Jewish History Uncensored

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein
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Jan 14, 2026 • 53min

The Spalter Biographical Sketch

In this episode we continue looking at some of Plungian's stories about R Menashe of Iliya. We specifically look at his claim that R Menashe wanted to travel to Berlin to study with Mendelsohn, but wasn't able to due to passport issues. We also start looking at his great grandson, R Yitzchok Spalter's biographical sketch. We look at his first marriage and divorce. Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS
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Jan 8, 2026 • 51min

R Menashe of Iliya - His Background

In this episode, we continue to look at the cultural milieu of the Lithuanian Talmidai Chochomim. How much of the contemporary European thought were they aware of? We look at R Menashe of Iliya's early life and background. Where was he from? Which other famous people were from his home town of Smargon? What does this teach us about his life? We also start looking at the complications due to the fact that his original biographer, Mordechai Plungian, was one of the Maskilim of Vilna. Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS
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Jan 1, 2026 • 52min

The Communal Crisis of Polish Jewry

In this episode we look at the basic communal tensions that existed in the Polish Lithuanian Jewish Community during the 1700's. What were the main causes of these tensions? What were the main factors in determining communal leadership? Did these natural tensions contribute to the challenge of determining practical leadership? Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS
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Dec 24, 2025 • 58min

The Bondi Beach Massacre

In this week's episode we look at the shocking massacre in Bondi Beach. What factor makes this even more shocking? What lessons can we learn from this? We similarly examine the issue of how distant we are in a practical sense from the times of Moshiach. This week's episode is sponsored לעילוי נשמת ר׳ אליהו בן יוסף Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS
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Dec 21, 2025 • 52min

The Communal Crisis of Polish Jewry

In this episode we look at the basic communal tensions that existed in the Polish Lithuanian Jewish Community during the 1700's. What were the main causes of these tensions? What were the main factors in determining communal leadership? Did these natural tensions contribute to the challenge of determining practical leadership? Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS
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Dec 11, 2025 • 53min

Koheles - Understanding the Conclusion

In this episode, we look at how to understand the second half of the Sefer. How is Shlomo dealing with all the problems he raised in the first half of the Sefer? What are the key tools that we need to employ in order to not get utterly confused by the turmoil that naturally exists in all forms of human society? Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS
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Dec 5, 2025 • 53min

Koheles: Understanding The Challenge

In this week's episode, we take a closer look at the first half of Koheles. What are the tools that G-d placed in the world and in man himself that should teach us the importance of careful adherence to Torah? Similarly, Shlomo prophetically looks at the outcome, how have we done with all these tools? And similarly, Shlomo looks at human failure and tragedy, and distinguishes between the common tragedy and the ultimate tragedy. Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS
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Nov 27, 2025 • 52min

Koheles - Sefer Theme

In this week's episode, we look at the challenge of dividing Koheles into smaller subsections. What criteria can one use to do this? We also examine what issue is Shlomo dealing with in Koheles? Who is the Sefer addressing? What are the key components of the life level challenges that Shlomo is dealing with? Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS
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Nov 20, 2025 • 55min

Free Will - The Basics

In this week's episode we discuss the basics of Free Will. What is the difference between Free Will and Freedom? What is the purpose of Free Will? What can proper use of Free Will do? How does a person's background affect their Free Will? How important is Free Will in determining how G-d interacts with the world? When done actually exercise Free Will? Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS
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Nov 13, 2025 • 57min

Lessons from the Mamdani Election

In this week's episode, we discuss the election of Mamdani as Mayor of New York City. How surprising was his victory? What were the main factors in why he was elected? What were the main flaws of the Coumo campaign? What lessons can we learn from this? How concerned should we be because of his election? Are there any historical parallelisms to his election? Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein's Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

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