Who was Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai? (Jewish Biography as History) Dr. Henry Abramson

Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai (d. c. 85 ce) was one of the most influential figures in ancient Jewish history. Emerging from the ruins of the destroyed Temple, Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai led the Jewish people through the dangerous first years after the devastation of the last remnants of their state by the Romans. A disciple of Hillel, he was of the “national-realist” school that favored tactical surrender to the overwhelming power of the Roman Empire. In his most famous act, he arranged to fake his own death in order to escape his enemies among the Zealots to negotiate a peace treaty with Vespasian, who would later become Emperor. “Give me Yavneh and its scholars,” asked Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai, setting in place the foundation for the existence of Judaism after the Temple could no longer serve as the center of Jewish religious life. Part of the Jewish Biography as History series available at http://www.jewishhistorylectures.com.

October 27, 2014 6

Really excited to be invited to present at Limmud Miami 2015!

I’ve been selected as a presenter to speak about my latest book, The Kabbalah of Forgiveness: The Thirteen Levels of Mercy in Rabbi Moshe Cordovero’s Tomer Devorah (The Date Palm of Devorah). Please check out the Limmud’s Facebook Page or website for more information (the full schedule and list of presenters will be live in December).

Hope to see you there on February 22, 2015!

October 26, 2014 3

Medieval Antisemitism (Essential Lectures in Jewish History) Dr. Henry Abramson

Depiction of Host Desecration in Sternberg, Germany (1492). Diebold Schilling the Younger [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Concise video lecture describing the four main expressions of antisemitic ideology in the medieval period. Warning: images are disturbing.

Breaking the history of antisemitism into four major periods (Ancient Xenophobia, Early Christian Anti-Judaism, Medieval Jew-hatred, and Modern Antisemitism), Dr. Abramson focusses on the third period to look at the ideological basis for the false charges of ritual murder, blood libel, and desecration of the host, ending with a discussion of the Judensau image.

October 23, 2014 22

“Give me Yavne and its Sages!” Lectures resume this week with a presentation on Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai

The Jewish Biography as History series at the Young Israel of Bal Harbour continues this week with a presentation on Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai, a major figure whose bold and heroic leadership rescued the Jewish people from the threat of national oblivion in the wake of the destruction of Jerusalem in the first century.

Lectures are scheduled for Wednesday nights at 8:00 pm and are free an open to the community.

The schedule of lectures for the Fall 2014 season is now online.

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Enjoy the lectures? You might enjoy one of Dr. Abramson’s books:

October 20, 2014 0

Jews in the Medieval Economy (Essential Lectures in Jewish History)

Jewish Man in Worms, Germany, 16th c. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

An introductory lecture on the role of Jews in the medieval economy. Part of the Essential Lectures in Jewish History series.

October 8, 2014 19

Liked the Free Download of The Kabbalah of Forgiveness? How about writing a review?

I’m so glad that so many of you decided to download my latest book, “The Kabbalah of Forgiveness: The Thirteen Levels of Mercy in Rabbi Moshe Cordovero’s Date Palm of Devorah (Tomer Devorah).” I’m also very grateful that many of you have found this work meaningful, especially in the rare moment of the season of repentance that we are enjoying for a few more days.

If you have time to jot down a few words describing your thoughts about the book (any highly superlative praise will do), perhaps you would consider going online and letting other potential readers know? Here’s a few links:

And if you haven’t had a chance to download a copy for yourself, don’t worry: the free offer extends until the 19th of October. Please visit smashwords and enter coupon code YT52E.

Do you prefer a hard copy? Please visit one of these booksellers:

Hard copy at Createspace

Hard copy at Amazon

Hard copy Barnes & Noble

Thanks and enjoy in good health!

October 6, 2014 0

The Rishonim (Essential Lectures in Jewish History)

This lecture serves as an introduction to the Rishonim, a body of Rabbinic scholars associated with the 9th through the 15th centuries of the common era. Part of the Essential Lectures in Jewish History series.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons.

October 2, 2014 18

Fall 2014 Lectures in Jewish History at Young Israel

Wednesday Nights at 8:00 pm

October 22: Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai

October 29: Salome

November 5: Bar Kokhba

November 12: Shimon bar Yochai

November 19: Abaye’s Mother

November 26: Eldad the Danite

December 3: Aaron of Lincoln

December 10: Amnon of Mayence

December 17: Abraham ibn Ezra

December 24: Qasmunah

All lectures are free and open to the community.

Lecturer: Dr. Henry (Hillel) Abramson

No hard questions, please.

September 30, 2014 1

The Chofetz Chaim (This Week in Jewish History)

Israel Meir Kagan (photo courtesy Baruch Chafetz via Wikimedia Commons)

Brief video highlighting the life and work of Rabbi Israel Meir Kagan (1838-1936), one of the most influential Rabbis of the 20th century. Better known as the Chofetz Chaim (*one who desires life,” taken from Psalm 34).