A New Horizon: The Columbian Exchange, New Spain, and New France
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Release Date: 07/01/2026
Join or Die: The Declaration of Independence and Revolutionary War
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
The Declaration of Independence was far from unanimous, yet it became the backbone of the Revolutionary War. As we dive into the Declaration and its ripple effects, we’ll address the following questions: Aside from declaring independence, what were the founders looking to accomplish with the Declaration of Independence? If the English Parliament was largely responsible for the injustices against the colonies, why was the king blamed in the Declaration of Independence? What finally convinced France to join the American colonists in their stand against the British? Recommended Reading:...
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Tea and Taxes: The Road to American Independence II
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Tensions in the colonies will reach a boiling point in the months leading up to the Revolutionary War. On today’s episode, we’ll take a look at the following questions: How did the repeal of the Stamp Act create a situation in which Britain and the colonies each thought they alone were victorious? How did the Wilkes Crisis in England deepen colonial suspicion of the British parliament? Why did John Adams, who would later become a prominent revolutionary, defend British soldiers in their trial after the Boston Massacre? If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars,...
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From Loyalty to Revolt: The Road to American Independence I
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Economic opportunity and religious freedom would continue to shape the American colonies in the early eighteenth century. In addressing that topic, Rabbi Rocklin will answer the following questions: How did religious sects play a role in shaping the different regions of the colonies? What role did Enlightenment philosophy play in establishing the general character of the colonies? How did the English country tradition influence what would eventually become the American spirit? If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle...
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A Haven and a Home: Jews in the New World
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Long before Washington’s famous letters to the Jewish communities in Rhode Island and Georgia, Jews were establishing themselves across the New World. To learn more about this period, we’ll take a look at the following questions: What inspired the messianic spirit of the Jews who settled in the New World? To what extent were Jews involved in the slave trade? When and why did Ashkenazic Jews become the dominant Jewish community in North America? Recommended Reading: Sarna, Jonathan. Connecticut: Yale University Press, 2019. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars,...
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The Next Frontier: The English Colonies of the New World
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
In North America and the Caribbean, England’s colonies would set the tone for political, religious, and colonial life. As we continue our survey of the New World, we’ll answer the following questions: Why was tobacco hold the key to success for the English colony of Jamestown? Why did Maryland have a bicameral legislature? Why did the colony of New York retain a majority Dutch population even after the English took over? If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by .
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A New Horizon: The Columbian Exchange, New Spain, and New France
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
When Columbus set sail in 1492, he could not have imagined how the world would change from his voyage. To begin our journey to the New World, we’ll take a look at the following questions: What enabled Spain to claim so much of the New World as part of its empire? What was the original impetus for the French to establish colonies in the West Indies? In an era of ever-expanding understandings of human dignity, how did full populations come to justify slavery? If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by .
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Goethe: Deals with the Devil and the Eternal Feminine
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Goethe is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential German-language writers. As we survey his life and works, we’ll address the following questions: Why is Goethe viewed as something of a Romantic outside of Germany but as a pure classicist within Germany? In what sense was Goethe the last true Renaissance man? Why is the difficulty of translating Goethe a reflection of his skill as a poet? Recommended Reading: Eidt, Jacob-Ivan and Christoph Daniel Weber, eds. . Switzerland: Peter Lang, 2018. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite...
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Politics, Essays, and Dictionaries: Edmund Burke and Samuel Johnson
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Two of the most important figures in late eighteenth-century Britain were Edmund Burke and Samuel Johnson. As we learn about their points of agreement and contention, we’ll touch on the following questions: Why was Burke in favor of reconciling with the American colonies, which was against popular opinion in England? In contrast to Burke, why did Johnson argue in favor of virtual representation for the American colonies? What was Burke’s main argument against the French Revolution? Recommended Reading: Burke, Edmund. “” 1775. Burke. . 1790. If you are interested in sponsoring...
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Reinventing the Nation State: The Napoleonic Wars
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
One of the most celebrated military figures in recent history is Napoleon Bonaparte, yet he has something of a mixed legacy. To unpack that legacy, we’ll explore the following questions: How did Napoleon, who conducted himself as an enlightened despot, also try to reanimate history? What was Napoleon’s political goal in conquering Europe? How did the Jews relate to Napoleon and respond to his conquests? If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by .
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From Absolute Monarchy to Democracy: A History of the French Revolution
The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
The French Revolution was a series of cascading events that would upend the world of modern politics. On today’s episode, we’ll address the following questions: What led the Third Estate to insist that the Estates General meet as a national assembly rather than each estate on its own, as had been done previously? Why did the ideas of the Revolution disrupt the belief structures of the church of France? In what ways did the Revolution begin to push against organized religion? If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle...
info_outlineWhen Columbus set sail in 1492, he could not have imagined how the world would change from his voyage. To begin our journey to the New World, we’ll take a look at the following questions:
- What enabled Spain to claim so much of the New World as part of its empire?
- What was the original impetus for the French to establish colonies in the West Indies?
- In an era of ever-expanding understandings of human dignity, how did full populations come to justify slavery?
If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.