Chapters

00:00 The Historical Significance of Jerusalem

03:05 Jerusalem: A City of Conflict and Unity

05:52 The Role of Prayer in Jewish Identity

08:50 Reflections on Leadership and Faith

11:56 The Roman Destruction and Its Aftermath

14:46 The Impact of Hadrian's Rule

17:53 The Bar Kokhba Revolt and Its Consequences

28:04 The Destruction of Judea and Jewish Martyrdom

31:32 Christianity's Shift and the Loss of Jerusalem's Centrality

35:31 Constantine's Reign and the Christianization of Jerusalem

40:36 Helena's Influence and the Rise of Christian Pilgrimage

44:22 Julian's Brief Reprieve for the Jews

49:02 Justinian's Persecution and the Transformation of Jerusalem

52:50 The Persian Conquest and Jewish Resurgence

56:27 The Muslim Era and Jewish Return to Jerusalem

Chapters

01:51 The Importance of Oral Law

06:06 Understanding Halacha and Truth

11:50 The Role of Teacher and Student in Torah

17:59 The Nature of Disputes in Torah

24:10 The Concept of Eilu ve Eilu

29:57 Halacha in Practice

44:01 The Role of the Sanhedrin

52:23 Defining a Talmid Chochom today

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Reflections on Jewish Heritage

03:11 Understanding the Oral Law

05:58 Categories of Oral Law

09:00 The Role of Sages in Halacha

11:55 The Transmission of Torah

15:01 The Distinction Between Written and Oral Law

18:14 The Process of Halachic Decision-Making

20:49 The Authority of the Sages

23:50 Conclusion and Future Discussions

25:21 The Necessity of Oral Law

28:03 The Role of Oral Tradition in Judaism

30:00 Halachic Authority and the Importance of Analysis

36:51 Principles of Halacha and Their Application

44:29 The Spiritual Connection to Torah Study

Was the 1919 Baseball series really determined by hardline gamblers?

Why did a Rabbi give the eulogy at a gangster’s funeral?

How did Issy Einstein become the greatest Prohibition Agent?

What were the Nazis trying to achieve in America in 1939?

Chapters

00:00 The Dark Side of Baseball: The 1919 World Series Fix

16:54 The Rise and Fall of Arnold Rothstein

26:07 Izzy Einstein: The Prohibition Agent Who Became a Legend

27:29 The Dangers of Prohibition and Jewish Identity

29:00 Jewish Gangsters and Anti-Nazi Actions

32:40 The Rise of Anti-Semitism in America

36:58 The Madison Square Garden Rally and Jewish Resistance

40:51 Complexities of Jewish Identity and Resistance

43:46 Individual Acts of Courage Against Anti-Semitism

47:09 Post-War Contributions of Jewish Gangsters

50:57 The Transformation of Las Vegas by Jewish Mobsters

54:46 Lepke Buchalter and the FBI's Pursuit

56:42 Legacy of Jewish Gangsters and Their Impact

Between the wars - due mainly to Prohibition - crime flourished in America and Jews were not immune to the effects.

Gangs of irreligious working class Jews, made their fortunes and met their untimely ends during the 20s & 30s. But the narrative is not without a number of surprising twists, particularly in Chicago - the home of Al Capone.

And why did one notorious thief do Teshuva?

Chapters

00:00 The Rise of Jewish Gangsters in America

20:51 Prohibition: A Catalyst for Crime

24:00 The Interplay of Politics and Crime in Chicago

26:12 The Role of Jewish Gangsters in Chicago's Community

28:36 Protection and Power: The Duality of Gangster Generosity

29:12 Violence and Rivalry: The Miller Brothers' Story

31:51 The Rise and Fall of Jewish Organized Crime

34:15 Max Friedman: From Thief to Notorious Criminal

39:21 Rudensky's Escapes and Criminal Career

44:15 Transformation: From Criminal to Consultant

52:40 Legacy of Change: The Life of Red Rudensky

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Eiruv and Jewish Heritage

02:53 The Historical Context of Eiruv in Toronto

05:47 Rabbi Graubart's Contributions to Eiruv

09:01 The Evolution of Eiruv in Toronto

11:45 Challenges of Eiruv in Yerushalayim

15:03 Halachic Perspectives on Eiruv

17:51 Debates on Eiruv and Community Needs

21:00 The Role of Local Rabbanim in Eiruv Decisions

24:10 Conclusion and Future of Eiruv Discussions

30:11 The Complexity of Eruvin Decisions

34:30 Halachic Perspectives on Shabbos and Eruvin

39:51 Community Needs and Rabbinical Authority

45:40 Historical Context and Modern Implications of Eruvin

52:18 The Challenges of Eruvin in Contemporary Society

Documents and Responsa from across the Jewish world reveal that for centuries Jews discussed, debated and disagreed over the Shabbos Eruv

Walled cities, canals, telegraph poles, Kabbala, fires and powerful secular rulers all played their role and affected entire communities. And from the 19th century onwards, strong personalities would influence and colour the narrative.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Erevin and Halacha

03:04 Understanding the Concept of Erevin

05:53 Historical Context of Erevin

08:54 Disputes and Rulings on Erevin

11:48 Erevin in Different Regions

14:55 The Role of Authority in Erevin

17:53 Contemporary Applications of Erevin

21:05 The Historical Context of Eruvin in Jewish Communities

24:41 Challenges and Innovations in Eruvin Construction

28:03 The Evolution of Eruvin in Krakow

36:00 Eruvin in the New World: St. Louis Case Study

(To book the Provence trip with Rabbi Tatz & Rabbi Hersh - email giana.elav@gmail.com)

Jewish leadership found itself in a crisis post-1881, affecting not only their options but their identity. In response, Rabbis turned to the international community for help, especially from non-Jewish politicians.

This period was exacerbated by the publication of the infamous Protocols of the Elders of Zion and the notorious Kishinev pogrom of 1903, which was followed by the abortive 1905 Revolution.

As a conclusion, the podcast also defines the historical context of Jewish suffering and the cycle of Jewish history.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Jewish Suffering Through History

02:54 The Impact of the May Laws and Pogroms

05:53 The Shift in Jewish Identity and Response

09:05 The Role of Rabbinic Leadership During Crisis

12:08 International Responses to Jewish Persecution

15:00 The Kovner Circle and Smuggling Information

18:04 The Aftermath of Pogroms and Changing Policies

20:46 The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and Its Legacy

27:53 The Systematic Transition to Violence

30:47 The Rise of Revolutionaries and the 1905 Uprising

36:32 Understanding Jewish Suffering Through History

39:27 Insights on Divine Purpose and Jewish Existence

51:10 The Cycle of Jewish History and Its Lessons