In this episode we look at why Spinoza’s philosophy affected the Western world so deeply. We examine the fundamental differences between the way Judaism and Christianity respond to questions. And similarly we will examine the deep fundamental differences between the way Judaism and Christianity see their interaction with general culture. How long has Judaism considered it’s basic tenets to have been debated? 

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In this episode we look at the Russian Ukrainian crisis. Why are we so shocked by this event? How much of an anomaly is it historically? What important lessons can we learn from this conflict? How does this fit in with the general pattern of man’s behavior in this world? 

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In this episode, we look more carefully at some of the key evidence the Beis Din had about Spinoza. What can we learn from the type of evidence about the details of the Cherem? Were the statements attributed to Spinoza ones that one would say casually?

We also start looking at the intellectual background of the times, and where Spinoza’s ideas originated from. 

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.

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In this episode we closely look at the details of the Cherem that the Amsterdam community put on Baruch Spinoza. What is the halachic definition of a Cherem? What part of the Cherem process does shofar blowing play? Are curses an integral part of the Cherem process? What made the Spinoza Cherem more serious? Is it possible that cups of blood were used in the Spinoza Cherem?

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  In this episode we look at humanity’s search for perfection and how this expresses itself in the world. Where does this very deep human drive come from? What are we supposed to do with this deep human drive? What key tools do we need to use to properly focus this basic drive?

   We also look at chumras. What is a chumra? How does one accurately translate chumra into English? When should one integrate a chumra into one’s Avodas Hashem?

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.

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In this episode we look at how Spinoza’s level of Jewish education effected his ability to properly understand Chazal. We take a look at the different levels of Emunas Chachamim. We start looking at the cherem that the community of Amsterdam put on Spinoza. How common was it for the community to issue a cherem? What was different about the cherem that they issued against Spinoza? 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.

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In this episode we look at what level of Jewish education Spinoza got to. Did Spinoza get to the level of understanding how to read and analyze Shas? Did he have any contact with Rabbi Menashe ben Israel? We also take a look at Rabbi Menashe ben Israel’s major accomplishments. What can we learn about the general cultural milieu from Rabbi Menashe ben Israel’s significant dialogues with non Jewish society?

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In this episode we look at the Jewish Educational system in Amsterdam in the times of Spinoza. The Yeshiva had a system of six grades from the age of seven until twenty one. How does this correspond to modern educational systems? 

  We also examine the issue of did Spinoza remember his birth mother, who died when he was six? How much of an influence should this have had on him?

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This episode is dedicated in honor of Yeshiva Torat Shraga. 

In this episode we look at the deep compilations of Spinoza’s family. Spinoza’s mother died when he was six years old, and his father remarried when he was eight years old. Who was Spinoza’s step mother? What was her background? Is there any reason to believe she had significant influence on him? 

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.

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This episode is dedicated לעילוי נשמת חיה בת אלכסנדר On the occasion of her Yahrzeit י שבט

In this episode we look at how one should Halachically classify the different types of suicide. Is there any time that suicide is allowed? Was Adam Cherniakow, head of the Warsaw Judenradt allowed to commit suicide? 

We start looking at Spinoza’s family. Where was his father born? Where was his mother born?  What part did his father play in the Jewish Community of Amsterdam? 

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