Who was the mysterious dark-skinned woman in the Sarajevo Haggadah?

Brief overview of the life and work of Shmuel David Luzzatto (ShaDaL), an important 19th-century Italian-Jewish thinker.

Brief description of the world’s oldest illuminated Hebrew manuscript–and a 700-hundred year mystery, solved recently by a 10-year old boy.

He survived the 1570 earthquake in Ferrara–and became the world’s first Modern Orthodox Jew.

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.

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!

Connect yourself with the Rav for as long as there is an Internet.

Not enough snow to cancel tonight’s class on Nathan of Rome!

A medieval historian recounts the remarkable story of four Rabbinic captives.

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…

Elul is not that far off. Here’s a brief video on Moses Maimonides, is life and work, with emphasis on his remarkable Ways of Teshuvah (repentance).

Judaea Capta: The Roman-Jewish Wars in History and Representation Tisha B’Av: Thursday, July 30 at 12:45 PM EDT The Shul via Zoom: 645 705 4016, password 699576

The Kishinev Pogrom and Jewish History Young Israel of Fort Lee Webinar Tisha B’av: 7.30.2020 2pm EDT RSVP: bit.ly/cityofslaughter

Maimonides on Teshuvah, 8th edition revised during the onset of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Forthcoming Elul 5780. Beautiful cover by Rachel Jackson.

Have to share this really sweet email from a student in the Jewish History in Daf Yomi podcast on the All Daf app (edited, and with permission) and his amazingly studious daughters. These kind of messages give me strength to continue! Howdy Dr. Abramson! I just wanted to say a special thank you for your…

Please join me tonight @ 7pm EDT for a discussion of the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz in historical perspective, focusing on the disastrous 1st century and its implications for Jewish life in the Coronavirus era. Introduction and concluding remarks by Rabbi Chaim Poupko, Congregation Ahavath Torah (Englewood, NJ). I am grateful to Rabbi…

Please join me for a far-ranging discussion, rooted in the caustic sectarianism of First Century Judaea but with implications for our current Covid-19 reality. Register for the free webinar at http://www.ahavathtorah.org/Tammuz.

The Humility of Rabbi Zecharyah: Jewish Sectarianism in the First Century, the Beginning of our Exile, and a Reflection of our Troubled Times. Webinar sponsored by Congregation Ahavath Torah (Englewood, NJ) in commemoration of the communal period of reflection and Teshuvah that begins on the 17th of Tammuz. Lecture by Dr. Henry Abramson, Dean and…

Enjoyed this far-reaching conversation with Rabbi Aaron Parnes on his innovative Chinuch Podcast. Enjoy in good health!

NEW YORK (JTA) — “Pray for the welfare of the state,” Rabbi Hanina writes, “for if it were not for the fear thereof, people would swallow each other alive.” As cities around the nation burn with righteous indignation over yet another horrific incident of police brutality directed against a black man, Jewish leaders must reflect on our…

Looking forward to this special presentation at Congregation Ohav Emeth via Zoom: a look at the incomparable Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto’s last words to his students and an overview of his tragically brief yet incredibly important life, filled with contributions to the religious, scholarly and intellectual future of the Jewish people. In honor of Yom…