Jewish history

Historic letters and eyewitness accounts reveal the private life, deep pain, and enduring greatness of Maimonides

Discover the true story of the underground escape from Acre Fortress that shocked the British and stirred deep controversy in the Jewish community

When a powerful bishop demands a mezuzah, Rabbi Zalman turns to the Maharil for clarity

A forgotten Roman emperor, his hatred for Jews, and how his paranoia and cruelty led to his brutal end

The Chafetz Chaim defends Torah and halacha when accused of gossip in a heated debate over Vilna’s rabbinic leadership

How a 14th-century Jewish scholar mapped the land of Israel and laid the foundation for our contemporary understanding of biblical Israel

On Tisha B’Av 1306, King Philip IV expelled the Jews of France, seizing their wealth and changing Jewish history

In honor of Israel's 77th Independence Day, join us as we uncover surprising and important facts about the pioneers who first settled the land. Historian Moshe Nachmani shares insights into these early trailblazers, who often differed from popular tales. Plus: How many of Tel Aviv's founders were religious?

In the face of siege and destruction, Gush Etzion’s pioneers wrestled with halachic questions that revealed their unshakable faith

Though his name is mentioned daily in Jewish study, the story of Rabbi Maimon, the father, teacher, and guide of the Rambam, remains largely unknown

The incredible journey of Bukharan Jews from Muslim rule to Russian protection, and finally, to the heart of Jerusalem

On the day of his wedding, Rabbi Berechiah was arrested for a murder that never happened and saved by a mysterious knight

Bloodstains on the Torah scrolls reveal a painful past that still speaks today

Even in the Bergen-Belsen camp, Rabbi Neubauer brought Torah, guidance, and hope to suffering Jews

With wisdom and courage, one rabbi stopped a blood libel in its tracks

In 1840s Russia, Jews were fined for yarmulkes and attacked for beards. The fight for Jewish dress lives on to this day

How King Agrippa’s quick thinking changed history and brought peace to his people

How Daniel Bomberg’s vision and dedication gave us the page layout we still use

How a king’s engineering genius and Hashem’s miracle kept Jerusalem alive during the Assyrian siege