Really looking forward to meeting this community!

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




The First Level: The King who Endures Insult “The Insulted King,” illustration of Level 1 by Rebecca Odessa, Courtesy The Wisdom Daily Translator’s Introduction Rabbi Cordovero’s discussion of the Thirteen Levels of Mercy begins with an awesome depiction of human sin from God’s perspective. Given that all power in the Universe has God at……

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New for the Season of Repentance: a translation and modern commentary on Rabbi Moshe Cordovero’s classic of Jewish ethics, the Date Palm of Devorah (Tomer Devorah). Learn the Thirteen Levels of Mercy and discover how to forgive others (and yourself). Please visit http://www.jewishhistorylectures.org and click on “The Kabbalah of Forgiveness” for excerpts and videos. Publication date:……

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808-1888) articulated a strategy to allow Jews their traditional observances while participating actively in the modern world. Criticized from both the left and the right, his thought remains highly influential into the 21st century.

Founder of the famous Yeshiva of Volozhin, Rabbi Hayim ben Yitshad was one of the most influential proponents of traditional Talmudic study of the early 19th century. The author of Nefesh haHayim, he articulated a cogent response to the growing Hasidic movement.

In 1240 Nicholas Donin, a Jewish convert to Christianity, engaged in a public debate with his former teacher, Rabbi Yechiel of Paris. Donin charged that the Talmud was a noxious document that prevented the Jews from embracing Christianity, and brought a total of 35 distinct accusations against this ancient holy text. Ultimately, 24 carriage loads……

Jerusalem Day (Yom Yerushalayim) celebrates the unification of Jerusalem in the context of the Six-Day War of June 1967. This dramatic military achievement represented a victory that was both political and symbolic, giving Jews control over the the Old City and the Temple Mount after nearly 2000 years of exile.

Alexander has done well with his fundraising efforts to participate in the Boys Israel Leadership Training (BILT) program run by the National Council of Synagogue Youth. He’s already raised $858 toward his goal of $3,000! To all of you who participated, thanks very much. If you haven’t yet had a chance, please do so quickly,……

Rabbi Moshe Isserles was an exceptionally important Polish Jew of the 16th century. His commentary on the Code of Jewish Law brought Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jewry together to an unprecedented degree, and established the ascendancy of Polish Jewry over the older German community.

Known as simply “The Rav,” Rabbi Dr. Yosef Baer (J.D.) Soloveitchik was arguably the most influential figure shaping the Orthodox Rabbinate in the United States in the 20th century. From his position at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Rabbinical Seminary at Yeshiva University, he ordained some 2,000 Rabbis over four decades. To view the Prezi associated……

Discovered in the rubble of the Warsaw Ghetto, the wartime writings of Rabbi Kalonymus Kalmish Shapiro (1889-1943) offer a unique and powerful perspective on the life and suffering of religious Jews during the horrific years of the Nazi occupation. By Dr. Henry Abramson According to my knowledge of the words of the Sages and the……

I’m a runner. I’ve been running as long as I can remember, including my first half-marathon at age 12 and my first full marathon at 14. Running gives me energy, and makes me feel like I can accomplish anything. I’m proud of my finishes, and even more proud that over the years I’ve raised almost……


An amazing encounter between two 18th century Jewish geniuses Not 100% accurate (e.g. I’m not a Rabbi) but I’m flattered by the attention Joanne Palmer devoted to my story. Can’t believe she included my Bar Mitzvah picture.

I am honored, and also humbled, by this promotion. Lander College for Men is a remarkable division of Touro University, ably led for 25 years by its founding Dean, Rabbi Dr. Moshe Sokol. (Courtesy of Touro University) Dr. Henry Abramson was named dean of Touro’s Lander College for Men, Touro President Dr. Alan Kadish announced. Most……

Surprising parallels to our contemporary situation Please join me for an all-night learning session on Shavuot!

International Conference with Bar-Ilan University Please join us for a day-long conference on the subject of what has been called “The Jewish Nakba”: the mass displacement of Jews living in Arab and Muslim lands after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. Part II of the Project Witness Webinar, premieres at 10am ET……

Good morning fellow students of Jewish History! Renewal for Kidney Transplants Several years ago my wife read a notice about a woman in our neighborhood who was seeking a life-saving kidney donation. My wife didn’t know her, but she swabbed anyway with the Renewal organization. Initially she was matched, but secondary testing suggested not, so……

Join me for a live, in-person lecture at the Queens Jewish Center. Premieres at 10am ET: Last week’s Project Witness webinar (Part I) Join me for Part II of the Project Witness Webinar on The Rise of Antisemitism in the United States after October 7

This one is for the serious Jewish History Nerds Love working with the team at Unpacked! Lecture from Dallas on the Eclipse (click on link) https://torahanytime.com/lectures/293151 Stages of Antisemitism (Jewish Learning Institute) Upcoming Live Lecture in Queens

Event begins at 3:00 pm, my slot is 5:00-5:30 CDT (6PM ET). Join us! Please click here for livestream

Really looking forward to the Eclipse Shabbaton in Dallas! Here’s some information. Even though this was a mock trial, I was nervous to testify! Jews of Israel before Modern Zionism

Love working with the team at Unpacked! What’s with this Bizarre 14th century Hebrew Stone from Porto? Getting Ready for Dallas! Happy Purim Everyone!!! This Persian video is either true (and good news), or it’s Purim Torah. Either way, appropriate for today…

Video version of one of the lectures delivered in Vancouver last week, live chat at 10am ET Looking forward to speaking in Dallas, Shabbos and Yom Iyun before the Eclipse!


