Jewish History Uncensored

 This week's episode is dedicated לעילוי נשמת הרב אהרן דוד בן הרב מאיר חדש, the Moshgiach of the Mir tzl by a talmid.   This week's episode looks at the American attack on the Iranian nuclear facilities. How surprising was this? How much of a departure from standard US policy was this? What historical precedents are there for this? How do we understand what is motivating the Iranian policy?    We...

This week's episode is dedicated by BZ and Hadassah as a zchus for all of those in danger and especially in Israel to be safe.  And also as a zchus for the IDF and all the Israeli security forces to have success and safety.  In this episode we look at the current Israel Iran conflict.  How do we understand the level of the conflict? Is this an operation, a battle, or a war?  How normal is to be fr...

  We start by discussing the primary reason that most Talmidei Chachomim feel challenged by Neviim Achronim. What is the proper way to understand the Prophecies that seem to be repeating the same things over and over.    We also discuss the theme of Sefer Yeshaya. Yeshaya is the most important Sefer in order to understand the Basics of the Revelation of the Moshiach. We also look at the structure...

  In this episode we look at the theme of Melachim. The best way to accurately synopsize the Sefer in one clear phrase is that Melachim is, 'The Book of Olam HaZeh.'  Why is this the way I think Melachim should be described.   We start by examining the basic challenges we have in understanding the Sefer.  Many would try to use contemporary political phenomena to understand the Sefer. However this...

   In this episode we take a closer look at why Rashi understands that the key theme of Shoftim is developing the Mishkan. How do we reconcile this idea with the main narrative of the Sefer that talks about the problems of the times with Avoda Zara? We also discuss Chazal attributing authorship of the Sefer to Shmuel. How did they know this? What does this teach us about the Sefer?   Similarly, we...

   In this episode, we continue looking at the challenge of understanding the Sifrey Tanach at the Sefer level. We also discuss the importance of properly understanding the classics and how much time we should be willing to invest in this. And similarly we discuss the issue of not forcing our ideas on Tanach, rather patiently developing the intrinsic ideas.    We also look at the Sefer level theme...

  In this episode, we look at one of the most challenging aspects of understanding Tanach, the journey between parsha level understanding to Sefer level understanding. Part of this process is the necessity to divide the Sefer into major sections. While a small number of sefarim have clearly defined subdivisions, most don't. Similarly we discuss when one can use a statement of Chazal to understand...

 In this week's episode, we look at how to understand Moshiach and what effect the coming of Moshiach will have on the world. Similarly we look at how the Rambam and Ramban discuss the issue of identification of Moshiach. What are the Tanachic parallels to Moshiach and what can we learn from them?  Nach Yomi:   Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, w...

  In this episode we look at the general debate amongst Historians about how to understand the German's motivations for the Holocaust. Were the people directly involved in implementing the Holocaust deranged, similar to those who perpetrate school shootings?   How long had German intellectuals been discussing what was called, 'The Jewish Problem'? How long had the solution of extermination been di...

In this episode, we look at how the modern world defines freedom. We also examine why there is such turmoil and conflict in the USA at the present time. What are the key factors driving this deep turmoil and conflict? Are there any historical parallels to the present situation? What lessons should we learn from this?  Nach Yomi:   Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day...

In this episode, we look at the key theme of Pesach, freedom. How does this connect with eating matza on Pesach? Is matza, 'poor bread', or , 'poor man's bread'? How can a poor basic food be considered a symbol of freedom? How do we understand freedom in Torah? How do practically relate to this facet of the Mitzva? Nach Yomi:   Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day fi...

This week's episode is dedicated in honer of the wedding of Eliyahu David and Nechama Besser  In this episode, we look at the tumult in the American Yeshiva world about if one should participate in the elections for the WZO. What is the Historical context of this issue? How does the Ausritt controversy affect this issue? Are there any significant differences in this issue between today and when it...

In this episode, we look at the phenomenon of the slightly different Parsha systems that are found in different Tanachs. We also discuss the major controversy about how one should write Neviim. Why was this controversy specifically focused on Neviim and not other sefarim?   We also start looking at the issue of repetitive phrases in Tanach. How do understand this phenomenon? What does it usually s...

This week's episode is dedicated לעילוי נשמת אפרת בת אושרה   In this episode we look at a couple of examples of how taking Parsha flow in account changes the way we understand the different elements of the Parsha. We also look at the more complicated issue of when to thematically connect two different Parshios.  Nach Yomi:   Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five...

This week's episode is dedicated לעילוי נשמת ר אליהו ב״ר יוסף In the first part of this episode, we properly examine the issue of how the basic principles of Propecy relate to the writing of Nach. What do the basic requirements for Prophecy teach us about the writing of Tanach?   We also continue looking at how Rashi clearly utilizes the Parsha system and how this effects how he explains the indiv...

 In this episode, we take a more careful look at how Rashi uses the parsha system in his commentary. How much of a factor is this in Rashi? We similarly examine why it is so important to maintain a connection to the classic understanding of Tanach. We also examine the issue of how to understand the writing of Tanach. (229)  Nach Yomi:   Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek...

 In this episode, we look at how the Parsha system should affect the way we understand Tanach. What is the difference between the Parsha system, which is the organic division of Tanach and the chapter system which was created by English monks in the 1100's. We also look at how Rashi subtly uses the Parsha system. Nach Yomi:   Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five...

In this episode we examine the claims that Rashi's commentary to Tanach isn't a Pshat based commentary.  How should we view the concept that we should attempt to understand Tanach only via the text of Tanach? Who was the originator of this idea? What does this tell us about this conception? What makes Rashi's accomplishments in Tanach unparalleled? How seriously have Talmidai Chachomim throughout...

  We start this episode with some more lessons from the Gaza War and the ceasefire agreement. We examine when is it proper to learn from others.    We go on to look at the basic rules of understanding a possuk. What is a possuk in Tanach? How important is it in understanding what is being told to us? What is the difference between possukim in the prose parts of Tanach and the poetic parts of Tanac...

In this week's episode we take a deeper look at the first rule of Pshat - understanding the meaning of the words. How broad is our understanding of Tanachic Hebrew? What are the differences between the different dialects of Hebrew? We also discuss why Rashi only wrote an introduction to Shir HaShirim. Nach Yomi:   Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week...

 In this week's episode we take a closer look at the fundamental problem most academics have when it comes to understanding Midrashim. We also start looking at the Five Basic Elements of learning Tanach. The first element is understanding the words and their meaning. Classically we start this with Rashi and the Ramban. Why do we do this?  Nach Yomi:   Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. W...

In this episode we look at the Ceasefire Agreement recently signed. Was it a mistake to sign this agreement? Is it possible to fully solve the issue militarily? What policy changes could have brought a better outcome? Nach Yomi:   Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click  here  to join!  For tours,...

   In this episode we look at Carter's Israeli admirers and what was motivating them to admire him. Why were they so deeply moved by this quixotic figure?   We go back to the issue of Midrashim and Mesora and flesh out the issues more. When can we say there is an absolute Mesora about an issue? We also look at the issue of did Ashkenazi Rishonim learn Midrashim that seem to humanize G-d literally?...

In this episode we look at Jimmy Carter's mixed legacy. Should we be surprised by his lack of success as President and his severe defeat by Ronald Reagan? How much credit for the Peace Agreement between Israel and Egypt does he get? Is there any fundamental reason for his post Presidential behaviors? Nach Yomi:   Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week,...

In this episode we look at the definition of Pshat, the basic meaning of the possukim. Is there any connection between this and Rationalism? How much is it possible to apply the contemporary concept of Rationalism to Torah? We similarly look at the issue of understanding when a Midrash is absolute Mesorah, passed down directly from Moshe.  Nach Yomi:   Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp....