Really looking forward seeing my friends at YILC!

Lectures in Jewish History and Thought. No hard questions, please.





Heinrich Graetz (1817-1891) was the first encyclopedic historian of the Jewish people, and his massive 10-volume History of the Jews had a phenomenal impact on the way Jews saw themselves as a nation living in the diaspora. Looking forward to seeing you at Limmud this Sunday! Click the image below to learn more about my…

Imagine that, while browsing in the library, you come across one book unlike the rest, which catches your eye because on its spine is written the name of your family. Intrigued, you open it and see many pages written by different hands in many languages. You start reading it, and gradually you begin to understand…

One of the most creative, unusual, and controversial Hasidic leaders at the turn of the 19th century, Rabbi Nahman of Bratzlav (Nachman of Breslov) continues to inspire generations of disciples. Part of the Jewish Biography as History series, more available at http://www.henryabramson.com.

One of the strongest critics of early Hasidism, Joseph Perl was a fervent advocate of the Haskalah, or Jewish Enlightenment, in 19th century Galicia. Part of the Jewish Biography as History series by Dr. Henry Abramson, more available at http://www.henryabramson.com.

This is a more-or-less scholarly discussion of the origins of modern Jewish history in Enlightenment Europe. Warning: there are a few jokes in this video, but they only start around the 15 minute mark. The rest is more theoretical and historical. Part of the Essential Lectures in Jewish History series, more available at http://www.henryabramson.com. ****************…

Hello everyone! I’m excited and challenged to be taking a new position in New York this summer, but I’ll be very sorry to leave this community that has been my home for almost twenty years. One of the last rituals of departure will be a last series of classes for the Florence Melton School for…

Gluckel of Hameln, a Jewish woman who lived in late 17th-century Germany, left a remarkable memoir describing her life. Part of the Jewish Biography as History series by Dr. Henry Abramson, more available at http://www.henryabramson.com.

Yud Shvat, the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Shvat, is an auspicious date for Chabad Hasidm, commemorating the passing of the 6th Rebbe in 1950 and the ascension to leadership of the 7th Rabbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, one year later on January 17, 1951.

The Jewish people experienced dramatic changes in the sixteenth century that reverberate to this day. This lecture discusses three aspects of this century in particular: 1) the demographic upheavals associated with the expulsions from Spain and Portugal as well as the Ashkenazic migration, 2) the impact of the disruptive technology of printing, and 3) the…

Famed author of the Lecha Dodi hymn sung on the eve of the Jewish sabbath, Rabbi Alkabets was one of the founding members of the 16th-century school of Kabbalists based in Safed (Tsfat), Israel. Next week’s lecture: Gluckel of Hameln! Love Yiddish culture? Check out the new poster for the 2015 Kultur Festival in Boca…

Early adopters of the newest disruptive technology, the Soncino family were the first Jewish printers in 15th century Europe. This lecture discusses some aspects of the early decades of Jewish printing, and meditates on the meaning of the current digital revolution for Jewish culture and society. Planning to attend Limmud Miami this year? I would…
Sorry, folks. Laid low by the flu. See you next week?


MAIMONIDES ON TESHUVAH THE WAYS OF REPENTANCE Available now Paperback, 273 pages: $18 Ebook: $9

Maimonides on Teshuvah The Ways of Repentance Available now Paperback, 273 pages: $18 Elul 5776 Special: $9 with discount code KCFLXGXU Ebook: $9 Elul 5776 Special: Free (!) with discount code CN84P In memory of Jack David Abramson ע׳׳ה Sample Maimonides on Teshuvah The Ways of Repentance Henry Abramson בס׳׳ד To my father and teacher יעקב…

Coming August 15, 2016, in commemoration of my father’s yohrtsayt (11 Av).

Hello students, colleagues and friends! Where will you be on Saturday night? If you’re in the Five Towns, please feel free to drop by the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst (YILC) and say hi, maybe learn a little bit of Torah with me. Besides learning with my kids a bit, I hope to spend the night alternating between…

Here’s a brief message from my daughter Danit Malka, who is preparing for a major hike along the Grand Canyon to raise funds for Friendship Circle, an organization dedicated to helping children with disabilities. Please partner with Danit Malka and help her meet her fundraising goal to help these kids by visiting http://www.hike.teamfriendship.org/DanitMalka. Thank you!

http://www.aish.com/jl/h/h/The-First-Pillar-of-Jewish-Law-The-Rif.html The First Pillar of Jewish Law: The Rif by Dr. Henry Abramson Appreciating the trailblazing scholarly work of Rabbi Yitzchak al-Fasi. Students with even a cursory familiarity with Halacha, Jewish law, are aware of the importance of the Shulchan Aruch, Rabbi Yosef Karo’s comprehensive 15th century magnum opus that informs, directs, and inspires the…

This article appeared in Radio Svoboda at: http://www.radiosvoboda.org/content/article/27692726.html. I understand an English translation is forthcoming for readers who aren’t yet fluent in Ukrainian. 26.04.2016 «Чорнобиль не загинув» – нащадок чорнобильських рабинів Радіо Свобода Рід рабинів Тверських налічує понад 50 тисяч нащадків, але святим місцем для них залишається український Чорнобиль Впродовж останніх 30 років український Чорнобиль…

http://www.aish.com/jw/s/The-Mysterious-Miraculous-Sarajevo-Haggadah.html The Mysterious, Miraculous Sarajevo Haggadah by Dr. Henry Abramson The amazing story of the 700 year old Haggadah, the Muslim librarian who saved it from the Nazis, and how his children were miraculously saved by Israel. Resplendent in deep blues, brilliant yellows and alluring reds, the 14th century Sarajevo Haggadah was created during the…