Jewish history

In 922, a major event occurred in Jewish history. The Geon of Israel sent out a calendar to Jewish communities, only to face public opposition from the Geon of Babylon: The calendar was wrong, and Rosh Hashanah and Passover were to be celebrated on Tuesday, not Sunday, as the Israeli Geon declared!

From the Portuguese royal court to the stake: the mysterious life, prophecy, and martyrdom of a visionary who yearned for redemption

Queen Salome ruled with wisdom, choosing not to wage war but instead investing in a strong army, which kept enemies at bay. Her strategic diplomacy maintained a peaceful and prosperous Judea.

Last week, a surprising discovery was made in the city of Ramanathapuram, India: within an ancient well, a large stone was found, appearing to be a part of an old gravestone. Though the farm workers couldn't decipher the script or showed much interest, a student named Hatim Ali recognized the Hebrew letters.

Following Rabbi Menach Hendel's advice, a divorce was arranged, and Isaac divorced his wife. He was promised that if he recovered, they could remarry. Isaac did indeed recover, unwittingly igniting a significant debate within the Torah world that persisted for years.

King Yannai anticipated a fierce backlash when challenging the heart of the people, and preemptively stationed thousands of foreign mercenaries who emerged to massacre Jews. On that day, 3,000 innocent Jews perished to prove that Yannai was in charge, not religious law or the Oral Torah.

From royal treasurer to refugee scholar: The legendary statesman who saved lives, learned Torah, and stood tall in exile

Aristobulus, who quickly developed a tyrannical personality, began to fear Antigonus would take his place. His advisors and those around him decided to 'help' him get rid of his brother.

John, the High Priest, was a war hero and led many of his father’s battles. Yet, Antiochus Sidetes was relentless. As the king of the Seleucid Empire, why would he yield to a Jew ruling a small kingdom?

Honoring the Legacy of Ten Torah Sages Who Died for Their Faith

Her agents were scattered across Europe as spice merchants, but each of them kept an extra eye on smuggling routes, payments to smugglers, and connections with other Jews looking to escape.

Simon made a strategic alliance with the Romans, perceiving it as a strong safety net amidst the Middle East's turbulent landscape. Little did they realize, this connection would eventually lead to the land's destruction.

Addressed to a Jewish social services worker in New York, Einstein's letter aimed to rescue Jews from the Nazis. He wrote, "The resilience that has allowed the Jewish people to survive for thousands of years relied heavily on traditions of mutual aid."

In 1427, Pope Martin V issued a directive to prevent Christians from transporting Jews from Italy to the Holy Land. This led to dangerous conditions for Jews on Italian ships. What sparked the Pope's anger?

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?