122 episodes

History for the Curious


The most talked-about Jewish History Podcast


History for the Curious features the dynamic historian and famous tour guide & lecturer: Rabbi Aubrey Hersh, live from the JLE in London, hosted by myself: Mena Reisner

Join us as we cross continents, sail through the centuries, tracing lives, uncovering events and following epic journeys, to reveal the untold stories, the scandals, and the mysteries, that have impacted our history and shaped us into who we are today.

Encounter leaders, visionaries, spies, heroes & traitors and unpack 2,000 years of Jewish heritage.
Go back to the story of Jews in the Temple of Jerusalem. Confront the dilemmas of the Holocaust. Visit Paris, Prague, Vilna, London, Venice, New York & the Cairo Geniza. Meet The Russian Czar, Ramchal, Maharal, Maimonides, Churchill, Shabbetai Zvi and the Hapsburgs.

History for the Curious - The Jewish History Podcast JLE

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 5.0 • 120 Ratings

History for the Curious


The most talked-about Jewish History Podcast


History for the Curious features the dynamic historian and famous tour guide & lecturer: Rabbi Aubrey Hersh, live from the JLE in London, hosted by myself: Mena Reisner

Join us as we cross continents, sail through the centuries, tracing lives, uncovering events and following epic journeys, to reveal the untold stories, the scandals, and the mysteries, that have impacted our history and shaped us into who we are today.

Encounter leaders, visionaries, spies, heroes & traitors and unpack 2,000 years of Jewish heritage.
Go back to the story of Jews in the Temple of Jerusalem. Confront the dilemmas of the Holocaust. Visit Paris, Prague, Vilna, London, Venice, New York & the Cairo Geniza. Meet The Russian Czar, Ramchal, Maharal, Maimonides, Churchill, Shabbetai Zvi and the Hapsburgs.

    Responsa in History III

    Responsa in History III

    Do synagogues have rights over membership?
    Why did a Chazan risk excommunication in Perpignan?
    Why were responsa printed in defiance of the author’s wishes?
    And the 1708 Chametz glue on a Pesach document…
     
     

    Chapters
    00:00 Excommunication and Imposing Bans
    06:18 Excommunication and Scholarly Disputes
    13:28 The Role of the Chazan in the Synagogue
    26:04 Insights from Historical Responsa

     



     

    • 34 min
    Financial Responsa in History II - Shuls, Politics & Power (feat. Dayan Y Posen)

    Financial Responsa in History II - Shuls, Politics & Power (feat. Dayan Y Posen)

    For centuries Jews faced restrictions building their shuls.
     
    Halachic questions arose across Europe concerning rights, ownership and use. And closer to our day, when communities split, the assets would often be fought over.
     
    For the trip, please email: giana.elav@gmail.com
     
     

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Overview
    07:41 Shul as a Place of Assembly and Governance
    14:13 Challenges in Shul Expansion and Renovation
    29:14 Ownership and Rights of a Community in a Shul
    38:13 The Changing Dynamics of Shuls and the Role of Trustees

    • 49 min
    Financial Responsa in History I - Taxes, Charity & Freedom (feat. Dayan Y Hool)

    Financial Responsa in History I - Taxes, Charity & Freedom (feat. Dayan Y Hool)

    In times of war and peace and throughout the centuries, Jews have asked questions. Some became the foundations of halacha, others were forgotten.
    In this episode we trace back through the ages to find that the new is often very old.
     
    To purchase Dayan Hools book, click here -




    Beth Din Commercial Arbitration:  https://amzn.eu/d/hSkOB53
     

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Urgency of the Question
    03:04 The Importance of Responsa in Jewish Law
    06:22 Preserving and Recording Responsa
    10:45 Debates on Jewish Community and Communal Organization
    14:04 Reduction in Responsa and the Need for New Answers
    25:46 Communal Financial Responsa in Times of Crisis
    26:42 Repurposing Funds and the Power of Handwriting
    29:37 Contributing to Communal Projects in Tehran
    30:06 Apportioning Funds for Weddings and Inflation
    31:02 Returning Donations Given in Error
    35:22 The Role of Community Contributions
    51:01 Security as an Individual Requirement

     
     


     

    • 53 min
    Yishmael vs Yisrael X – A personal account in Gaza

    Yishmael vs Yisrael X – A personal account in Gaza

    Unlike the secular worldview, Jewish history looks at individuals and at details. And although we have closely followed the general conflict in Israel, we are at arm’s length from the war.
    Hearing first-hand some of the challenges that Yona Pinchos Gedalia ben Soroh Chana faced, will thereby give a deeper perspective to what Israel is experiencing.
     
    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode
    03:04 The Importance of Individuals in Jewish History
    06:28 The Jewish View of History
    09:20 Lessons from the Story of Esther
    12:10 Interview with a Soldier who Fought in Gaza
    19:25 Powerful and Evocative Moments in Gaza
    22:15 Worrying about Family and Coping with Breaks
    27:55 The Role of Faith and Processing the Experience
    35:10 Takeaway: Making Sacrifices and Supporting Soldiers

    • 36 min
    Douglas Murray - Raw Opinion on the Israel Conflict

    Douglas Murray - Raw Opinion on the Israel Conflict

    To Watch This Podcast, click here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRbtzDOtBAY&t=2021s
     
    A wide-ranging discussion with author & international broadcaster Douglas Murray, on the questions: Why the Media Lie - The Liberal Left -  Antisemitism, modern and ancient - The Future in Israel.
     
    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection
    00:38 Interview with Douglas Murray
    06:50 Journalistic Bias and Bigotry
    09:40 Media Coverage of Israel-Palestine Conflict
    11:37 Displacement of Israeli Families
    14:30 Impact of Advocacy and Truth
    21:33 Denial and Response to Terrorism
    22:41 Complacency and Strategic Thinking
    24:35 Israel's Technological Advantages
    25:24 Living with Rockets
    26:21 Deprogramming Hate
    27:48 Education and De-Radicalization
    29:40 The Insoluble Problem
    30:09 The Future of Palestine
    31:28 Anti-Semitism and Humanity
    32:27 Anti-Semitism on Campuses
    33:20 Sinister and Stupid Anti-Semitism
    34:29 The Disappearance of Adults
    35:25 Liberalism and Judaism
    36:18 Two Types of Liberalism
    37:09 The Rise of Anti-Semitism
    38:08 The Perception of Jews
    39:04 The Danger of Open Borders
    40:27 Anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe
    41:18 Anti-Semitism and Liberalism
    42:37 Anti-Semitism as a Reality
    43:06 Decency and Solidarity
    45:32 Running for Public Office
    46:28 Supporting Threatened MPs

    • 49 min
    The Karaites III - Unusual Episodes

    The Karaites III - Unusual Episodes

    The Karaites arrive in Ponovezh, Lithuania; Seraya Shapshal abruptly changes direction; Ibn Ezra writes Zemirot [link below]; the Nazis preside over a Karaite debate; Voltaire quotes a Karaite scholar; The 21st century reconfigures Karaism.
     
    Ki Eshmera Shabbat - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Um8Z5Wdok-WeA7zNmKFkEjG06eH21Sax/view?usp=drivesdk
     
    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction and Background
    03:16 Karaites in Ponovitch
    04:42 Karaites in Trakai
    06:35 Relations with Orthodox Jews
    09:27 Karaites under Tsarist Russia
    15:15 Secularization and Reform
    19:28 Communist Rule and World War II
    24:12 Karaites and the Holocaust
    28:30 Communist Rule and Decline
    29:57 Karaites in the Middle East
    32:47 Karaites in Europe and the USA
    35:10 Karaites in Israel
    39:24 Halakhic Status of the Karaites
    44:43 The Evin Ezra and the Karaites
    47:05 Conclusion

    • 47 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
120 Ratings

120 Ratings

joyous-occasions ,

Straightforward and understandable!

I love this podcast! Rabbi Hersh makes Jewish History easy to understand and follow. I have learned so much that I didn’t know (or didn’t pay attention to at school) and it leaves me intrigued to learn more! Thank you so much for a great podcast.

Malkagk ,

Addictive!

A most comprehensive yet concise narrative of Jewish (and world) history and hashkafa. Intelligent and engaging. Rabbi Hersh offered me shock treatment when I told him my family is addicted and anticipates every new episode; no thanks Rabbi, and please keep the episodes coming. Many thanks to Rabbi Reisner for excellent hosting.

Totally fascinating ,

Technical Issue

Don’t know how to get in touch otherwise but part 2 of most current episode on the war wont play

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