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

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

1855 brought a new dawn to Russia, and was embraced by many, although poverty remained a constant.

When the Czar was assassinated, all hell broke loose and the Jews were given a stark reminder of their status. By 1897 Socialism, Zionism & Emigration seemed to offer the only routes out.

Chapters

00:00 The Shift in Jewish Education and Identity

01:46 The Impact of Tsar Alexander II's Reforms

06:40 The Rise of Jewish Assimilation and National Pride

12:46 The Economic Divide Among Jews

18:02 The Harsh Realities of Poverty in the Pale

22:34 The Reversal of Reforms and Growing Tensions

25:48 The Generational Divide and Revolutionary Movements

28:37 The Anarchist Campaign Against the Tsar

33:24 The Assassination of Tsar Alexander II

36:46 The Aftermath: Repression and Pogroms

41:04 The May Laws and Their Impact on Jewish Life

49:14 The Rise of Jewish Nationalism and Emigration

54:55 Historical Memory and Current Events

Chapters

00:00 The Struggle Against Forced Assimilation

02:55 The Role of Informants in Jewish Communities

05:47 The Consequences of Informing

08:51 The Murder of Informers and Community Response

15:01 The Rizhner's Imprisonment and Escape

21:11 The Clothing Decree and Its Implications

30:38 Resistance to Assimilation and Clothing Laws

37:55 Impact on Women and Family Dynamics

44:33 The Role of Sir Moses Montefiore

52:40 Continuing Challenges in the Russian Empire

Czar Nicholas hated Jews and Judaism in equal measure. He initiated 600 decrees against them over a 30 year period, and destroyed community life in Russia. The terror of his reign is relieved only by the faith and courage of families across the Pale of Settlement, carried out in defiance of the secret police and of Jewish informants.

Chapters

00:00 The Jewish Plight in the Russian Empire

02:54 Russian Policies and Jewish Resettlement

06:05 Nicholas I and the Cantonist Decree

08:57 The Impact of Conscription on Jewish Families

12:00 The Agony of Jewish Children in the Army

14:54 The Struggles of Jewish Identity and Survival

18:08 The Role of Informers and Community Dynamics

21:01 Resistance and the Response of Jewish Leaders

26:25 The Impact of the Cantonist Decrees

32:10 The Struggle for Jewish Identity

34:26 Nicholas I's Repressive Policies

36:51 Censorship and Cultural Suppression

39:43 The Role of Hevras in Jewish Life

40:40 Cohesion Amidst Oppression

44:50 The Irony of Forced Preservation

45:41 Educational Reforms and Their Consequences

53:08 Moses Montefiore's Visit to Russia

54:51 Reflections on Suffering and Resilience

For centuries, Russia was home to the largest Jewish community in the world. But why did Jews choose to move to a country that never wanted them?

Chapters

00:00 Political Intrigue

11:01 The History of Russian Jewry

25:48 Catherine the Great's Reign and Jewish Policies

27:41 The Transformation of the Russian Empire

30:00 The Jewish Population in Eastern Europe

34:21 The Impact of Russian Rule on Jewish Life

37:22 Resistance and Rebellion in Poland

40:01 Diverging Paths: Prussian and Galician Jews

42:11 The Russian Government's Approach to Jews

45:05 The Long Nightmare of Russian Governance

50:28 Reactions from Jewish Leaders

54:00 The Legacy of Eastern European Jewry

In Eastern Europe quacks and soothsayers were in abundance, as were invented remedies whilst the Ottoman Empire provided refuge from Spain but came with its own risk.

But do the best doctors end up in Hell according to Jewish tradition? Can one give a vaccine that also kills people? And may one smoke on Shabbos to perform better surgery?

Chapters

00:00 The Landscape of Medical Practice in 18th Century Russia

02:55 The Role of Jewish Physicians in Europe

05:52 The Influence of Jewish Medical Practitioners in the Ottoman Empire

12:08 Challenges Faced by Jewish Physicians in France and Germany

18:00 The Ethical Dilemmas of Medical Practice

27:04 Reflections on the Medical Profession and Its Perception

27:50 The Weight of Medical Decisions

28:47 Personal Anecdotes and Cultural Reflections

32:31 Halachic Insights in Medical Practice

34:23 Ethical Dilemmas in Medicine

40:12 The Role of Transparency in Medical Decisions

41:20 Halachic Questions in Medical Scenarios

Why did Jewish doctors in the Middle East get involved in Politics?

How should modern day doctors combine ethics and law? How many Jewish women medics were there in Europe? Who were the Chinese Jewish physicians? How do we define sanctity of Life?

And should everyone own a copy of Pu Ji Fang?

Chapters

02:34 Jewish Doctors in the Islamic World

09:50 Cultural Interactions and Medical Ethics

15:04 Conversion and Identity Among Jewish Physicians

18:59 The Role of Women in Jewish Medicine

27:55 Marco Polo and Jewish Communities in China

29:36 Jewish Physicians in Chinese History

34:32 Personal Anecdotes: Medicine and Judaism in South Africa

49:05 Ethical Dilemmas in Medicine and Judaism

54:34 The Intersection of Autonomy and Jewish Law