Episodios

  • #171: Ramban I - The Early Conflicts (1194-1270)

    #171: Ramban I - The Early Conflicts (1194-1270)
    Sep 4 2025
    By the 13th century, Spain was becoming a more uncomfortable place for Jews, partly due to communal structure. Ramban will engage in dampening the flames of controversy both about the Rambam and regarding power and authority. But he will face strong personal attacks in the process. The Ramban was also a prolific author of sefarim. They range from Halacha to Chumash, Kabbala & Talmud. R' Shmuli Levison joins us to introduce us to these various works and the distinction between Philosophy & Kabbalah. Email: giana.elav@gmail.com for the Poland Trip

    Chapters 00:00 The Life and Legacy of the Ramban 07:48 Ramban's Influence on Jewish Thought 21:39 The Maimonidean Controversy 40:48 Ramban's Approach to Kabbalah and Philosophy 57:25 Ramban's Writings and Their Impact
    Más Menos
    1 h y 10 m
  • #170: Holocaust Shadows IV - Survivors, Liberators & Rescuers

    #170: Holocaust Shadows IV - Survivors, Liberators & Rescuers
    Aug 2 2025
    Many Jews were reluctant first-hand witnesses to Nazi cruelty and suffering. For many Hungarian survivors, often deliberately misled about the truth of Auschwitz's existence, betrayal only added to their pain. Risa Shayowitz - aged a young 95 years old - relays that tragedy, even as she looks only to move forward. An American chaplain in the US Army in April 1945 - Rabbi Hershel Schachter - opened up the gates of Hell. In a little known recording, we hear him describe the piles of bodies, the still warm crematoria and the emaciated Jews he discovered there. His dedication gave life to many. Our duty nowadays is to understand what Exile means and how Tisha B'Av gives us that ability. For further details on the Poland trip 3rd-6th November with Rabbi Hersh & Rabbi Tatz, email: Giana.elav@gmail.com

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Jewish Heritage and History

    01:50 The Remarkable Life of Riza Indic-Kaufman

    04:34 Survival Stories from Auschwitz

    11:14 Life in Auschwitz: A Personal Account

    19:36 The Impact of Loss and Resilience

    25:50 The Role of Liberators: Rabbi Herschel Schachter

    30:20 Experiencing Buchenwald: A Chaplain's Perspective

    40:53 Rebuilding Lives After Liberation

    51:53 The Journey to Switzerland and New Beginnings

    01:00:33 Reflections on Suffering and Redemption
    Más Menos
    1 h y 3 m
  • #169: Holocaust Shadows III - The Survivor

    #169: Holocaust Shadows III - The Survivor
    Jul 30 2025
    We speak of 'Holocaust Survivors' without understanding what they survived, without knowing the trauma and guilt they carried. A young 16-year-old girl (now 97 years old) was taken through the cruelty of Auschwitz - and asked by Mengele to decide the fate of her own mother.

    1. How did she find the strength of mind? How did she become a beacon to others, learn to redefine freedom and turn her wounds into a source of hope?

    2. And how should Tisha B'Av redefine our understanding of exile?

    Chapters:

    00:00 The Journey Begins: A Survivor's Tale

    19:04 Reunion and Resilience: Finding Family After the War

    24:55 Life After Liberation: Struggles and Triumphs

    28:05 Facing New Challenges: The Fight for a Future

    28:10 The Decision to Leave

    30:23 The Escape Plan

    31:53 A New Life in America

    33:20 Confronting the Past

    36:55 Lessons from Auschwitz

    43:08 Moving Forward from Trauma

    55:00 The Power of Belief
    Más Menos
    58 m
  • #168: Holocaust Shadows II - The Forgeries

    #168: Holocaust Shadows II - The Forgeries
    Jul 23 2025
    Despite being a Western country, Holland almost equalled the East in its destructiveness during the Holocaust. 2 non-Jews created their own narrative by bypassing the system. One took great risks, the other received great reward. Their unusual stories, extend forgery into new territory. And a mention of Mein Kampf - one hundred years later.

    Chapters

    00:00 The Journey into Danger

    01:40 The Context of the Holocaust

    06:41 The Systematic Persecution of Jews in Holland

    08:55 The Story of Jaap Penraat

    14:57 The Art of Forgery and Resistance

    22:47 The Nazi Obsession with Art

    29:58 The Aftermath of War and Art Recovery
    Más Menos
    43 m
  • #167: Holocaust Shadows I: The Forger

    #167: Holocaust Shadows I: The Forger
    Jul 18 2025
    Hidden away in a tiny attic in Paris, a Jew created freedom for thousands by forging Identity cards, ration books and travel passes. Hunted by Nazis, his genius and dedication came with enormous risk. And his experiences left him with a sense of guilt that would never leave him. Email giana.elav@gmail.com for the Prague trip...

    Chapters

    00:00 Trapped in History: The Beginning of a Journey

    01:35 The Holocaust Series: A Focus on Forgers

    02:50 Adolfo Kaminsky: The Master Forger

    03:14 A Life of Identity: The Early Years of Kaminsky

    07:28 The Loss of Innocence: A Family's Tragedy

    10:50 Imprisonment and Survival: The Drancy Experience

    13:46 The Art of Forgery: Kaminsky's New Identity

    18:48 Creating New Lives: The Resistance Movement

    23:09 The Pressure of Time: A Race Against Death

    28:00 The Underground Network: Delivering Hope

    29:57 The Aftermath of War: A New Role for Kaminsky

    33:17 Legacy of a Forger: Saving Lives Beyond the War

    37:09 A Life of Sacrifice: Kaminsky's Continued Fight

    40:45 The Complexity of Identity: Kaminsky's Later Years

    44:19 A Lasting Impact: Kaminsky's Global Influence

    47:24 Reflections on Guilt and Responsibility
    Más Menos
    51 m
  • #166: Jerusalem III : 1099-1568

    #166: Jerusalem III : 1099-1568
    Jul 10 2025
    In the Medieval period, Jerusalem was repeatedly fought over and at times only 2 Jews lived there. Yet there were always those who braved making Aliya including Ramban, Bartenura and Rav Yechiel of Paris - all recording accounts of their journey. But who were the Mamluks? Where is the Holy Toothpick? And who built the Sultan's Pool? To book a place on the Maharal Prague trip 8th-11th September: giana.elav@gmail.com

    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome Back and Celebrations

    03:07 Reflections on the Poland Trip

    06:01 The Crusades and Their Impact on Jerusalem

    08:48 The Aftermath of the Crusader Conquest

    12:10 Saladin's Rise and the Muslim Response

    15:02 The Third Crusade and Negotiations for Jerusalem

    17:52 The Mamluks and Their Rule

    21:02 The Jewish Presence in Jerusalem

    24:07 The Aliyah of Scholars to Eretz Yisrael

    27:01 The Ottoman Conquest and Its Effects

    30:03 Life in Jerusalem Under Ottoman Rule

    32:52 The Economic and Social Conditions of Jews

    36:02 Travel and Migration to Eretz Yisrael

    39:01 The Keys of Jerusalem and Their Significance

    42:09 The Jewish Community in Jerusalem

    45:01 The Future of Jerusalem and Upcoming Topics
    Más Menos
    1 h y 4 m
  • #165: Jerusalem II: 638-1098

    #165: Jerusalem II: 638-1098
    Jun 27 2025

    How do we relate to the most recent events in the Middle-East?

    In 638 the Moslems transformed the city; but what was their motivation? What created the divisions of Jewish observance in the 10th century? Why was the Golden Gate sealed off? How did the Christian East-West Schism of 1054 affect Jewish lives in Jerusalem?

    To register for the Maharal - Prague Tour 8th-11th September contact: giana.elav@gmail.com

    Chapters

    00:00 The Treaty of Jerusalem: A Historical Overview

    04:03 The Islamic Conquest and Its Impact on Jerusalem

    09:46 The Role of Caliph Omar and the Covenant of Omar

    13:56 The Dynasties of Islamic Rule in Jerusalem

    19:52 The Jewish Community in Jerusalem: A Historical Perspective

    25:50 The Golden Gate and Its Significance

    31:37 The Cultural Exchange Between East and West

    37:45 The Fatimid Period and Its Tolerance

    41:39 The Decline of Islamic Rule and the Rise of the Crusaders
    Más Menos
    48 m
  • #164: Jerusalem I: 70-636CE

    #164: Jerusalem I: 70-636CE
    Jun 19 2025
    What does Yerushalayim represent? How does the current conflict with Iran impact upon that? Were the Jews expelled from Jerusalem after the Temple was destroyed? Why did the Romans rebuild the city? Who were the Byzantines who occupied Eretz Yisrael for 300 years? How did the Jews get permission to start rebuilding the Temple and why was it ultimately unsuccessful?

    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
    Más Menos
    57 m