The History of the Holocaust (new online course, free and open to the public)

Please join this new online course on the History of the Holocaust, free and open to the public. YouTube lectures supplemented with self-testing quizzes and other materials. Why was Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto Persecuted by Fellow Jews?

What is a Synagogue? (3rd in a series). Also, The Premature Burial Crisis of 1772, and the Jewish Catacombs of Rome

What is a Synagogue? 3. A Place of Rejoicing (Dura Europos and YILC) Thank G-d, the hostages in Colleyville, Texas, have been released to safety. Jews all over the world breathe a sigh of relief, and express gratitude to the law enforcement officers for their protection. After the attacks on synagogues in Pittsburgh in 2018Continue reading “What is a Synagogue? (3rd in a series). Also, The Premature Burial Crisis of 1772, and the Jewish Catacombs of Rome”

Who was Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson?

Tomorrow is the tenth of Shvat, an important day of the calendar of Chabad Hasidim. On this day in 1950 the 6th Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, passed away; one year later his son-in-law Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson took over the leadership of Lubavitch Hasidim. His role at the helm of Chabad was truly transformational,Continue reading “Who was Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson?”

Why were the Works of Maimonides burned in 1232?

Moses Maimonides was one of the greatest scholars of medieval Jewish history, yet his works were hardly without controversy in his day. This video (48m) surveys his life and work, with emphasis on the subsequent controversies and their resolution.

The Jews of Hungary; Wooden Synagogue of Gwoździec; Aryeh at 29%!

Good morning fellow students of Jewish History! The Jews of Hungary (A Very Quick Survey!) The Remarkable Wooden Synagogue of Gwoździec, Poland Aryeh at 29%! Great Progress towards his Goal of Representing Team USA at the 2022 Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem!

YILC Annual Dinner; What is a Synagogue? Birth of Modern Jewish Politics

My wife Ilana and I are proud to serve as the Guests of Honour (note the Canadian spelling, very considerate of them) at the time 41st Annual Dinner of the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, together with the Young Leadership Awardees Gila and Alan Goldberg. We are enthusiastic participants in YILC, a wonderful community resource underContinue reading “YILC Annual Dinner; What is a Synagogue? Birth of Modern Jewish Politics”

The Premature Burial Controversy of 1772 and the Perilous Challenges of Modern Orthodoxy (Tonight at 9pm ET)

Proud to address the famous Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst Teshuvah Haburah (at first I thought they were all about repentance, but in reality it’s a group of highly intelligent people who gather to discuss Rabbinic Responsa, also good). Please join in person tonight at 9pm ET or via zoom: bit.ly/YILCSHUT, passcode is yilctorah.

Emancipation of the Jews in Western Europe, Aryeh competes for Team USA in Jerusalem! and Biblical Jewish History Course hits registration milestone

European Jews Achieve Citizenship Good morning fellow students of Jewish history! Please join me at 11:30 am ET for a half-hour discussion of the emancipation of the Jews of Western Europe in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Help Aryeh achieve his goal! I’m very proud of our teenage son Aryeh, selected to participateContinue reading “Emancipation of the Jews in Western Europe, Aryeh competes for Team USA in Jerusalem! and Biblical Jewish History Course hits registration milestone”