Classes by Mordechai Dinerman

Throughout history, Jewish communities have thrived in diverse locales, each presenting unique agricultural schedules. While adhering to the prohibition against eating chadash proved feasible in some regions, in others, it posed significant obstacles to daily life. This class delves into the strategies employed by the Ashkenazi rishonim and the legendary Acharonim of Poland, exploring five approaches to justify non-compliance, particularly in circumstances where adherence would be exceptionally challenging. Grain Matters: Navigating the Chadash Predicament Across the Centuries

In 1759, a clandestine faction of Shabetai Tzvi’s followers in Poland committed a startling act: they collectively converted to Christianity while simultaneously accusing Jews of the age-old fabrication of using blood in matzah production. Despite the longstanding existence of the blood libel, this marked the first instance where the accusation was made by citing and distorting Talmudic and halachic sources. In this class, we examine the specific passages they employed and learn the response of the Jewish leadership during that era. As Ber of Bolochov, the chronicler of this event, emphasized, recording this narrative was essential to ensure that future generations would understand the suffering and trials of their ancestors and how it was notably worse when it emanated from within the Jewish community. The Frankist Blood Libel

The Kittsee Haggadah The library of Agudas Chasidei Chabad houses a remarkable manuscript crafted in 1760 by the talented scribe and artist Chaim ben Asher Anshel of Kittsee, near present-day Bratislava. We’ll trace the journey of this Haggadah from its creation to its acquisition by the Frierdiker Rebbe. Opening this manuscript, we’ll examine its layout, artwork, nusach, and style of nikud, seeking to uncover the influences that shaped Chaim ben Asher’s masterpiece through a comparative analysis with other Haggadahs of that period. To purchase a facsimile of the Kittzee Haggadah: https://store.kehotonline.com/prodinfo.asp?number=HP-HAGG.KITZEE To view it online, visit the following link and insert card number “1950”: https://chabadlibrary.org/catalog/index.php?catalog=mscatalog Additional Links: Kittzee Haggadah 1748, Gross Collection https://www.nli.org.il/en/discover/manuscripts/hebrew-manuscripts/viewerpage?vid=MANUSCRIPTS#d=[[PNX_MANUSCRIPTS990000632400205171-1,FL54685621 Kittzee Haggadah 1768, Hebrew Union College https://mss.huc.edu/phpviewer/index.php?path=MS_451 Kittzee Haggadah 1769, Jewish Museum London https://www.nli.org.il/en/discover/manuscripts/hebrew-manuscripts/viewerpage?vid=MANUSCRIPTS#d=[[PNX_MANUSCRIPTS990001792760205171-1,FL28179029 Kittzee Haggadah 1771, Hungarian Academy of Sciences https://www.nli.org.il/en/discover/manuscripts/hebrew-manuscripts/viewerpage?vid=MANUSCRIPTS#d=[[PNX_MANUSCRIPTS990001920270205171-1,FL59161404 Kittzee Haggadah 1772, JTS Library https://digitalcollections.jtsa.edu/islandora/object/jts%3A62343#page/41/mode/1up Amsterdam 1695 https://www.nli.org.il/en/books/NNL_ALEPH990013798840205171/NLI#modal-downloadModal Prague 1713 https://www.nli.org.il/en/books/NNL_ALEPH990013798850205171/NLI Offenbach 1721 https://www.hebrewbooks.org/4923 Frankfurt 1724 https://www.nli.org.il/en/books/NNL_ALEPH990010665310205171/NLI

In the year 1550, two non-Jewish printers published competing editions of Rambam’s Mishneh Torah. One of them partnered with an esteemed rabbi from Padua, who, in his quest for support, turned to Rabbi Moshe Isserlis. Rama’s response along with a careful examination of the printed volumes unveil the details of this dispute. Rama’s scholarly answer also sheds light on various areas of commercial Halachah as well as the Noahide laws. The Printers’ Clash: The Battle Over Rambam’s Mishneh Torah, Venice 1550

There have been tragic instances where Jewish women felt compelled to take drastic measures to save the lives of their fellow Jews. When rabbis were presented with these real-life cases, they turned to the story of Esther for inspiration and guidance. Seduction and Sacrifice: From the Purim Story to the Responsa Literature

Today, we explore enigmatic Megilahs, where the absence of the text eclipses the written word. We’ll learn that this peculiar phenomenon is just a fragment of a larger tendency reflected in the Geniza to produce incomplete texts. We shall unravel the motivations behind this practice, reminding us of the formidable challenges in reproducing sacred texts by scribal hand. Links: First Megilah image: https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-AS-00044-00005/1 Second Megilah image: https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-NS-00286-00043/1 Third Megilah image: https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-NS-00286-00043/1 First Chumash image https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-A-00043-00004/2 Second Chumash image: https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-A-00043-00013/2 First Tehilim image: https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-NS-00281-00131/2 Second Tehilim image: https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-AS-00039-00186/2 Final Megilah Image https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-AS-00041-00207/1 Scrolls, Scribes, and Shortcuts: An Incomplete Megilah in the Cairo Geniza

Tunisian Jews used to refer to Tanach with a very odd name, and few understood why. Fortunately, illuminated medieval Jewish manuscripts can help solve this mystery. They bring us back to the 14th century, where we find Rabbi Yitzchak ben Moshe Halevi fervently contending that there has been a neglect of studying Tanach and that this is akin to abandoning the sacred Beis Hamikdash. Lost Scrolls, Lost Souls: A Spanish Jew’s Plea to Rediscover Tanach | Favorite Episodes

When we examine medieval manuscripts that feature Aleinu, we uncover intriguing instances of censorship within this ancient prayer. What motivated these textual alterations, and can they be linked to a specific historical event? Delving into this subject unveils a significant episode from the year 1390, shedding light on the numerous amendments and erasures made to the text. These changes continue to influence various minhagim to the present day. Relevant links: Michael Machzor https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/b3f2d1d5-ff07-4a6e-87ea-281c41957925/surfaces/2df6a671-c677-4e7d-a5df-e722f28f4c60/# Esslingen Machzor https://digitalcollections.jtsa.edu/islandora/object/jts%3A2173#page/43/mode/1up Tripartite Machzor https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/9e481d9a-06e6-41e8-ae36-a58d445a1ffa/surfaces/f6ca5ba3-7c09-4b1f-a288-3d3c052e65e9/# Machzor from the Rhineland https://bibliophilly.library.upenn.edu/viewer.php?id=CAJS%20Rar%20Ms%20382#page/489/mode/1up Worms Machzor https://www.nli.org.il/he/manuscripts/NNL_ALEPH000044560/NLI?volumeItem=2#$FL21059450 The Scandalous History of Aleinu - New Episode

Favorite Episodes Are our dreams significant? Do they have predictive value? Should we pay heed to their warnings? The Talmud seems to offer contradictory teachings on this subject, and this will lead us toward two classic approaches to this matter. The Meaning of Dreaming: Talmudic Perspectives

Click here to view the class PowerPoint slides. Favorite Episodes | Initially released in July 2023. We are all acquainted with the renowned depiction of the menorah created by the Rambam. In this class, we dig into the story of this image. Where did it come from? Can we trust its accuracy? When was it discovered? Did later artists and copyists treat it as just a doodle or something more meaningful? Rambam’s Menorah: Insights from Ancient Hebrew Manuscripts

Favorite Episodes | Initially released in December 2022. We can learn about the public presence of women in a given society by examining how various rabbis understood the story of Dina. We’ll witness the difference between Ashkenazic and Sefardic commentaries, between the Tanchuma and Bereishis Rabah, and between Ashkenazic and Sefardic halachic norms. Between Ashkenaz and Sefard: Medieval Women, Biblical Dena, and the Public Square

In this episode, we explore the intriguing narrative of a Jew named Shlomo, also known as Fillipo, who found himself ensnared by the Inquisition in Venice during the 1580s. Raised as a Christian in Portugal during a period when Jews were prohibited from residing there, Shlomo’s journey took a profound turn when he embraced Judaism in Venice, a choice that carried substantial risks. His captivating story can be learned through the archives of the Venetian Inquisition but also through two rabbinic responsa. In the Dungeons of the Inquisition

We examine the tale of the heartless chicken that ignited lively discussion among rabbinic authorities in the year 1709. We introduce the pivotal figures in this intriguing narrative, examine the framing of the question, analyze the diverse range of answers proposed, and learn about the captivating research endeavors undertaken by these rabbis in their quest for a definitive solution. This engaging study about the interplay between science and tradition offers unique insights into the intellectual landscape of the time. The Heartless Chicken

In 1158, Rabbi Avraham ibn Ezra found himself disturbed by a provocative dream, which ultimately inspired him to author a treatise concerning the proper start time of the halachic day—evening. One possibility is that this work was a polemical discourse aimed at Rashbam’s Torah commentary. This prompts us to delve into the story of this commentary, examining some of the controversial passages that have sparked confusion throughout the ages. Ultimately, we emerge from this exploration with an empowering revelation: the fact that the halachic day commences at nightfall teaches us about becoming resilient in times of crisis. The Puzzle of Peshat: Rashbam’s Controversial Commentary

Kol Nidrei has been associated with controversy since its inception, and we’re here to delve deep into its intriguing story. We’ll unravel the criticisms it faced, the defenses it inspired, and the persistent misconceptions that have colored its long history. But that’s not all. We’ll also embark on a journey to trace the theory that links Kol Nidrei to the Marranos. To see the images from the Rothschild Pentateuch, click here: https://mosaicmagazine.com/observation/arts-culture/2022/04/a-mysterious-erasure-in-a-700-year-old-manuscript-of-the-hebrew-bible/ The History of Kol Nidrei

What is the story behind the Chabad Machzor? In the first part of this class, we find ourselves comparing two sacred machzorim. The current Chabad Machzor is open before us, focusing on the Shachris of Rosh Hashanah. Concurrently, we have images of an Ashkenazi machzor dating back to the 1200s. Our purpose is to discern the commonalities and distinctions between the two. We then attempt to learn about how the Chabad machzor developed. We show that during the nineteenth century, there were diverse perspectives within the Chabad community concerning the role of the piyyutim. Ultimately, the transformative moment in this story is the official publication of the Lubavitch Machzor in 1941. To see the images of the medieval machzor, click here: https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/268d1688-4523-4aed-962a-75f24c8cbfd0/surfaces/f381f605-74ae-4eea-8383-948ab02ff422/ To see the first print of the Alter Rebbe's siddur, click here: https://viewer.rsl.ru/ru/rsl01006554275?page=1&rotate=0&theme=white The History and Evolution of the Chabad Machzor

The Lubavitcher Rebbe raised an interesting question on the renowned tale of Rabbi Amnon and Unesaneh Tokef. We’ll show that this comment was just the tip of the iceberg as we delve into the Rebbe’s reaction to ten distinct stories that raised halachic or ethical concerns. Stories mirror cherished values and shape communal norms, underscoring the significance of this exploration. Troubling Tales: The Rebbe’s Approach to Controversial Stories

Delve into the riveting saga of King Henry VIII’s marital turmoil as he sought to dissolve his marriage in order to marry a second queen. We’ll discover the intriguing intersection of politics, religion, and royal prerogatives as this notorious English monarch sought the counsel of Italian rabbis to help his cause while other powerful figures tried to impede them. This will lead us toward the lone surviving Hebrew letter by an Italian rabbi that was dispatched to the king and to additional arguments by contemporary Jews as conveyed by the dispatches of European diplomats. The Politics of Divorce: King Henry’s Wives and the Italian Rabbis

This class delves into the story of Jews during the 1500s who were drawn to the Renaissance and embraced immodest dancing. They sought justification in the ancient custom of vineyard dancing on the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur in the Land of Israel. Examining how 16th-century rabbis expressed their disapproval leads us to discuss various interpretations of the ancient vineyard dance and how rabbis grappled with this extraordinary ritual through the ages. Dancing with History: The 15th of Av and Its Legacy in Renaissance Jewry

We are all acquainted with the renowned depiction of the menorah created by the Rambam. In this class, we dig into the story of this image. Where did it come from? Can we trust its accuracy? When was it discovered? Did later artists and copyists treat it as just a doodle or something more meaningful? Rambam’s Menorah: Insights from Ancient Hebrew Manuscripts