The Mystery of the Birds’ Head Haggadah
Brief description of the world’s oldest illuminated Hebrew manuscript–and a 700-hundred year mystery, solved recently by a 10-year old boy.
Read More The Mystery of the Birds’ Head HaggadahWho Was Azariah de’ Rossi?
He survived the 1570 earthquake in Ferrara–and became the world’s first Modern Orthodox Jew.
Read More Who Was Azariah de’ Rossi?Who Was Rabbi Ovadiah of Bertinoro?
Brief overview of the life and work of Rabbi Ovadiah of Bertinoro (Bartenura), best known for his commentary on the Mishnah but also an important communal leader in late 15th-early 16th century Jerusalem.
Read More Who Was Rabbi Ovadiah of Bertinoro?The Romans Tried to Ban Wild Purim Parties in 408
Hello everyone–here’s a brief historical article for this time of year that appeared in today’s JTA. Thanks to my daughter Raphaela and Laura Adkins at JTA for some amazing editing help. Enjoy in good health!
Read More The Romans Tried to Ban Wild Purim Parties in 408Looking for a Sponsor for Monday Night’s Lecture
Connect yourself with the Rav for as long as there is an Internet.
Read More Looking for a Sponsor for Monday Night’s LectureThe Ancona Affair of 1555-56 (Jews of Italy Pt. VI)
The remarkable story of two powerful Jewish women from Spain and Portugal and the challenge to Pope Paul IV for his maltreatment of Portuguese Jews in Italy.
Read More The Ancona Affair of 1555-56 (Jews of Italy Pt. VI)Who Was Natan of Rome? Jews of Italy Pt. V
True, he wrote a dictionary, but cryptic hints in his autobiographical poem suggest a more complicated background.
Read More Who Was Natan of Rome? Jews of Italy Pt. VTonight! Nathan of Rome. Also, some Torah on the Piaseczno Rebbe.
Not enough snow to cancel tonight’s class on Nathan of Rome!
Read More Tonight! Nathan of Rome. Also, some Torah on the Piaseczno Rebbe.The Legend of the Four Captives (Jews of Italy pt. IV)
A medieval historian recounts the remarkable story of four Rabbinic captives.
Read More The Legend of the Four Captives (Jews of Italy pt. IV)What a Bergen-Belsen prenup teaches us about resilience
Please click here for a link to my recent article on a document I came across in the archives of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, published by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. I’m really grateful to Laura Adkins, Opinion Editor, for shaping the piece. Also thanks to the incredibly helpful staff of YIVO for permission […]
Read More What a Bergen-Belsen prenup teaches us about resilience