The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind

The Jacksonian era would mark a turning point in American politics, particularly regarding the power of the presidency. As we move forward in history, Rabbi Rocklin will answer the following questions: Why did the Democratic-Republican party split during Andrew Jackson's presidency? What was the primary goal of the newly formed Whig party?  How did the railroad help shift the American economy away...

The beginning of the nineteenth century would continue to test the American experiment. As we explore some of those tests, we'll seek answers to the following questions: In what way did Jefferson break with traditional Federalists in his attitude towards tradition?  What was the crux of the disagreement between Jefferson and Chief Justice John Marshall?  Why were Federalists discredited in nationa...

Although she was relatively unknown and unappreciated in her time, Jane Austen has since rightfully taken her place as a beloved author. As we survey her life and works, we'll answer the following questions: What did Sir Walter Scott find so compelling about Austen's writings?  Why are Austen's books—and, in particular, their lack of grand adventure—so important to the development of Western liter...

The great Romantic author Sir Walter Scott is today considered the father of the historical novel. As we learn more about him, we'll unpack the following questions: How was Scott's Scottish background particularly influential in his development as a writer? What distinguished Scott's criticism of the past from that of his Enlightenment contemporaries?  How is Ivanhoe an example of Scott's masterfu...

The second generation of Romantics would move beyond their predecessors, emphasizing the emotional longings of the human soul. As we learn more about these writers, we'll take a look at the following questions: What was Byron trying to accomplish by his travels that differs from the type of tourism we engage in today?  How did Percy Shelley attempt to reinvent the poet's role, breaking away from t...

Reactions to the Enlightenment emphasis on cold, hard reason would result in the Romantic era, which emphasized the emotional dimension of the human person. On today's episode, Rabbi Rocklin will answer the following questions: How did the French Revolution, which was steeped in Enlightenment thought, also end up giving rise to Romanticism?  What role did Wordsworth's upbringing in the Lake Distri...

While Friedrich Schiller was a paragon of optimism, E.T.A. Hoffmann saw a darker side of human nature. To help us explore these two writers, Rabbi Rocklin will address the following questions: Why does tyranny feature so prominently in Schiller's early writings?  Why was Schiller concerned with the general rejection of mythology and imagination that he perceived in society? In what way did Hoffman...

The viability of the newly formed United States would be tested in its early years. As we go back to those first few years of the republic, we'll answer the following questions: Why did slavery become such a divisive issue in the early years of the United States?  What was unusual about the ministers whom Washington selected?  What was so controversial about Hamilton's proposed national bank? If y...

The United States Constitution remains a brilliant legal document as significant today as it was in 1789. To help us understand why, Rabbi Rocklin will answer the following questions: Why did the Founding Fathers prefer the term republic over democracy when framing the Constitution?  Why did the Framers insist on a clause that forbids Congressmen from adopting titles of nobility? What did James Ma...

The Declaration of Independence was far from unanimous, yet it became the backbone of the Revolutionary War. As we dive into the Declaration and its ripple effects, we'll address the following questions: Aside from declaring independence, what were the founders looking to accomplish with the Declaration of Independence?  If the English Parliament was largely responsible for the injustices against...

Tensions in the colonies will reach a boiling point in the months leading up to the Revolutionary War. On today's episode, we'll take a look at the following questions: How did the repeal of the Stamp Act create a situation in which Britain and the colonies each thought they alone were victorious?  How did the Wilkes Crisis in England deepen colonial suspicion of the British parliament? Why did Jo...

Economic opportunity and religious freedom would continue to shape the American colonies in the early eighteenth century. In addressing that topic, Rabbi Rocklin will answer the following questions: How did religious sects play a role in shaping the different regions of the colonies?  What role did Enlightenment philosophy play in establishing the general character of the colonies? How did the Eng...

Long before Washington's famous letters to the Jewish communities in Rhode Island and Georgia, Jews were establishing themselves across the New World. To learn more about this period, we'll take a look at the following questions: What inspired the messianic spirit of the Jews who settled in the New World? To what extent were Jews involved in the slave trade? When and why did Ashkenazic Jews become...

In North America and the Caribbean, England's colonies would set the tone for political, religious, and colonial life. As we continue our survey of the New World, we'll answer the following questions: Why was tobacco hold the key to success for the English colony of Jamestown?  Why did Maryland have a bicameral legislature? Why did the colony of New York retain a majority Dutch population even aft...

When Columbus set sail in 1492, he could not have imagined how the world would change from his voyage. To begin our journey to the New World, we'll take a look at the following questions: What enabled Spain to claim so much of the New World as part of its empire? What was the original impetus for the French to establish colonies in the West Indies? In an era of ever-expanding understandings of hum...

Goethe is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential German-language writers. As we survey his life and works, we'll address the following questions: Why is Goethe viewed as something of a Romantic outside of Germany but as a pure classicist within Germany?  In what sense was Goethe the last true Renaissance man? Why is the difficulty of translating Goethe a reflection of his skil...

Two of the most important figures in late eighteenth-century Britain were Edmund Burke and Samuel Johnson. As we learn about their points of agreement and contention, we'll touch on the following questions: Why was Burke in favor of reconciling with the American colonies, which was against popular opinion in England?  In contrast to Burke, why did Johnson argue in favor of virtual representation f...

One of the most celebrated military figures in recent history is Napoleon Bonaparte, yet he has something of a mixed legacy. To unpack that legacy, we'll explore the following questions: How did Napoleon, who conducted himself as an enlightened despot, also try to reanimate history? What was Napoleon's political goal in conquering Europe? How did the Jews relate to Napoleon and respond to his conq...

The French Revolution was a series of cascading events that would upend the world of modern politics. On today's episode, we'll address the following questions: What led the Third Estate to insist that the Estates General meet as a national assembly rather than each estate on its own, as had been done previously? Why did the ideas of the Revolution disrupt the belief structures of the church of Fr...

Utilitarianism was one product of the Enlightenment, but so was Romanticism. As we begin to unpack these topics, Rabbi Rocklin will answer the following questions: Why did Bentham argue in favor of uncapped interest rates even if it would not be good for individuals? How do Bentham's final wishes—for his body to be dissected and his skeleton put on display—demonstrate the limits of the Enlightenme...

The Biblical underpinnings of Judaism give us some important insights into modern economics. To help us explore the topic, we'll address the following questions: In what sense can general economic productivity be understood as Biblical? Why did the Dutch currency become the world's first reserve currency?  How can the Biblical covenant be seen as the animating spirit behind the Dutch, British, and...

Immanuel Kant is widely regarded as the greatest of the Enlightenment philosophers. Today, we'll learn more about him and address the following questions: How did Kant's Protestant background influence his approach to philosophy? In what way did Kant influence the Romantic era? Why did Kant reject Judaism as irrational? If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars , we invite you...

The Scottish Enlightenment was markedly different than the Enlightenment on the European continent. To help us explore this topic, we'll take a look at the following questions: How did David Hume influence the way in which history is recounted? Why would later philosophers see Hume as more reasonable than his French and German counterparts?  Why was post-Enlightenment Britain more open to organize...

One of the most intriguing philosophers of the Enlightenment was Jean-Jacques Rousseau. As we learn about his assertions and contradictions, Rabbi Rocklin will touch on the following questions: In what sense is Rousseau at least partly responsible for the invention of the child? According to Rousseau, why is society fundamental to the individual?  How can Rousseau, an Enlightenment thinker, be con...

The French Enlightenment was a time of upheaval, and its main philosophers espoused ideas that challenged the traditional social and religious order. To unpack that concept, we'll explore the following questions: How does Voltaire's perspective on human redemption reflect Enlightenment philosophy? Why did Diderot expect his encyclopedia to be criticized? How does the Marquis de Condorcet help secu...