

Jewish History Uncensored
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein is a well known Torah scholar, Tanach expert, and Historian. He has lectured in the Mir Yeshiva, Torat Shraga, and many Shuls internationally.
These podcasts integrate his broad knowledge of many different facets of Torah and History.
Join in weekly to gain accurate and in depth knowledge of some of the most important and controversial topics in Jewish History.
For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at Jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com
These podcasts integrate his broad knowledge of many different facets of Torah and History.
Join in weekly to gain accurate and in depth knowledge of some of the most important and controversial topics in Jewish History.
For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at Jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 10, 2021 • 38min
#42 - Ramchal - The Deepening Crisis
In this episode we look at how R' Moshe Chagiz was successfully able to challenge the Ramchal and force him to stop publicly teaching and give up his early writings. We also look at the tumult in the Rabbinic world about the authenticity of the Zohar, and specifically R' Yehuda de Modena's sefer, 'Ari Noham'. We look at how the Ramchal got involved and how R' Moshe Chagiz reacted to the Ramchal's involvement. 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 Tehillim. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com (CedarMediaStudios Podcasting 2021)

Jun 3, 2021 • 44min
#41 - Ramchal II - Early Accomplishments and the Initial Opposition
In this episode we look at how the Ramchal came to Reggio and the founding of the chabura Mevakshai Hashem. We also look at the Ramchal's writings, when were they written, and how we have them today. We also discuss the style of the Ramchal's writings. We look at the Ramchal's Maggid, heavenly messenger. What is a maggid? How does it relate to Prophecy and Ruach Ha-Kodesh? We look at the massive growth of the Ramchal's group, R Moshe Chagiz's opposition, and the outcome of the first confrontation between the Ramchal and R' Moshe Chagiz. 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 Tehillim. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com (CedarMediaStudios Podcasting 2021)

May 27, 2021 • 44min
#40 - The Ten Tribes, Ramchal's Early Life
In this episode we look at the contemporary evidence about the location of the lost Ten Tribes. How much solid evidence is there? Is it possible that they are to be found in Western India? What can we learn from early modern interest in this issue? We start looking at the Ramchal's life. Where was he born? Where did his family originate from? Who were his Rebbeim? Is there a direct connection between the Ramchal and the Ari zl? 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 Tehillim. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com (CedarMediaStudios Podcasting 2021)

May 20, 2021 • 42min
#39 - The Tragic Death of R' Imanuel Chai Ricco & The Ten Tribes
In this episode we look at end of R' Imanuel Chai Ricco's life and his tragic death. Why did people consider him as dying for Kiddush Hashem? We start looking at the issue of the Ten Tribes. What happened to them after they were exiled? What does it say in Tanach about them? What does it say in Shas about them? Is there other Midrashic information about where the Ten Tribes were exiled to? How do we reconcile R Akiva's opinion that the Ten Tribes aren't coming back with the places in Tanach that strongly imply they are coming back? We look at the legendary story of Eldad Ha-Dani. When did this story happen? Did everyone accept the story as true? Is there a connection between Eldad Ha-Dani and the Ethiopian Jews? 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 Tehillim. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com (CedarMediaStudios Podcasting 2021)

May 13, 2021 • 54min
#38 - Emunas Chachamim In Our Times
In this episode we look at the challenge of internalizing the authenticity of Torah in our challenging times. Is there a difference between how we see Tanach and it's narrative and the other words of Chazal? What can we do in order to see the Torah as being the ultimate of substantial? 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 Rus. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com (CedarMediaStudios Podcasting 2021)

May 6, 2021 • 44min
#37- The Influence of Mishnas Chassidim
In this episode we take a careful look at how R Emanuel Chai Ricco's sefer, 'Mishnas Chassidim', gained very deep influence on the learning of Kabbala in the 1700's. We look at the basic structure of the Kloiz of Brody and how this connects to the Mishnas Chassidim. We also look at one of the key ideas in one of R Emanuel Chai Ricco's other sefarim about when Mashiach should come and how this impacted the Jewish World. 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 Tehillim. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com (CedarMediaStudios Podcasting 2021)

Apr 29, 2021 • 44min
#36 - The Italian Mekubalim - R' Emanuel Chai Rico
In this episode we will look at the golden era of Italian Mekubalim in the 1700's. We start by looking at the basic community structure in Italy. In terms of Historical Legacy, the relativity unknown R' Emanuel Chai Ricco is incredibly important. In this episode we look at his early life, how he came to become one of the most important Kabbalists of his times and what led him to write his seminal work, 'Mishnas Chassidim'. 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 Tehillim. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com (CedarMediaStudios Podcasting 2021)

Apr 22, 2021 • 54min
#35 - R' Levi Yitzchok - His Historical Legacy
In this episode we look at R Levi Yitzchok's Historical Legacy as the ultimate defender of the Jewish People. We examine some of the famous legends and stories that are said about him. We also start looking at the debates with the Misnagdim, and how R' Levi Yitzchok and R' Shmelke responded to the accusations. We also examine the issue of how to determine which legendary stories should be considered substantial evidence. 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 Shir Hashirim. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com (CedarMediaStudios Podcasting 2021)

Apr 15, 2021 • 39min
#34 - R' Levi Yitchok of Berdichov - His Earlier Rabbinical Positions
This episode looks at R' Levi Yitzchok's earlier Rabbinic positions in Ritiswall, Lobertov, and Pinsk. How much systematic opposition did R Levi Yitzchok face in these cities? What can we learn about the general phenomenon of hisnagdus from R' Levi Yitzchok's experiences? What can we learn about R' Levi Yitzchok as a Rabbinical figure from these events? 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 Shir Hashirim. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com (CedarMediaStudios Podcasting 2021)

Apr 6, 2021 • 1h
#33 - The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising - Heroic, Rash Act, or Justified ?
In this episode we look at the Yom Ha-Shoah and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. Why did the Knesset establish Yom Ha-Shoah on the 27th of Nisan? Is this the best time to remember the Holocaust? Was the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising historically justified? What was the Historical footprint of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising? Did the Germans react to it? Did it make any change in how the Poles interacted with the Jews? Research notes: The best one volume book on the Holocaust is Martin Gilbert's famed volume, The Holocaust https://www.amazon.com/dp/0006371949/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_XGSZNQTJE7NN9HAFHKF3, weaves narrative and has an incredible amount of very important information. His narrative on The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising is only based on Zuckerman's narrative and makes no mention of ZZW. Saul Freidlander's The Years of Extermination: Nazi Germany and the Jews, 1939-1945 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UZQH8E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_7VZ62R64562HH89CPRGM is another very important one volume work on the Holocaust that was consulted. In terms of understanding the general attitude in Germany at the time Goldhagen's somewhat controversial book, Hitler's Willing Executioners: Ordinary Germans and the Holocaust https://www.amazon.com/dp/0679772685/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_SG1BJQR7SS2JW8EH98SS, is very key. Similarly, Lawrence Rees, Auschwitz: A New History https://www.amazon.com/dp/1586483579/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_98YXQ14TSASRW4VDB01S, is outstanding and has many unique interviews that a Jewish Historian would never get. One of the most important digests of general information that I use on the Warsaw Ghetto pre uprising is, Kiddush Hashem: Jewish Religious and Cultural Life in Poland During the Holocaust (English and Yiddish Edition) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0881251186/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_MR266PFSBV6RZMCYHN5W. In terms of the basic story of the Great Deportation of summer 42, The Warsaw Ghetto Diaries by Hillel Seidman (1997-12-04) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FIZQO9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_MH06VM2CX040AG2P2T2Q Moshe Arens carefully and relatively objectively examines the ZOB vs ZZW issues and also most of the basic story from before the Great Deportation through the Revolt in his monumental Flags Over the Warsaw Ghetto https://www.amazon.com/dp/1094763284/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_SNN0RM9WXAJWBBV0EQ9E The information about the Sobibor revolt and about Toibi Thomas Blatt's experiences is from the standard work on Sobibor, Escape from Sobibor: Revised and Updated Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/1480458511/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_1X0J722H02NFM19J0BQ4, which also is full of very important interviews of most of the Sobibor survivors. ______________________________________ Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein is a well known Torah scholar, Tanach expert, and Historian. He has lectured in the Mir Yeshiva, Torat Shraga, and and many Shuls internationally. These podcasts integrate his broad knowledge of many different facets of Torah and History. Join in weekly to gain accurate & in depth knowledge of some of the most important and controversial topics in Jewish History. 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 Shir HaShirim. Click here to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com (CedarMediaStudios Podcasting 2021)


