Jewish History Soundbites

The Chant of Torah: The Life of Rav Naftali Trop

Having gained fame as the Radin Yeshiva, as well as immortality through his Torah which is still studied worldwide, Rav Naftali Trop (1871-1928) was an important Torah leader who left an impact on the pre war yeshiva world of Eastern Europe.

A product of Slabodka and Kelm, he brought Talmudic scholarship as well as the mussar movement to his students. Imparting life lessons by personal example, Rav Naftali was a caring individual who took responsibility for others beyond the walls of the yeshiva as well.

Though his untimely passing in his 50's brought an end to a life of teaching Torah, his family and students continued his legacy for years to come.

 

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Crisis Management: The Great Crisis of the Chassidic Movement

Modern times brought a host of challenges to the Chassidic movement in the closing decades of the 19th century and intensified in the 20th. World War One and the havoc that it wreaked led to a full blown crisis. Demographically the chassidic movement began to decline in numbers for the first time in its history. Urbanization transformed the chassidic experience and the interaction between the Rebbe and his followers. The Russian Revolution left the chassidic heartland and birthplace of the movement behind the Iron Curtain. Immigration to the west and United States loosened the affiliation of the immigrants to the courts.

This crisis was met courageously by chassidic leaders in a variety of creative ways. A renewed focus on education led to the establishment of yeshivos, and even girls' education was encouraged for the first time. Spiritual renewal was seen in courts such as the Piacezna Rebbe Rav Klonymous Kalman Shapira. Involvement in politics and using the media became more common. And a stronger shift towards traditionalism became the most recognizable and long lasting effect on the movement across the entire chassidic society. Emphasis on a uniform form of dress to promote a collective identity, became perhaps the most recognizable manifestation of this new way of closing the ranks in a changing, increasingly urban society.

 

This episode is sponsored by Alephbeta.org . Filled with stunningly animated videos and audios on the parsha, holidays, prayers, and more. Their goal is to help people discover the beauty of Torah and add to its meaning and relevance. Their programs on the yomim tovim will leave you moved, inspired and with a new understanding of the significance of these holy days. 

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The Chofetz Chaim & His Attempts to Move to the Holy Land

Rav Yisrael Meir of Radin, better known as the Chofetz Chaim (1838-1933), is one of the most beloved historical figures in recent memory. His storied life convers many aspects, and in this episode the focus is on the saga of his attempts at immigrating to the Land of Israel.

While yearning to move there for many years, he laid practical plans to carry it out as well. Over the course of a half a century, several attempts were made but none brought to fruition. In 1925 his bags were packed and a home was even purchased for him in Petach Tikvah, but again it didn't work out.

 

Check out additional Jewish History Soundbites Chofetz Chaim related episodes:

1. https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/e/simplicity-complexity-enormity-the-family-of-the-chofetz-chaim/

2. https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/e/the-chofetz-chaim-myths-abound/

3. https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/e/a-historic-campaign-the-chofetz-chaim-sefer-torah/

 

 

 

This episode is sponsored by 20+ minute daf with Shaul Greenwald. Maseches Beitzah begins on Thursday, so join in to a clear, concise and geshmak Daf Yomi Shiur. https://www.20minutedaf.com/

https://www.torahanytime.com/#/speaker?l=619

 

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On the Way to Canaan's Land: The Five Aliyot to Palestine

Known to history as the five waves of 'Aliyah', immigration to the Land of Israel, the late 19th and early 20th century saw a slow but steady stream of Jewish immigration which laid the foundations of what later become the State of Israel. These waves of immigration were part of a larger trend of general and specifically Jewish immigration to the west during this time.

The first aliyah was a product of the Chovevei Zion movement and established the first agricultural colonies. The second aliyah was a result of the nascent Zionist movement and beginning of the socialist and nationalistic nature of the immigration. On the heels of World War I and the Balfour Declaration came the third aliyah, a very idealistic and nationalistic wave of immigrants who established many of the early kibbutzim. The fourth aliyah was primarily from Poland and was more urban in nature, while the fifth was largely a result of the Nazi rise to power in Germany and included many German Jewish refugees.

 

This episode is sponsored by Beis Medrash Mevakshei Emes of the Mishkafayim neighborhood in Bet Shemesh in honor of their current fundraising campaign. Join at cmatch.me/Bmme

 

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Architect of American Orthodoxy: The Life & Times of Mike Tress Part II

He was a clean shaven, American born, public school educated, successful businessman. And he was also the architect of American Orthodoxy and a leading rescue activist during the dark years of the Holocaust. Mike Tress (1909-1967) grew up as an orphan in Williamsburg. Joining the nascent Zeirei Agudas Yisroel organization, he soon emerged as its leader, giving it a sense of mission and purpose. Spearheading shabbos campaigns, activating Pirchei and Bnos chapters, and founding Camp Agudah in the midst of a world war and rescue work, are just some of the projects which he initiated to promote Orthodoxy in the United States. His encounter with Rav Elchonon Wasserman during the latter's trip to the country in 1938 defined his life mission, and reverence for Torah leaders became part of his essence which he then imparted to his young charges.

Perhaps the most fateful chapter of his storied career was his endless attempts at rescue work in the years preceding, during and following the war. Obtaining visas for refugees, raising funds for rescue and complete devotion to rebuilding both physically and spiritually following liberation, while personally commiserating with every individual and feeling their pain. Having sold his business and used all of his assets for communal work, he was truly an individual who lived his life to help others.

 

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Architect of American Orthodoxy: The Life & Times of Mike Tress Part I

He was a clean shaven, American born, public school educated, successful businessman. And he was also the architect of American Orthodoxy and a leading rescue activist during the dark years of the Holocaust. Mike Tress (1909-1967) grew up as an orphan in Williamsburg. Joining the nascent Zeirei Agudas Yisroel organization, he soon emerged as its leader, giving it a sense of mission and purpose. Spearheading shabbos campaigns, activating Pirchei and Bnos chapters, and founding Camp Agudah in the midst of a world war and rescue work, are just some of the projects which he initiated to promote Orthodoxy in the United States. His encounter with Rav Elchonon Wasserman during the latter's trip to the country in 1938 defined his life mission, and reverence for Torah leaders became part of his essence which he then imparted to his young charges.

Perhaps the most fateful chapter of his storied career was his endless attempts at rescue work in the years preceding, during and following the war. Obtaining visas for refugees, raising funds for rescue and complete devotion to rebuilding both physically and spiritually following liberation, while personally commiserating with every individual and feeling their pain. Having sold his business and used all of his assets for communal work, he was truly an individual who lived his life to help others.

 

For sponsorship opportunities about your favorite topics of Jewish history contact Yehuda at:  yehuda@yehudageberer.com

 

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A Guiding Light: The Life of the Chazon Ish Part II

Rav Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz (1878-1953) known by his magnum opus the Chazon Ish, was indisputably one of the greatest Torah leaders of the 20th century. In this second installment about his life, achievements and influence, the period of his residence in Vilna is examined. During his thirteen years in the 'Jerusalem of Lithuania', he formed a close relationship with Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, who often sought his advice on a myriad of issues. The Chazon Ish also studied with young students, and developed some interesting relationships, most notably with the future noted Yiddish writer Chaim Grade. 

In 1933 the Chazon Ish moved to Palestine, where he settled in the new yishuv of Bnei Brak. It was at this stage that he began to take on a more public leadership role, initiating local projects in the area.

 

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Mussar Makes a Mir Debut

The Mussar Movement was promulgated by Rav Yisrael Salanter in the mid 19th century, as an attempt to bring ethical standards of conduct to the forefront of national consciousness. In the closing decades of the century, Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, the Alter of Slabodka, incorporated the ideas of mussar into an educational philosophy which would become part of the curriculum of the great Lithuanian style yeshivos.

In 1907, the Mir Yeshiva decided to associate with the mussar movement and hired its first Mashgiach, Rav Zalman Dolinsky. In the years leading up to World War One, Rav Yerucham Levovitz served a first stint in the position as well. Following the Yeshiva's return from its imposed exile, it continued to be associated with the ideals of the mussar movement and hired mashgichim to oversee the ethical growth of its student body. A loose association developed into the essence of the Yeshiva's identity with the return of Rav Yerucham in 1924. It was then that the yeshiva entered its 'Golden Age', and Rav Yerucham's charismatic personality and unique mussar philosophy made the yeshiva central to the mussar ideals in the years preceding the Holocaust.

 

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From Cromwell to Montefiore: The Jews of London Part II

Following the Edict of Expulsion in 1290, no organized Jewish life existed in England for centuries. Following the Spanish Expulsion in 1492, a few Conversos secretly settled in England under a Christian identity. The official resettlement of Jews in England commenced with the negotiations held between Menashe ben Israel and Oliver Cromwell in the 1650's. Though allowed to unofficially resettle in England, full emancipation wasn't achieved until 1858. Prominent Jews of the 19th century included the Rothschild family, Moses Montefiore and Benjamin Disreali, who though born Jewish, was baptized at the age of 12.

The Sephardic community of London achieved prominence and influence with the founding of the Bevis Marks Synagogue, the longest continuously in use synagogue in Europe. An early prominent rabbi was Hacham David Nieto. The Ashkenazi community built the Great Synagogue of London.

 

Listen to Part I here: https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/e/british-royals-baalei-tosfos-blood-libels-the-story-of-london-part-i/

 

 

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A Moroccan Legacy: Rav Yitzchak Ibn Walid

One of the greatest leaders of the Moroccan Jewish community in the 19th century was Rav Yitzchak Ibn Walid (1777-1870). The Jewish community of Tetuan was founded by Spanish exiles and saw commercial success over the coming centuries. 

Despite his reluctance to assume a rabbinical position, Rav Ibn Walid was appointed rabbi of Tetuan in 1830 and led the community until his passing four decades later. As a noted halachic posek he corresponded with rabbis across the Sephardic world, much of it published in his magnum opus Vayomer Yitzchak. As a leader of his community, he cared especially for the poor, the downtrodden and orphans.

 

For more on the customs and traditions of Moroccan Jewry check out the newly published book Magen Avot Daily Halachah published by Mosaica Press. You can check it out on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1639723064?ref=myi_title_dp or on the publisher's website: https://mosaicapress.com/product/magen-avot-daily-halachah/

You can also check out more seforim on Moroccan Halacha and minhagim on moroccanhalacha.com

 

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