Collected Talks of David Solomon

David Solomon examines Jewish discussions on the death of Titus, the Roman general who presided over the siege in Jerusalem which led to destruction of the Second Temple. Unsurprisingly, many Jewish commentators throughout history have painted Titus, who followed his father into the role of emperor, in a negative light. However, others claimed that Titus ?

Continue reading "#118 Why Titus Should Have Worn a Mask"

David Solomon examines the question: Which books of Kabbalah should a person have when building a Jewish library? He also speaks for the first time publicly about completing the first-ever full English translation of the cornerstone kabbalistic text, Tiqqunei HaZohar. David begins his presentation with a broad overview of the foundational texts required for a ?

Continue reading "#117 Kabbalah on the Jewish Bookshelf"

David Solomon?s siyum on the Talmudic Tractate of Sotah was a (pre) Tikkun Leil presentation delivered online on the eve of Shavuot in 2020 due to COVID restrictions preventing traditional in-person learning on the first night of the festival. The talk includes an exploration of the: historical background to the development of the Tikkun Leil ?

Continue reading "#116 Torah & Text in an Age of Turmoil"

This final part of David Solomon?s Jewish History overview series explores the biblical period, from Avraham to the Jewish return to Zion after the Babylonian exile. The talk covers: the patriarchs and matriarchs the Egyptian exile and the going out of Egypt the settling of the land and the period of the judges the period ?

Continue reading "#115 Jewish History in Six Chapters (6)"

David Solomon explores the past 500 years of Jewish History, from approximately 1500 to today. In this talk, David examines each century in detail, looking at: Sixteenth Century ?  Johannes Reuchlin The printing of the Talmud  Shlomo Molcho and David HaReuveni Yosef Karo Moshe Isserles Azariah de Rossi Donna Gracia  Suleiman the Magnificent and the land ?

Continue reading "#114 Jewish History in Six Chapter (5)"

The fourth lecture in David Solomon?s overview series of Jewish history examines the years 1000 to 1500, known as the period of the Rishonim. The talk explores the complex and sometimes contradictory experiences of different Jewish populations over these centuries, their lives and safety often dependent on their location, rulers, and the whim of history. ?

Continue reading "#113 Jewish History in Six Chapters (4)"

This third instalment of David Solomon?s overview series of Jewish History explores the years between 500 and 1000 CE, known as the period of the Geonim. Lecture Summary In this six-part lecture series, David Solomon provides an overview of Jewish history spanning 4,000 years, from 2000 BCE to 2000 CE. He explains that to comprehend ?

Continue reading "#112 Jewish History in Six Chapters (3)"

This Jewish History lecture is the second talk from David Solomon?s six-part overview series. The lecture examines the first five hundred years of the common era (0 to the year 500 or 3760 to 4260 in the traditional Hebraic calendar), known in Jewish History as The Talmudic Period. Lecture Summary In this six-part lecture series, David ?

Continue reading "#111 Jewish History in Six Chapters (2)"

David Solomon?s Jewish History lecture examines the Second Temple Period (Bayit Sheini), which spans from approximately the year -500 (or 500 BCE) to the theoretical year 0 (3260 to 3760 in the traditional Hebraic calendar). Lecture Summary In this six-part lecture series, speaker David Solomon provides an overview of Jewish history spanning 4,000 years, from 2000 BCE ?

Continue reading "#110 Jewish History in Six Chapters (1)"

David Solomon explores messiahs of the modern period of Jewish history and the dangers of mystical attempts to bring about redemption. Among the figures David discusses are: Yosef Della Reina Rabbi Avraham ben Eliezer ha-Levi Shlomo Molcho and David haReuveni Asher Lemlein Rabbi ?ayyim Vital Shabbetai Zvi Rabbi Chaim Luzzatto, the Ramchal Rabbi Israel ben ?

Continue reading "#109 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (4)"

In this lecture series, David Solomon comprehensively traces the evolution of the Jewish messianic idea as it developed through history. This lecture provides an in-depth examination of how the messianic concept transformed from the end of the Talmudic period up until the European Renaissance era, analyzing how changing circumstances and events impacted and propelled shifts ?

Continue reading "#108 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (3)"

David Solomon explores the evolution of the messianic idea in Jewish history following the Second Temple era. He examines how circumstances and events propelled transformations in messianic thought. With the Temple?s destruction in 70 CE, David traces the emergence of apocalyptic notions fused to Davidic restoration hopes. He then analyses and contrasts two radically different ?

Continue reading "#107 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (2)"

In these lectures, David Solomon will examine how the Jewish idea of the messiah changed over history. He starts by explaining the messiah idea is the expectation that a special time or ?end of days? will come when a leader or redeemer will make the world much better. David says this idea kept evolving based ?

Continue reading "#106 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (1)"

David Solomon examines major works and ideas in Kabbalah over the past five centuries in this final part of his lecture series, A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time. The talk explores the contributions of: The GR?A, the Vilna Gaon Rabbi Chaim Luzzatto, the Ramchal Rabbi Naphtali Bacharach. It also discusses the ideas of the following rabbis: ?

Continue reading "#105 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (4)"

The third part of David Solomon?s lecture series, A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time, examines two towering kabbalistic figures of the 16th century. David explores the ideas of Rabbi Moshe (Moses) Cordovero (the RaMaQ) and Rabbi Yitzchak (Isaac) Luria (the AR?Y), whose contributions to Kabbalah ? both emerging in late 1500s in the town of Tzfat ?

Continue reading "#104 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (3)"

?The Zohar is not a book but a phenomenon.? David Solomon?s second lecture in his series, A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time, explores the extraordinary ideas and contributions of the: Zohar, Tikkunei HaZohar, and Sefer ha-Temunah. In his discussion of the Zohar, David examines its dynamic interpretation of the Torah and how it applies this interpretation ?

Continue reading "#103 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (2)"

David Solomon provides a remarkable historical overview of the origins of kabbalistic ideas through the emergence of its early fundamental texts. The series explores numerous questions regarding the development of Kabbalah: What are the key kabbalistic books to have shaped our understanding of Jewish mysticism? When did they appear? And what were the profound ideas ?

Continue reading "#102 A Kabbalistic Journey Through Time (1)"

This final part in David Solomon ?s four-part Zoom series in the lead-up to Yom Kippur, The Power of Challenge, the Challenge of Teshuva, looks at the issue of repentance and forgiveness within community. David examines three fascinating and, at times, heartbreaking stories from Jewish History of people who have: accepted their mistakes, sought communal ?

Continue reading "#101 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (4)"

This third lecture in David Solomon?s Zoom series, The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva, different ways the Talmud discusses the concept of teshuva. David explores three illustrative episodes from Tanach and the Talmudic period identified by the sages as: Examples that teach the importance of teshuva Halachic guidance in the process of seeking ?

Continue reading "#100 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (3)"

Part two of David Solomon?s Zoom series, The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva, looks at the idea of individual and collective teshuvah in Tanach. The lecture examines the story of the prophet Jonah and the teshuvah of the city of Nineveh. David explores different views around the city?s repentance and its connection to ?

Continue reading "#99 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (2)"

The first episode of David Solomon?s Elul Zoom lecture series, The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva, considers early biblical figures whose individual examples of teshuva illustrate a range of human responses to this powerful idea of self-investigation, repentance, and remorse. David examines four biblical stories, those of: Cain Avimelech King Saul King David ?

Continue reading "#98 The Power of Change, the Challenge of Teshuva (1)"

This final episode of David Solomon?s series ?Unorthodox Episodes of the Talmud? explores the idea of the evil inclination ? the yetzer harah ? with a particular focus on problems relating to sexual temptation. The Yetzer Harah David explains that sages of the Talmud discussed how few things are as powerful as the desire for ?

Continue reading "#97 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (4)"

The third part of David?s series, Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud, explores a fascinating series of interconnected stories involving: a high-level international diplomatic mission,  undercover rabbinical espionage, a cast of remarkable Talmudic rabbinical figures, parental concern, a curious question of Jewish law, the mystical powers of the rabbis,  a sighting of looted treasures from the ?

Continue reading "#96 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (3)"

Part two of David?s Zoom series, Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud, mixes Jewish history with textual learning and fascinating storytelling. The talk continues the story begun in the previous episode regarding Rav Kahana, a third-century sage who fled Babylonian authorities to find refuge in the Land of Israel following a violent confrontation in a rabbinical court. ?

Continue reading "#95 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (2)"

David Solomon explores several fascinating episodes described in the Talmud. This first lecture in the series discusses an unusual Talmudic incident involving disloyalty, self-righteousness, contempt, justice, death, restitution, escape, and consequences. As with many stories from the Talmud, this incident is set during a time known as the Amoraic period ? between the 3rd and ?

Continue reading "#94 Unorthodox Episodes from the Talmud (1)"

David Solomon examines the prophets who lived during the period after Israel?s return to Zion, following the Babylonian exile, namely: Hagai Zechariah Malachi. With their unique post-exilic messages, these three prophets addressed the concerns of a population grappling with rebuilding Jerusalem after generations away. Some of the ideas expressed in their powerful prophetic books include: ?

Continue reading "#93 The Twelve Minor Prophets (4)"

Part three of David Solomon?s lecture series on the Trei Asar, the twelve ?minor? prophets of Israel, examines the texts and themes of: Nachum, Habakkuk, and Tzephaniah. While these three books are short in length, David explains the importance of each, their place in the prophetic continuum, and how they sit in relation to significant ?

Continue reading "#92 The Twelve Minor Prophets (3)"

This second instalment of David Solomon?s series on the Trei Asar, the twelve ?minor? prophets, explores the lives and books of: Ovadiah (Obadiah), Yonah (Jonah), and Michah. David examines the historical contexts of all three prophets and how they are reflected in the texts. He also discusses the key themes in these three prophetic books, ?

Continue reading "#91 The Twelve Minor Prophets (2)"

This first lecture in David?s four-part series on the Trei Asar, the twelve minor prophets, explores how these remarkable biblical figures transformed the idea of religious practice ? in particular, the way in which nations and individuals should worship a divine entity that cannot be seen. In this talk, David examines the lives and messages ?

Continue reading "#90 The Twelve Minor Prophets (1)"

 In this Jewish History lecture, David Solomon follows the chronological narrative of the Tanach (Hebrew Bible), outlining the key figures and events of the biblical period, including: the patriarchs and matriarchs the Egyptian exile and the going out of Egypt the settling of the land and the period of the judges the period of the ?

Continue reading "#89 The Historical Story of Tanach"

In this lecture, David Solomon explores which period of Jewish history most resembles the present age. He emphasises that making meaningful comparisons requires qualifying terms and examining key considerations that shaped each era?s dynamics. David outlines relevant factors regarding geopolitics, governance, land control, exile status, spiritual leadership, and ethical behaviour. By analysing periods against these ?

Continue reading "#88 Which Period of Jewish History is Most Similar to Our Own?"

David Solomon explores the lives, contributions, and circumstances of 14 women from the biblical period of Jewish History. He examines: Rachav Devorah Yael Bat Yiphtach Pilegesh Bagiv?ah Ruth Channah Michal Abigail Bat Sheva Jezebel Ataliah Yehosheva Chuldah Among their numbers were: queens prophets judges politicians as well as women who were distinguished for their faith, ?

Continue reading "#87 Women in Jewish History: the Biblical Period"

In this final installment of his lecture series on Jewish Philosophy, David Solomon explores the philosophical contributions of six remarkable Jewish figures from the twentieth century: Rav Kook The Nazir Emmanuel Levinas Rabbi Joseph Ber Soloveitchik Yeshayah Leibovitz Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Watch the Zoom lecture here https://youtu.be/FQwN1_NKPOY In addition to outlining the philosophical ideas of ?

Continue reading "#86 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (8)"

In this Jewish Philosophy lecture, David Solomon explores the ideas and contributions of four philosophers: Nachman Krochmal Hermann Cohen Franz Rosenzweig, and Martin Buber    who lived from the late 18th to early 20th centuries. This post-Enlightenment period saw a movement from reason to existentialism, influenced by Kierkegaard, Kant, and Hegel. David?s examination of these ?

Continue reading "#85 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (7)"

The sixth instalment of David?s Jewish Philosophy lecture series considers two renowned, sometimes controversial, philosophers living during the Enlightenment: Baruch Spinoza, and Moses Mendelssohn. Watch the lecture here: https://youtu.be/IC_bZTM55yA In the first part of this Zoom lecture, David examines the ideas and impact of Baruch Spinoza, including the ultimate cause of his excommunication from the ?

Continue reading "#84 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (6)"

In this fifth instalment of his Jewish Philosophy lecture series, David Solomon explores two significant Jewish thinkers living in Spain in the 14th and 15th centuries: Hasdai Crescas Yosef Albo. Watch the lecture here: https://youtu.be/uZ0C8w28boc He examines the philosophical contributions of Hasdai Crescas, including his ideas on: Divine knowledge replaced by Divine love Divine omniscience, ?

Continue reading "#83 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (5)"

The fourth part of David Solomon?s Jewish Philosophy lecture series considers three giants of Jewish thought from the Medieval Period: Maimonides, the Rambam Avraham ibn Daud Rabbi Levu ben Gershon, also known as the Ralbag. David explores the centrality of Aristotelianism for these thinkers as well as the influence of Islamic culture on Western theology ?

Continue reading "#82 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (4)"

This Jewish Philosophy lecture explores the emergence of Neoplatonism in Jewish philosophical thinking. David examines the ideas and works of three Jewish philosophers living during the later years of the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry: Shlomo Ibn Gabirol Ba?ya ibn Paquda Yehudah haLevi. Going in-depth into the contributions of Shlomo Ibn Gabirol, David discusses: Keter ?

Continue reading "#81 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (3)"

This talk is the second instalment of David Solomon?s Jewish Philosophy series. In this episode, David examines the philosophical ideas and innovations of a towering figure of the early Middle Ages, Sa?adya ibn Yusuf al-Fayumi, commonly known as Sa?adya Gaon. Watch the lecture here. Read the transcript below.          TRANSCRIPT Last week we ?

Continue reading "#80 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (2)"

This podcast episode launches David Solomon?s eight-part series on Jewish Philosophy. In this first lecture, David explores the earliest Jewish responses to the ancient Greek philosophers. Beginning by providing a summary of the early Greek philosophers, David defines Jewish Philosophy and how it fits within the overriding framework of Judaism. ? Watch the lecture here. ?

Continue reading "#79 A Journey Through Jewish Philosophy (1)"

The mystical interpretation of the festival of Passover (Pesach) is the focus of David?s latest podcast episode, a concentrated Kabbalah lecture delivered this week during chol hamoed Pesach. Kabbalistically, Pesach marks the birth of a nation, following its liberation from slavery. But it also represents the beginnings of the creative project of the people of ?

Continue reading "#78 Passover Revelations"

Although many of the remarkable developments in 18th-century Jewish life were set within the boundaries of Europe and Ashkenazi Jewry, so much was happening beyond this region. In this fascinating podcast episode, David explores some of the most remarkable events, personalities, and contributions of Jews in the Sephardic communities of the 1700s, centred in the: ?

Continue reading "#77 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (4)"

In this podcast episode, David examines a phase in 18th century Jewish history that he calls the ?zenith of rabbinics? for its extraordinary collection of learned rabbis. Among this ensemble of remarkable figures, one man towered over the rest ? Elijah, the Vilna Gaon. The Gra, as the Gaon of Vilna was also known, was ?

Continue reading "#76 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (3)"

This week David examines the beginnings of Chassidism, one of the most influential Jewish spiritual movements to emerge in the modern Jewish world. He discusses key individuals who launched ? and developed ? this extraordinary revolution and explores the central ideas and contributions of Chassidism to Jewish history, practice, religion, and life. As part of this ?

Continue reading "#75 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (2)"

In this Jewish history lecture, David explores the early years of the 18th century, heavily overshadowed by two significant and difficult events of the 1600s ? the cataclysm of the Khmelnytsky Massacres and the enormous reverberations of disappointment that followed the false messiah, Shabtai Tzvi. He discusses Jewish communities of importance in the 1700s ? ?

Continue reading "#74 Revelation & Revolution: Jewish History of the 18th Century (1)"

In this absorbing Jewish history lecture, David examines the stories and contributions of nine remarkable, often powerful, Jewish women from the period of the second temple in Jerusalem, including: Queen Esther Judith (Yehudit) Hannah and her seven sons Hannah Maccabee Queen Salome (Shlomtzion) Queen Miriam Queen Mariamne Berenice Drusilla. David also explains how the changing ?

Continue reading "#73 Women in Jewish History: the Second Temple Period"

For centuries, Jewish communities were known for producing doctors of the highest order. Even in the most profound climates of anti-semitism, kings and nobles sought the care of Jewish physicians. In this podcast episode, David examines the period he refers to as the ?century of the Jewish doctor? for its examples of remarkable figures who ?

Continue reading "#72 The Century of the Jewish Doctor"

In the first millennia BCE, the prophets of Israel launched an unprecedented spiritual revolution, the impact of which has resonated throughout the ages and across the world. In this fascinating lecture, David presents an overview of the twelve ?minor? prophets of Israel. Although their messages contained profound insight, analysis, and inspiration, these prophets are known ?

Continue reading "#71 A Prophetic Revolution In One Hour"

Although the Holocaust looms large as the defining feature of Jewish life in Germany, it was not an isolated historical event for German Jews. The Shoa followed a long and tragic trail of massacres, pogroms, and persecutions. However, the historical relationship between the Jewish and German peoples consisted of more than bloodshed and hardship. As David ?

Continue reading "# 70 From Exile in Paradise to Redemption in Hell: Jews and Judaism in Germany ? past, present and future"

In this podcast episode, the final part of this four-part series on Great Battles in Jewish History, David examines two military episodes from the past century ? the Battle of Latrun in 1948 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973. In doing so, he explores the background, geo-political considerations, key personalities, and implications of these ?

Continue reading "#69 Great Battles in Jewish History (Part Four)"