History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast

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?

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?

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?

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?  

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.

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?

In pursuit of profit, IBM disregarded all morals and supplied Nazi Germany with the technological capabilities to identify and pursue the Jews. To avoid scrutiny, IBM’s transactions were carried out through neutral countries and veils of corporate secrecy.

Heroism took on many forms during the Holocaust, collective & individual, spiritual & armed. But the choice to live a double life meant choosing to live with the constant fear of betrayal. This is the story of Helene’s choice.

In the Western world, academia dismisses the idea that Torah is G-d given. How robust is their theory of Documentary Hypothesis? Who was P? Did Ezra author any of Chumash? Wouldn't a hurricane explain the Sinai experience or perhaps Mass-Hypnosis?

All religions have a narrative regarding their origins. Judaism states that G-d appeared on Mt Sinai 3335 years ago to communicate with mankind. Is it rational to believe in this history of the divine origin of the Torah? Can we prove beyond a reasonable doubt that we encountered G-d? Does Judaism make sense?  

To ransom or not? And why after he died? The Maharam’s responsa: Who matters - the individual or the community. Taking life during the Crusades, removing leprosy and deciding halacha based on dreams.

Featuring special guest speaker Rabbi Shraga Feivel Zimmerman.  As the 13th century drew to a close and persecution in Germany increased, one individual gathered together thousands of responsa and rulings: Rabbi Meir of Rotenberg. Who was he? How did his writings influence the next 700 years of Jewish life? And why was he never set free?

Celebrating 200,000 downloads! Thank you all! Answering your questions on the Jews in England, Budapest's personalities, the Noda Biyehuda, Shabbetai Zvi in the 21st century, and introducing the life and times of Rabbi Naftali Zilberberg.

Hungary might forbid Israelites to live in their cities, but the Seven Communities change the rules. Nevertheless, the Jews are still barely tolerated. They join the revolution of 1848, but when emancipation comes their way, the cracks will widen. Be careful what you wish for

In 1526, Hungarian Monarchy & Christianity was replaced with Moslem law. Jews brought West to East and vice versa. The era was one of communal endeavours, halachic responsa and targeted kidnappings. But how do you spell Buda?

Hungary changes from being Pagan to becoming Christian in the 11th century. How did this affect the Jews? What was the Jewish Prefect? Who was Shlomo Seneor? And where is Ofen?

In the 1630s: The Catholic censors want his writings burnt and the secular authorities want him expelled. Meanwhile the French Ambassador brings him personal regards from the King. But with the spectre of Kol Sakhal looming in the background, his reputation was always going to be challenged.

Who was this iconoclast? A Rabbi addicted to gambling, who spoke out against Kabbalah. A Halachic authority and expert in Hebrew. Innovator in Jewish music, survivor of a devastating plague and speaker of great acclaim...

The 17th century provided plenty of Jewish drama - much of it unfortunate. But no individual lived through more personal twists and turns than Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh Mi’Modena. Respected and reviled, acclaimed and attacked both during his lifetime and beyond… he remains an enigma to this day.

Spinoza & Shabbetai Zvi had very different goals, however the historical overlap of their lives initiated a very destructive cycle of events. Jewish Modern History is dated from the mid-1600s but this history contains some very dark corners. Have we learned the lessons of the past?

Raised in Orthodox Jewish Amsterdam and buried in a church graveyard, Spinoza unleashed the most destructive attack on Judaism for 1,000 years. But was he betrayed or did he betray?

In 1665 Shabbetai Zvi is declared the Messiah across the Jewish world. Entire communities and their rabbis eagerly anticipate the final revelation in 1666 - Jewish blood will be avenged. Christians are in shock while the Moslem world awaits instruction from the Turkish Sultan.

In 1655, two people turned the entire Jewish world on its head. 10,000s of people were swept up in the revolution and the aftermath still echoes. This series will explore the deceptions that permanently changed Judaism & Jews.

In the second half of the Gaon's life, he was imprisoned twice, he initiated a ban against Chassidus and he gave direction to future generations of leaders. 

Why was the Gaon unable to carry out certain ideas? Why remain neutral in the dispute that engulfed the 1700s? And who is buried next to him?