Collected Talks of David Solomon

In this Jewish History lecture given for the fast of Tisha B'Av, David examines Jewish discussions on the death of Titus, the Roman general who presided over the siege in Jerusalem which led to destruction of the Second Temple. Unsurprisingly, many Jewish commentators throughout history have painted Titus, who followed his father into the role … Continue reading "#118 Why Titus Should Have Worn a Mask" The post #118 Why Titus Should Have Worn a Mask first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #107 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (2) #68 Great Battles of Jewish History (Part Three) Tisha B'Av – Why Titus should have worn a mask

In this talk, David examines the question: Which books of Kabbalah should a person have when building a Jewish library? He also speaks for the first time publicly about completing the first-ever full English translation of the cornerstone kabbalistic text, Tiqqunei HaZohar. David begins his presentation with a broad overview of the foundational texts required … Continue reading "#117 Kabbalah on the Jewish Bookshelf" The post #117 Kabbalah on the Jewish Bookshelf first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #104 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (3) #103 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (2) #28 Kabbalah ‘in one hour'

This talk, a siyum on the Talmudic Tractate of Sotah, was a (pre) Tikkun Leil presentation David delivered online on the eve of Shavuot in 2020 due to COVID restrictions preventing traditional in-person learning on the first night of the festival. The talk includes an exploration of the: historical background to the development of the … Continue reading "#116 Torah & Text in an Age of Turmoil" The post #116 Torah & Text in an Age of Turmoil first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #106 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (1) #100 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (3) #96 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (3)

This final part of David's Jewish History overview series explores the biblical period, from Avraham to the Jewish return to Zion after the Babylonian exile. The talk covers: the patriarchs and matriarchs the Egyptian exile and the going out of Egypt the settling of the land and the period of the judges the period of … Continue reading "#115 Jewish History in Six Chapters (6)" The post #115 Jewish History in Six Chapters (6) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #92 The Twelve Minor Prophets (3) #89 The Historical Story of Tanach #71 A Prophetic Revolution In One Hour

This lecture explores the past 500 years of Jewish History, from approximately 1500 to today. In this talk, David examines each century in detail, looking at: Sixteenth Century –  Johannes Reuchlin The printing of the Talmud  Shlomo Molcho and David HaReuveni Yosef Karo Moshe Isserles Azariah de Rossi Donna Gracia  Suleiman the Magnificent and the land … Continue reading "#114 Jewish History in Six Chapter (5)" The post #114 Jewish History in Six Chapter (5) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #112 Jewish History in Six Chapters (3) #111 Jewish History in Six Chapters (2) #110 Jewish History in Six Chapters (1)

The fourth lecture in David's overview series of Jewish history examines the years 1000 to 1500, known as the period of the Rishonim. The talk explores the complex and sometimes contradictory experiences of different Jewish populations over these centuries, their lives and safety often dependent on their location, rulers, and the whim of history. In … Continue reading "#113 Jewish History in Six Chapters (4)" The post #113 Jewish History in Six Chapters (4) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #108 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (3) #10 From the Rambam to the Zohar: Jewish History of the 12th & 13th Centuries (Part 4: 1250-1300) #7 From the Rambam to the Zohar: Jewish History of the 12th & 13th Centuries (Part 1: 1100-1150)

This third instalment of David's overview series of Jewish History explores the years between 500 and 1000 CE, known as the period of the Geonim. In this talk, David discusses: · The geonim, including who they were and the significance of their spiritual authority  · The political leadership of the Reish Galuta · The great … Continue reading "#112 Jewish History in Six Chapters (3)" The post #112 Jewish History in Six Chapters (3) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #111 Jewish History in Six Chapters (2) #33 The Geonic Period: Jewish History of the 6th to 10th Centuries (part 3) #31 The Geonic Period: Jewish History of the 6th to 10th Centuries (part 1)

This Jewish History lecture is the second talk from David Solomon's six-part overview series. The lecture examines the first five hundred years of the common era (0 to the year 500 or 3760 to 4260 in the traditional Hebraic calendar), known in Jewish History as The Talmudic Period. This period covers the destruction of the Temple … Continue reading "#111 Jewish History in Six Chapters (2)" The post #111 Jewish History in Six Chapters (2) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #73 Women in Jewish History: the Second Temple Period #36 Chazal in the Age of Empires: An Overview of the Talmudic Period (part 3) #35 Chazal in the Age of Empires: An Overview of the Talmudic Period (part 2)

This Jewish History lecture examines the Second Temple Period (Bayit Sheini), which spans from approximately the year -500 (or 500 BCE) to the theoretical year 0 (3260 to 3760 in the traditional Hebraic calendar). The period is divisible into four distinct phases, named after whichever political power was in control of the Jewish People in the Land … Continue reading "Jewish History in Six Chapters (1)" The post Jewish History in Six Chapters (1) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #93 The Twelve Minor Prophets (4) #73 Women in Jewish History: the Second Temple Period #47 Two Temples (part 3)

New episodes will resume in February 2022. In the final part of this series, David explores messiahs of the modern period of Jewish history and the dangers of mystical attempts to bring about redemption. Among the figures David discusses are: Yosef Della Reina Rabbi Avraham ben Eliezer ha-Levi Shlomo Molcho and David haReuveni Asher Lemlein … Continue reading "#109 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (4)" The post #109 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (4) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #108 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (3) #107 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (2) #106 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (1)

Messiahs of the post-Talmudic period to the Renaissance are the subjects of the third lecture in David's series “The Messianic Idea in Jewish History.” David discusses: The emergence of ‘the Midrashic Messiah' The concept of the false messiah The disappointment of Bar Kokhba  The influence of Islam on the messianic idea Spiritual messianism The impact … Continue reading "#108 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (3)" The post #108 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (3) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #107 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (2) #106 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (1) #58 How to Convert the Pope: Successful and Failed Attempts to Bring the Messiah

Fervent messianism in the land of Israel in the first century CE is the focus of this lecture, the second in David's series “The Messianic Idea in Jewish History.” In the latter years of the second temple in Jerusalem, the atmosphere was rich with apocalyptic eschatology. As a result, several people emerged contending to be … Continue reading "#107 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (2)" The post #107 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (2) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #106 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (1) #101 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (4) #96 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (3)

In this new four-part lecture series, David discusses how the concept of the messiah emerges in Jewish History, beginning with the biblical period. This first lecture examines the appearance of the messianic idea in Tanach, charting its metamorphosis towards a universal application. David explores the development of the Jewish messianic picture throughout the books of … Continue reading "#106 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (1)" The post #106 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (1) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #107 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (2) #92 The Twelve Minor Prophets (3) #71 A Prophetic Revolution In One Hour

David examines major works and ideas in Kabbalah over the past five centuries in this final part of his lecture series, A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time. The talk explores the contributions of: The GR”A, the Vilna Gaon Rabbi Chaim Luzzatto, the Ramchal Rabbi Naphtali Bacharach. It also discusses the ideas of the following rabbis: Israel … Continue reading "#105 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (4)" The post #105 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (4) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #104 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (3) #103 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (2) #40 A History of Mystical Encounters (part 4)

Two towering kabbalistic figures of the 16th century are examined in this third part of David's lecture series, A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time. David explores the ideas of Rabbi Moshe (Moses) Cordovero (the RaMaQ) and Rabbi Yitzchak (Isaac) Luria (the AR”Y), whose contributions to Kabbalah – both emerging in late 1500s in the town of … Continue reading "#104 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (3)" The post #104 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (3) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #103 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (2) #59 Kabbalah: History & Ideas Since the Ari (Part One – Revelation & Concealment) #40 A History of Mystical Encounters (part 4)

“The Zohar is not a book but a phenomenon.” David's second lecture in his series, A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time, explores the extraordinary ideas and contributions of the: Zohar, Tikkunei HaZohar, and Sefer ha-Temunah. In his discussion of the Zohar, David examines its dynamic interpretation of the Torah and how it applies this interpretation to … Continue reading "#103 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (2)" The post #103 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (2) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #102 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (1) #40 A History of Mystical Encounters (part 4) #28 Kabbalah ‘in one hour'

David provides a remarkable historical overview of the origins of Kabbalah through the emergence of its early fundamental texts. The series explores numerous questions regarding the development of Kabbalah: What are the key kabbalistic books to have shaped our understanding of Jewish mysticism? When did they appear? And what were the profound ideas they contributed … Continue reading "#102 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (1)" The post #102 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (1) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #80 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (2) #78 Passover Revelations #40 A History of Mystical Encounters (part 4)

This final part in David's four-part Zoom series in the lead-up to Yom Kippur, The Power of Challenge, the Challenge of Teshuva, looks at the issue of repentance and forgiveness within community. David examines three fascinating and, at times, heartbreaking stories from Jewish History of people who have: accepted their mistakes, sought communal acceptance of … Continue reading "#101 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (4)" The post #101 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (4) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #100 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (3) #99 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (2) #98 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (1)

This third lecture in David's Zoom series, The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva, different ways the Talmud discusses the concept of teshuva. David explores three illustrative episodes from Tanach and the Talmudic period identified by the sages as: Examples that teach the importance of teshuva Halachic guidance in the process of seeking – … Continue reading "#100 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (3)" The post #100 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (3) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #99 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (2) #98 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (1) #97 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (4)

Part two of David's Zoom series, The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva, looks at the idea of individual and collective teshuvah in Tanach. The lecture examines the story of the prophet Jonah and the teshuvah of the city of Nineveh. David explores different views around the city's repentance and its connection to the … Continue reading "#99 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (2)" The post #99 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (2) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #98 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (1) #56 The Power of Teshuva #55 The Prophets: The Twelve ‘Minor' Prophets

he first episode of David's Elul Zoom lecture series, The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva, considers early biblical figures whose individual examples of teshuva illustrate a range of human responses to this powerful idea of self-investigation, repentance, and remorse. David examines four biblical stories, those of: Cain Avimelech King Saul King David each … Continue reading "#98 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (1)" The post #98 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (1) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #71 A Prophetic Revolution In One Hour #56 The Power of Teshuva #11 Moments of Teshuva (Repentance) in Jewish History

This final episode of David's four-part series entitled Unorthodox Episodes of the Talmud explores the idea of the evil inclination – the yetzer harah – with a particular focus on problems relating to sexual temptation. David explains that sages of the Talmud discussed how few things are as powerful as the desire for intimacy. This … Continue reading "#97 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (4)" The post #97 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (4) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #96 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (3) #95 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (2) #94 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (1)

The third part of David's series, Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud, explores a fascinating series of interconnected stories involving: a high-level international diplomatic mission,  undercover rabbinical espionage, a cast of remarkable Talmudic rabbinical figures, parental concern, a curious question of Jewish law, the mystical powers of the rabbis,  a sighting of looted treasures from the … Continue reading "#96 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (3)" The post #96 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (3) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #95 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (2) #94 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (1) Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud

Part two of David's Zoom series, Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud, mixes Jewish history with textual learning and fascinating storytelling. The talk continues the story begun in the previous episode regarding Rav Kahana, a third-century sage who fled Babylonian authorities to find refuge in the Land of Israel following a violent confrontation in a rabbinical court. … Continue reading "#95 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (2)" The post #95 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (2) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #94 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (1) Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud #36 Chazal in the Age of Empires: An Overview of the Talmudic Period (part 3)

In this Zoom lecture series, David explores several fascinating episodes described in the Talmud. This first lecture in the series discusses an unusual Talmudic incident involving disloyalty, self-righteousness, contempt, justice, death, restitution, escape, and consequences. As with many stories from the Talmud, this incident is set during a time known as the Amoraic period – … Continue reading "#94 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (1)" The post #94 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (1) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud #36 Chazal in the Age of Empires: An Overview of the Talmudic Period (part 3) #35 Chazal in the Age of Empires: An Overview of the Talmudic Period (part 2)

In the final lecture in his series on the twelve ‘minor' prophets of Israel, the Trei Asar, David examines the prophets who lived during the period after Israel's return to Zion, following the Babylonian exile, namely: Hagai Zechariah Malachi. With their unique post-exilic messages, these three prophets addressed the concerns of a population grappling with … Continue reading "#93 The Twelve Minor Prophets (4)" The post #93 The Twelve Minor Prophets (4) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #92 The Twelve Minor Prophets (3) #90 The Twelve Minor Prophets (1) #55 The Prophets: The Twelve ‘Minor' Prophets

Part three of David's lecture series on the Trei Asar, the twelve ‘minor' prophets of Israel, examines the texts and themes of: Nachum, Habakkuk, and Tzephaniah. While these three books are short in length, David explains the importance of each, their place in the prophetic continuum, and how they sit in relation to significant moments … Continue reading "#92 The Twelve Minor Prophets (3)" The post #92 The Twelve Minor Prophets (3) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #90 The Twelve Minor Prophets (1) #71 A Prophetic Revolution In One Hour #55 The Prophets: The Twelve ‘Minor' Prophets

This second instalment of David's series on the Trei Asar, the twelve “minor” prophets, explores the lives and books of: Ovadiah (Obadiah), Yonah (Jonah), and Michah. David examines the historical contexts of all three prophets and how they are reflected in the texts. He also discusses the key themes in these three prophetic books, including: … Continue reading "#91 The Twelve Minor Prophets (2)" The post #91 The Twelve Minor Prophets (2) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #90 The Twelve Minor Prophets (1) #71 A Prophetic Revolution In One Hour #55 The Prophets: The Twelve ‘Minor' Prophets

This first lecture in David's four-part series on the Trei Asar, the twelve minor prophets, explores how these remarkable biblical figures transformed the idea of religious practice – in particular, the way in which nations and individuals should worship a divine entity that cannot be seen. In this talk, David examines the lives and messages … Continue reading "#90 The Twelve Minor Prophets (1)" The post #90 The Twelve Minor Prophets (1) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #71 A Prophetic Revolution In One Hour #55 The Prophets: The Twelve ‘Minor' Prophets #53 The Prophets: Jeremiah

 In this Jewish History lecture, David follows the chronological narrative of the Tanach (Hebrew Bible), outlining the key figures and events of the biblical period, including: the patriarchs and matriarchs the Egyptian exile and the going out of Egypt the settling of the land and the period of the judges the period of the kings … Continue reading "#89 The Historical Story of Tanach" The post #89 The Historical Story of Tanach first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #71 A Prophetic Revolution In One Hour #53 The Prophets: Jeremiah #5 Players upon Thrones: Kings and Queens of Israel part 5

In this fascinating lecture, David explores the timeline of Jewish History in search of a period that most resembles the current situation for the Jewish people. Roving from biblical times to an era commonly referred to as the Dark Ages, David analyses the situation of the Jewish people during six distinct historical moments. As part … Continue reading "#88 Which Period of Jewish History is Most Similar to Our Own?" The post #88 Which Period of Jewish History is Most Similar to Our Own? first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #73 Women in Jewish History: the Second Temple Period #71 A Prophetic Revolution In One Hour #19 Visionaries, Reformers and Agitators – the Rise of the Prophets of Israel (part 4)

In this Jewish History lecture, David explores the lives, contributions, and circumstances of 14 women from Tanach: Rachav Devorah Yael Bat Yiphtach Pilegesh Bagiv'ah Ruth Channah Michal Abigail Bat Sheva Jezebel Ataliah Yehosheva Chuldah Among their numbers were: queens prophets judges politicians as well as women who were distinguished for their faith, integrity, loyalty, courage, and … Continue reading "#87 Women in Jewish History: the Biblical Period" The post #87 Women in Jewish History: the Biblical Period first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #73 Women in Jewish History: the Second Temple Period #71 A Prophetic Revolution In One Hour #66 Great Battles of Jewish History (Part 1)

In this final installment of his eight-part lecture series on Jewish Philosophy, David Solomon explores the philosophical contributions of six remarkable Jewish figures from the twentieth century: Rav Kook The Nazir Emmanuel Levinas Rabbi Joseph Ber Soloveitchik Yeshayah Leibovitz Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Watch the Zoom lecture here https://youtu.be/FQwN1_NKPOY In addition to outlining the philosophical ideas … Continue reading "#86 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (8)" The post #86 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (8) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #84 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (6) #83 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (5) #81 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (3)

In this Jewish Philosophy lecture, David explores the ideas and contributions of four philosophers: Nachman Krochmal Hermann Cohen Franz Rosenzweig, and Martin Buber    who lived from the late 18th to early 20th centuries. This post-Enlightenment period saw a movement from reason to existentialism, influenced by Kierkegaard, Kant, and Hegel. David's examination of these Jewish … Continue reading "#85 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (7)" The post #85 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (7) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #84 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (6) #83 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (5) #82 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (4)

The sixth instalment of David's Jewish Philosophy lecture series considers two renowned, sometimes controversial, philosophers living during the Enlightenment: Baruch Spinoza, and Moses Mendelssohn. Watch the lecture here: https://youtu.be/IC_bZTM55yA In the first part of this Zoom lecture, David examines the ideas and impact of Baruch Spinoza, including the ultimate cause of his excommunication from the … Continue reading "#84 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (6)" The post #84 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (6) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #83 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (5) #82 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (4) #81 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (3)

In this fifth instalment of his Jewish Philosophy lecture series, David explores two significant Jewish thinkers living in Spain in the 14th and 15th centuries: Hasdai Crescas Yosef Albo. Watch the lecture here: https://youtu.be/uZ0C8w28boc He examines the philosophical contributions of Hasdai Crescas, including his ideas on: Divine knowledge replaced by Divine love Divine omniscience, providence, … Continue reading "#83 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (5)" The post #83 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (5) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #82 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (4) #81 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (3) #80 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (2)

The fourth part of David's Jewish Philosophy lecture series considers three giants of Jewish thought from the Medieval Period: Maimonides, the Rambam Avraham ibn Daud Rabbi Levu ben Gershon, also known as the Ralbag. David explores the centrality of Aristotelianism for these thinkers as well as the influence of Islamic culture on Western theology and … Continue reading "#82 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (4)" The post #82 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (4) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #81 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (3) #80 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (2) #79 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (1)

This Jewish Philosophy lecture explores the emergence of Neoplatonism in Jewish philosophical thinking. David examines the ideas and works of three Jewish philosophers living during the later years of the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry: Shlomo Ibn Gabirol Baḥya ibn Paquda Yehudah haLevi. Going in-depth into the contributions of Shlomo Ibn Gabirol, David discusses: Keter … Continue reading "#81 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (3)" The post #81 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (3) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #80 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (2) #79 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (1) #76 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (3)

This talk is the second instalment of David's Jewish Philosophy series. In this episode, David examines the philosophical ideas and innovations of a towering figure of the early Middle Ages, Sa'adya ibn Yusuf al-Fayumi, commonly known as Sa'adya Gaon. Watch the lecture here. He discusses Sa'adya Gaon's exploration of: – Reason and revelation, including sources … Continue reading "#80 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (2)" The post #80 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (2) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #79 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (1) #78 Passover Revelations #76 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (3)

This podcast episode launches David's eight-part series on Jewish Philosophy. In this first lecture, David explores the earliest Jewish responses to the ancient Greek philosophers. Beginning by providing a summary of the early Greek philosophers, David defines Jewish Philosophy and how it fits within the overriding framework of Judaism.  Watch the lecture here. He … Continue reading "#79 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (1)" The post #79 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (1) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #76 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (3) # 70 From Exile in Paradise to Redemption in Hell: Jews and Judaism in Germany – past, present and future #24 Dinkum Diaspora: Highlights of Australian Jewish History (part 2)

The mystical interpretation of the festival of Passover (Pesach) is the focus of David’s latest podcast episode, a concentrated Kabbalah lecture delivered this week during chol hamoed Pesach. Kabbalistically, Pesach marks the birth of a nation, following its liberation from slavery. But it also represents the beginnings of the creative project of the people of … Continue reading "#78 Passover Revelations" The post #78 Passover Revelations first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #61 Kabbalah – History & Ideas Since the Ari (Part 3) #59 Kabbalah: History & Ideas Since the Ari (Part One – Revelation & Concealment) #40 A History of Mystical Encounters (part 4)

Although many of the remarkable developments in 18th-century Jewish life were set within the boundaries of Europe and Ashkenazi Jewry, so much was happening beyond this region. In this fascinating podcast episode, David explores some of the most remarkable events, personalities, and contributions of Jews in the Sephardic communities of the 1700s, centred in the: … Continue reading "#77 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (4)" The post #77 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (4) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #76 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (3) #75 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (2) #74 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (1)

In this podcast episode, David examines a phase in 18th century Jewish history that he calls the ‘zenith of rabbinics’ for its extraordinary collection of learned rabbis. Among this ensemble of remarkable figures, one man towered over the rest – Elijah, the Vilna Gaon. The Gra, as the Gaon of Vilna was also known, was … Continue reading "#76 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (3)" The post #76 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (3) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #75 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (2) #74 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (1) # 70 From Exile in Paradise to Redemption in Hell: Jews and Judaism in Germany – past, present and future

This week David examines the beginnings of Chassidism, one of the most influential Jewish spiritual movements to emerge in the modern Jewish world. He discusses key individuals who launched – and developed – this extraordinary revolution and explores the central ideas and contributions of Chassidism to Jewish history, practice, religion, and life. As part of this … Continue reading "#75 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (2)" The post #75 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (2) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #74 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (1) #72 The Century of the Jewish Doctor #61 Kabbalah – History & Ideas Since the Ari (Part 3)

In this Jewish history lecture, David explores the early years of the 18th century, heavily overshadowed by two significant and difficult events of the 1600s – the cataclysm of the Khmelnytsky Massacres and the enormous reverberations of disappointment that followed the false messiah, Shabtai Tzvi. He discusses Jewish communities of importance in the 1700s – … Continue reading "#74 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (1)" The post #74 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (1) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #60 Kabbalah – History & Ideas Since the Ari (Part 2) #43 Communities in Search of Meaning: Jewish History of the 17th Century (part 3) #42 Communities in Search of Meaning: Jewish History of the 17th Century (part 2)

In this absorbing Jewish history lecture, David examines the stories and contributions of nine remarkable, often powerful, Jewish women from the period of the second temple in Jerusalem, including: Queen Esther Judith (Yehudit) Hannah and her seven sons Hannah Maccabee Queen Salome (Shlomtzion) Queen Miriam Queen Mariamne Berenice Drusilla. David also explains how the changing … Continue reading "#73 Women in Jewish History: the Second Temple Period" The post #73 Women in Jewish History: the Second Temple Period first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #68 Great Battles of Jewish History (Part Three) #50 Women in Jewish History: 18th to 20th Centuries #48 Two Temples (part 4)

For centuries, Jewish communities were known for producing doctors of the highest order. Even in the most profound climates of anti-semitism, kings and nobles sought the care of Jewish physicians. In this podcast episode, David examines the period he refers to as the “century of the Jewish doctor” for its examples of remarkable figures who … Continue reading "#72 The Century of the Jewish Doctor" The post #72 The Century of the Jewish Doctor first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #68 Great Battles of Jewish History (Part Three) #66 Great Battles of Jewish History (Part 1) #42 Communities in Search of Meaning: Jewish History of the 17th Century (part 2)

In the first millennia BCE, the prophets of Israel launched an unprecedented spiritual revolution, the impact of which has resonated throughout the ages and across the world. In this fascinating lecture, David presents an overview of the twelve ‘minor’ prophets of Israel. Although their messages contained profound insight, analysis, and inspiration, these prophets are known … Continue reading "#71 A Prophetic Revolution In One Hour" The post #71 A Prophetic Revolution In One Hour first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #55 The Prophets: The Twelve ‘Minor’ Prophets #53 The Prophets: Jeremiah #47 Two Temples (part 3)

Although the Holocaust looms large as the defining feature of Jewish life in Germany, it was not an isolated historical event for German Jews. The Shoa followed a long and tragic trail of massacres, pogroms, and persecutions. However, the historical relationship between the Jewish and German peoples consisted of more than bloodshed and hardship. As David … Continue reading "# 70 From Exile in Paradise to Redemption in Hell: Jews and Judaism in Germany – past, present and future" The post # 70 From Exile in Paradise to Redemption in Hell: Jews and Judaism in Germany – past, present and future first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #68 Great Battles of Jewish History (Part Three) #33 The Geonic Period: Jewish History of the 6th to 10th Centuries (part 3) #8 From the Rambam to the Zohar: Jewish History of the 12th & 13th Centuries (Part 2: 1150-1200)

In the 20th century, the Jewish people once again found themselves battling for survival and control of the land of Israel. In this podcast episode, the final part of this four-part series on Great Battles in Jewish History, David examines two military episodes from the past century – the Battle of Latrun in 1948 and … Continue reading "#69 Great Battles in Jewish History (Part Four)" The post #69 Great Battles in Jewish History (Part Four) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #68 Great Battles of Jewish History (Part Three) #67 Great Battles of Jewish History (Part Two) #66 Great Battles of Jewish History (Part 1)

Beginning in the year 66 CE, the Jewish Revolt in the land of Israel launched a decades-long conflict with the Roman Empire. In this podcast episode, David examines three Roman sieges of Judean fortified towns and cities, culminating in the devastation of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70CE. He describes the key characters during this … Continue reading "#68 Great Battles of Jewish History (Part Three)" The post #68 Great Battles of Jewish History (Part Three) first appeared on David Solomon. Related posts: #67 Great Battles of Jewish History (Part Two) #66 Great Battles of Jewish History (Part 1) #48 Two Temples (part 4)