Jewish history

An event erased from history, never recorded in the annals, leaving the proud Jewish community of Portugal nearly nonexistent. This tragedy remains largely unknown in general historical literature.

Through sand and silence, researchers search for signs of the Israelites' path and clues to their mysterious survival

Egyptian writers didn’t ignore the Exodus. Their version just looks different and it reveals surprising details about our history

Rabbi Yeshayah Bassan of Italy, mentor of Ramchal, heard of the situation and was displeased. He promptly wrote a detailed letter to the scholars of Trieste: despite their intentions to instill respect for prayer, their "punishment" was an immense embarrassment to prayer, the synagogue, and the Jewish people, also posing a potential threat from non-Jews.

Uncover the mystical origins of the Jewish soul, the divine plan behind history, and why the Torah was destined for Israel from the very beginning of creation.

Beilis was thrown into a Russian prison without a clue of the charges against him. During his "interrogation," he discovered he was accused of murdering a boy named Andrei Yushchinsky, found dead in a cave months earlier.

A bold sermon on Divine Providence sparked fierce accusations of heresy, until Europe's greatest sage stepped in to defend the rabbi and restore peace.

Discover the fascinating stories of revered Jewish figures who became fathers at an advanced age, from Abraham to contemporary scholars.

The story of how the Jewish community of Kovno was attacked, expelled, and finally restored

In 1533, a 56-year-old rabbi galloped day and night to save 200 Jews from execution, leaving behind a legacy of courage, leadership, and Torah.

Whenever tensions flared between the Romans and the Jews in the Land of Israel, Roman citizens would incite hostility against the Jews of Alexandria. In what became known as the "Diaspora Revolt," the entire Jewish population of Alexandria was wiped out. The Jerusalem Talmud recounts this horrific event, noting that blood flowed into the Mediterranean Sea all the way to Cyprus.

A small figure clad in red ascended the stairs, flanked by two hooded executioners. Despite signs of torture, he paused on each step to shout in a hoarse voice, "Hashem is God," a total of 52 times.

Maimonides, a pivotal figure in Jewish philosophy, faced fierce opposition for his revolutionary ideas about the nature of Hashem. He asserted that Hashem has no physical form, a view that clashed with traditional interpretations at the time. This led to a spirited debate among Jewish scholars.

From a hidden Jew in Portugal to a public defender of Judaism in Europe, Rabbi Menashe ben Israel changed the future of Jewish communities through intellect, diplomacy, and fearless advocacy

During a special prayer, the entire Jewish community of Metz gathered closely in the synagogue. Suddenly, amidst the emotional rendition by the cantor, a loud noise echoed "as if a great building was collapsing."

The so-called messenger from Israel turned out to be a con artist, exploiting the name of the well-known false messiah Sabbatai Zevi, who was not yet recognized for who he truly was, as multitudes followed him.

Explore fascinating house dedications in Jewish history, from the First Temple to the lavish "Zichron Menachem" synagogue.

After leaving the rabbinical court, the widow Nechama declined offers from matchmakers, insisting she felt her husband was still alive. When asked if she doubted the esteemed Rabbi Heshel, she couldn't provide a clear answer but refused to remarry.

Rabbi Shabtai HaKohen’s Genius Shined Through Even Amid War, Exile, and Tragedy

From child prodigy to Renaissance rabbi and poet, his life bridged together Torah, scholarship, and personal struggles