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Joel Davidi Weisberger

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Jun 25, 2020, 6:32 PM

The Strange Case of the Sephardi “Baal Shem” From Poland

The portrait of Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Falk (1710-1782) known as the “Baal Shem of London” is often confused with that of Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov and founder of the Chassidic movement. Former Chief Rabbi of Great...

Mar 23, 2020, 3:17 AM

“May this coming year come upon us in peace”; The Ancient 1st of Nisan Celebration

It is late March and the weather is still cold. The sounds of mizrahi music and exuberant conversation emanate from an elegant ballroom in Brooklyn, New York. No, it’s not a wedding or a Bar Mitzvah. A Torah is...

Jan 8, 2020, 1:30 AM

A 6th Century Eretz Israel Liturgical Poet on this week’s Torah Portion

Yannai was one of the great liturgical poets who flourished in the Land of Israel in either the 6th or 7th centuries. For many years little of his poetry was thought to have survived. This changed with the gradual discovery...

Jan 3, 2020, 11:49 PM

The Rabbi Who Stood Alone Against Sabbateanism

1665 was a crazy time for Jews. Rumors of the imminent arrival of the Messiah spread like wildfire from Holland to Yemen. Rabbis and laymen alike began to prepare themselves with fasts and penitence being undertaken everywhere. The enthusiasm...

Dec 26, 2019, 9:11 PM

How Do Modern-Day Greeks Feel About Chanukah?

It’s September in Sparta, and the merciless Mediterranean sun beats down on the assembled crowd. The observer picks up a mingling of Greek and Hebrew words and phrases. Pleasantries are exchanged, with promises to keep in touch and strengthen...

May 16, 2019, 9:41 AM

Actually, a Significant Number of Ashkenazim are Descended from Sephardim

In an interview that I conducted in the Tel Aviv home of the renowned Israeli historian of the Hasidic movement Dr. Isaac Alfasi , the latter recounted to me an exchange he once had with Israeli Prime Minister David...

Mar 6, 2019, 6:43 AM

The Temple Must Be Built by Peace-lovers

In the Haftara of this week, we read from I Kings about the erection of the First Temple by King Solomon. It ends with Solomon quoting the word of G-d to his father King David, "You shall not erect...

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About Me

Joel is an independent scholar of Jewish history and translator of Hebrew text. He is also the founder of Channeling Jewish History, a grassroots group that disseminates information about Jewish history and culture. Check it out on Facebook.

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