Jewish History Uncensored

In this episode we look at the famed statement of R Kook that there is a relationship between Spinoza's pantheistic ideas and the Besht's ideas. How do we understand this? Does this fit in to the classic way the Besht's ideas are understood? We also look at the controversy about is it proper to allow someone to make a documentary in the synagogue that Spinoza was excommunicated in. 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. We are currently learning MISHLEY Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

In this episode we take a deeper look at the relationship between National Identity and Religion. How was this classically understood in the world? We also look at how this specifically applies to the Jews. How long did it take for Spinoza's plea for tolerance to become accepted? How did this affect the Jews in Europe? Ben Gurion and other Zionist thinkers claimed to be inspired by Spinoza. How much is there in common between them? Did Ben Gurion's policy with the religious and charedi have to do with Spinoza's plea for tolerance? 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. We are currently learning MISHLEY Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

In this episode we look at one of Spinoza's most important historical contributions, his appeal for religious tolerance. Spinoza was the first major figure to call for religious tolerance. This eventually evolved into separation of Church and State. How did this change the way people understand national identity? Is there any natural connection between religion and National identity? 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. We are currently learning MISHLEY Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

In this episode we conclude looking at Spinoza's philosophy of Determinism, and the Torah response to this idea. One of the broad life phenomenon that reflects man's free will is the quest for the morality and moral perfection. How broad is this phenomenon? One of the other places we see man's free will is via prayer, and the basic challenge of having proper intention when praying. What is the basic structure of having proper intentions? Are there parts of Shemone Esray that are more important to have intention? 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. We are currently learning Koheles. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

In this episode we continue looking at the basic flaws in Spinoza's philosophy of determinism. One of the key examples of deep and complicated Divine Providence is from The Battle of Britain. We also look at the very deep phenomenon of Drive for Justice. How did Spinoza see this issue? Is the quest for Justice a psychological phenomenon? Or is it deeper rooted than this? 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. We are currently learning Shoftim. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

In this week's episode we look at the basic structure of Rosh HaShana. What is the basic structure of the Divine Judgement on Rosh HaShana? We also look at some of the most important lessons from the life of Elizabeth II. Was there any level of power that she had? What was the most important principle guiding her public life? Is there anything for us to learn from this? 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. We are currently learning Shoftim. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

In this episode we take a deeper look at Determinism and why Einstein was specifically attracted to this philosophy. We also take a deeper look at the Torah perspective on this issue. We also look at the phenomenon of the Fragility of Human History and how this should affect the philosophy of Determinism. 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. We are currently learning Shoftim. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

In this episode we look at the conundrum of assimilated Jews and national identity. How much was this a factor in Einstein's life? How much was Einstein challenged professionally by his being Jewish? How did he react to this? We start looking at one of the key reasons Einstein was attracted to Spinoza's philosophy, Spinoza's approach of determinism. Is there a difference between why Einstein held of this philosophy and why Spinoza held of this philosophy? 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. We are currently learning Shoftim. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Spinoza and modern philosophy claims to be rational. How do we define rationalism from a Torah perspective? What was the Rambam's approach to this issue? Einstein quite explicitly said that he was influenced by Spinoza. Is there any significant difference between Einstein's cultural milieu and Spinoza's? We take a quick look at Einstein's life to properly understand this. 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. We are currently learning Shoftim. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

In this episode we look at one of Spinoza's key legacies, creation of a secular world. The contemporary world in a cultural fashion is thoroughly secular. What was Spinoza's key conceptual idea that brought about this change? We also briefly look at some of Spinoza's spiritual fruit, Biblical Criticism. How pertinent is this issue today? Why was this once a major issue? 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. We are currently learning MISHLEI. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS