Jewish history

Join us over the next three weeks as we unfold the tale of destruction—how the mighty Judean kingdom dwindled, weakened, and ultimately fell to Roman conquest. How did the Romans end up in Judea? What were they seeking? And what role did baseless hatred play in all of this?

How the Arrogance of a Roman Emperor Led to His Humiliating End

Why descendants of the Tosefet Yom Tov fast on the 5th of Tammuz and celebrate on Rosh Chodesh Adar

Discover the fascinating history behind Tzomet Somech near Shefa-Amr in the north of Israel, a site steeped in ancient tradition and resistance.

Yosef Dhu Nuwas challenged the rule of King Kaleb of Axum, destroyed the Axumite soldiers in Yemen, and burned all the churches. He then dug a vast trench, filled it with oil, and set it ablaze.

Half a millennium ago, a Jewish man found himself granted a rare audience with Pope Clement VII in Rome. This unprecedented encounter broke new ground, as no Jew had ever spoken to the Pope directly. Who was this enigmatic figure, and what prompted his meeting with the Pope?

A jealous Arab merchant persuaded his Jewish friend to disguise himself as a Muslim to enter Kairouan for trade. But as soon as he stepped into the market, the schemer shouted: 'A Jew has entered Kairouan and is defiling the city!' The authorities arrested him and put him in jail awaiting his fate.

Discover why the Jewish claim of divine revelation at Sinai stands unmatched in world history, and why imagination can’t replace historical truth.

Upon another glance at the book's title page, it's clear there's no mistake. The author is Rebbetzin Fruma Rozenberg. Who is this remarkable Rebbetzin, whose Torah greatness is universally acknowledged?

King Sisebut of the Visigoths became a formidable adversary to the Jewish people. He fervently embraced Christianity, rejected his ancestral pagan roots, and in 612, initiated the expulsion of the Jewish community.

Rabbi Samuel married his learned daughter to Rabbi Jacob Mizrahi, a top student, on the condition that Asenath would continue studying Torah, not engage in household chores.

How one visionary leader reshaped Jewish life after the destruction of the Second Temple and ensured its survival for generations to come

When anti-Semitic sentiment flared, even the nobility couldn't resist. The Jews of Blois faced horrific consequences as injustice and greed took center stage.

From slavery and blessing to holiness and restraint — why the Levites multiplied less, yet carried Israel’s greatest spiritual weight

Czar Nicholas implemented a policy requiring Jewish communities to provide a quota of soldiers. Skeptical of their loyalty, he targeted children with the infamous Cantonists' decree.

A renowned Jewish leader stood firmly against Napoleon, even declaring war on the endeavor to fall under French rule.

Herod, the outsider, tormented and suppressed the Jewish people in a manner unprecedented, disregarding the role of a king meant to protect rather than oppress.

The survival of the Jewish people through centuries of persecution has no natural explanation. Just as Jacob and his descendants were spared from annihilation by Esau at the last moment, throughout history, when the spiritual heart of the nation was threatened, a path to salvation emerged.

The spiritual and historical meaning behind the Torah’s ban on the “figured stone” — a command that bridges faith, symbolism, and the archaeology of ancient Jerusalem

In 1837, a devastating earthquake hit Tzfat. While the Abuhav Synagogue was destroyed, the southern wall with the ancient Torah remained intact.