Épisodes

  • Opposition to The Mussar Movement and R Menashe of Iliya as a Talmid of the Gra
    Feb 18 2026

    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 : jewishhistorytnchfoundation@gmail.com

    Credit Card : https://thechesedfund.com/thejewishhistoryandtanachfoundation/support-r-wittenstein-s-tanach-and-jewish-history-project

    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 here to join!

    For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com

    PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    53 min
  • R Menashe of Iliya - His Second Marriage and His Talmidim
    Feb 11 2026

    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 : jewishhistorytnchfoundation@gmail.com

    Credit Card : https://thechesedfund.com/thejewishhistoryandtanachfoundation/support-r-wittenstein-s-tanach-and-jewish-history-project

    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 here to join!

    For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com

    PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    53 min
  • Romema Day Care Tragedy
    Feb 5 2026

    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: jewishhistorytnchfoundation@gmail.com

    Credit Card: https://thechesedfund.com/thejewishhistoryandtanachfoundation/support-r-wittenstein-s-tanach-and-jewish-history-project

    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 here to join!

    For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com

    PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 1 min
  • R Menashe of Iliya - His Reputation and His Second Marriage
    Jan 29 2026

    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 : jewishhistorytnchfoundation@gmail.com

    Credit Card : https://thechesedfund.com/thejewishhistoryandtanachfoundation/support-r-wittenstein-s-tanach-and-jewish-history-project

    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 here to join!

    For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com

    PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 3 min
  • R Menashe Iliya vs Moses Mendelssohn
    Jan 25 2026

    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 : jewishhistorytnchfoundation@gmail.com

    Credit Card :

    https://thechesedfund.com/thejewishhistoryandtanachfoundation/support-r-wittenstein-s-tanach-and-jewish-history-project

    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 here to join!

    For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com

    PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    56 min
  • R Menashe of Iliya - The Plungian Challenge
    Jan 14 2026

    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 here to join!

    For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com

    PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    53 min
  • R Menashe of Iliya - His Background
    Jan 8 2026

    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 here to join!

    For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com

    PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    51 min
  • The Communal Crisis of Polish Jewry
    Jan 1 2026

    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 here to join!

    For tours, speaking engagements, or sponsorships contact us at jewishhistoryuncensored@gmail.com

    PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    52 min