Jew Oughta Know
Jason Harris
From ancient history to current events, take yourself on a journey through the story of the Jewish People, from someone who has led hundreds of Jewish young professionals on trips throughout Israel. From the beginning of creation to modern Israel, each short episode is geared to appeal both to someone looking for the Jewish 101, as well as to those looking to go a bit beyond the basic story they already know. Check out the website at https://jewoughtaknow.com/. Enjoy!
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 9, 2021 • 23min
110. TFTYOS: The Covenant
Where does the name Yahweh come from? Who got to be considered an Israelite? How can we understand the sacred bond between God and the People of Israel that forms the bedrock of Judaism today?
Apr 25, 2021 • 23min
109. TFTYOS: The Hitchhiking God
How did monotheism start? The Israelites worshipped a national god named Yahweh — the same god that Jews worship today. But where did Yahweh come from? How did the Israelites meet him? And was he their only god?
Apr 18, 2021 • 22min
108: TFTYOS: Conquest or Settlement?
How did the Israelites end up in Canaan (modern day Israel)? In the Hebrew Bible the Israelites claim to have taken Canaan through military conquest. But the historical record says that’s doubtful. So what happened?
Apr 11, 2021 • 22min
107: TFTYOS: Did the Exodus From Egypt Ever Really Happen?
It’s the most famous event of Jewish history: the exodus from Egypt of millions of Israelite slaves, thanks to the power of their God and the prophet Moses. But did it ever really happen?
Apr 5, 2021 • 24min
106. TFTYOS: Princes of Egypt
Egypt ruled Canaan…until it didn’t. With empires collapsing all over the Mediterranean region, new peoples suddenly had the space to emerge. Like the Israelites. But also their arch-nemeses, the Philistines.
Mar 28, 2021 • 23min
105. TFTYOS: The Flood Stories of Mesopotamia
Noah and the Flood, the origins of Abraham and Sarah, and the laws of the Book of Exodus, are just a few examples of how deeply influenced the Israelites were by Mesopotamian culture and ideas, which came from the east centuries before the Israelites arrived on the scene.
Mar 21, 2021 • 21min
104: TFTYOS: A Rift In the World
Kicking off Season 5: The First Thousand Years Or So! This episode we’re looking at how the land of Israel was formed millions of years ago, the early humans who lived there, and why the building of a simple stone wall was so extraordinary.
Sep 27, 2020 • 26min
103. Israel 1948-1967: The Israeli Dream
Season 4 Finale. The miracle that was the creation of Israel is threatened by a recession, cultural fault lines, and a deep sense of gloom. As a terrifying war looms, Israelis are left considering whether the Israeli dream might be coming to a violent end. Could Israel rally together? Or was the dream over after only 19 years?
Sep 13, 2020 • 24min
102. Israel 1948-1967: The Waiting Period
For three weeks, known as "hamtanah," Israelis waited as military, diplomatic, and political forces drove them towards war with the Arabs.
Aug 30, 2020 • 22min
101. Israel 1948-1967: Israel & America
A short primer on Israel's relationship with American Jews and America's presidents in the 1950s and 1960s. Ben Gurion and American Jewry have a little argument, while Kennedy and Johnson develop better relations with the Jewish State.
