII

12:45 David Reuveni's Visit to Portugal

16:29 Shlomo Molcho's Life in Salonika

18:50 Shlomo Molcho's Return to Italy

20:12 Shlomo Molcho's Meeting with Pope Clement VII

22:31 Shlomo Molcho's Imprisonment and Execution

23:29 Meeting with Emperor Charles V

24:47 Emperor's Reaction and Execution of Shlomo Molcho

25:43 Conclusion and Legacy of Shlomo Molcho

31:23 Discussion on Shlomo Molcho's Motivations

33:44 Reactions and Impact of Shlomo Molcho

36:05 Closing Remarks and Trip Announcement

#113 - Yishmael vs Yisrael IX - The Father of a Hostage Jan 31, 2024

Show notes

A moving, personal first-hand account of trial, tribulation and faith. Recorded live at the JLE.

Chapters

00:00 The Kidnapping of Ori Danino
03:29 The Search for Ori
05:24 Ori's Heroic Actions
08:08 The Power of Emunah
09:32 Seeing Hashem in Difficult Times
12:12 The Unexplainable Nature of the War
13:47 Praying and Believing in Hashem
15:53 A Message to Ori
17:20 Coping with Disappointment
18:44 The Impact of Ori's Story
19:43 The Power of Emunah from Generations Past
23:40 A Call to Prayer

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