Jewish History
Our Biblical Fathers - From Our People: A History of the Jews:
Creation of the world: The Creation, The first day, The second day, Third the day, The Fourth Day, The Fifth Day, The Sixth Day, The Seventh Day
The First Human Beings and the Garden of Eden: The First Man and Woman, G-d’s Blessing, The Garden of Eden, The Serpent, The First Commandment, The Plot, The First Sin, Their Excuse, The Punishment, Expulsion from the Garden of Eden
Adam's Children: Cain and Abel, Cain’s Jealousy, Cain’s Warned, The Murder of Abel, Cain’s Punishment, Cain’s Repentance, Cain’s Children, Cain’s Death
Adam's Descendants: Adam’s Death, Seth’s Children, Enoch, Methuselah
Noah and the Flood: The Wickedness of the People, The Ark, The Flood, The Flood Recedes, The Raven and the Dove, Noah Offering, The Seven Laws, Covenant with Noah
Noah’s Children: Ham’s Sin, Shem and His Descendants
The Tower Of Babel: Conceit of the People, Their Punishment, Nimrod
The Life of Our Forefather Abraham: Abram’s Family, Abram’s Birth, Nimrod’s Attempt on Abram’s Life, Young Abram Recognizes G-d, Abram Destroys the Idols, In Nimrod’s Hands, The Miracle in the Furnace, G-d Commands and Promise to Abram, Abram’s Obedience
Abram and Lot: Abram and Lot: Abram Goes To Egypt, The Strife of the Herdsmen, Abram and Lot Separate, Lot a Prisoner of War, The Rescue
The Covenant: Covenant: Count the Stars, Takes Hagar as Wife, The Covenant, Abraham’s Guests
The Destruction of Sodom: The Wickedness of the Sodomites, Abraham Pleads For Sodom, Lot’s Hospitality, Lot and His Family Are Saved, The Dead Sea
Isaac & Ishmael: Abraham in Gerar, Isaac’s Birth, Ishmael, The Miraculous Well
The Great Test: G-d’s strange Command, Father and Son Together, The Akedah - Alter, Abraham’s Reward, Abraham and Isaac Return, Sarah’s Death
Isaac's Marriage: Eliezer’s Mission, Eliezer’s Prayer, Rebekah at the Well, Rebekah and Isaac Marries
Jacob and Esau: Birth of the Twins, Jacob and Esau Grow Up, Abraham’s Death, Esau Kills Nimrod, Jacob Buys the Birthright, Isaac Goes To Philistina
Jacob Receives Isaac's Blessing: Esau’s Evil Ways, Rebekah’s Ploy, The Blessing, Esau Returns
Jacob's Flight: Rebecca Sends Jacob to Haran, Jacob and Eliphaz, Jacob’s Dream, Jacob’s Vow, Jacob’s Arrival in Haran
Jacob at Laban's: The Price of a Wife, Jacob’s Children, Jacob’s Wealth
Jacob Returns to Canaan: Jacob Leaves Laban, Laban Instigates Esau to Make War on His Brother, Jacob’s Strategy, Jacob Wrestles with an Angel, Jacob’s Reconciliation with Esau, Jacob’s Arrival in Canaan, Rachel’s Death
Jacob in Canaan: The Destruction of Shechem, The War against the Seven Kings
Joseph and His Brothers: Jacob's Love for Joseph, Joseph Dreams, Joseph Sold, Jacob Mourns the Loss of Joseph
Joseph in Egypt: In The Service of Potiphar, Joseph Falsely Accused, Joseph Thrown Into Prison, Joseph, the Interpreter of Dreams
Joseph, Governor of Egypt: Pharaoh’s Dreams, Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams, Joseph Receives Great Honors, Joseph in Office
Joseph's Brothers Come to Egypt: Joseph Prepares For His Brothers’ Arrival, The Harsh Reception, The Changed Brothers
Joseph Reveasl His Identity: Joseph Tests His Brothers, Judah Pleads For Benjamin, Joseph Himself: Reveals
Jacob and His Family Go to Egypt: Return of the Brothers, On The Way to Egypt, Jacob Meets Joseph, Jacob Visits Pharaoh, Jacob’s Last Request, Jacob Blesses Joseph’s Children, Jacob’s Death, Jacob’s Burial, Esau’s Death, Joseph’s Pledge to His Brothers, Joseph’s Death
Israel's Enslavement:
The Birth of Moses:
Moses' Early Adventures:
The Divine Ambassador:
Moses Returns to Egypt:
The Ten Plagues: Blood, Frogs, Bugs, Wild Animals, Pestilence, Boils, Hail, Locust, Darkness, The Passover Sacrifice, Death of the First-Born
The Exodus:
The Splitting of the Sea: In Hot Pursuit, The Miracle of the Red Sea, The End of the Egyptian Army, Israel's Song of Praise
Food in the Desert: Moses Sweetens Bitter Water, Meat and Bread in the Desert, Water from a Rock
Amalek's Attack: The Defeat of Amalek
Jethro's Visit and Advice: Jethro's Visit, Courts of Justice
The Revelation on Mount Sinai: The Preparations, The Revelation on Sinai, The Ten Commandments, Moses Receives the Torah
The Golden Calf: Rebellion, Aaron Plays for Time, Moses Return:, Punishment of the Guilty, Atonement, Second Tablets, G-D Forgives the People
The People of the Book: The Study of the Torah, 613 Precepts, Hebrew Calendar, The Festivals, A Holy Nation
The Tabernacle: The Sanctuary, The Architects, Plan of the Sanctuary, The Holy Vessels, The Priests, Consecration of the, Tabernacle, Death of Nadab and Abihu, Cloud the and Pillars of Fire
Trials in the Desert: Departure from Sinai, The People Ask For Meat, The Seventy Elders, Miriam's Sin
The Scouts and Their Evil Report: Moses Sends Scouts to Canaan, Return the Spies, Penalty for the Revolt, The Rebels' Second Disobedience, Punishment for the Desecration of Shabbat, Punishment for Blasphemy
Korah's Rebellion: Korah and His Associates, Moses Admonishes the Rebels, Dathan's and Abiram's Spite, Punishment of the Rebels, The Budding Staff
The Last year in the Wilderness: Miriam’s Death, The People Grumble Again, The Sin of Moses and Aaron, Aaron’s Death, The Brazen Serpent
Conquest of the East of the Jordon: The Circuitous Route, Defeat of Sihon and Og, The Division of Trans-Jordan
Balaam and Balak: Balaam Sends For Balak, Balaam's Ass, Balaam's Blessings, Pinehas Champions the Honor of G-D
Moses' Passing: End of The Desert Journey, Installation of Joshua, Moses’ Farewell, Moses’ Death
Judges, Prophets and Kings - The Jews Settle in the Land of Israel:
Introduction:
In the Promise Land: Joshua, Crossing the Jordan, Partition of the Land, Joshua's Admonition
The Times of the Judges: Israel without a Leader, The First Judges, Deborah and Barak, Gideon (Jerubbaal), Gideon's Successors, Jephtah, Ibzan, Elon and Abdon, Samson, The Image of Micah
Samuel and Saul: Samuel the Prophet, Samuel the Judge, Saul, First King of Israel, War with the Philistines, War with Amalek
Rise of David: David the Shepherd, David and Goliath, Saul's Jealousy, Jonathan's Loyalty, David in Exile, Death of King Saul
King David: David King of Judah, The United Jewish Kingdom, Jerusalem, David's Last Wars, David's Trials, Absalom's Revolt, David's Humility, National Calamities, David's Successor, "David King of Israel Lives"
King Solomon: The Holy Temple (Beth Hamikdosh), Every Man under His Vine, Solomon's Spiritual Influence, Division of the Kingdom
The Kingdom of Israel: The House of Jeroboam, The House of Baasha, Zimri, The House of Omri, Ahab, Elijah, Divine Revelation on Mount Carmel, Ahab's War with Benhadad, Murder of Naboth, Ahab's Last Years of Reign, Ahaziah, Elisha, King Joram (Jehoram), Elisha's Miracles, Samaria under Siege, End of the House of Omri, The House of Jehu, Jeroboam II, The Prophet Hosea, The Prophet Amos, The Prophet Jonah, End of the Kingdom of Israel
The Kingdom of Judah: Rehabeam, Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joram, Ahaziah and Athaliah, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, The Prophet Isaiah, Micah, King Ahaz, Isaiah's Prophecies, King Hezekiah, Sennaherib's Debacle, Hezekiah's Last Years of Reign, Four Prophets, King Josiah, The Prophet Jeremiah, Jehoahaz and Joiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah, Destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple
Gallery of Our Great:
Early Biblical Personalities - 1948 - 2488 (1813 - 1273 BCE):
Judges and Early Prophets:
Kings and the Temple Era:
The Mishnaic Age -- The Tannaim 3488 - 3950 (273 BCE - 190 CE):
The Talmudic Age -- The Amoraim 3950 - 4310:
The Age of Scholarship -- The Geonim 4260 - 4798 (500 - 1038):
The Rishonim 4800 - 5160 (1040 - 1400):
Early Achronim 5160 - 5410 (1400 - 1650):
Later Achronim 5410 (1650):
Contemporary Heroes:
Israel:
Points of Interest: The Western Wall, Meron, Masada, the Dead Sea, Shechem... Learn about the history of Israeli places of interest, their spiritual significance, as well as some modern-day tourist tips.
Jerusalem Archaeology:
The Miracles of the Six Day War: A Timeline (1967 - 2007):
Maimonides - The Life and Works of Moses Maimonides:
His Life: The Life and Achievements of Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon
Study Campaign: An overview of the Rebbe's Historic Rambam Campaign
Multimedia: Audio & Video about the Rambam, Daily Study, and Gleanings from His Words
Works and Teachings: Delve Into the World of Maimonidean Wisdom
History of Festivals:
The Story of Passover: The complete, detailed story of Passover. Read the story of an oppressed and enslaved nation that was catapulted to greatness while their persecutors were decimated.
The Story of Shavuot: What is the holiday of Shavuot? What is the Torah? Who are the holiday's central personalities?
Destruction of the Holy Temple - A Historical Background: This is the tragic story of the downfall of a nation. It is the story of a once proud and noble people reduced to a nation of wanderers, beggars and slaves, of a people, once admired and revered, who became the object of scorn and hatred. It is the story of the Jewish nation.
The Story of Purim: The Scroll of Esther tells the story of Purim, but many of the details appear only in the oral tradition handed down through the generations by the Sages.
The Story of Chanukah: Discover the How, When and Where of the Chanukah (Hanukkah) miracle.
Chassidism - Historical and Biographical Studies:
The Baal Shem Tov: Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760), Founder of the Chassidic Movement
Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi: (1745 - 1812) Founder of Chabad
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev: The Spiritual Defender of the Jewish Nation
Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch: The "Rebbe Maharash"
Special Days on the Chassidic Calendar:
The Rebbes:
The Chassidic Menorah:
Links in the Chassidic Legacy:
The Rebbes Prison Diary:
Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson: A Brief Biography
The Man and the Century: A Timeline Biography of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson: A Brief Biography
The Man and the Century: A Timeline Biography of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson: A Brief Biography
A Legacy of Sacrifice and Love: A Tribute to Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, of Righteous Memory
The Revolutionaries: "So why do you think Schneerson has his synagogue in a basement?" the old spy asked, tightening his wrinkled eyes. "The Schneersons don’t have money?"
The Man Who Mocked The KGB:
My Encounter with the Rebbe: Personal Journals of Zalmon Jaffe's Visits to the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Mr. Manchester: Personal letters from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of blessed memory, to Mr. Zalmon Jaffe
The Holocaust - Essays and Stories:
The Ability to Question: When the world made no sense, these Jews still cared to know what they should do or not do. When the world ignored G-d and His commandments, they determined that they would not...
The Rebbe on the Holocaust: Is G-d responsible? How can His actions (or inaction) be defended? Should they be defended?
Belief After the Holocaust:
Is the Holocaust Explicable?: G-d created the rules of nature and logic. Could He not have created a world in which peace, harmony and light can be fully appreciated even when not preceded by pain and suffering?
Only Mine: "Take these and run to Haumshalagplatz. Run! Tell the kapos that your daughter is among the captured. This is an unwritten law among us -- no snatching of policemen's children"
Ani Ma'amin: Reb Azriel David opened his eyes to the sight of the singing train. In a choked voice, he cried: "I will give half of my portion in the World to Come to whoever can take my song to the Modzitzer Rebbe!"
Two Candles for Sammy: I first heard of Sammy Rosenbaum in 1965, when a Mrs. Rawicz from Rabka came into my office in Vienna to testify at a War Crimes trial
The Other Side of the Prayer Book: Slowly the shelter came to life. My mother got up and prepared breakfast--a few crackers with some jam we still had left, but neither my two sisters nor my mother touched the food...
Holy Day: A Yom Kippur in Hiding
Ester'ke: "Listen to me, Mrs. Rosenberg," her heavy face was flushed with excitement. "Let me take her. Why should she die, the innocent babe? I will care for her as if she was my own. I never had children, you know. Give her to me..."
This Is My Torah Scroll": The soldier stared at the boy, fighting back tears. "Over these four terrible years, this is the first live Jewish child I have seen..."
The Blanket: We were all looking away; we had not known that he was severely afflicted with Parkinson's disease. Then we heard this big bang on the table: "Gentlemen, look at me, and look at me right now. Who can tell me what the lesson of the Holocaust is?"
A Rebbe's Confession: The year was 1945, just after the war. The place: a refugee camp somewhere in Germany. Jews just out of concentration camps had gathered in a barracks-turned-Synagogue for the Yom Kippur prayers
The Covenant: The woman seemed oblivious to my words. "A knife," she repeated. "I must have a knife. Now. Before it is too late"
It Should Again See Light: My best friend was a girl of my age named Jeanette. One morning when I came to play, I saw her family being forced at gunpoint into a truck. I ran home and told my mother. "Don't worry," she said, "Jeanette will be back soon..."
Was the Holocaust a Punishment from G‑d?: Why can we say that biblical tragedies were punishments, yet contemporary ones are "the mysterious way of G-d"? Have today's rabbis changed their perception of G-d to fit what's politically correct?
The Survivor's Prayer: Over this one thing I implore You: That my cup of gratitude
With a tear is laced
For the Sake of Tefillin: How tefillin saved a person's life again and again -- during the Holocaust and in its immediate aftermath.
One Child, Remembered: Crystallizing slowly over time in the old man's soul was the singular obligation of telling the story of that child's last moments
Angels of Light: Auschwitz s howed us that just as man can sink as low as the basest animal, so can he rise to the level of angels
A Righteous Tree: This tree trunk stood in the backyard of Jana Sudova, a Czech Righteous Among the Nations, who in early 1945 hid four Jewish escapees of the death marches...
Visit From a Holy Man: On those rare occasions when we could coax my mother to speak about her war experiences, she would always begin with a wistful, nostalgic depiction of her very typical, very normal childhood. "The world was different when I was little," she would croon.
Rising Moon - Essays on Jewish History:
Appointments In Time: A parable by the Chassidic sage Rabbi Yechezkel Panet illuminates the geography of the Jewish calendar
A Brief History of Shabbat: The creation of rest... Sarah's miraculous Shabbat lamp...Bread from heaven... "Work" defined...The invention of cholent... Sacrifice and martyrdom... Cadlelighting campaign... The world to come...
Joseph and His Brothers - A rift extending across history: From the rivalry between Leah and Rachel, through the animosity between Joseph and his brothers, the clash between Saul and David, the split between Judah and Israel, to the dual nature of the messianic redemption -- a rift and twinship that extends across history
The Science of Jewish Survival: The story of Jewish survival is so exceptional and unparalleled that it challenges the imagination. Perhaps we can take our explanation from the great empirical thinkers of our time, the scientists...
The Sun Behind the Lake - Reflections on Jewish History: Enchanted by the majesty of the moment, my daughter quietly asked, "Will there be a splash when the sun falls into the lake?"
Wisdom of the Heart - The Jewish Mother: Where did these Jewish mothers find the courage? I don't know because I'm not one of them, but ask your mother and I'm sure she'll gladly tell you. When a need arises, the Jewish mother simply responds.
The Rock and the Menorah: Did the people of Masada do the right thing? Isn't suicide a violation of the supreme commandment to cherish life? How did Masada become a story of Jewish 'heroism'?
Is Judaism a Theocracy?: Napoleon of the Czar -- which is better (or less bad?) for the Jews? The debate between Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi and his colleagues on the Napoleonic wars, and the Lubavitvher Rebbe on the French and American revolutions
Cholent: "Why have they stopped crying?" wondered the villager. "Are they no longer hungry?" Then he remembered the cholent
Rashi's Method of Biblical Commentary: Rashi's Method of Biblical Commentary, and the Rebbe's approach to Rashi's works
Miscellaneous:
Biographies In Brief:
War of the Egyptian Firstborn (1313 BCE): The firstborn of Egypt, who held the key social and religious positions in Egyptian society, confronted the Jews, and were told: "We are preparing an offering to G-d. In four days, at the stroke of midnight, G-d will pass through Egypt in order to execute the tenth and final plague; all firstborn will die..."
Rabbi Arrested for Pro-Settlement Activity: The year: 1798. The person: a leading figure in the newly-established Chassidic movement. The crime: supporting Jewish settlement in the land of Israel
More History...: Browse our complete archive of history and biography articles, grouped by category in our library
