• #165 : Jerusalem II: 638-1098
    2025/06/27

    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

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    48 分
  • #164: Jerusalem I: 70-636CE
    2025/06/19
    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

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    57 分
  • #163: Oral Law II - Who is Right? Who is a Scholar?
    2025/06/11
    The existence of an Oral Law brought about debate and argument. So why not preserve it all in the Written text alone? And how do we decide who is right? Who makes that decision? Are all Rabbis equally qualified? Can any Jew contribute to Torah?

    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

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    1 時間 15 分
  • #162: Oral Law I (Torah She'Baal Peh) - Definitions
    2025/05/29
    How do we classify the various sections of the Oral Law (Torah She'Baal Peh)? Is the Oral Law Rabbinic or Biblical? Why do we need an Oral Law? How was it transmitted through the generations? Why do we record all the arguments in the Talmud and not just the conclusions?

    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

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    54 分
  • #161 - Mavericks II : Villains & Heroes
    2025/05/20

    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

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    58 分
  • #160 - Mavericks I: Crime in the USA
    2025/05/10

    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

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    53 分
  • #159 - Eruv II : The Controversies
    2025/05/01
    In the last 150 years, few things have created disputes in Jewish communities, in the way Eruvin has. Why? What makes an Eruv so very different to Kashrus? And in hindsight can we now work out who was right? Could Yerushalayim hold the key?

    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

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    57 分
  • #158 - Eruv I : The History
    2025/04/27

    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

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    45 分