Seforimchatter

#61. With Mitchell First discussing who Achashverosh & Esther were historically, and the origins of Ta'anis Esther. Most of the discussion is based on essays from his book, "Esther Unmaksed: Solving Eleven Mysteries of the Jewish Holidays and Liturgy". A few of the other chapters of the book are referenced as well.  To purchase Esther Unmasked: https://www.amazon.com/Esther-Unma...

#60. With Dr. Gabriel Wasserman discussing Piyutei Arbah Parshiyos ("Yotzros"), Krovetz for Purim, and Piyutim in general. For more information or to sponsor a show, please email seforimchatter@gmail.com Support the show

#59. With Prof. Cedric Cohen-Skalli (Prof. of early modern and modern Jewish Philosophy at the University of Haifa) discussing Abarbnel (1437 - 1508) and his new book, "Don Isaac Abravanel: An Intellectual Biography" We discuss Abarbnel (or is it Abravanel?) and his background,  an overview of his many writings, the expulsion, Rav Meir Arama's charge, and much more. To purchase the...

#58. With Rabbi Elchanan Adler (Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan [RIETS]) discussing Anim Zemiros and his new books, " Anim Zemiros: A Poem for All Ages; Elucidating, Demystifying, and Appreciating the Shir HaKavod". We discussed who wrote it, differences with Shir HaYichud, when should it be said, and more. We also discussed his Rebbi, Rav Dovid Feinstein ZT'L. T...

#57. ** Sponsored by Gluck Plumbing - Service Division. 732-523-1836 Ext 1. ** With Rav Yehoshua Hartman (Rosh Beis Medrash Hasmonean in London and editor of Sifrei Maharal - Machon Yerushalayim). We discussed Rav Hutner, the biography of the Maharal, style of Maharal's writing, Me'or Einayim, what Rav Hartman set out to do in his edition, and much more. To listen to the Jewish Philanthr...

#56. With Prof. Elisheva Carlebach (Baron Professor of Jewish History, culture, and Society at Columbia University). Discussing Pinkassei Kehillot of pre-modern Europe.  To purchase "A Window on Their World": https://www.amazon.com/Window-Their-World-Gundersheim-Non/dp/0878202536 To purchase "Colonial Justice and the Jews of Ventian Crete" by Rena Lauer:     https://www.amazon....

#55. With R' Nechemya Sheinfeld discussing the Ibn Ezra and his commentary on the Ibn Ezra, "Daas Ezra" (6 volumes, Mossad Harav Kook) We discussed a basic biography of Ibn Ezra, controversy around the Ibn Ezra's Pirush (Maharshal, Karaites, against Chazal, etc) what Daas Ezra seeks to do and how he did it, Pirush Aruch & Katzar on Shemos, Hakdama on Bereishis, Shittah Ache...

#54. With Prof. Marcin Wodziński (Prof. of Jewish History and Literature at the University of Wroclaw, Poland). Discussing his various books about Chasidus and his Historical Atlas of Hasidism.  Historical Atlas of Hasidism: https://www.amazon.com/Historical-Atlas-Hasidism-Marcin-Wodzi%C5%84ski/dp/0691174016/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3O3QZ643L777B&dchild=1&keywords=marcin+wodzinski&qid=161023506...

#53. With Daniel Klein discussing Shadal (Samuel David Luzzatto. 1800 - 1865) and his new translation of Shadal on Chumash. We discussed the biography of Shadal, his works, his opinion about Koheles & the Zohar (Kabbolah), his Chumash translation & Pirush, Dan's translations and what went into producing them, the introduction to each volume, the forthcoming volume on Vayikra (Leviticu...

#52. With Prof. Ephraim Kanarfogel (E. Billi Ivry University Professor of Jewish History, Literature, and Law at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies, Yeshiva University) discussing Rashi on Shas. We discuss various aspects of Rashi: Different Mahaduros, the order Rashi wrote, Rashbam & Rivan, Rashi on Rif & Ein Yaakov, and much more. Support the show

#51. With Rav Aaron Lopiansky (R'Y Yeshiva of Greater Washington, Tiferes Gedalyahu in Silver Spring, Maryland) discussing his (Hebrew) Seforim & the Rishonim. We discussed his Siddur Aliyos Eliyahu and what went into it; Tefillah L'Moshe on Siddur (collection of Pirushei Rishonim) and what went into it, why he compiled & published it; Sefer Yesodei HaTorah Al Hatorah & Yesod...

#50. With Dr. Martina Mampieri discussing her book, "Living under the Evil Pope: The Hebrew Chronicle of Pope Paul IV by Benjamin Nehemiah ben Elnathan from Civitanova Marche (16th cent.)" We discuss the Jews of Italy in the 15th & 16th century, the Pope's and the Jews, Pope Paul IV and his harsh decrees on the Jews (starting with the Bull Cum nimis absurdum), the burning of the...

#49. With R' Simcha Lauer discussing his book, " Learning the News: Halachic Perspectives on Current Events". We discuss Gedolim's outlook on reading the news, how he approached writing the book, and a few examples from the book.  To purchase the book: https://mosaicapress.com/product/learning-the-news/ Support the show

#48.  With R' Alex Hool discussing his new book, "Pharaoh: Biblical History, Egypt, And the Missing Millennium" about the biblical Pharaoh.  R' Hool explains the background of the Egyptian dynasties, his hypothesis, who was the biblical pharaoh and who was the pharaoh at the time of Yosef, and much more.  We also discuss his first book, "The challenge of Jewish History: Th...

#47. With Prof. Lawrence H. Schiffman (Judge Abraham Lieberman Professorship in Hebrew & Judaic studies at NYU) discussing Chanukah and its historical sources. We discussed 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Megillas Ta'anis, Megillas Antiochus, Josephus, Josippon, and more.  Their history, who wrote them & when were they written, Nes Pach Shemen, and more.  Support the show

#46. With R' Moshe Kravetz discussing Rav Ovadiah Sforno: His life and works.  R' Kravetz edited and published critical editions of the Sforno on Chumash, various of his Seforim on Nach, Avos, shiurim of a Talmid on Chumash and Tehillim.  We discussed the Sforno's life, how to pronounce his name, Italian jewry, his Seforim, Ohr Amim (which the Sforno translated into latin and dedica...

#45. With Prof. Joseph Davis (Prof. of Jewish Thought, Gratz College) discussing the Tosfos Yom Tov (Rav Yom Tov Lipmann Heller ZT'L) and his biography of him, "Yom-Tov Lipmann Heller: Portrait of a Seventeenth-Century Rabbi" We discussed his life, Prague in the 16th & 17th centuries, relationship with Maharal & Shelah, his imprisonment & release, his works, no talking d...

#44. With Dr. Steve Weiss of LA discussing Pirkei Avos and his Bibliography of it. We alos discuss his vast collection of "every" Sefer published on Pirkei Avos, other topics he collects on, cholera & judaism, and more. For a copy of the bibliography please email Dr. Weiss: Avotmaven@gmail.com Support the show

#43.  With Prof. Joanna Weinberg (Professor Emerita in early modern Jewish history and Rabbinics, University of Oxford and Hebrew lecturer at Exeter College, Oxford) discussing Azariah De' Rossi (Min HaAdumin) and his work, "Me'or Enayim".  We discussed his biography, Philo of Alexandria, Rav Yehuda Moscato, the Maharal, and many more.   Also discussed was the ban issued by the...

#42. Discussing various seforim on Mesechtas Pesachim. Background info, current edition, availability and more.  Seforim discussed: Rabeinu Dovid, Maharam Chalava, Tosfos HaRashba, Tosfos HaRosh, Toras HaRishonim, Tzlach, Rav Moshe Mimran, Daf Pashut of Rav Elimelech Bluth, and more.  Support the show

#41. With Prof. Clémence Boulouque (Carl and Bernice Witten Assistant Professor in Jewish and Israel studies at Columbia University) discussing Rav Elia Benamozegh and her newly published book about him, "Another Modernity: Elia Benamozegh 's Jewish Universalism ". We discuss his printing press, the ban on Eim LaMikra, his french disciple Aimé Pallière, Israel & Humanities, and...

#40. With Prof. Pawel Maciejko (associate professor of history and Leonard and Helen R. Stulman chair of Classical Jewish Religion, Thought, and Culture at Johns Hopkins University) discussing Rav Yonason Eybeschutz and the "Emden-Eybeschutz" controversy, and Prof. Maciejko's forthcoming book on the topic. We discuss Rav Yaakov Emde, Rav Yonason's censored edition of Mesechtas...

#39. With Prof. Steven Nadler (William H. Hay II Professor of Philosophy and Evjue-Bascom Professor in Humanities at the University of Wisconsin-Madison) discussing Rabbi Menasseh ben Israel., and the biography that Prof. Nadler wrote, "Menasseh ben Israel: Rabbi of Amsterdam". To purchase the book: https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300224108/menasseh-ben-israel. Use code YAC99 for 30%...

#38. With Dr. Morris Faierstein discussing the Ze'enah U-Re'enah and his new 2 volume english translation.  (De Gruyter, 2018) We discuss the author (Rav Yitzchak ben Yaakov of Yanov), various editions, number of editions, why it became to be known as a work for "simpletons", Yiddish seforim, and much more. To purchase the book: https://www.amazon.com/Zeenah-u-Reenah-Studia-Jud...

#37. With Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein discussing his book, "God versus Gods: Judaism in the age of Idolatry" which discusses Avodah Zarah in Tanach. The book also includes a comprehensive encyclopedia of all the various Avodah Zarah mentioned in Tanach. To purchase the book: https://www.amazon.com/G-d-Versus-Gods-Judaism-Idolatry/dp/1946351466 To purchase Rabbi Klein's 1st book, "...