Jewish History Soundbites

From the first arrival of the Chassidic group to Tverya in 1777, through the Aliya of the students of the Vilna Gaon in the early years of the 19th century, and right up until modern times, the Chaluka system was the lifeline of support for the Old Yishuv. How were the funds collected and distributed? What constituted the "Old Yishuv"? Under which criteria was one eligible for this financial suppo...

The Founding of the Merkaz Harav in the second decade of the twentieth century, brought together a group of some very talented individuals to the forefront of Torah education. Among others, we'll examine the life of the Rav Dovid Cohen, the Rav Hanazir (1887-1972), who's origins lay in the Rabbinic Lithuanian aristocracy and later became a modern day Nazir. Rav Yitzchok Arielli (1896-1974) was hom...

Get ready for Part 2 of our interview with the legendary Rabbi Dr. Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff. Rav Rakeffett is a world class Jewish Historian who has lived a storied life, from learning in Lakewood and Yeshiva University to sharing close relationships with luminaries such as Rabbi Joseph Ber Soloveitchik, Rav Aaron Kotler,Rav Moshe Feinstein as well as other Gedolim. He has authored numerous bestsel...

Our momentous 100th Episode is Part 1 of our interview with the legendary Rabbi Dr. Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff. Rav Rakeffett is a world class Jewish Historian who has lived a storied life, from learning in Lakewood and Yeshiva University to sharing close relationships with luminaries such as Rabbi Joseph Ber Soloveitchik, Rav Aaron Kotler,Rav Moshe Feinstein as well as other Gedolim. He has authored...

As loyal citizens of their respective countries, Jews served loyally in every army and on every front. Very often one encountered the tragic scenario of Jew fighting Jew. Jewish chaplains serviced Jewish soldiers in the German army, and connected with local Jewish communities in areas under German occupation. This enhanced the connection between East and West. Jewish soldiers faced numerous challe...

Of the many figures who traversed two worlds in the past century, perhaps none epitomized that duality more than Rabbi Dr. Saul Lieberman. Scion of a Rabbinical family and student of Slabodka, he was to become one of the greatest scholars ever in the field of early Rabbinic writings. As one of the chief professors at the Jewish Theological Seminary for over four decades, he struggled with the chal...

Kletzker Rosh Yeshiva, Agudist, member of Agudas Harrabonim, head of Vaad Hatzala, Rosh Yeshiva of Lakewood/BMG, founder and head of Chinuch Atzmai, Torah Umesorah & more. Rav Aharon Kotler (1891-1962) wore many hats in the diverse array of initiatives that he undertook to build the future of the Jewish people worldwide. With his boundless energy and devoted lieutenants, he partnered with people f...

One of the most difficult stories to confront in an objective fashion, is the issue of Jewish collaboration during the Holocaust. From the Judenrat and the Jewish Police in the Ghettos to Kapos in the Concentration Camps, the questions raised by the moral decisions made by Jews working ostensibly for the Nazis resonates till this very day. One of the more famous stories was of Eliezer Greunbaum, t...

One of the largest Chassidic groups before the war, Radomsk evoked the majesty of Polish Chassidus in its full glory. Completely decimated during the Holocaust, it remains mostly unknown today. The story begins with the Tiferes Shlomo of Radomsk who was one of the most beloved Rebbes of his day. As Jews from all over Poland flocked to the warmth of Radomsk, this court came to be known for its warm...

During the interwar period, against all odds, an American women took a leading role in the funding of the great Yeshivas of Eastern Europe. Her name was Mrs. Necha Golding. As an organizer of women's auxiliary groups for various Yeshivas or as a hostess to the Roshei Yeshivas themselves when they came on fundraising trips, she was always at the forefront of activities on behalf of building Torah....

Brand New Full-Length Series for Winter 2019-20! World War I had far reaching changes in Jewish life and society whose reverberations are still felt today. As the subsequent tragic events of the Holocaust overshadowed World War I, this chapter of Jewish History has been relegated to a footnote in Jewish History. In order for us to understand the various angles of Jewish society within the context...

Although the story of RIETS/YU is huge and would take some time to cover, we can perhaps get a bit of a taste by examining the lives of some of the great people who graced the Yeshiva with their presence over the years. In this episode we'll meet the first Rosh Yeshiva of what was to become RIETS, R' Shlomo Nosson Kotler (1865-1945). Described by some as the greatest Talmid chacham ever to live in...

One of the most famous and dynamic Torah leaders of recent times was undoubtedly R' Elazar Menachem Shach (1899-2001). Although he lived a very long life, his famous actions in the public sphere cover less than a third of a very fruitful career of teaching Torah. His early years saw him studying under some of the greatest Lithuanian luminaries of his day. He then spent a colorful 30 year career te...

From the moment Rav Ovadia Yosef accepted the mantle of leadership of the nascent Shas political party in the early '80's, his name came to be synonymous with the revolution that Shas had become. The founding of the Shas Party led to the forming of the Moetzet Chachmei Hatorah, the Rabbinical council which advises the Party till today. R' Ovadia was appointed to head the council. He proceeded to t...

Rav Nosson Tzvi's arrival in Mir Yeshiva Jerusalem as a young adolescent became a turning point in his life, and ultimately set the stage as a turning point in the history of the Mir as well. After going back and forth a couple of times, he eventually settled down, married into the family, and subsequently spent the next several years in a tireless effort towards greatness. In the winter of 1990,...

One of the most beloved teachers and builders of Torah in times was the legendary Mir Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel (1943-2011) This Chicago native went on to build a veritable empire of Torah learning in Yerushalayim, while remaining a warm and personable role model to his many students. In this episode, we'll examine the world he grew up in, his family background, parents and his early...

With the growth of the Lithuanian Yeshiva movement in the 19th century, the great Yeshiva of Telz was to take a prominent place as one of the premier Yeshivas of the age. From modest beginnings, it grew in both numbers and stature under the watch of legendary Rav Leizer Gordon. Telz boasted of an innovative organizational structure which included an acceptance policy, a rigid class structure and r...

R' Kalonymus Kalman Shapira (1889-1943), better known as the Piaseczno Rebbe, is a figure who's influence seems to just grow as time goes on. Heroic in life and a martyr in death, he's earned his place in the pantheon of Jewish leadership of the 20th century. Known for his writings, teachings, insights into Jewish education and of course his talks to his chassidim in the darkest times of the Warsa...

From the expulsion from Spain in 1492, down to modern times, Sephardic Jewry has never experienced the rejuvenation experienced under the leadership of Rav Ovadia Yosef (1920-2013). Stemming from humble origins in Iraq, he rose to fame in Rabbinical positions in Egypt, Yerushalayim, Petach Tikva, Tel Aviv and finally the Chief Rabbinate of the State of Israel. A prolific writer and world renowned...

Heralded as the father of Reform Judaism by some, derided as a destroyer of traditional Jewish life by others and forgotten by most, Moses Mendelssohn's legacy continues to intrigue Jewish minds across the spectrum. He entered the gates of Berlin as a young 14 year old, and ultimately embraced the ideals of the enlightenment and German Philosophy. Through his teaching and prodigious literary outpu...

With the World Series currently taking place, it's high time that Jewish History Soundbites takes leave of Eastern Europe and examine the Jewish People's connection to professional baseball. From the famous stories of Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax, to the less well known ones of the '69 Mets Jewish connection, America's favorite pastime has deep connections to the Jewish story in the United Stat...

With the current talk about an unheard of split in the storied Chassidic court of Ger, it's worth examining the historical context about why such a move is so unusual. From it's roots in Pshischa and Kotzk, Polish Chassidus experience quite a few upheavals and splits before the Ger dynasty stabilized in the late 19th century. Under the able leadership of the Sfas Emes and even more so of his son R...

In honor of the happy Sukkos holiday, here's a potpourri of anecdotes - some interesting, others entertaining - of Sukkos throughout recent Jewish history. What was it like to shop for a lulav and esrog when all esrogim had to be imported? How about during wartime? What was the atmosphere in the pre war Yeshivas by the Simchas Bais hashoeva and Simchas Torah? What happened to the Chozeh of Lublin...

With the passage of time, Rabbinical espoused ideals are processed along the path of the realities and practical considerations of day to day life. It is this execution of policy that forms the basis of our final examination of the Rabbinical positions on Zionism. Specific Rabbinical figures arose in the 1960's-'70's who formulated positions, which form the basis of modern Rabbinical opinion right...

News of the Final Solution reached the west in 1942. As the horrifying reality became apparent, reactions varied both among the general public as well as within the Jewish community. While the American Government refused to relax its rigid immigration quotas, US Jewry debated as to the proper course of action. Would it be a passive acceptance of US policy, a diplomatic attempt to reach the corrido...