Chabad at Oxford

An explanation of how the Talmud operates and how halachic decisions are derived from the debates of the Sages. Presented by Dr. Kenneth M. Ehrenberg, Professor of Philosophy, University of Buffalo. Recorded at Chabad of Oxford University.

An examination of the Jewish legal axiom that exempts women from positive time-bound commandments. Presented by Freida Brackman, Co-Director of Chabad of Oxford. Recorded at Chabad of Oxford University.

In the wake of the news of the killing Osama bin Laden, Rabbi Brackman looks to the Torah to answer the question, "Is it ever ethical and just to execute someone without due process of law?"

Torah does not prohibit the consumption of alcohol. The pros and cons of alcohol as seen through the lens of Jewish law and tradition.

In contrast to newfangled, secular accounts of how the Torah came to be, Jewish tradition has its own thorough account of how the Torah was recorded and transmitted.

An overview of six different categories of Jewish law including oral traditions from Moses, laws extrapolated from Scripture, and laws that were later legislated by the Sages.

Jewish legal opinions on the issue of one who behaves in a way that is impudent without actually breaking any specific law.

An overview of traditional Jewish sources on the pros and cons of autocratic rule with a special emphasis given to the opinion of Maimonides.

Is the Torah’s process for determining halachah an attempt to arrive at the one true answer, or are there multiple truths?

Based on case studies and personal experience, a Jewish clinician takes a practical look at the arguments both for and against euthanasia and how they square with the ethics of Torah.

Professor Rabbi Ozer Glickman of Yeshiva University posits a “legal theory” of Torah law that compares and contrasts the ideas of morality, legality, rationality and obligation.

Astrophysicist, Dr. Jeremy Schnittman, discusses how studying astronomy can be a spiritual experience and explains the astoundingly accurate calculations that the Sages used for determining the appearance of the new moon.

An overview of the Jewish position on when armed conflict is justified. The Jewish view is contrasted with "Just War Theory."

The "transitive property" states that whenever A > B and B > C, then A > C. Does Jewish law always uphold "transitivity" or does it allow for a "nontransitive cycles" as well?

This lecture begins with an overview of Maimonides’ unparalleled contributions to Jewish scholarship, and then focuses on Maimonides’ approach to explaining the biblical institution of slavery.

In 2005 a law was passed in Israel regulating the treatment of dying patients. Its most controversial aspect was the distinction it makes between withholding therapy (which it allows) and withdrawing continuous therapy (which it does not allow). Prof. Charles Sprung, director of the ICU at Hadassah Medical Center, helped write this law. Here he talks about how the law came to be and how it attempted to satisfy Jewish law (halachah).

Does Torah allow or prohibit genetic engineering? What are the sources in Torah to argue either way?

A leading physician asks, "When is it ethical to provide experimental or risky treatment for a patient?" Special attention is given to differences between secular and halachic principles of patient care.

Leveling a critique at widely accepted principles of medical ethics, Professor Glick argues that medical ethics cannot be based only on biology or philosophy, but on the “sanctity of human life." (A Professor David Sevel Memorial Lecture)

An introduction to Talmudic study by way of analyzing how Jewish law would handle the scenario contrived by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice.

Hillel famously said "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah." While most understand this to refer to the relationship between man and man, Rashi interpreted it to refer to the relationship between man and G-d.

New technologies now enable the radical enhancement of human capabilities. These opportunities present complex moral and philosophical dilemmas that are difficult to navigate, and touch on the more essential question, what does it mean to be human? At what point does enhancement actually change who we are?

In a discussion ranging across the Talmud, medieval and modern commentators have struggled to understand the rationale governing action, intention and culpability.

An intellectually stimulating analysis of the Talmudic principal of exemption in cases of unintentional transgression (“davar she’eino mitkavein”). Rabbi Wallberg explores the parameters of this principle vis-à-vis the qualifying rule of inevitability (“p’sik reisha”).

May a Jewish convert of non-Jewish ancestry truthfully refer to G-d as “the G-d of our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?” Maimonides unequivocally ruled affirmatively, arguing that Abraham is truly the spiritual father of all Jews, and allowing converts to feel themselves fully a part of the Jewish collective.

In the 19th century the problem of "agunot" was widely dealt with in rabbinic literature, and often surfaced in the popular press. In the 21st century the same problems exist but new technologies and ease of communication are changing things both for better and for worse.

The Talmud is a voluminous compendium of Jewish legal discussion and law. In this lecture Professor Sacha Stern gives a general overview of this ancient text and reflects on its increasing popularity.

"He who has been commanded and fulfills the command," the Talmud says, "is greater than he who fulfills though not commanded." This suggests that laws are valuable not only because they ensure proper behavior, but because the binding nature of these duties embodies something of intrinsic value, beyond utilitarianism

An exploration of retributive justification and parole in modern legal philosophy, and the role of human dignity in the rabbinic theory of justice.

"You shall live by the commandments," the Talmud tells us, "and not die by them." Yet there are three cardinal sins that one must give one's life for rather than transgress. How did the Rabbi's reach this conclusion? A reading of Sanhedrin 74a.

Holocaust survivor John Dobai tells his story.

How Miriam Freedman survived the Holocaust in Slovakia.

The story of a refugee's escape from Nazi Germany.

The Budapest House: A true story of a family caught up in the Hungarian Holocaust and the traumatic aftermath.

A truly harrowing account of the years leading up to the Holocaust and the Holocaust itself.

A harrowing first-hand tale of life and death in the Piotrków Trybunalski Ghetto.

Ben Helfgott, born in Lodz, Poland, 1929, is a Holocaust survivor and former champion weightlifter representing Great Britain in the Olympics. This is his personal story of survival and triumph. (Many viewers may find details described to be extremely disturbing. Viewer discretion advised.)

Victor Greenberg tells the story of how he grew up in the small village of Majdan, now in Slovakia. In 1941, when he was 12 years old, he and his family were among the very few to escape when the entire Jewish population of the town was massacred. He was a prisoner in Auschwitz, Mauthausen and Gunskirchen, where he was finally liberated by the Americans. (Many viewers may find details described to be extremely disturbing. Viewer discretion advised.)

Austrian-Jewish Holocaust survivor, Fritz Sternhell, relates his first-hand experiences as a child during the German annexation of Austria.

Auschwitz survivor Freddie Knoller shares his amazing story of survival, including how the Gestapo in Paris thought he was a German and hired him as a translator. (Many viewers may find details described to be extremely disturbing. Viewer discretion advised.)

The amazing, firsthand account of 92-year-old Denis Avey, a non-Jewish, British soldier who smuggled himself into Auschwitz as a POW. (Many viewers may find details described to be extremely disturbing. Viewer discretion advised.)

In 1940, when Mark Goldfinger was 9, the SS set up an academy for training killers near his hometown of Rabka, Poland. This is the amazing account of what he saw and how he survived. (Many viewers may find details described to be extremely disturbing. Viewer discretion advised.)

As a child, Professor Ladislaus Löb watched as anti-Semitism slowly tightened its grip on the Hungarian nation, culminating in the Natzi occupation, beginning in 1944. He later wrote a book describing how Rezső Kasztner negotiated with Eichmann, saving Löb and 1,700 other Jews. Kasztner was later accused of collaborating with the Natzis.

The Rohr and Feuchtwanger families both emerged from the neo-orthodox movement of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch. Sami Rohr was both a prominent supporter of Chabad and a patron of Jewish literary endeavors. One of his favorite writers was the Jewish German novelist, Lion Feuchtwanger, who was a vocal critic of the Nazis. Lion's nephew, Edgar Feuchtwanger, grew up as a neighbor of Hitler.

George Schwab was ten years old when he witnessed the willing collaboration of his Latvian neighbors in the persecution and murder of Jews. Here he presents an overview of the development of antisemitism in Latvia and reads a chapter from his forthcoming memoir.

Solly Irving was just a boy when the Nazis invaded Poland. He was incarcerated in several concentration camps, including Buchenwald, and was liberated from Theresienstadt. This is his story.

In May 1939 the cruise ship S.S. St Louis sailed from Hamburg for Cuba with some 980 Jewish passengers fleeing from Nazi persecution. When Cuba refused them entry the ship went on to Florida, but the US government too refused them entry.

Ivor Perl was 11 years old when he arrived in Auschwitz. His parents and sisters perished there, only he and his older brother survived. This is the story of his survival.

An account of one of the historic train journeys arranged by Nicolas Winton, known as the 'Czech Kindertransport' which rescued over 600 children from Prague in July 1939.

Anita Lasker-Wallfisch was deported to Auschwitz in December 1943. Due to her being an accomplished cellist she was saved and was made to join the Women's Orchestra. She was forced to play marches as the slave laborers left the camp for each day's work and gave concerts for the SS. In October 1944, with the Red Army closing in, Anita was taken to Bergen-Belsen where she stayed until its liberation by the British.

A heartbreaking look at some of the personalities involved in the gathering the Ringelblum Archive of the Warsaw Ghetto.

A story of determination and fortitude: how members of one family were able to make their way to safety, leading up to and during the Second World War.

A poignant and personal account of oppression and salvation.

Harrowing first hand account of the Stutthof Concentration camp.

Mindu Hornick MBE, describes her heart-wrenching experiences in Auschwitz and a slave-labor camp.

Born in Hungary in 1932, Agnes survived the Debrecen ghetto and, after her transport to Auschwitz was diverted due to an administrative error, she worked as a child laborer in the agricultural and armament labor camps of Austria. She returned to Hungary and lived under the Stalinist communist regime.

A tribute to Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks – one year from his passing.

How the Purim story was a crossroads for the Jewish nation

The perpetual quest for unlimited knowledge and the acknowledgment of deficiency.

An analysis of the manuscript of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Tanya early edition, held at the British Library, London.

The importance of joy and meaning in the service of G-d.

What must a Jew believe?

Oftentimes, taking on more religious actions and worrying about reward and punishment fill the contemporary Jewish rhetoric. But there are fundamentals that run deeper and embolden our unique personal value, self-development, and loving bond with G-d. In this talk, we will explore some fundamental Jewish ideas upon which all of Judaism is built.

How Maimonides draws on King David in describing love and fear of G-d and the concept of Moshiach.

How do we know that the day we observe as Shabbat is in fact Shabbat? Is it possible to observe Shabbat on a different day?

How the vitality of the world is dependent on the blowing of the shofar.

How to harness the power of teshuva during the month of Elul.

A synopsis of a discourse of the Lubavitcher Rebbe titled "Atem Nissavim" delivered on the 24th of Elul 5734 (1974).

Moses, Mordechai, and the Lubavitcher Rebbe—leadership under different circumstances.

Will the festivals be nullified in the times of Moshiach? What about the festival of Purim?

Perspectives on Purim from the Second Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Dovber.

How can we as individuals forge a relationship with G-d in His all encompassing reality? An adapted discourse of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

We have the innate ability to transcend our current struggles, however burdensome they seem to be, and leave Egypt in a real way. Based on a Discourse of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

A concise synopsis of the major themes dealt with in the discourse series known as 'Bati LeGani' by the last two Lubavitcher Rebbes—'a literary edifice of the 20th Century'.

How the chasidut said by a Rebbe relates to each individual listener, creating a mystical transaction.

A study on the importance of melody in the Chasidic tradition.

Is action really the focus? What is action without thought? Are we to be Hamlet or Ophelia?

A word widely used, but what does it actually mean? Various translations are given, including, "holy", "sanctified" and "separate". Which is most accurate?

Tracing the evolution of Kabbalistic and Chassidic thought, how Zoharic thought is incorporated into Chassidic philosophy.

Monosim: Is there anything apart from G-d. Do we exist? How can we actualize monism?

What is the distinction between Hasidism and Mitnagdim? What caused the emergence of these groups? And where in the general Hasidic movement, does Chabad-Lubavitch stand?

Comparing variant versions of the morning prayer Elokai Nishamah found in some of the earliest manuscripts of the Talmud. Examining how Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi applies one particular version in his Tanya.

To what extent is Jewish mysticism rooted in the Talmud? Examining the interplay between the mystical dimension of the Torah and the Halachic corpus.

How the Lubavitcher Rebbe approached the perceived conflict between Torah and evolutionary science.

What happens when we sound the shofar on Rosh Hashanah? A comparison between the shofar sounded on Rosh Hashanah and the shofar of the Messiah. The Lubavitcher Rebbe's interpretation of an enigmatic passage from Isaiah.

Once an evangelical pastor, Yaakov Parisi shares the fascinating story of his lifelong journey to becoming Jewish. Recorded at Chabad of Oxford University.

Speaking for the very first time outside Poland, former neo-Nazi Pawel Bromson tells the amazing story of how he discovered that he was Jewish and returned to the faith of his ancestors.

Lord Levy shares personal anecdotes of his commitment to donning tefillin in such challenging locations as Damascus and Saudi Arabia and of his bringing kosher food to a Shabbat dinner at No. 10 Downing Street.

Mentalist, Uri Geller, answers students' questions at the Oxford University Chabad Society.

Anti-Semitic comments of Helen Thomas, the so-called “dean” of the White House press corp, were exposed in a brief video encounter with Jewish filmmaker David Nesenoff. The video went viral and thrust Thomas’ bias into the spotlight, forcing her career to end. Here Nesenoff tells his fascinating story (with much humor), and makes a passionate plea for Jews to combat anti-semitism by “doing Jewish” in their own lives.

The complex planning, the myriad of emotions; a fascinating behind the scenes account.

A first-hand account of a refusenik's battle to practice Judaism in Soviet Russia. An incredible story of resilience and defiance.

The wife of Israel's legendary master spy Eli Cohen tells her story

Natan Sharansky & Gil Troy in conversation about their new book—Never Alone: Prison, Politics, and My People.

An overview of the history of the famous Aleinu prayer.

Ancient Trade Routes, Global Networks and the Emergence of a Sephardic Community in late 16th-Century Poland.

What was Rashi trying to accomplish with his commentary on the Torah?

A fascinating look at one of the most famous illustrated manuscripts of Tanach.

A fascinating look at how some Second Temple texts fell in and out of favor.

How an early Hebrew dictionary influenced Rashi's Biblical commentary.

Glimpses into the lost world of Judeo-Arabic thought and literature.

Professor Schiffman showcases a variety of items that showcase the historical accuracy of the Hebrew Bible.

What is the status of an individual forcibly converted to Islam according to Maimonides?

The Manuscript known as Huntigton 80

2000 years of Jewish history in under an hour!

The daily lives and affairs of the Jewish community of Sudan.

An inside view of the Temple. Where on Temple Mount was it built? Was the Temple Mount always as large as it is today? How many gates were there?

What attracts 2 million people yearly to this site?

How recent excavations in the city of Oxford, England, point ot the existence of Jewish residents.

A look at the history of this prayer as told through manuscripts held in the Bodleian Libary, Oxford, and in the Cario Geniza collection held at Cambridge.

Does Rashi lean toward Midrashik and Talmudic interpretation? Or does he attempt to uncover the simple reading of Esther?

How the Book of Esther set the tone for the Jews in Exile

What do ancient inscriptions tell us about ancient synagogues and communities?

How and why Isaac Israeli's 'Yesod Olam' (Toledo 1310) underwent textual changes.

The tragic story of the Iraqi Jewish Community: how an ancient community was destroyed.

Judith Olszowy-Schlange traces the history of the oldest complete manuscript of the Babylonian Talmud, completed in 1342.

The key to understanding the Kabbalah of the middle ages, though the lens of Nachmandies' commentary on the Pentateuch.

Exploring the Ramchal's life, his conception of creation, and his belief in societal perfection.

A detailed analysis of the famous 13th-century mikveh in Friedberg Germany, and other medieval mikvaot, looking at the architecture, and attempting to answer the question, why were they dug so deep?

The importance and uniqueness of Jewish education. How the Mishnah, arranged by Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi, shaped generations of Jewish children.

Assessing the context of the biblical corpus through the lens of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Can military force be effective?

A series of talks responding to a new book on the Rebbe's social vision. Hosted by the Chabad Society at Oxford University, a group of renowned scholars offer thoughts and reflections on Social Vision: The Lubavitcher Rebbe's Transformative Paradigm for the World, by Professor Philip Wexler.

How happiness is a conduit for resilience.

How the Chief Rabbinate of Israel can be effective in bridging the gap between religious and non-religious through a full understanding of its vitally important role.

3500 years ago Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, instructing them to ‘Remember this day on which you went out of Egypt.’ Does the retelling of the Exodus and the Passover story have relevance to contemporary events in the UK and Europe in terms of forming national identities and developing different concepts of freedom?

Daniel Mark is the Chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and a professor of political science at Villanova University, where he teaches political theory, philosophy of law, American political thought, and politics and religion.

MP John Mann discusses the rampant issue of Anti-Semitism in the British Labour Party, detailing the extent and depth of the issue, his battle against it and what must be done further to combat it.

An academic analysis looking at neo-liberalism, globalization, and the rise of radical Islam as factors in the recent rise in anti-semitism in Europe, and of intolerance across the world.

Marcus du Sautoy examines the confines of science; using props, he takes us on a journey to the edges of knowledge. Examples from the laws of probability, chaos theory, and radiation emitting uranium. This lecture explores the limitations of science from a purely non-religious standpoint.

After successfully arguing that "The BDS Movement Against Israel is Wrong" at the Oxford Union debating society, Alan Dershowitz talks about how he integrated his yeshiva education into his career as a Harvard law professor, about the past and future of advocacy for Israel, and about why he loves Chabad.

There are many approaches to the relationship between science and religion. But Einstein didn't take one consistent approach. He grappled with scientific mystery and religious wonder in different ways throughout his life.

In Isaiah Berlin's 1962 essay, The Purpose of Philosophy, he wrote that enlightenment philosophers were tormented by the same ancient questions as their ancestors "in Greece and Rome and Palestine." He clearly believed that the Jews of ancient Israel had as much to contribute to philosophy as anyone else. Yoram Hazony calls for a contemporary renaissance of a uniquely Jewish philosophical vision for all of society.

His great grandfather was a revered rabbinic scholar imprisoned by the Soviets, his grandson a card carrying communist party member who filled his London home with thousands of rare works representing vastly different worlds.

The early development of psychiatry led to medical reductionism, allowing no place for a positive interchange with religion and spirituality. But modern advances show that a sympathetic understanding of a patient's religious orientation greatly increases the practitioner's ability to effectively heal.

The effort to find common ground between psychiatry and religion, involves a search for corresponding language that is as meaningful to secular people as it is to those of religious persuasion. Historical precedent provides several intellectual and emotional avenues via which this can be achieved.

While some have debated the primacy of religion, culture, ethnicity and other factors in forging a strong Jewish identity, Professor Chaim Waxman conclusively demonstrates that Jewish identity in America is stronger, more vibrant and more durable amongst those who practice traditional Judaism.

Renowned astronomer and astrophysicist, Professor Tzevi Mazeh, is interviewed at the Oxford Chabad Society by its co-director, Freidy Brackman.

Rhodes scholar at Oxford University, Zohar Atkins, presents a paper on the unique roll of prayer and poetry in the Jewish tradition.

A musical historian provides a "show-and-tell" of various types of musical instruments mentioned in the Bible.

Jewish New Year reflections on an Oxford college coat of arms. as based on Psalm 42.

Fate and destiny in the thought of Rabbi J.B. Soloveitchik.

Why Heidegger's philosophy is problematic from a Jewish perspective.

An Introduction to medieval Hebrew grammar

Living as a Jew in a modern world: bridging two realities.

Exploring various interpretations of the light created on the first day and how it differs from the luminaries created on the fourth day of creation, with special attention to Rashi’s commentary as illuminated in nuances found in the manuscripts.

A detailed analysis of the Torah status of the Patriarchs and the 12 Tribes. Were they merely in the category of Noahides with extra personal commitments or did they actually convert to be Jewish? Examining many pre-Sinai narratives, as well as the commentary of Rashi, as recorded in the manuscripts, sheds light on this query.

A closer look at the manner in which Abraham approached G-d to reconsider destroying the cities of Sodom. Examining the commentary of Rashi, as recorded in the manuscripts, sheds light on the narrative.

A closer look at the opening narrative in the Torah portion of Toldot about Isaac and his offspring—examining the differencing approaches in the commentaries, with special emphasis on Rash’s interpretation through the lens of the manuscripts.

The Torah portion begins with Jacob’s return to his father’s home, “And Jacob dwelt in the land of his father's sojourning…These are the generations of Jacob… Following a brief overview of the different interpretations in the commentaries on this verse, we focus on Rashi’s commentary, which explains with a parable of a pearl lost in the sand. When examining nuances in the manuscript, we can attempt to better understand the precise details employed in the parable.

The verse statses: “Pharaoh’s heart is heavy (kaved); he has refused to let the people out.” A closer look at the two interpretations of the word Kaved found in the commentaries, and the reason Rashi chose to translates it as ‘heavy’ (adjective), instead of ‘has become heavy’ (verb).

G-d tells Moses to instruct the people to take for Me an offering i.e. contributions towards building the Mishkan. Explore Rashi’s terse commentary on the words “take for me”, through the lens of the classic commentaries and variations in the manuscripts.

An examination of Rashi’s commentary on contributing a half shekel and a closer look at some discrepancies between our printed version of Rashi and an ancient manuscript housed in the Bodleian Library, Oxford.

An analysis of Rashi’s second commentary in Parshat Pekudei, which addresses the repetition of the word Mishkan, and examining the nuances of the printed version in contrast to other manuscripts. (Based on Likkutei Sichot, vol. 11, pg. 175 and manuscripts in the Bodleian Library, Oxford)

Analysis of Rashi's first comment on the book of Leviticus – G-d calling Moses prior to speaking to him – through the lens of ancient manuscripts of Rashi.

Why were the sons of Aaron punished? What exactly was their sin? Rashi, as recorded in the Manuscrips, sheds light on this curious episode.

Analysis of Rashi's commentary on the ritual of the Red Heifer through the lens of ancient Hebrew manuscripts.

Why is the list of encampments repeated? Rashi seems to offer two different reasons; his choice of commentary is better understood upon analysis of six early manuscripts of Rashi.

Why the uncommon term for prayer for Moses’ appeal to G-d to allow him to enter the Land of Israel. Rashi, as recorded in the manuscripts, sheds light on the interpretation.

The Torah commands us against seeking out diviners, soothsayers and sorcerers. Rather, we should be “Tamim” (wholehearted) with G-d. Exploring the different interpretations of Tamim based on the commentary of Rashi through the prism of the variations in the manuscripts.

A closer look into Rashi’s commentary on the prohibition to borrow money with interest as elucidated through examining varying nuances in ancient manuscripts.