Jewish History Uncensored
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein is a well known Torah scholar, Tanach expert, and Historian. He has lectured in the Mir Yeshiva, Torat Shraga, and many Shuls internationally. These podcasts integrate his broad knowledge of many different facets of Torah and History. Join in weekly to gain accurate and in depth knowledge of some of the most important and controversial topics in Jewish History. For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at Jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com
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Episode 300 (!) - Importance of Halacha: Tanach as Part of Torah
08/09/2026
Episode 300 (!) - Importance of Halacha: Tanach as Part of Torah
Episode 300 (!) - Importance of Halacha: Tanach as Part of Torah In this week’s episode, we continue looking at the importance of Halacha. Are there differences between how the Litvish world sees Halacha and how the Chassidish world sees Halacha? Why do Chassidim daven Mincha after shkia? Why do some daven Shachris after zman Tefila? We start looking at the very fundamental machlokes between the Rambam and Rabainu Tam about learning Tanach. What level of learning Tanach is the Rambam speaking about?
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National Tragedy & Attitudes Towards Tanach
07/31/2026
National Tragedy & Attitudes Towards Tanach
299 - National Tragedy, and Attitudes towards Tanach In this week’s episode, we take a closer look at how national tragedy relates to Availus HaChurban. We also take a deeper look at the attitudes people have about learning Tanach. We also start looking at what the the practical priorities of a person should be in terms of understanding Torah. Where does Tanach fit into this? Where does Halacha fit into this? You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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Availus HaChurban - Understanding the Crisis
07/21/2026
Availus HaChurban - Understanding the Crisis
In this week’s episode, we continue to look at the challenge that we have relating to Availus HaChurban. We take a deeper look at why the educational system of the Yeshiva World isn’t able to properly address this issue. We similarly start looking at how people generally give value to different issues and how this plays out in terms of valuing learning of Tanach. This week’s episode is dedicated לרפואה השלימה ולהצלחה לאלי נתן בן משה בן ציון by his family. You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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Availus HaChurban - Theory & Reality
07/16/2026
Availus HaChurban - Theory & Reality
This week’s episode is sponsored לעילוי נשמת עלקא עליזה בת ר יעקב In this week’s episode, we take a deeper look at the Availus HaChurban challenge. We also carefully examine what Tanachic statements shed light on this issue. We also look at how the lack of proper knowledge of Tanach contributes to this challenge. You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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The Tisha B’Av Challenge
07/12/2026
The Tisha B’Av Challenge
This week’s episode is sponsored by Hershel Barg and Associates LLC לעילוי נשמת צבי בן חיים גרג In this week’s episode we look at the deep challenges we have today properly relating to Tisha B’Av. We look at the basics of the day and examine why what is called, ‘Avalus HaChurban’, is a very important issue. We also examine the question of should seeing the State of Israel in a positive light have any effect on this matter. We look how Shomeh Esrey defines our times and how this affects the Avalus HaChurban. Help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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Leadership Lessons
07/02/2026
Leadership Lessons
In this week's episode, we look at the issue of learning lessons from Tanach. What tools are necessary to properly learn lessons to today’s complicated world? Is there a correlation between source of power and limits of power? What lessons about leadership can we learn from Nechemia? This week’s episode is dedicated לעילוי נשמת יונה דוד בן ילחטו״א ר שמעון יעקב הלוי on the occasion of his first Yahrtzeit. You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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Iran War II - Peace
06/25/2026
Iran War II - Peace
In this week’s episode we look at the peace agreement that is being finalized. Should we be surprised by the way this agreement is being implemented? Is Trump’s approach here surprising? How will this affect the upcoming Israeli elections? How will this affect Bibi’s legacy? How common is it for a leader of a democratic country to hold power so long? This week’s episode is dedicated in honor of the wonderful Aufruf of Yechezkel David and in honor of the upcoming chasuna of Yechezkel David and Yocheved Tenenbaum You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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R Menashe of Iliya, the Process of Learning, and His Travels
06/11/2026
R Menashe of Iliya, the Process of Learning, and His Travels
In this week’s episode we discuss the issue of what does it mean being part of the process in terms of explaining Torah and psak. How do we understand R Menashe of Iliya’s proposing ideas different from the classics? We also examine a very important statement of R Menashe of Iliya in his last work, Shekel HaKodesh, about his custom of travel. Can we combine this with his first pamphlet, Pesher Davar? Does the statement sound in character for him? Or was it something he learnt later in life? You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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A Deeper Understanding of Pesher Davar
06/04/2026
A Deeper Understanding of Pesher Davar
In this week’s episode, we have a deeper discussion of why the proposal that R Menashe of Iliya was trying to create something similar to the Aguda of the 1920’s is deeply flawed. We examine the very basic differences between the two time periods, and how this affects how we understand what his idea really was. We similarly look at how the basic pattern of R Menashe life and how he travelled a lot played a part in his ideas. We also discuss the phenomenon of political parties and how the contemporary system has amplified the basic flaw of political parties. This week’s episode is sponsored by Binyomin and Orli Cohenbash in honor of my daughter Racheli’s wedding to Ari Sherman You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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The Noda B’Yehuda; The Key Message of Pesher Davar
05/28/2026
The Noda B’Yehuda; The Key Message of Pesher Davar
In this week’s episode we take a closer look at the Noda B’Yehuda’s famed statement about not saying the Kabbalistic formula before mitzvas. We similarly closely examine if he is referring to Beshtian Chassidim in this teshuva. We also discuss his relationship with R Gershon Kitover and what we can learn from this. We also continue out discussion about Pesher Davar and why there is so much debate about what R Menashe of Iliya meant when he wrote it. What are the basic suggestions out there? Is it possible he was looking to create something similar to Agudas Yisroel or the 1920s? You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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Pesher Davar - The Three Groups
05/20/2026
Pesher Davar - The Three Groups
In this week’s episode, we take a deep look at who R Menashe of Iliya was referring to when he divided the Rabbis into three groups. Is the reference to Kabalists only mean the Chassidic Rabbis? Is there any reference to the students of the Vilna Gaon here? We continue to look at the content of the Pesher Davar. What makes understanding the content of this pamphlet difficult to grasp? How common was it in the 1700’s for Rabbis to be aware and interested in the latest scientific literature? You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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R Menashe of Iliya’s Pesher Davar
05/14/2026
R Menashe of Iliya’s Pesher Davar
In this week’s episode, we take a closer look at R Menashe of Iliya’s first pamphlet, Pesher Davar. Who is this pamphlet addressed to? Which Rabbis is referring to when he mentions simple ones? Who are the Kabbalists? Is this referring to the Chassidim? Plungian says that he met R Shnuer Zalman of Liozna and Liadi. Based on what we know about both of them, how should this meeting have gone? How do we reconcile this with R Menashe’s statements in Alfai Menashe that are critical of Chassidim? You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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R Menashe of Iliya’s Written Works
05/07/2026
R Menashe of Iliya’s Written Works
In this week's episode, we start properly examining R Menashe of Iliya’s written works. We start by looking at his Sefer on Tanach, Binas HaMikra. We will be able to have a solid understanding of his attitude towards Chazal from this sefer. We also start looking at his first printed work, the Kuntress Pesher Davar. We examine who he is referring to when he divides the Rabbis into three groups. Which groups does he put together? What can we learn from this? Are the Kabbalists he refers to only the Chassidim? You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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The Challenge of Enlightenment and R Menashe of Iliya
05/05/2026
The Challenge of Enlightenment and R Menashe of Iliya
In this week’s episode, we look at why the Enlightenment created such a spiritual challenge? What made it different than previous confrontations? Where did the Enlightenment accept the wisdom of the Ancients? What was R Menashe of Iliya’s approach in these issues? What makes him different than the Maskilim? This week’s episode is dedicated לעילוי נשמת אבי יוסף בן משה by one of my closest talmidim You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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Equality, Expectations & Political Parties
04/20/2026
Equality, Expectations & Political Parties
In this week’s episode, we look at how the concept of legal equality has deeply affected the way people view the world. We also look at how the attempts to implement legal equality with limits of governmental power have affected society. We similarly examine how and why political parties have risen and become such a deep part of our world. You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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The Crisis of the Judenrate and Morality in the Holocaust
04/13/2026
The Crisis of the Judenrate and Morality in the Holocaust
In this week’s episode, we look at one of the most difficult aspects of the Holocaust, the Judenrate and their task of carrying out the rules the Germans gave them. Should they be considered collaborators? We also discuss the deep and difficult moral crises that Judenrate faced in the Holocaust. You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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Pesach & Emuna Solutions
04/05/2026
Pesach & Emuna Solutions
In this episode, we continue to look at the challenge of Emuna in the contemporary world. We also look at the classic response and how well that works in our times. We also carefully examine the order of the steps in building Emuna in our times and how to synthesize this with the classic approach of the Ramban in the end of Bo. This is a link to the structural outline of Shir HaShirim : This is a link to the Shir HaShirim and Yeshaya shiurim : Shir HaShirim: Yeshaya : You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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Pesach & Steps in Emuna
03/26/2026
Pesach & Steps in Emuna
In this episode, we look at the connection between Pesach and Emuna. We carefully examine why Emuna is and how we relate and use the term today. We similarly examine the basic challenge of Emuna we face in our times. Similarly, we look at the ideal of Emuna and how to come to a realistic appraisal of why we can do to improve our Emuna. You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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Iran War Lessons II: Is this Gog u’Magog?
03/18/2026
Iran War Lessons II: Is this Gog u’Magog?
In this episode, we take a deeper look at the ramifications of Theological motivations and why most people today don’t properly understand them. We also look at how the broadening of the Iranian attacks will deeply complicate the situation. We examine the claim of many that this war is connected to the War of Gog. What is the basic structure of the War of Gog? Does this war fit into that in any way? You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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Iran War ‘26
03/12/2026
Iran War ‘26
In this week’s episode, we look at the latest war with Iran. We start by examining the limits of air strikes. What can air strikes accomplish? How much effect will an air campaign have? What are the chances that an air campaign will cause the Islamic Republic to fall? We similarly examine governmental structure of the Islamic Republic. How will this effect the events? What lessons can we learn from these events? You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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R' Menashe of Iliya and the Vilna Gaon
03/05/2026
R' Menashe of Iliya and the Vilna Gaon
In this week’s episode, we more carefully examine R' Menashe of Iliya’s interactions with the Vilna Gaon. We see how R' Menashe of Iliya was able to deeply appreciate the Vilna Gaon’s depth of understanding all parts of Torah. We also start looking at what R' Menashe of Iliya’s ideas were to resolve the crisis of population growth and poverty. You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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R Menashe of Iliya, the Vilna Gaon, and the Besht
02/26/2026
R Menashe of Iliya, the Vilna Gaon, and the Besht
In this week’s episode we look at the significance of R Menashe of Iliya’s connection with the Vilna Gaon. What was the Vilna Gaon’s approach to teaching talmidim? Was this the standard practice? We also look at certain similarities between R Menashe of Iliya and the Besht. This week’s episode is dedicated לרפואה השלימה לשרה פעשא בת יפה אסתר by her family and לעילוי נשמת חיה בת ר’ אלכסנדער You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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Opposition to The Mussar Movement and R Menashe of Iliya as a Talmid of the Gra
02/18/2026
Opposition to The Mussar Movement and R Menashe of Iliya as a Talmid of the Gra
In this week’s episode, we look at the opposition to the Mussar Movement. What type of opposition was there initially, was this connected to the issue of Yeshiva curriculum? We also look at the issue of R Menashe of Iliya as a talmid of the Vilna Gaon. Why would one think he was a talmid of the Vilna Gaon? Why would one think he in fact wasn’t? This week’s episode is dedicated לעילוי נשמת קלמן נפתלי בן יעקב You can now help Rabbi Wittenstien create new and original content via our non profit ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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R Menashe of Iliya - His Second Marriage and His Talmidim
02/11/2026
R Menashe of Iliya - His Second Marriage and His Talmidim
In this week’s episode, we look at the details of R Menashe of Iliya’s second marriage. We also look at how he reacted to his father in law’s loss of fortune, and how this effected his life. We also look at some of his most important talmidim and what this tells us about him. This week’s episode is dedicated לרפואה השלימה לשרה פעשא בת יפה אסתר by her family. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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Romema Day Care Tragedy
02/05/2026
Romema Day Care Tragedy
In this week’s episode, we look at the recent tragedy in Romema where two children died in a day care. What concerning patterns did we see in the reaction to this event? What fundamental mistakes were made in the way things were handled? There is exciting news!! I have opened a non profit called, ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. You can now help me continue to create new and original content. Zelle: Credit Card: The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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R Menashe of Iliya - His Reputation and His Second Marriage
01/29/2026
R Menashe of Iliya - His Reputation and His Second Marriage
In this week’s episode, we look at how R Menashe of Iliya’s reputation was seen by the Gedolai Lita as we can see from careful reading of the Haskomos. We also look at the issue of when one should respond to outside ideas. We also look at his second marriage and how it differed in many ways from his first marriage, and we similarly see how he coped with significant difficulties. There is exciting news!! I have opened a non profit called, ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. You can now help me continue to create new and original content. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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R Menashe Iliya vs Moses Mendelssohn
01/25/2026
R Menashe Iliya vs Moses Mendelssohn
In this episode we continue looking at some of Plungian’s stories about R Menashe of Iliya. We specifically look at his claim that R Menashe wanted to travel to Berlin to study with Mendelsohn, but wasn’t able to due to passport issues. We also start looking at his great grandson, R Yitzchok Spalter’s biographical sketch. We look at his first marriage and divorce. This week’s episode is dedicated לעילוי נשמת שלמה בן פנחס by the family There is exciting news!! We have opened a non profit called, ‘The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation’. You can now help us continue to create new and original content. Zelle : Credit Card : The Jewish History and Tanach Foundation is a registered 501-3c. EIN : 33-485 5627 Donor’s Fund account number: 2642025 Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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R Menashe of Iliya - The Plungian Challenge
01/14/2026
R Menashe of Iliya - The Plungian Challenge
In this episode, we look at the basic challenge due to the biography of R Menashe written by Mordechai Plungian. How much credence should one give to the Plungian biography? What was R Matisyahu Shtrason’s reaction? Why is this so significant? What basic rule can we learn about the Vilna Gaon’s approach to learning that will shed light on this issue? Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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R Menashe of Iliya - His Background
01/08/2026
R Menashe of Iliya - His Background
In this episode, we continue to look at the cultural milieu of the Lithuanian Talmidai Chochomim. How much of the contemporary European thought were they aware of? We look at R Menashe of Iliya’s early life and background. Where was he from? Which other famous people were from his home town of Smargon? What does this teach us about his life? We also start looking at the complications due to the fact that his original biographer, Mordechai Plungian, was one of the Maskilim of Vilna. Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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The Communal Crisis of Polish Jewry
01/01/2026
The Communal Crisis of Polish Jewry
In this episode we look at the basic communal tensions that existed in the Polish Lithuanian Jewish Community during the 1700’s. What were the main causes of these tensions? What were the main factors in determining communal leadership? Did these natural tensions contribute to the challenge of determining practical leadership? Nach Yomi: Join R' Wittenstein’s Nach Yomi on WhatsApp. We learn a perek a day five days a week, with a nine minute shiur covering the key issues. Click to join! For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com PRODUCED BY:
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