Classes by Mordechai Dinerman: Recent Episodes
Mordechai Dinerman
Text-based classes on assorted Judaic topics, with a special emphasis on Jewish history.
New episodes every Wednesday.
Made Possible By Unzer-Chadash Shul, Brooklyn NY.
Ever feel like some piyutim just don’t flow right, as if the stanzas are out of order? Join us for a historical detective journey as we trace the piyut V'chol Maaminim and explore its possible connection to the enigmatic poet Yannai, whose true genius was hidden for centuries. We’ll uncover forgotten clues from the Cairo Geniza and reveal the song’s original, elegant structure. Finally, we’ll explore how key ideas from Chasidus unlock profound messages within its stanzas—a perfect way to enter the new year.
We’ve Been Singing It All Wrong? Solving the V'chol Maaminim Mystery
Jews have been talking in shul for centuries, and rabbis and communities have tried countless ways to stop it. From twelfth-century Cairo to the Lower East Side in the early 1900s, this struggle has played out across Jewish communities worldwide. This class offers a light yet thoughtful examination of the history of “shul chatter” and how Jews have navigated it through the ages.
The Saga of Shul Shmoozing: A Historical Look at Talking in Shul Across the Centuries
In 1827, Czar Nicholas I decreed that Jewish boys and young men be conscripted into the Russian army, a policy that shook Jewish life in Russia to its core. Communities debated and attempted various strategies to confront this crisis, and in that context, the Tzemach Tzedek was asked whether a particular approach was permissible. In this class, we’ll explore the historical backdrop, unpack the Tzemach Tzedek’s responsum, and work together to understand its meaning.
The Cantonist Crisis
In this class, we will delve into the architectural anomaly of the “four halls” described in Yosifun’s account of the Beis HaMikdash. This description contradicts the sources in Chazal, and as we will discover, there is a fascinating history behind how this peculiar design came to be.
The Four Halls That Never Were: A Critical Look at Yosifun’s Design of the Beis Hamikdash
What do you do when the government demands soldiers and says you have to choose who goes? That’s exactly what Jewish communities in the late 1700s faced when the Austrian-Hungarian Empire started drafting Jews into the army. In this class, we look at how the rabbanim responded to this impossible situation and uncover the moral struggle beneath their rulings. The Draft Dilemma: The Chilling Reality of Jews Deciding Who Gets Drafted
Can a Jewish community surrender one of its own to save the many? This class explores three cases from the 1600s and 1700s, where this wrenching question was brought before leading rabbanim. We’ll learn about the details of each case, the rulings the rabbis issued, and the Talmudic sources that shaped their decisions.
The Dilemma of Handing Over One to Save Many
Today, we’ll examine the debate in Venice in 1630 over a communal ban against gambling. Local leaders moved to outlaw games of chance, but Rabbi Yehuda Aryeh Modena pushed back, arguing that the community had no right to restrict a Jew’s freedom in this area. Along the way, we examine the authorship of an anonymous 1595 dialogue on gambling, offering an overview of the halachic arguments and a window into public attitudes about his subject at that time. The story comes full circle as we turn to explore Rabbi Modena’s unique and candid autobiography.
The Rabbi Who Couldn’t Quit Gambling
In 1725, Rabbi Zalman Hena published Shaarei Tefilah and sparked controversy by calling for a complete stop to the use of taam ha’elyon—the unique system of trop traditionally used for reading the Aseres Hadibros. Rabbi Yaakov Emden wasn’t having it and fired back forcefully in his Luach Eresh. This class unpacks their debate, the sources they cite, the Alter Rebbe’s position, and what we know about the two competing systems of trop for reliving Matan Torah.
Up High or Down Low? The Battle Over the Proper Trop for the Aseres Hadibros
Today, we’re picking up where we left off in the story of chidush hasemicha. We’ll look at what unfolded after Rabbi Levi ibn Chabib pushed back against Rabbi Yaakov Beirav’s plan and how the controversy evolved in the decades that followed. We’ll dive into Rabbi Yosef Caro’s role in the debate and then turn to the remarkable mission in the 1830s, spearheaded by Rabbi Yisrael of Shklov, to find the Ten Lost Tribes in a bold attempt to revive semicha.
The Great Semicha Controversy, Part II
After the Spanish Expulsion, a group of leading rabbis in Tzfas, led by Rabbi Yaakov Beirav, set out to revive semichah—the original form of judicial ordination that linked back to Moshe Rabbeinu. They planned to reestablish semichah through broad rabbinic consensus, but not everyone was on board. In Jerusalem, Rabbi Levi ibn Chabib strongly objected, raising serious questions about the halachic basis and the broader implications of the move. This class explores the halachic arguments, the historical backdrop, and the deeper motivations behind one of the boldest and most controversial rabbinic initiatives.
The Great Semicha Controversy, 1538
There’s a long and painful history of the Gemara being censored in Christian lands, but in 1728, a draconian form of censorship led to the publication of a heavily redacted Maseches Berachos. A fierce debate erupted within the Jewish community: was it better to print a mutilated Gemara, or not to print it at all? In this class, we explore the rabbinic voices on both sides, the arguments they advanced, and actual examples of the edits. It’s a compelling glimpse into a community grappling with impossible choices under the weight of galus.
Link to this 1728 edition:
https://books.google.com/books?id=IW9iAAAAcAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=true
The Doctored Talmud: Prague, 1728
Sometime in the mid-1400s, Rabbi Shlomo Duran of Algiers penned a remarkable teshuvah directed at a group of conversos in Spain. These individuals, who had been forced to embrace Christianity since the 1391 persecutions, had managed to maintain their Jewish faith in secrecy. Their question centered on how they could refrain from the worst forms of chametz on Pesach without drawing the suspicion of the authorities—an endeavor fraught with challenges. This teshuvah touches on many halachic elements regarding chametz and reveals the Marranos' historical struggles in mid-fifteenth-century Spain.
The Marranos’ Secret Pesach
In the 1850s, a groundbreaking innovation was introduced in Galicia: machines to facilitate matzah production. What followed was a fierce and dramatic conflict that shook the Jewish world. Pamphlets were published on both sides, each defending its position with vigor, leading to intense debates over halachah, minhag, and economic policy. In this class, we jump into the heart of the controversy as it played out in the late 1850s—the first phase of this conflict—and then explore how later Chabad sources engaged with this issue.
The Machine Matzah Controversy
The Alter Rebbe’s unique script for safrus has a rich and winding history. It has been inked, shelved, revived, and debated—and everyone seems to have an opinion. So, what is the story behind this ksav? What sets it apart? Why do some embrace it wholeheartedly while others remain unsure? This class explores its historical trajectory, some of its writing nuances, and the ongoing conversation around its adoption.
Links to images:
Megilah of Rebbe Maharash in Aguch library:
https://hebrewstam.blogspot.com/2013/03/blog-post_120.html
Megilah attributed to Rebbe Maharash, Carlebach family:
https://yeshivasstam.com/maharash
Tefillin of the Frierdiker Rebbe:
https://hebrewstam.blogspot.com/2012/11/blog-post_19.html#comment-form
Tefillin attributed to Reb Reuven Sofer, Gurary family:
https://hebrewstam.blogspot.com/2016/01/blog-post_21.html
The Story of the Alter Rebbe’s Script
In the mid-12th century, the Almohads swept across North Africa and Spain, driven by a vision of a strictly unified Muslim society. For the Jewish communities under their rule, the choice was stark and unforgiving: convert, flee, or face death. Many outwardly embraced Islam while secretly maintaining their Jewish faith. A rabbi from afar denounced these covert Jews, insisting that their hidden devotion was meaningless. Rambam, however, fiercely rejected this view. In his Igeres Hashmad, he offered a scholarly and compassionate perspective, guiding his brethren through one of the most harrowing dilemmas in Jewish history.
Rambam, the Almohads, and the Secret Jews
In the 1170s, the Jewish community in Yemen faced an existential crisis: a radical ruler forced them to convert to Islam, an apostate Jew spread anti-Jewish propaganda, and a self-declared Messiah sowed confusion. In response, the Rambam penned one of his most powerful letters, offering guidance and encouragement. As we approach the 44th Siyum HaRambam, we revisit this extraordinary letter, its historical context, and its enduring lessons.
Rambam to the Rescue: His Legendary Letter to Yemen
In the 1470s, a series of outrageous blood libels were leveled against Jewish communities in the Germanic lands, including one in Regensburg. To secure their acquittal, the Jews of Regensburg needed an enormous sum of money—far beyond their means. The rabbis gathered in Nuremberg to strategize and ultimately turned to Rabbi Yosef Colon in Pavia with a pressing question: Could they obligate all Jewish communities in the Holy Roman Empire to contribute to helping the Jews in Regensburg? Rabbi Yosef Colon’s response is a masterful work of Talmudic analysis and a sobering reflection on the historical realities of the time.
The Regensburg Blood Libel
On the fifteenth of Shevat, 1348, in the city of Tudela, a man named Yosef performed kidushin with a young woman named Belita. What began as a seemingly ordinary wedding ceremony quickly became a shocking controversy. People who were present asked Belita whether she was truly consenting, and instead of her confirming, it was her father who spoke on her behalf. Further investigation revealed that Belita had previously stated her refusal to this marriage not once but twice, and, in fact, was already married to her uncle Avraham. To complicate matters, she was also engaged to a third man! On the eve of the Black Death sweeping through Europe, this tangled web of relationships turned into a halachic dilemma that ultimately reached the desk of Rabbi Yehudah, son of the Rosh.
The Scandalous Marriage, 1348
Rabbi Shlomo ben Aderes, the legendary rabbi and leader of Barcelona, received countless questions during his tenure, many of which have been preserved to this day. In this class, we discuss six compelling cases of tax disputes. They reveal remarkable insights into the political and economic realities of the time, the dynamics within Jewish communities, and their interactions with the surrounding non-Jewish world.
Taxes and Tensions: The Story of Jewish Tax Disputes in Medieval Spain
The book known as Yosifun, cherished in traditional Jewish circles, and the books of Josephus, preserved in Greek and Latin by non-Jewish hands, spark challenging questions about authorship, reliability, and reconstructing the Jewish past. This class explores how rabbis throughout the ages evaluated these works, their role on the Jewish bookshelf, and how to navigate the apparent discrepancies between their accounts and the teachings of chazal.
Josephus
The Books of Maccabees tell the dramatic story of the Chanukah revolt and the heroism of the Jewish fighters. But who wrote these books, and why were they left off the Jewish bookshelf? We’ll discuss the history of these texts, explore their reception among Jews throughout the ages, and probe the role they played—or didn’t play—in shaping Jewish memory of the Chanukah story.
Lost Lights of Chanukah: Exploring the Books of Maccabees
When a shipwreck in the 1500s left families wondering about the fate of their loved ones, rabbinic authorities debated whether the wives of the missing passengers could remarry. This centuries-old question resurfaced in 1912 with the famous sinking of the Titanic, reigniting the discussion of applying Halachah in tragic circumstances.
The Titanic Question: The Halachic Dilemma of Men Lost at Sea
We kick things off with seven fascinating stories from the teshuvos of medieval Spain, where we discover shul seats being treated like real estate: bought, sold, inherited, mortgaged—and sometimes the center of heated disputes. Then, we shift our focus to Ashkenaz, where this phenomenon is noticeably absent, suggesting a very different set of attitudes and conventions about shul seats. Finally, we dive into how the poskim tackled some of these disputes, applying Halachah to their contemporary realities.
Benches, Bargains, and Bickering: Shul Seating in the Middle Ages
In the 1630s, pioneering Jewish immigrants in Brazil asked when they should daven for rain, given that their seasons were reversed from those in Europe. Their question sparked a fascinating rabbinic debate that takes us back to a dramatic showdown in 14th-century Toledo, which continues to resonate today. Join us as we explore how Halachah navigates the balance between tradition and reality.
The Climate Clash: Rain, Rabbis, and Rulings for the Southern Hemisphere
In 1848, a man in Jerusalem on a journey to Judaism was devastated when told he must desecrate Shabbos because, despite undergoing a bris, he wasn’t yet considered Jewish until completing the final step of immersion. His heartbreak ignited a halachic controversy, which we’ll explore in this class. We’ll uncover the identities of the key figures involved and delve into the moving story of a man willing to sacrifice everything for his newfound faith.
The Warder Cresson Story
As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s sichos on Rashi, we will dive into how the Rebbe engaged with some of the earliest print editions and medieval manuscripts of Rashi’s commentary. These unique editions often reveal variant readings of Rashi’s words, each with its own story to tell. Through this journey, we’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Rashi’s foundational commentary—and the Rebbe’s unique approach to understanding it.
Links to the relevant manuscripts and prints:
Vatican Library, Urb. Ebr. 8
https://digi.vatlib.it/view/MSS_Urb.ebr.8
Vatican Library, Vat. Ebr. 47
https://digi.vatlib.it/view/MSS_Vat.ebr.47
Reggio de Calabria 1475
https://www.internetculturale.it/it/16/search/detail?id=oai%3Awww.internetculturale.sbn.it%2FTeca%3A20%3ANT0000%3APARE078580
Guadalajara 1476
https://www.hebrewbooks.org/21188
Rome, circa 1470
https://www.internetculturale.it/it/16/search/detail?instance=&case=&id=oai%3Awww.internetculturale.sbn.it%2FTeca%3A20%3ANT0000%3APARE078579_2&qt=
Berliner edition
https://www.nli.org.il/en/books/NNL_ALEPH990020823920205171/NLI
The Rebbe’s Rashi: Insights from Manuscripts and Incunabula Editions
Why has the Chabad community favored esrogim from Calabria? In this class, we’ll explore the backstory, diving into the halachic debates about grafted esrogim and why they matter. We’ll also take a closer look at the big discovery in 1955—when it turned out that even Calabria esrogim weren’t completely immune to grafting—and what that meant moving forward. We’ll unpack the history and the questions that still linger today.
Rooted in Tradition: The Calabria Esrog Story
From the Cairo Geniza, we uncover an ancient Judeo-Arabic rabbinic essay offering unique insights into the history and development of the Jewish calendar, particularly the observance of the second day of yom tov outside the Land of Israel. As we delve deeper, this document emerges as part of a broader debate, addressing the Karaites’ opposition to the two-day yom tov tradition. By comparing this text with Rambam’s perspective, we’ll gain a deeper understanding of this critical issue and a window into a pivotal moment in Jewish history.
Lost in the Geniza: An Anonymous Teshuvah on the Two-Day Yom Tov Debate
In this class, we will analyze four beautiful piyutim that we chant on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, uncovering some structural oddities along the way. As we raise questions and examine older prints and medieval manuscripts, we’ll uncover a story of mysterious censorship. While we’ll piece together what happened, understanding why it happened will prove to be more challenging.
Links:
Machzor, Lublin 1551
https://www.nli.org.il/en/books/NNL_ALEPH990011638640205171/NLI
Bodleian Library, MS. Michael 619
https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/9e481d9a-06e6-41e8-ae36-a58d445a1ffa/surfaces/2e65041c-333b-4c90-9b54-c3566fbf73d8/#
Bodleian Library, MS. Heb. e. 39 (Geniza)
https://hebrew.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/fragments/full/MS_HEB_e_39_4b.jpg
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Hébreu 631
https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b105392732/f25.item
Bodleian Library MS. Laud Or. 321
https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/268d1688-4523-4aed-962a-75f24c8cbfd0/surfaces/0b534075-2679-4a1e-88ca-998acfad9899/#
Bodleian Library, MS. Michael 627
https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/b3f2d1d5-ff07-4a6e-87ea-281c41957925/surfaces/ed999873-315d-46dc-a134-c50ca6f24362/#
Bavarian State Library, Cod. Hebr. 69
https://www.nli.org.il/en/discover/manuscripts/hebrew-manuscripts/viewerpage?vid=MANUSCRIPTS#d=[[PNX_MANUSCRIPTS990001265200205171-1,FL50147206]]
Basel University Library, MS. R II 2
https://www.nli.org.il/en/discover/manuscripts/hebrew-manuscripts/viewerpage?vid=MANUSCRIPTS#d=[[PNX_MANUSCRIPTS990001730950205171-1,FL61239499]]
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Hébreu 621
https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b105420719/f70.planchecontact
State Library Berlin, MS. OR 4200
https://www.nli.org.il/en/discover/manuscripts/hebrew-manuscripts/viewerpage?vid=MANUSCRIPTS#d=[[PNX_MANUSCRIPTS990000819800205171-1,FL55910250]]
The Vanishing Verses: Curious Cases of Textual Tampering in Our Machzor
In this episode, we’re diving into fascinating early 16th-century woodcut images and priceless medieval machzor manuscripts to see how they portray the mitzvah of blowing the shofar. We’ll explore the unique details in these images that reveal interesting minhagim of the time, though some might leave us with more questions than answers. Let’s uncover the stories these images tell about our tradition.
Links:
Book on Jewish Confession (Nuremberg 1508)
https://sammlungen.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/freimann/content/thumbview/6515799
Der Juden Spiegel (Cologne 1508)
https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k1911061m/f39.double
Luzzato Machzor
https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/the-luzzatto-high-holiday-mahzor-1
Machzor – Bavarian State Library
https://www.digitale-sammlungen.de/en/view/bsb00034975?page=82
Kaufmann Machzor - Hungarian Academy of Sciences
http://kaufmann.mtak.hu/en/ms388/ms388-012v.htm
Machzor – Cambridge University Library
https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-ADD-00662/127
Machzor – Austrian National Library
https://www.nli.org.il/en/discover/manuscripts/hebrew-manuscripts/viewerpage?vid=MANUSCRIPTS#d=[[PNX_MANUSCRIPTS990001692630205171-1,FL21854414]]
Art of the Blast: Shofar Blowing Customs in Medieval Manuscripts
In the 1860s, European Jewish communities faced a unique halachic challenge: the arrival of new chicken breeds from distant lands. As these exotic fowl entered the marketplace, rabbis debated their kosher status, igniting an adjacent discussion on how and why the turkey became accepted as kosher.
Fowl Play: The Great Turkey-Chicken Debate of the 19th Century
In the 1970s, a Chabad journal in Israel published a story about the Alter Rebbe reversing a halachic ruling based on a dream, sparking significant controversy. This incident opens the door to a fascinating exploration of a practice that was surprisingly common among Ashkenazic rabbis in the 12th and 13th centuries—using dreams to guide halachic decisions.
Dreams of Revision: The Role of Dreams in Altering Halachic Rulings
In the 1830s, Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer penned an extensive letter to one of the Rothschilds, seeking his support for an ambitious plan to reinstate the korbanos on the Temple Mount. The rabbi contended that awaiting Moshiach was neither necessary nor prudent. This proposal ignited a debate among his rabbinic contemporaries, a discourse that continued well into the 20th century. Today, this story invites us to delve into many of the laws involving the Beis Hamikdash, a particularly fitting endeavor during the Three Weeks.
The Rabbi Who Wouldn’t Wait: A Proposal to Reinstate the Korbanos
As we approach Gimmel Tammuz, marking the Rebbe’s thirtieth Hilula, we’re doing something different: a text-based class on an important talk by the Rebbe from Shabbos Korach 1988, a talk that captures a lot of the Rebbe’s hashkafah. The aim is to find inspiration and wisdom in his words, which can be applied to our daily lives and shared with others. Unconditional Love: A Commemorative Study of a Talk by the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Rabbi Yisrael Lifshitz, a well-known commentator on the Mishnah, included a provocative legend about Moshe Rabbeinu in his writings, suggesting that Moshe naturally possessed negative character traits. Over the following decades, some rabbis strongly opposed this legend, arguing that its claims were baseless and defamed Moshe’s revered image. In this class, we’ll talk about the origins of this controversial story, look at both sides of the debate, and explore why this account struck a chord with many Chasidic authors. The Provocative Portrait: Unveiling the True Face of Moshe Rabbeinu
The Baal Shem Tov passed away on Shavuos in 1760, but the exact day of his passing and the time and manner of his burial have long been subjects of controversy and mystery. In this class, we explore this subject by learning about two major debates regarding yom tov burials that emerged during the Middle Ages. Through this journey, we aim to deepen our appreciation for the laws and values related to yom tov observance and the proper dignity afforded to those who have passed away.Yom Tov Burial: The Talmud, the Rishonim, and the Baal Shem Tov
How does a halachic mind interpret the harrowing events at Masada, where Jewish rebels chose death at their own hands over surrender? In this class, we delve into this question, exploring not only the tragic case at Masada but also similar ethical dilemmas faced by Jews during the Middle Ages when confronted with forced conversions under Christian rule. The complexities of these historic moments offer deep insights into the moral and spiritual struggles that have shaped Jewish resilience and identity. The Masada Martyrs: Halachic Perspectives on History’s Hardest Choices
Throughout history, Jewish communities have thrived in diverse locales, each presenting unique agricultural schedules. While adhering to the prohibition against eating chadash proved feasible in some regions, in others, it posed significant obstacles to daily life. This class delves into the strategies employed by the Ashkenazi rishonim and the legendary Acharonim of Poland, exploring five approaches to justify non-compliance, particularly in circumstances where adherence would be exceptionally challenging. Grain Matters: Navigating the Chadash Predicament Across the Centuries
In 1759, a clandestine faction of Shabetai Tzvi’s followers in Poland committed a startling act: they collectively converted to Christianity while simultaneously accusing Jews of the age-old fabrication of using blood in matzah production. Despite the longstanding existence of the blood libel, this marked the first instance where the accusation was made by citing and distorting Talmudic and halachic sources. In this class, we examine the specific passages they employed and learn the response of the Jewish leadership during that era. As Ber of Bolochov, the chronicler of this event, emphasized, recording this narrative was essential to ensure that future generations would understand the suffering and trials of their ancestors and how it was notably worse when it emanated from within the Jewish community. The Frankist Blood Libel
The Kittsee Haggadah The library of Agudas Chasidei Chabad houses a remarkable manuscript crafted in 1760 by the talented scribe and artist Chaim ben Asher Anshel of Kittsee, near present-day Bratislava. We’ll trace the journey of this Haggadah from its creation to its acquisition by the Frierdiker Rebbe. Opening this manuscript, we’ll examine its layout, artwork, nusach, and style of nikud, seeking to uncover the influences that shaped Chaim ben Asher’s masterpiece through a comparative analysis with other Haggadahs of that period. To purchase a facsimile of the Kittzee Haggadah:https://store.kehotonline.com/prodinfo.asp?number=HP-HAGG.KITZEETo view it online, visit the following link and insert card number “1950”:https://chabadlibrary.org/catalog/index.php?catalog=mscatalogAdditional Links:Kittzee Haggadah 1748, Gross Collectionhttps://www.nli.org.il/en/discover/manuscripts/hebrew-manuscripts/viewerpage?vid=MANUSCRIPTS#d=[[PNX_MANUSCRIPTS990000632400205171-1,FL54685621 Kittzee Haggadah 1768, Hebrew Union Collegehttps://mss.huc.edu/phpviewer/index.php?path=MS_451 Kittzee Haggadah 1769, Jewish Museum Londonhttps://www.nli.org.il/en/discover/manuscripts/hebrew-manuscripts/viewerpage?vid=MANUSCRIPTS#d=[[PNX_MANUSCRIPTS990001792760205171-1,FL28179029 Kittzee Haggadah 1771, Hungarian Academy of Scienceshttps://www.nli.org.il/en/discover/manuscripts/hebrew-manuscripts/viewerpage?vid=MANUSCRIPTS#d=[[PNX_MANUSCRIPTS990001920270205171-1,FL59161404Kittzee Haggadah 1772, JTS Libraryhttps://digitalcollections.jtsa.edu/islandora/object/jts%3A62343#page/41/mode/1up Amsterdam 1695https://www.nli.org.il/en/books/NNL_ALEPH990013798840205171/NLI#modal-downloadModalPrague 1713https://www.nli.org.il/en/books/NNL_ALEPH990013798850205171/NLIOffenbach 1721https://www.hebrewbooks.org/4923Frankfurt 1724https://www.nli.org.il/en/books/NNL_ALEPH990010665310205171/NLI
In the year 1550, two non-Jewish printers published competing editions of Rambam’s Mishneh Torah. One of them partnered with an esteemed rabbi from Padua, who, in his quest for support, turned to Rabbi Moshe Isserlis. Rama’s response along with a careful examination of the printed volumes unveil the details of this dispute. Rama’s scholarly answer also sheds light on various areas of commercial Halachah as well as the Noahide laws. The Printers’ Clash: The Battle Over Rambam’s Mishneh Torah, Venice 1550
There have been tragic instances where Jewish women felt compelled to take drastic measures to save the lives of their fellow Jews. When rabbis were presented with these real-life cases, they turned to the story of Esther for inspiration and guidance. Seduction and Sacrifice: From the Purim Story to the Responsa Literature
Today, we explore enigmatic Megilahs, where the absence of the text eclipses the written word. We’ll learn that this peculiar phenomenon is just a fragment of a larger tendency reflected in the Geniza to produce incomplete texts. We shall unravel the motivations behind this practice, reminding us of the formidable challenges in reproducing sacred texts by scribal hand.
Links:
First Megilah image:
https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-AS-00044-00005/1
Second Megilah image:
https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-NS-00286-00043/1
Third Megilah image:
https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-NS-00286-00043/1
First Chumash image
https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-A-00043-00004/2
Second Chumash image:
https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-A-00043-00013/2
First Tehilim image:
https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-NS-00281-00131/2
Second Tehilim image:
https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-AS-00039-00186/2
Final Megilah Image
https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-AS-00041-00207/1
Scrolls, Scribes, and Shortcuts: An Incomplete Megilah in the Cairo Geniza
Tunisian Jews used to refer to Tanach with a very odd name, and few understood why. Fortunately, illuminated medieval Jewish manuscripts can help solve this mystery. They bring us back to the 14th century, where we find Rabbi Yitzchak ben Moshe Halevi fervently contending that there has been a neglect of studying Tanach and that this is akin to abandoning the sacred Beis Hamikdash.
Lost Scrolls, Lost Souls: A Spanish Jew’s Plea to Rediscover Tanach | Favorite Episodes
When we examine medieval manuscripts that feature Aleinu, we uncover intriguing instances of censorship within this ancient prayer. What motivated these textual alterations, and can they be linked to a specific historical event? Delving into this subject unveils a significant episode from the year 1390, shedding light on the numerous amendments and erasures made to the text. These changes continue to influence various minhagim to the present day.
Relevant links:
Michael Machzor
https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/b3f2d1d5-ff07-4a6e-87ea-281c41957925/surfaces/2df6a671-c677-4e7d-a5df-e722f28f4c60/#
Esslingen Machzor
https://digitalcollections.jtsa.edu/islandora/object/jts%3A2173#page/43/mode/1up
Tripartite Machzor
https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/9e481d9a-06e6-41e8-ae36-a58d445a1ffa/surfaces/f6ca5ba3-7c09-4b1f-a288-3d3c052e65e9/#
Machzor from the Rhineland
https://bibliophilly.library.upenn.edu/viewer.php?id=CAJS%20Rar%20Ms%20382#page/489/mode/1up
Worms Machzor
https://www.nli.org.il/he/manuscripts/NNL_ALEPH000044560/NLI?volumeItem=2#$FL21059450
The Scandalous History of Aleinu - New Episode
Favorite Episodes
Are our dreams significant? Do they have predictive value? Should we pay heed to their warnings? The Talmud seems to offer contradictory teachings on this subject, and this will lead us toward two classic approaches to this matter.
The Meaning of Dreaming: Talmudic Perspectives
Click here to view the class PowerPoint slides.
Favorite Episodes | Initially released in July 2023.
We are all acquainted with the renowned depiction of the menorah created by the Rambam. In this class, we dig into the story of this image. Where did it come from? Can we trust its accuracy? When was it discovered? Did later artists and copyists treat it as just a doodle or something more meaningful?
Rambam’s Menorah: Insights from Ancient Hebrew Manuscripts
Favorite Episodes | Initially released in December 2022.We can learn about the public presence of women in a given society by examining how various rabbis understood the story of Dina. We’ll witness the difference between Ashkenazic and Sefardic commentaries, between the Tanchuma and Bereishis Rabah, and between Ashkenazic and Sefardic halachic norms.
Between Ashkenaz and Sefard: Medieval Women, Biblical Dena, and the Public Square
In this episode, we explore the intriguing narrative of a Jew named Shlomo, also known as Fillipo, who found himself ensnared by the Inquisition in Venice during the 1580s. Raised as a Christian in Portugal during a period when Jews were prohibited from residing there, Shlomo’s journey took a profound turn when he embraced Judaism in Venice, a choice that carried substantial risks. His captivating story can be learned through the archives of the Venetian Inquisition but also through two rabbinic responsa.
In the Dungeons of the Inquisition
We examine the tale of the heartless chicken that ignited lively discussion among rabbinic authorities in the year 1709. We introduce the pivotal figures in this intriguing narrative, examine the framing of the question, analyze the diverse range of answers proposed, and learn about the captivating research endeavors undertaken by these rabbis in their quest for a definitive solution. This engaging study about the interplay between science and tradition offers unique insights into the intellectual landscape of the time.
The Heartless Chicken
In 1158, Rabbi Avraham ibn Ezra found himself disturbed by a provocative dream, which ultimately inspired him to author a treatise concerning the proper start time of the halachic day—evening. One possibility is that this work was a polemical discourse aimed at Rashbam’s Torah commentary. This prompts us to delve into the story of this commentary, examining some of the controversial passages that have sparked confusion throughout the ages. Ultimately, we emerge from this exploration with an empowering revelation: the fact that the halachic day commences at nightfall teaches us about becoming resilient in times of crisis.
The Puzzle of Peshat: Rashbam’s Controversial Commentary
Kol Nidrei has been associated with controversy since its inception, and we’re here to delve deep into its intriguing story. We’ll unravel the criticisms it faced, the defenses it inspired, and the persistent misconceptions that have colored its long history. But that’s not all. We’ll also embark on a journey to trace the theory that links Kol Nidrei to the Marranos.
To see the images from the Rothschild Pentateuch, click here:
https://mosaicmagazine.com/observation/arts-culture/2022/04/a-mysterious-erasure-in-a-700-year-old-manuscript-of-the-hebrew-bible/
The History of Kol Nidrei
What is the story behind the Chabad Machzor? In the first part of this class, we find ourselves comparing two sacred machzorim. The current Chabad Machzor is open before us, focusing on the Shachris of Rosh Hashanah. Concurrently, we have images of an Ashkenazi machzor dating back to the 1200s. Our purpose is to discern the commonalities and distinctions between the two.
We then attempt to learn about how the Chabad machzor developed. We show that during the nineteenth century, there were diverse perspectives within the Chabad community concerning the role of the piyyutim. Ultimately, the transformative moment in this story is the official publication of the Lubavitch Machzor in 1941.
To see the images of the medieval machzor, click here: https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/268d1688-4523-4aed-962a-75f24c8cbfd0/surfaces/f381f605-74ae-4eea-8383-948ab02ff422/
To see the first print of the Alter Rebbe's siddur, click here: https://viewer.rsl.ru/ru/rsl01006554275?page=1&rotate=0&theme=white
The History and Evolution of the Chabad Machzor
The Lubavitcher Rebbe raised an interesting question on the renowned tale of Rabbi Amnon and Unesaneh Tokef. We’ll show that this comment was just the tip of the iceberg as we delve into the Rebbe’s reaction to ten distinct stories that raised halachic or ethical concerns. Stories mirror cherished values and shape communal norms, underscoring the significance of this exploration.
Troubling Tales: The Rebbe’s Approach to Controversial Stories
Delve into the riveting saga of King Henry VIII’s marital turmoil as he sought to dissolve his marriage in order to marry a second queen. We’ll discover the intriguing intersection of politics, religion, and royal prerogatives as this notorious English monarch sought the counsel of Italian rabbis to help his cause while other powerful figures tried to impede them. This will lead us toward the lone surviving Hebrew letter by an Italian rabbi that was dispatched to the king and to additional arguments by contemporary Jews as conveyed by the dispatches of European diplomats.
The Politics of Divorce: King Henry’s Wives and the Italian Rabbis
This class delves into the story of Jews during the 1500s who were drawn to the Renaissance and embraced immodest dancing. They sought justification in the ancient custom of vineyard dancing on the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur in the Land of Israel. Examining how 16th-century rabbis expressed their disapproval leads us to discuss various interpretations of the ancient vineyard dance and how rabbis grappled with this extraordinary ritual through the ages.
Dancing with History: The 15th of Av and Its Legacy in Renaissance Jewry
We are all acquainted with the renowned depiction of the menorah created by the Rambam. In this class, we dig into the story of this image. Where did it come from? Can we trust its accuracy? When was it discovered? Did later artists and copyists treat it as just a doodle or something more meaningful?
Rambam’s Menorah: Insights from Ancient Hebrew Manuscripts
Starting in the 1870s, a visionary Jerusalem rabbi was consumed by the idea of resurrecting the ancient mitzvah of guarding the site of the Beis Hamikdash. But his fervor was met with indifference and opposition from others, sparking a halachic debate of significant proportions. As the narrative unfolds, unexpected connections emerge, revealing the curious involvement of the Chabad rebbes in this intriguing tale.
The Controversial Haskamah
During the late 1880s, an audacious endeavor was set forth by the Radziner Rebbe, aimed at renewing the ancient legacy of techeles through his arduous quest to rediscover the elusive chilazon. However, amidst his fervor, a tide of opposition emerged. In this class, our attention turns to the objections raised by the Rebbe Rashab, carefully outlined in a letter authored in 1907, after having perused the works of the Radziner Rebbe.
Techeles: A Tangled Tale
It’s truly astonishing: the Shulchan Aruch, the most important work of Jewish law, doesn’t codify the mitzvah of ahavas Yisrael and many of its related laws, including rechilus, lashon hara, nekamah, and others. In this class, we’ll examine the background and history that may help us come to grips with this curious omission.
The Missing Section in the Shulchan Aruch
In today’s episode, we turn our attention to the dispute over the Rambam’s works that took place in Europe in 1232. The controversy revolved around Rambam’s Moreh Nevuchim and Sefer Hamada, and it culminated in these works being banned and eventually burned. What was it about these works that were so controversial? What social factors led to the appalling book burning? And who was responsible for this? Some of the greatest rabbis of the day were involved in this story. By delving into their writings, we hope to disentangle fact from fiction and learn about the central themes that emerged from this dispute.
Banned and Burned: The 1232 Controversy Surrounding Rambam’s Works
This day has a sad history of persecution, but also an interesting tendency to be taken seriously at first, only to peter out after some time.
Remembering and Forgetting: The History of Chof Sivan | Replay
In the summer of 1666, Shabtai Tzvi’s conversion to Islam shattered hopes and dreams, leaving Jewish communities grappling with the aftermath of a false redeemer. One contentious issue arose in Amsterdam, where leaders debated whether to continue the performance of Birchas Kohanim each Shabbos, initiated during Shabtai’s self-proclaimed messianic era. Rabbi Yaakov Sasportas penned a series of halachic responsa on this matter, tackling the challenge of ideas proposed by flawed individuals and customs initiated by misguided beliefs.
In the Wake of Shabtai Tzvi’s Betrayal
Over the past century, significant changes have occurred in the area of women’s Torah education, but a vibrant and ongoing debate about this subject persists. By exploring the treatment of this matter in the Talmudic sources and throughout Jewish history, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of the current landscape, the factors that have shaped it, and the pathways that lie ahead.
Women and the Study of Talmud
Step back in time as we delve into a fascinating story about the Jewish communities of Cologne and Mayence around the period of the First Crusade. We will learn of an uproar caused by an extension to a synagogue adorned with imagery of lions and snakes. We will examine the halachic discussion of whether this violated the command against graven images.
The Lion and the Snake: Tensions Over Artistic Expression in the Medieval Sanctuary
Rabbi Shlomo ben Aderes (Rashba) took a maximalist position about the eternality of mitzvos, arguing that none of them could ever be suspended, not even in the era of techiyas hameism. But a faction of his rabbinic peers dissented. In this class, we examine the primary sources that are central to this discourse and also analyze the underlying dynamics—namely, the attempt at the time of Christian missionaries to undermine Judaism. This exploration will show how the greatest rabbinic minds responded to this threat and grappled with the more controversial passages of the Talmud and Midrash.
Rashba’s Rebuttal: Defending Judaism in Medieval Barcelona
In 1850, an unusual edition of Rambam’s Mishneh Torah was published in czarist Russia. A perusal of this work reveals that it was censored in a peculiar and unprecedented fashion. But what lies behind this story of suppression? Who was responsible for this censorship? And what does it reveal about the tensions in Jewish life at that time? Through a nuanced analysis of the key players and their motivations, we gain a deeper understanding of the internal and external challenges faced by the Jewish community in Czarist Russia in the mid-19th century.
Censoring Rambam’s Mishneh Torah in Czarist Russia
In 1636, the Sephardic Jewish community in Amsterdam was embroiled in a heated debate over the fate of their converso relatives residing as Christians in Spain and Portugal. Would those who refuse to emigrate to reembrace Judaism be denied entry into the World to Come? In this class, we will explore the rich tapestry of sources both sides invoked during this intriguing chapter in Jewish history. We will delve into the arguments presented by both sides, gaining insights into the religious and social complexities that confronted Sephardic Jewry during this period.
The Fate of the Marranos
In his commentary on the Haggadah, the Lubavitcher Rebbe referenced many different sources from the vast library of Judaism, but three of them stand out from a bibliographic perspective: three references to the first dated printed edition of the Haggadah. Join us as we learn more about this edition, its historical context, and how the Rebbe used it to sort out some of the famous questions relating to the mah nishtanah, dayeinu, and the wisdom of the wise son.
First Edition: The Rebbe’s References to the 1485 Soncino Haggadah
Join us for an in-depth discussion exploring the enigmatic absence of Moshe’s name from the Haggadah text. While his name does appear once in the text, this fact alone may not entirely resolve the mystery. We will scrutinize various explanations that have been presented over the past two centuries and analyze what they reveal about their proponents.
Vanished Hero: Exploring the Absence of Moshe in the Haggadah
In today’s episode, we will step back in time to explore the controversy that erupted when a famous rabbi made a controversial statement about Dovid Hamelech and the role of Tehilim in Jewish life. We will dive into the heated discourse and the familiar fault lines it revealed within the Jewish community. We will gain insight into the differing views on the function and place of Torah study versus other forms of Jewish worship and the divergent attitudes about the image of the tzaddik in Jewish life.
The King’s Prayer: A Controversial Statement by a 19th-Century Rabbi
Join us on this episode as we explore the centuries-old debate surrounding the placement of a tzeirei or segol in the reading for Parshas Zachor. Through the lens of ancient codices and special editions of Chumash, we’ll investigate the origins of this confusion and the reasons why communities began reciting both versions. We’ll also uncover the more profound significance of this divergence and what it can teach us about spiritual growth.
Zecher vs. Zeicher: Unraveling the Parshas Zachor Mystery
Join us on a journey through the rich history of Talmudic manuscripts and print editions. You will learn that although we don’t have manuscripts that can be definitively dated to before the twelfth century, a discerning eye can use extant manuscripts to hear distinct echoes of much older ones. Delve into the fascinating stories linked to the little-known Spanish and Portuguese printings that coincided with the end of Jewish life on the Iberian Peninsula and to Soncino’s controversial decision to place Tosafos on the page of the Gemara. Discover the introduction of folio numbers by Daniel Bomberg, and join us in the search for the first rabbi to utilize this revolutionary system. Finally, we’ll delve into the heartbreaking story of the burning of the Talmud in 1553 and the draconian censorship that followed, culminating in the notorious Basel edition.
This lecture was recorded live by Jewish Multimedia Library, a.k.a. JML, Melbourne, Australia. Many additional recordings are available from their website: www.jml.org.au.
History and Development of the Talmudic Page
In 1615, the Jewish community in Poland was confronted with a disturbing accusation of murder against one of its members. At the time, contemporary rabbis engaged in a dialogue on the most suitable course of action, debating whether the accused should face capital punishment. This discussion provides insight into the methods employed by rabbinic courts in addressing grave criminal offenses like murder and the criteria they applied in determining when the death penalty was a justifiable judicial response. Additionally, this analysis remains relevant today, as it prompts us to evaluate whether any of these principles and teachings have the potential to inform contemporary debates on the death penalty.
Debating the Death Penalty
The division of Tanach into chapters didn’t originate with Jewish scholars or rabbis. This class surveys when, how, and why this became an accepted and standard Jewish division. We will also hear the voices of those who rejected this system and, on the other hand, those who embraced it.
Dedicated in memory of Yaakov Koppel ben Elimelech Hakohen
Dividing Tanach into Chapters: A Historical Overview
(0:38) – General Introduction (3:08) – Rabbi Jacobson’s introduction about תורת חב"ד (7:36) – Introduction about himself (18:41) – How he got started in חזרה (21:31) – Getting more involved in תשל"ח as Reb Yoiel’s sidekick (25:34) – Becoming an official מניח in winter תשל"ח (26:27) – First הנחה (28:12) – The nightmare of מקץ תש"מ (35:23) – How הגהה worked (37:01) – How to tell if a random page is מוגה (40:31) – Sichos that were difficult to remember/understand (43:06) – The difficulty of the pre-הקפות farbrengen (45:08) – Why they didn’t divide the task of remembering (45:49) – His role in מאמרים (46:56) – Keys to memory (51:43) – Making a mental map; numbering ideas (54:03) – Demonstrating samples (58:23) – A sharp מענה to a complicated question (1:01:43) – How he took the sharp מענות (1:03:33) – Edits to באתי לגני תש"מ, and the mysterious cutting of the page (1:08:18) – The Rebbe’s כתי"ק about radio (1:14:06) – Did you ever get a galley back from the Rebbe without any corrections? (1:15:03) – Cases when the Rebbe wrote מבהיל (1:23:48) – Working relationship with Reb Yoel (1:26:23) – Defying others to ask the Rebbe a personal question—and it paid off – Yiddish, Hebrew, and other languages – Adapting the spoken word to the written word – Transitioning to a computer in the mid-1980s – The Rebbe choosing fonts – Identifying sources – Sources that have not been found – The struggle and adrenaline rush to keep up with the Rebbe – The science and history of השמטות – When the Rebbe said that certain things should not be printed – Overview of ש"פ פנחס תשמ"ה – Overview of ליל שמח"ת תשמ"ז – The value of the בלתי מוגה even when there’s מוגה – About באתי לגני תשכ"ג Secrets of a Chozer: An Interview with Rabbi Simon Jacobson In honor of shnas hakhel, Unzer-Chadash Shul hosted Rabbi Simon Jacobson and had the opportunity to ask him about his work of remembering, transcribing, and publishing the Rebbe’s sichos. Posted in honor of Yud Shvat.
In 1844, the Czar of Russia issued a ban on traditional Jewish clothing worn by Eastern European Jews for centuries, leaving the community with a dilemma: should they adhere to their cultural customs, or comply with the government’s decree?
Loathing Our Clothing: The Despot’s Decree and Rabbinic Response
In 1796, a work of the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings was consigned to the flames. What were the specific passages in this book that some deemed objectionable? This will help us uncover the most fundamental theological difference between Chasidim and non-Chasidim at the turn of the nineteenth century.
Burning of the Books: The Alter Rebbe, the Gra, and the Tzimtzum Tussle
In 1549, the rabbinical court in Cairo held hearings and engaged in extensive research to learn about the source of the annual flooding of the Nile. The rabbis of the day found themselves on different sides of this scientific question and vehemently defended their respective positions. But why did they care?
The Nile on Trial: 16th-Century Rabbis and Aquatic Science
The pre-print manuscripts of Tanya shed light on what the Alter Rebbe added to this seminal text at a later stage. Curiously, three of the most notable updates involve interpersonal relationships.
This lecture was recorded live by Jewish Multimedia Library, a.k.a. JML, Melbourne Australia. Many additional recordings are available from their website: www.jml.org.au.
Evolution of the Tanya: Timely Lessons from the Eighteenth-Century Battle against Chasidism
In November 1703, Rabbi David Nieto delivered a controversial sermon at the Bevis Marks Synagogue in London, causing a rift in the local Jewish community. The cause of the feud may have been mundane politics, but it forced a thought-provoking rabbinic responsum about nature, G-d, deism, and pantheism.
When A London Rabbi Was Accused of Heresy
We can learn about the public presence of women in a given society by examining how various rabbis understood the story of Dina. We’ll witness the difference between Ashkenazic and Sefardic commentaries, between the Tanchuma and Bereishis Rabah, and between Ashkenazic and Sefardic halachic norms.
Between Ashkenaz and Sefard: Medieval Women, Biblical Dena, and the Public Square
Are our dreams significant? Do they have predictive value? Should we pay heed to their warnings? The Talmud seems to offer contradictory teachings on this subject, and this will lead us toward two classic approaches to this matter.
The Meaning of Dreaming: Talmudic Perspectives
As Italian Jews immigrated to the Ottoman Empire during the sixteenth century, many wanted to switch to the Sephardic liturgical style. The question then was whether it was permitted to abandon well-entrenched communal customs—a question that’s very much relevant today.
Liturgical Warfare Among 16th-Century Italian Jews
Does the mitzvah of honoring parents imply that parents wield halachic control over their children’s marriage? Intriguingly, this question became a factor in the tensions that arose with the advent of the Chasidic movement in the eighteenth century.
Is It Kosher To Elope? Marriage Without Parental Consent
This class traces the minhag of avoiding the recitation of the Friday night kiddush during the seventh hour after midday. When and why did this custom begin?
Friday Night Kiddush Between 6 and 7
The Talmud famously rules that a childless couple must divorce after ten years of infertility. Yet, this law has often been overlooked, a reality that goes back many centuries. This class explores how, when, and why this occurred.
After A Decade of Barrenness: What Actually Happens
In the previous episode, we witnessed some of the greatest halachic figures waging war against Machnisei Rachamim and a number of other piyutim. In Part 2, we hear the voices of the supporters.
The Battle OverMachnisei Rachamim(Part 2)
It’s a beloved piece of liturgy, recited as we begin the new year. But some of the greatest halachic figures waged war against it, suggesting that it expresses quasi-heretical beliefs. In Part 1 we hear the voices of the opponents, and Part 2 will examine the defense.
The Battle Over Machnisei Rachamim (Part 1)
In 1772, the Duke of Mecklenburg decreed that Jews could not bury their dead until three days after death. The Jewish community faced difficult questions about the mitzvah of burial.
Buried Alive: The 18th-Century Halachic Debate
A controversial wedding ceremony ca. 1550 sheds important light on the inner rabbinic process, the history of Jewish marriage, and the limits of rabbinic law.
The Cracow Couple and Rama's Remarkable Responsum
The Rebbe Rashab invoked “dechikas haketz” as one reason to be against Zionism. What are the contours of this prohibition? Does it still apply?
The Rebbe Rashab, Zionism, and Expediting the End
At two medieval disputations, a famous Midrash was invoked to argue that Moshiach had already come. The rabbinic approaches to this Midrash unveil different approaches to Talmudic Aggadah.
The Barcelona Disputation: Was Moshiach Born on Tisha B’Av?
Tunisian Jews used to refer to Tanach as Mekashya, but few understood why. Fortunately, illuminated medieval Jewish manuscripts can help solve this mystery, revealing a unique perspective on the study of Tanach.
The Mekashya Mystery
The Rebbe Rashab addressed this issue when confronted with Zionism, and the Rebbe did the same a few decades later after the State of Israel was established.
Does Israel Amount to (the Beginnings of) Kibutz Goliyos?
How have Jewish sages responded when a predicted Messianic time didn’t materialize? Here we focus on this phenomenon within Chabad history.
The Day After: Reacting to Moshiach’s Not Coming in Chabad History
The Talmud tells us to refrain from predicting when Moshiach will come, and Rambam affirms this ruling in his code of law. But Rambam himself, and so many other rabbinic sages, issued messianic predictions. Why?
Predicting the Redemption: What About the Talmudic Prohibition?
The abundance of name calling in some of the Dead Sea Scrolls exposes diverging worldviews about how halachic interpretation should operate.
The Dead Sea Scrolls (Part 3): The Philosophical Dispute
Rabbi Yechiel of Paris was forced to defend the Gemara before a Christian tribunal. Despite his courageous efforts, the Talmud was condemned to the flames.
Paris 1240: Disputation and Devastation
The Dead Sea Scrolls present a sectarian system for measuring time and celebrating the festivals, and it may help us understand an enigmatic line in our Mishnah.
The Dead Sea Scrolls (Part 2): An Alternative Jewish Calendar
The Supreme Court recently issued a landmark decision regarding the “right to bear arms.” What does Halachah offer on this topic?
Gun Control: Talmudic Perspectives
The first of a three-part series analyzing how the Dead Sea Scrolls can deepen our understanding of the Mishnah and Talmud.
Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls? A Talmudic Approach
The Tzemach Tzedek wrote about the proper brachah to make on a talis katan, but some have alleged that we tampered with his text.
The Scandal of the Missing Line: Allegations of Textual Corruption against Chabad
The Talmud famously recounts how one of its sages discovered the “dead of the desert.” Drawing on a range of sources, the Rebbe explained this Talmudic tale with symbolic depth and personal relevance.
The Curious Case of the Desert Dead
This day has a sad history of persecution, but also an interesting tendency to be taken seriously at first, only to peter out after some time.
Remembering and Forgetting: The History of Chof Sivan
Rabbi Elazar and Rabbi Yehudah (Rebbi) debated how the furniture in the Beis Hamikdash was situated, and this reflected their philosophies about life.
The Rebbe’s Reshimas Hamenorah: An Overview
We are used to seeing two Yudin as a substitute for G-d’s ineffable name. But it wasn’t always that way.
Spelling Hashem’s Name in Hebrew Manuscripts
By examining the liturgy and art in a tiny medieval machzor, we learn how hearing the Aseres Hadibros was experienced seven hundred years ago, and how it's both similar and different today.
Shavuos Art, and the Strange History of Akdamus
Why animal heads replace human heads; why the luchos morph into a Torah scroll; and the origins of the areinfirenish and dairy on Shavuos.
Shavuos Through the Lens of Historic Jewish Art
Many assume that "explaining" and "Holocaust" are never to be seen in the same sentence. How did we get here? And was it always this way?
Explaining the Holocaust? Multiple Approaches by the Frierdiker Rebbe and Rebbe
We can document how the Mishneh Torah was drafted, finalized, updated, disseminated, illuminated, critiqued, printed, and censored.
Mishneh Torah: A Biography
The Cairo Geniza unveils much about Rambam’s communal activism, teaching, authorship, lost works, and overall life.
The Cairo Genizah: Shedding Light on the Life and Works of the Rambam
The final class of the series, in which we introduce Rambam’s position, Chasidic sources, and wrap up the topic with the key takeaways.
A Jewish Guide to Horoscopes and Astrology (Part 3)
A leaked draft suggests that the highest court of the land is primed to overturn one of the most controversial cases in American history. It’s time to revisit what Halachah has to say on the topic of abortion and the beginning of life.
Overturning Roe v. Wade: Good for the Jews?
Continuing to explore astrology from a Jewish perspective. What are the theological problems with accepting astrology and how did the rabbis address this? We will discover a range of opinions about how easy or difficult it is to subvert an astrological outcome.
A Jewish Guide to Horoscopes and Astrology (Part 2)
The background and origins of red strings, kinora, and “poo-poo”; Rambam’s position on the matter; and two models for how Jews understood this mysterious phenomenon.
A Jewish Guide to the Evil Eye
Continuing our series of classes on Judaism and the paranormal, this class begins a three-part deep dive into the topic of astrology. As with all of these mysterious topics, two divergent pathways emerge.
A Jewish Guide to Horoscopes and Astrology (Part 1)
Do demons exist? Did they ever exist? Is adultery with a demon considered adultery? (Yes, poskim addressed that question.) Jewish sources are not of one voice on this topic.
A Jewish Guide to Demons and Spirits
Some of the greatest Torah sages lived in Egypt even as the Talmud ruled that this was forbidden. Over the years, numerous justifications have been provided. Which will resonate with you?
Blatant Disregard of a Torah Law? On the Prohibition Against Settling in Egypt
While the kabbalists embraced the concept of reincarnation, other rabbis were skeptical. What lies at the root of this dispute? And how did the kabbalists address the various challenges raised about this doctrine?
Dominating Wives, Suffering, and Reincarnation: The Debate About Gilguland It’s Connection to Pesach
Since ancient times, Jews have been falsely accused of killing non-Jews for ritual purposes. In medieval Europe, beginning in the twelfth century, this was often accompanied by accusations that Jews used their victims’ blood to bake matzah for the Jewish holiday of Passover. This ridiculous but deadly lie would eventually lead to subtle Talmudic Censorship.
The Blood Libel and Talmudic Censorship
Medieval illuminated Haggadahs shed light on how the observance of the past was both similar to and different from the present. Taking this journey is an excellent way to review some of the laws and customs of Pesach.
The Old, the New, the Forgotten: Halachah and Minhag In Haggadah Art
Every so often we hear of someone who is blessed with a true windfall. In such instances, we often find multiple parties claiming a stake in the bonanza. How do we determine ownership when there are conflicting claims to life’s valued surprises?
Finders Keepers? Halachic Implications From Tzaraas In the Home
The Story of the Haggadah is synonymous with the story of the Jewish people. Observe how this most famous Jewish liturgical work has evolved in its appearance from one generation to the next. Yes, things do change, but they also stay the same.
Evolution of the Haggadah: A Pictorial History, from the Cairo Genizah, to the Medieval Art Workshop, to the Modern Printing Press
Continuing to explore whether there can ever be a time when mitzvos are suspended, and how this relates to the mysterious teaching that the pig will one day become kosher. Kosher Pig? Analyzing a Mysterious Midrash (Part 2)
Is it appropriate for a Jew to eat kosher imitation bacon, crab, or shrimp? Is this undermining the spirit of Kashrus? Central to the contemporary discussion is a fascinating Talmudic passage about a conversation between Yalta and Rav Nachman, which deserves analysis and exploration.
The Letter and Spirit of the Law vis-a-vis Imitation Products
There’s a well-known tradition that it will be permissible for Jews to consume the meat of a pig when Moshiach comes. What is the source for this teaching and what is its logic? Can there ever be a time when mitzvos are suspended? There are multiple approaches to these questions.
Kosher Pig? Analyzing a Mysterious Midrash (Part 1)
The Jews throughout the ages who employed art to depict the Purim story left us a legacy rife with messaging. Synagogue walls, biblical manuscripts, and medieval machzorim can teach us a lot about what Purim used to mean and what it can still mean today.
Purim Through the Lens of Historic Jewish Art
One of the most important commentaries on Megilas Esther was authored by Rabbi Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz (d. 1576), the famed author of Lecha Dodi. We explore eight memorable teachings from Manos Halevi and examine how they are cited and explained in Chabad sources.
Purim Class - The Manos Halevi by Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz: Overview and Highlights
The Czarist regime forbade rabbinical courts from employing coercive measures and adopted policies to promote assimilation. This led to the censoring of Jewish texts, and a recent discovery has shown that this also affected the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch.
Rabbinic Police Powers, Love and Hate, and Stern Censorship: Insights from Newly Discovered Passages of the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch
For centuries, Halachic authorities have debated how to designate Christian theological beliefs. In recent weeks, a new manuscript of the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch has surfaced, providing us with an important new voice in this conversation.
The Halachic Status of Christianity: Insights from Newly Discovered Passages of the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch