Jewish History Uncensored

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein
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Jan 16, 2025 • 53min

Carter's Israeli Admirers + Midrash and Mesora

In this episode we look at Carter's Israeli admirers and what was motivating them to admire him. Why were they so deeply moved by this quixotic figure? We go back to the issue of Midrashim and Mesora and flesh out the issues more. When can we say there is an absolute Mesora about an issue? We also look at the issue of did Ashkenazi Rishonim learn Midrashim that seem to humanize G-d literally? Is this fundamental of Judaism an invention of the Rambam? 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 9, 2025 • 55min

Jimmy Carter's Mixed Legacy

In this episode we look at Jimmy Carter's mixed legacy. Should we be surprised by his lack of success as President and his severe defeat by Ronald Reagan? How much credit for the Peace Agreement between Israel and Egypt does he get? Is there any fundamental reason for his post Presidential behaviors? 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 2, 2025 • 52min

Rationalism, Pshat, & Mesorah

In this episode we look at the definition of Pshat, the basic meaning of the possukim. Is there any connection between this and Rationalism? How much is it possible to apply the contemporary concept of Rationalism to Torah? We similarly look at the issue of understanding when a Midrash is absolute Mesorah, passed down directly from Moshe. 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 25, 2024 • 50min

Nach in the Haredi World

In this episode we look at why all the different parts of the Haredi world have deep hesitance with basic pshat and Tanach. Why is this true? Is this an example of the cure is worse than the disease? What is worse over simplifying Midrashim or treating Midrashim disrespectfully? This week's episode is dedicated by Mr and Mrs Pinchas and Malka Friedman in honor of their parents Mr and Mrs Heshy and Raizy Friedman and Mr and Mrs Chaim and Toby Ginsberg. And also by an anonymous donor לרפואה שלימה ליונתן איתן בן בת שבע ברכה 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 19, 2024 • 52min

Balancing Midrash with Pshat

In this episode we look at the historically controversial issue of balancing the Midrashim with the basic meaning of the text. The first factor we need to understand is what is the importance of basic pshat, and why did Rashi put so much work into it. We similarly examine what lesson we should learn from Israeli advances in Syria. Is this connected to Moshiach? 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, 2024 • 52min

Fall of Assad : Perspectives and Lessons

In this episode we look at the fall of Bashir Assad. What caused his fall? How does this affect the general Israel Arab conflict? How much do we know about it? How does this affect how we understand the situation in Iran? What lessons can we 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. 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, 2024 • 51min

The Vilna Gaon's Edits & Understanding Midrashim II

In this episode we take a closer look at the Vilna Gaon's editing work. What was his basic methodology of editing? How novel was his work? How would the Vilna Gaon have used the many manuscripts that we have today? We start looking at the issue of when should one understand a Midrash literally? What is Rashi's approach to this issue? We also discuss the question of did Rashi have Kabbalah. 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, 2024 • 51min

Understanding Midrashim

In this episode we look at the issue of analyzing and editing Midrashim. What is the difference between how the Vilna Gaon edited Midrashim and how his son edited Midrashim? Why did R Avrohom Vilner have a different way of editing Midrashim? We also examine the issue of which Midrashim Rashi had. This week's episode is dedicated לזכות שמעון הירש בן אברהם דוב that he should be successful in all his endeavors. 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, 2024 • 52min

Facets of Emuna & Authorship of Midrashim

In this episode we look at another one the lessons of the Presidential election - how fidelity is an important facet of Emuna. How should a person use that Emuna tool. One of R Avrohom Vilner's key life accomplishments was his work on Midrashim. We look at one the very basic issues, which is how and why people in the Torah World view the authorship of these Midrashim. This week's episode is dedicated as a רפואה שלימה for משה צבי אייזיק בן גולדה. It is also dedicated in honor of Daniel and Tova Plaut, בנימין בן אשר וטובה מזל בת בילה חשה for their work in strengthening and protecting the Jewish Community. 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, 2024 • 53min

Elections 2024 - Lessons & Perspectives

In this episode we look at the recent Presidential election in the USA. How shocked should we have been by the outcome? What lessons can we learn from this? What is the Torah perspective on the relationship between leadership and the masses? This episode is dedicated by Global Property Services, serving the NY area's pest control since 1997. It is also dedicated l'ilui nishmas R Noson Tzvi Finkel, the Mir Rosh Yeshiva. 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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