For Soviet Jews, matzah represented a longing for freedom – one we take for granted. This episode tells the hidden story of those heroes who risked everything to keep Pesach alive behind the Iron Curtain, and of the global networks that brought matzah into the USSR by every means, under the watchful eyes of the NKVD.

Jewish life in the USSR was strongly policed. Starting with Stalin in 1925, Judaism was actively hunted down. But every spring, Jews in Moscow, St Petersburg and Odessa as well as in far‑flung provincial cities risked surveillance, arrest, and labour camps to fulfill this mitzva on Seder night. Clandestine matzah bakeries sprung up, with children posted as lookouts.

In 1929 the 6th Lubavitcher Rebbe succeeded in bringing 10,000s of matzos into Russia. In later years, there would be the suitcases stuffed with contraband food moving through international airports, carried by tourists, businessmen, and non-Jewish acquaintances, given to them by people in the free world who never stopped caring for their fellow Jews.

This is the story of how a fragile food became a symbol of spiritual defiance, and how a festival of freedom was observed under totalitarian rule.

Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai traversed Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa on behalf of his brethren in Eretz Yisrael. His missions raised vital funds, to keep the Jews from being driven out of town, whilst facing bandits, maritime disasters, and oppressive authorities along the way. With the aid of his diary, this episode gives a vivid first-hand account of his challenges, deprivation, triumphs and breadth of travel.

Beyond his journeys, the Chida's genius is seen through his prolific writings. Author of 100 different sefarim on Halacha, Tanach, Kabbala & Talmud, they continue to guide Judaism today. Shem HaGedolim, remains a monumental encyclopedia of rabbinic authors and works, which reflect his incredible memory and knowledge. Birkei Yosef and Rav Pe’alim are cornerstones of psak, written as he travelled thousands of miles over many decades.

But the final act was written in 1960.

Timestamps:

- 0:00 — Intro mention of Shem ha‑Gdolim editions

- 0:21 — Podcast intro by Mena Reisner

- 1:00 — Hosts reconnect; travel note and dedication

- 2:32 — Episode topic: life & travels of Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai (the Chida)

- 3:01 — Family origins; great‑grandfather and signature story

- 4:13 — Birth in Jerusalem, early life, prodigy and writings

- 7:53 — Teachers, Kabbalistic training, reason for emissary mission

- 10:26 — Language issues, letters of recommendation, mixed receptions in Europe

- 15:04 — Collection logistics, contacts with non‑Jewish authorities, successes

- 18:46 — Travel hazards and accidents; manuscript research in libraries

- 22:32 — England/France encounters and sightseeing

- 26:29 — Return to Eretz Yisrael (1758), political troubles, five‑year stay in Egypt

- 31:05 — Tunis episode, personal losses, diary entries

- 35:49 — Second mission, Livorno quarantine, composing Shem ha‑Gdolim

- 39:05 — Scope of travels, settlement in Livorno, later life and death (1806)

- 42:23 — Burial details, estate instructions, study practices, halachic/Kabbalistic approach

- 48:55 — Stories/legends (attempts to hasten redemption, miracles)

- 55:07 — Reburial efforts to Jerusalem; episode closing and contact info

Timestamps:

0:00:46 — Podcast intro

0:01:22 — Topic setup: music in Torah and Levites.

0:02:58 — Music’s role in prophecy, Kabbalah, Vilna Gaon.

0:05:00 — Historical examples of music’s influence/appropriation.

0:10:00 — Music’s emotional power, simcha, halachic issues.

0:15:44 — Western (Renaissance/Baroque) and medieval Jewish music.

0:19:07 — 16th–17thC Italian controversy over Hebrew polyphony.

0:24:00 — Choirs, organs, cross-cultural musical borrowing.

0:30:00 — 19thC Jerusalem ban on wedding instruments (reasons).

0:35:19 — Interview with Alex Clare begins.

0:36:41 — Alex on nature of music, AI, sincerity.

1:00:00 — Music, memory, spirituality, and timelessness.

1:15:00 — Jewish vs. secular music, cultural influences.

1:25:00 — Alex on his music, kids’ songs, audience.

1:35:19 — Closing and contact info.