Jewish history

Attracting a large following, Abu Isa declared himself the messiah and led a rebellion against Persian rule. By drawing a circle in the sand and swearing protection to all within, he instilled fear of sorcery among the Persians—a tactic that elevated his status.

Hashem decreed that Abraham's descendants would be strangers in a foreign land, enslaved and oppressed for 400 years. This promise of exile formed us as a nation with a mission, not merely a tribe settling in its land, building homes, and planting vineyards, potentially forgetting its purpose.

Around nine years ago, ISIS captured the city of Palmyra in Syria. The unique history of Palmyra had been forgotten for many generations. It was only in modern times that its ancient ruins began to attract tourists and archaeologists. However, those familiar with our sources can learn about the entire history of the city, originally known as Tadmor.

In the 19th century, as secularism took hold in Europe, some Jewish communities sought refuge in the spiritual sanctity of the Holy Land.

Nations were created to influence history towards a world perfected under Hashem's sovereignty. While some had brief roles, Esau—identified with Edom—has a long, complex mission.

On his 1839 visit, Moses Montefiore envisioned leasing land from Egypt's ruler to develop Jewish agricultural settlements in what is now Israel. Discover his ambitious plans for 200 villages!

In 1389, the revocation of the Jewish protective status led to a brutal attack on Prague's Jewish quarter during Passover, infamously known as 'The Great Prague Massacre'.

During the reign of Muhammad Ali (1831-1840), Jewish immigration increased, leading to overcrowding in Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter. The Orthodox community's population doubled in the first three years, prompting new arrivals to purchase properties in the "Bab al-Huta" area, about a 45-minute walk from the Jewish Quarter.

Life in the Venetian Jewish ghetto was densely packed. As the community expanded, the space became increasingly restricted. Residents lived in cramped apartments, and the streets were crowded and bustling.

While many cultures have foundational figures, they often exist simultaneously. In contrast, the Jewish tradition honors three generations: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This article explores why all three are essential as patriarchs of the Jewish people.

During the 18th century, Corfu etrogim gained prominence. Corfu, an agricultural island in western Greece, saw the potential in marketing etrogim to the Jewish diaspora, investing significantly in etrog groves, which were considered especially beautiful and thus highly esteemed.

From Byzantines to the British, historical conquerors could never fully settle the land of Israel, leaving it desolate until the return of the Jewish people.

The Hurva Synagogue stands as a central landmark in Jerusalem's Old City. Why is it named so, and who was Rabbi Judah the Pious?

Who were the holy martyrs of Uman? Why is Rabbi Nachman buried in Uman instead of his hometown, Breslov?

In Worms, Germany, lies a synagogue that's stood for a near millennium, housing a plaque nearly 1,000 years old. This is where Rashi, the revered scholar, studied as a young man under Rabbi Yaakov ben Yakar.

Why did Abraham, at the age of one hundred, need to wander through the land? Wasn't he tired of roaming? This question divides into two parts: a natural reason and a spiritual reason.

Wandering from town to town, the cult drew in the unsuspecting with promises of grandeur, only to unravel its deceitful truth.

The Talmud mentions an area feared for its idolatrous sanctity, possibly mixed with the lost tribes. This region is in present-day Afghanistan.

We have discovered seals and inscriptions referencing several individuals mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah. Why do we find so many parallels specifically from Jeremiah, but fewer from other books?

Nimrod smirked at the young Hebrew boy who thought he was wise. "Perhaps he is wise," Nimrod conceded, "but I am the king." With that, he ordered that Abraham be thrown into the fiery furnace. That was when Abraham discovered not only that the Creator of the world truly exists, but that he, Abraham, was chosen by Him to lead him out of Ur of the Chaldees.