In 1809, the first group of the Vilna Gaon's students, led by Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Shklov, embarked on a perilous journey to Israel. They withstood a grueling year-long sea voyage before settling in Safed.
Among pages written in various languages, a Hebrew page was discovered on Chinese paper from the eighth century, around 1,200 years ago, during the Gaonic period. The page contains a Selichot text, marked with Babylonian vowel points. It is one of the oldest Hebrew manuscripts on paper.
In a time of profound danger for European Jews, Western nations turned their backs. Explore the heartbreaking journey of 937 Jewish refugees aboard the MS St. Louis, sent back to a Europe under Nazi threat after being denied asylum.
In an era of tribal unrest, Bedouin leader Daher el-Omar sought to develop the land and welcomed Jewish settlers known for their deep connection to Israel.
In the 16th century, the entire population of the land was around 250,000 people. Such a number was insufficient to settle a land. Without inhabitants, the land naturally became desolate, rivers turned into marshes, and ruins into lairs for bandits and wild animals.
Once a thriving Jewish community with 300-400 families in Jerusalem faced heavy taxes and persecution, making expansion difficult. Despite this, dedicated efforts by Jerusalem's Jewish residents attracted scholars and fueled a renaissance in nearby Safed during a time of relative peace.
Despite knowing the risk, the soldiers chose mercy, leading to their ultimate stand against thousands. Surrounded and outnumbered, they fought bravely before falling one by one.
The actions of our forefathers are signs for future generations. Abraham's journeys in the Land of Israel offer insights not just for his descendants, but for all of humanity.
If the Crusaders made the grave error of not settling the land and instead residing in mighty fortresses, then the Mamluks made the opposite mistake. They were so concerned about foreign control that they destroyed the fortresses and ports, crippling trade and defense.
The Crusaders were formidable warriors, but their failure to settle the land turned victory into defeat. When a nation rules but doesn't settle, it struggles to maintain control and can be easily ousted.
As Nazi leader Fritz Kuhn began his speech, a bold young man suddenly stormed the stage, seizing the microphone to denounce Hitler and the Nazis in front of 20,000 fervent followers... That man was Isidore Greenbaum, a 26-year-old Jew from Brooklyn.
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.
Despite the strong Muslim presence in the region during this period, a significant population decline began in the late seventh century. Once fertile lands like the Negev became barren, a state that persists to this day.
Jews once thriving in major cities were forced out, finding new homes and livelihoods in the Pale of Settlement towns. Established families were shuffled from one settlement to another based on arbitrary bureaucratic maps. The allocation of Jews in these regions was impractical and inefficient.
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.
A century ago, the outlook for premature babies was bleak. Considered lost causes, no efforts were made to save them. Enter Michael Coney, a Jewish man who turned this perception on its head.
Exploring ancient Hittite laws sheds light on the biblical narrative of Abraham's acquisition of the Cave of Machpelah. What seems peculiar at first glance—all the discussions, negotiations, and rituals—actually aligns with the customs of the time.
Moments before the chaos, a mail carriage arrived carrying a letter from Emperor Leopold II himself. Sent from the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, the letter held the police chief of Bamberg personally accountable for any harm to the Jews.
Thanks to an ancient Egyptian custom, we can learn a lot about the peoples of the Middle East at that time. Astonishingly, among the names are those of three families that seemed to have greatly angered the Egyptians, meriting a string of curses... These families are: Tavach, Tachas, and Maacah.
The ship was filled with emaciated people, left without food. Nazi officials debated whether to keep them as bargaining chips or simply sink the ship to "dispose" of the human cargo without leaving many traces.
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