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Miscellaneous

War of the Egyptian Firstborn... Rabbi Arrested for Pro-Settlement Activity... Biographies in brief... Miscellaneous Jewish history tidbits.

14 Jewish Spiritual Leaders Who Were Imprisoned
Learn about some of the Jewish leaders who were imprisoned throughout our history.
14 Fascinating Facts About Prague's Altneuschul
On the Historic "Old-New Synagogue"
Learn about one of the oldest functioning synagogues in the world.
10 Ladino Words to Learn and Use All the Time
You don’t need to be Sephardic!
14 Facts About the Code of Jewish Law (Shulchan Aruch)
Known in Hebrew as Shulchan Aruch (“Set Table”), the Code of Jewish Law lays out practical and concise instructions culled from the intricate web of Talmudic deliberation and rabbinic commentaries that come along with it.
What Is a Shtetl? The Jewish Town
The beginnings of shtetl life go back hundreds of years, to before the 17th century.
The History of Jewish Newport, Rhode Island
One of the oldest Jewish communities in North America
Rabbi Arrested
The year: 1798. The person: a leading figure in the newly-established Chassidic movement. The crime: supporting Jewish settlement in the land of Israel
Aramaic: the Yiddish of the Middle East
While nearly no Jews still speak it or a modern version of it, Aramaic is an important part of Jewish literary and liturgical tradition.
The Declining Jewish Languages
When languages die, whole cultures die with them, and communities lose their identity. Jewish languages are no different.
Will Ladino Rise Again?
Apart from a small group of enthusiasts and academics, the Jewish world has taken little notice of Ladino's demise. What is Ladino? Where is it from? Why is it important? And why is it ignored by the Jewish world?
Chabad Yeshivah Circa 1937
The early years of Tomchei Temimim, the central Chabad yeshivah
Short history of Yeshivah Tomchei Temimim.
What Is a Rabbi?
A Brief History of Rabbinic Ordination (Semicha)
Rabbi Yaakov Aizer Dubrow
A Pioneer of Chabad in the U.S.
Understanding the Asarah Harugay Malchut
One of the most moving narratives to emerge from our history of martyrdom is the account of the Ten Martyrs—the heart-rending narrative describing in graphic detail the deaths of 10 Mishnaic-era Torah luminaries who were slaughtered on the altar of senseless hatred.
The Dreyfus Affair
(1894–1906)
Despite the lack of hard evidence supporting his guilt, he was stripped of his military rank, sentenced to deportation, and caused to suffer tremendously—just because he was Jewish.
From Lubavitch to Shanghai: The History of Tomchei Temimim in 11 Images
Revisiting the Formative Decades of the Famous Chabad Yeshivah 120 Years Since its Establishment
21 Jewish Prophets Everyone Should Know
Our forebears were prophets. Later, prophets and prophetesses guided us, chided us and comforted us.
The Sanhedrin: The Jewish Court System
Let’s explore the Jewish court system, from the ancient Sanhedrin to modern-day rabbinical courts.
The 7 Prophetesses of Judaism
Our forebears were prophets. Later, prophets and prophetesses guided us, chided us and comforted us.
Who Were the Levites?
The Levites, descendants of Jacob’s son Levi, were selected to serve G‑d in the Holy Temple.
How Much Do You Know About Famous Rabbis?
Answer these 9 questions and see how much you know about great rabbis who shaped Jewish history
Six Juicy Russian Chassidic Expressions
A sample of local peasant culture can be found in certain phrases, often punchlines of poignant tales told by the Rebbes and chassidim, which have become part of everyday parlance.
11 Russian Chassidic Songs That Uplift the Soul and Enliven the Spirit
Russian, Belarussian, and Ukrainian peasants were a source for beloved songs, sometimes with Hebrew or Yiddish added.
7 Classic Chabad Songs of Sephardic Origin
There is a historical connection between the Chabad movement and the Sephardic world.
Haym Salomon: The Man Who Financed the American Revolution
A Jewish American Hero
Washington wrote to Robert Morris saying he would need $20,000 to finance the campaign. Morris responded that there was simply no money or even credit left. Washington simply wrote, “Send for Haym Salomon.”
6 English-Language Chabad Chassidic Songs
Six songs that bring the fire and fervor of Chassidism into the English language.
10 Songs in Jewish History
The Midrash tells us that there are 10 songs of praise (shirot) in the history of our people, culminating with the song of the Final Redemption.
17 Facts About Ashkenazi Jews
Rooted in France-Germany, Ashkenazim are the largest stream of Jewish people today, with unique customs, culture, language, and history.
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