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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22 Apr
The Holocaust - Morality & Motivation
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the historical and philosophical underpinnings of the Holocaust, critically examining the motivations of those involved in its perpetration. He delves into the history of anti-Semitic discourse in Germany and analyzes the disturbing parallels in contemporary discussions on violence and societal devaluation of human life.
18 Apr
The Contemporary Crisis of Freedom
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the concept of freedom from both a Torah perspective and a contemporary context, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by bureaucratic expansion and societal expectations in modern governance. He underscores the need for a stable government, contrasting the Torah's understanding of freedom with the secular world's focus on human rights and equality.
10 Apr
Pesach - Freedom
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the concept of freedom in the context of Pesach, focusing on matzah as a symbol of liberation despite its association with poverty. He delves into philosophical perspectives on freedom and the complexities introduced by the Maharal's explanation, contrasting ideal freedom with societal obligations.
3 Apr
WZO Elections Controversy
The episode explores the controversy surrounding participation in the World Zionist Organization (WZO) elections within the American Yeshiva world, examining the halachic and historical contexts of this debate. Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein discusses the halachic implications, community dynamics, and varying viewpoints on whether voting constitutes a compromise of Jewish principles.
27 Mar
Parsha Problems
The episode delves into the variations within the Parsha system across different versions of the Tanakh and the historical controversy over writing systems for Nevi'im, emphasizing why Nevi'im was the focus of so much debate. Additionally, it explores the significance of repetitive phrases in the Tanakh, using Shir Hashirim as an example to illustrate these concepts within biblical texts.
20 Mar
Parsha Flow: Parsha to Parsha Flow
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein discusses the importance of understanding Parsha flow and how the interconnection between different Parshas can elucidate complex elements within them. He explores the significance of contextual and thematic storytelling in both Torah and Nevi'im to enhance comprehension of Jewish texts.
13 Mar
Prophecy & Parsha
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein delves into the principles of prophecy and their relation to writing in the Tanach, examining how prophetic requirements inform our understanding of Tanach's composition. Additionally, he discusses Rashi's systematic approach to interpreting the Parsha and his method of integrating Midrash to clarify vague passages.
6 Mar
Rashi’s Parsha Approach
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein delves into Rashi's use of the parsha system in his commentaries, emphasizing its importance for understanding the Tanakh. He highlights the necessity of respecting traditional interpretations while acknowledging modern literary tools as secondary aids for deepening comprehension.
27 Feb
Parsha & Pshat
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein discusses the significance of the Parsha system as the organic division of the Tanakh, contrasting it with the chapter system created by English monks in the 1100s. The episode emphasizes how Rashi's use of the Parsha system influences the understanding of the text and explores the complexities of interpreting Torah portions.
20 Feb
Understanding Pshat
The episode explores the debate over whether Rashi's commentary on the Tanach is Pshat-based or Drush-based, emphasizing the importance of context in Torah interpretation and Rashi's unparalleled achievements in Jewish scholarship. The discussion highlights the connection between the Pshat perspective and the foundational tenets of Jewish belief, as well as the potential pitfalls of using purely Cartesian logic when studying Jewish texts.
13 Feb
Gaza Wars Lessons, The Passuk Focus & Parsha Concept
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores lessons from the Gaza War and delves into the intricacies of interpreting verses (pesukim) and sections (parshiot) of the Tanach. He explains the importance of understanding context, structure, and traditional punctuation to deeply grasp the meaning and intention of the biblical text.
6 Feb
The Rule of Pshat & Rashi
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the complexities of understanding Tanakhic Hebrew, emphasizing the importance of knowing precise meanings of words in biblical exegesis. The episode delves into why Rashi penned an introduction to Shir HaShirim and not to other works like Kohelet.
30 Jan
Academia & Midrashim: First Rule of Pshat
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein examines the complex relationship between academic interpretations and traditional Jewish approaches to Midrashim and Tanakh study. He emphasizes the foundational role of scholars like Rashi and Ramban in understanding the literal meanings of biblical texts and critiques the simplistic interpretations often found in academic circles.
23 Jan
The Gaza Ceasefire
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein examines Israel's recent ceasefire with Hamas, questioning the agreement's efficacy and the challenges involved in achieving a military solution. He critiques Israeli leadership, particularly former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the situation, while discussing the historical and political complexities underlying the Gaza conflict.
16 Jan
Carter’s Israeli Admirers + Midrash and Mesora
Yoram Dori's veneration of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter as Israel's best ally is criticized, suggesting that Carter couldn't fully grasp his own achievements' significance. The discussion transitions to the complexities of understanding Midrashim and Mesora, emphasizing when interpretations become unquestionable traditions.
9 Jan
Jimmy Carter’s Mixed Legacy
The podcast explores Jimmy Carter’s presidency, emphasizing his role in the Camp David Peace Accords and assessing his overall leadership style as both a governor and president. Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein evaluates Carter's mixed legacy and discusses how his post-presidency actions stemmed from both political naivety and genuine benevolence, painting a complex picture of Carter’s influence on the Jewish community and world politics.
2 Jan
Rationalism, Pshat, & Mesorah
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the nuances of Pshat (the simple explanation of biblical texts), its connections to rationalism, and the nature of Mesorah (tradition) in Jewish thought. He delves into historical interpretations and examines how understanding Midrash involves discerning when they convey absolute tradition versus interpretative insight.
25 Dec 2024
Nach in the Haredi World
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein discusses the hesitance of the Haredi world to engage with the plain meaning (pshat) of biblical narratives (Tanakh), attributing this to a reaction against the Jewish Enlightenment and its emphasis on basic textual understanding. He explores the tension between literal and midrashic interpretations, using stories from Tanakh, such as King David and Bathsheba, to illustrate the intricate relationship between text and tradition.
19 Dec 2024
Balancing Midrash with Pshat
Rabbi Wittenstein delves into the historical and interpretive tensions between Midrashim and the plain meaning (pshat) of biblical texts, examining Rashi's dedication to pshat and the significance of recent Israeli developments concerning Syria. He also explores how Midrashic interpretations align with traditional scholarship and prophecy, such as the influence of Israeli advances in regional geopolitics and longstanding interpretations about the future borders of Jerusalem.
11 Dec 2024
Fall of Assad : Perspectives and Lessons
Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the fall of Bashar al-Assad, highlighting its implications for Israel and the broader geopolitical landscape. He also connects these events to Jewish history and religious reflection, urging a thoughtful and informed approach to such complex matters.