The Pursuit of Heresy (1676-1750)

[@KianSheik]

I'm not Jewish and this is one of the most interesting and amazing historical series on anything I've seen a KZbinr create. I'm always on the edge of my seat. I appreciate the humanity you paint in these people's stories.

[@dronespace]

❤️

[@DemonKingOFFICIAL]

Same. I’m generally a student of history, and I’m pretty well versed in European and World History. I love these videos because Sam dives deep into aspects of history that I wouldn’t be exposed to under usual circumstances.

[@bcnmanhattan5022]

Same here

[@Danielhake]

I concur.

[@helios8459]

^^^

[@formulaone07]

If there's one takeaway from all these videos from Rambam onwards, it's that a theological "rebel" arises every few centuries within the religious community. He immediately faces some opposition and sometimes some immediate acceptance. Once the dust settles, the "rebel's" ideas are either quickly assimilated into the community or splinter religious movements are formed. (This pace accelerates in the 18th century, but that's for future videos.)

[@pbjbagel]

There may be more theological rebels, but they just didn't excite society in their time, and would therefore not be featured in a historical series such as this. Perhaps it is society that reaches a point every few centuries when it's ready for someone to come along and ignite the powder keg, consciously or not.

[@Joe-kh5mh]

Can’t wait for the episode on the Baal Shem Tov

[@Mark761966]

"No one expects the JEWISH INQUISITION!" "Wait. What!?" "Our two chief weapons are fear, surprise and the eternal disapproval of your mother concerning your life choices" 😀😃

[@bobthebuilder12323]

I never thought when I first started your videos it would get to the point that they start to make me cry a little... This journey with you through history is a little bit special bro. Thanks

[@Joshfitterman]

“Well, two beards.” Holy shit, lost it there. Well played

[@alucard347]

What did he mean by that?

[@scottylilacleona9193]

@@alucard347 “beard” here is a shorthand for a lavender marriage, queer people in hetero relationships as a way to hide their queerness. 14:16 “and instead elected to spend all his nights surrounded by other young men.” So it’s a pun. He has a regular beard of hair on his face, and his wife acts as a beard in the colloquial gay sense of the word. Hope this helped!

[@alucard347]

@@scottylilacleona9193 thanks, certainly helped;

[@Airman1121]

Hello Sam, I wanted to personally thank you for this video as it introduced me to the work of Moshe Luzzato. I purchased a copy of Mesillat Yesharim after watching this and really enjoyed it. It is definitely a worthwhile read for someone interested in Jewish thought, and something I have found personally to be very uplifting. Thank you again for your work.

[@sheikowi]

Some see the ML as M.L.'s self-purification from rocking the boat. I agree with your approbation. His message is basic, and Hebrew monumental.

[@debestgaming-ed1mq]

The sound design of these videos is great, excellent content as usual

[@sh6361]

True

[@NuncNuncNuncNunc]

"Two beards." You are wicked...wicked good.

[@denizalgazi]

Two beards LOL! I see what you did there LOL! Another fantastic vid, Sam! Thank you!

[@Hircine0]

Could i ask for the explanation? no amount of googling helped me.

[@denizalgazi]

@@Hircine0 A beard also refers to a woman who is married to a g@y man as a cover usually as an arrangement like Kelly Preston and John Travolta, Jada Pinkett and Will Smith (though they both are g@y and $cientologists), Elaine Chao and Mitch McConnell, Diane Von Furstenberg and Barry Diller. For g@y women, their male partner is called a skirt.

[@psikogeek]

@@denizalgazi Thanks. Also, Dina Matos beard of Jim McGreevey, Governor of New Jersey. Some wives do not know that they are beards.

[@Duiker36]

@@Hircine0 A "beard" is a term for the wife of a gay man (or the husband of a gay woman, but the term applies less well). The purpose is to have a marriage to paper over their sexuali orientation: at minimum, it's an open secret that everyone knows and ignores, but a complete secret in other cases. Depending on the specific dynamic between husband and beard, they might have children, might have an additional gay relationship on the side, or neither. Sometimes the beard isn't even aware of it, but just as often she's okay with the arrangement. Charitably, it means that gay men still produce children. Uncharitably, it erases homosexuality from history.

[@subhashishdey4010]

The portrait made me laugh out loud. That was hilarious.

[@KosherCookery]

I stumbled on your channel a week ago, and am finally caught up on your Jewish history videos; just wanted to thank you for your work, these videos are simply excellent! I especially appreciate how accessible they are since I was raised entirely secular and was never taught much of our history.

[@jessetaran7116]

I really like how detailed the maps are in this series, and how countries and civilizations are included on them that aren't even relevant to the story at hand.

[@D_R757]

I'm caught up now, binged the whole series after al muqadimmah shouted out your channel. Dunno what I'm gonna watch in the meantime. I really appreciate the way your channel has shown the jewish perspective of the medieval and early modern periods, and the way you explained the temple period history of judaism.

[@Hircine0]

Sam has another channel about Israeli elections, if you need more things to binge

[@2bit8bytes]

@@Hircine0 Which is? EDIT: Elections Israel @electionsisrael6588

[@nathanielzarny1176]

I considered myself pretty well versed in Jewish history, but I never knew any of this! When this part of history is dwelled on, it instantly skills to the chassidim! Thanks for sharing this!

[@sheikowi]

Maybe the driving force in the dialectic is ignorance.

[@mrmr446]

Fascinating. In what sense was Galilee 'semi-independent?' I have read a fair bit about the Ottomans and this was new to me. Looking forward to the next episode.

[@SamAronow]

Beginning in 1740, Daher Omar seized power in Tiberias and gradually expanded his realm to reach from Jaffa to Sidon. He oversaw a major rebuilding of the cities and infrastructure that the Ottomans hadn't touched since Suleiman's time, and transformed Haifa into the main port city that it is today. This will become relevant when we reach the Vilna Gaon.

[@mrmr446]

@@SamAronow So a regional governor with effective autonomy, that happened a few times in different parts of the empire. Thanks for clarifying.

[@SamAronow]

Funnily enough, he was never officially governor. I think his official title always remained something akin to "Tiberias county tax collector."

[@mrmr446]

@@SamAronow Not officially he wouldn't have had to seize power if it had been granted. Once he had it he was a regional power and central authority was too weak to force him out and once his borders were stable no need if he acknowledged the sultan as sovereign. There was a similar case in C19th around northern Greece, Macedonia and Albania which greatly complicated the response to the revolt that turned into Greek war of independence, it happened a few times under weaker sultans.

[@SamAronow]

@@mrmr446 Ioannina! And of course the big breakaway that broke Ottoman Power was Egypt.

[@jimmybuzaglo15]

Sam, I spent my whole weekend greatly fascinated by what I have learned through your channel. Keep it up brother!

[@Rudster14]

Hey I just wanted to let you know I found your channel last week and am watching ALL the videos in your Jewish History Playlist and I am loving it! Keep up the good work.

[@matthewbrotman2907]

Wait, “Gordon” is an Ashkenazic name? *opens Wikipedia* “Gordon (Hebrew: גורדון‎ Russian: Гордон) is also a Jewish surname, likely derived from the city of Grodno, in Belarus” Huh. I had a great-uncle with that last name, I always assumed it was Anglicized.

[@SamAronow]

Convergent evolution.

[@denizalgazi]

And the Jewish Gordons from Scotland!

[@rezajafari6395]

One of Ukraine’s best-known journalists is a guy called Dmitry Gordon

[@lrt_unimog8316]

@@denizalgazi There was a prominent Scottish Gordon that converted in 1797-perhaps that spurred the convergence? (Fun fact btw-Gordon Hill, London, is named after the same guy!)

[@denizalgazi]

@@lrt_unimog8316 Yes! Actually London is from where I know Scottish Jewish Gordons (and also Scottish Jewish Saunders). I had been told that the families were of Sefardi origin. That Jewish Gordons are from Eastern Europe is new to me. I always assumed they were Scottish! There's also the book "When Scotland Was Jewish" by Elizabeth Caldwell Hirschman.

[@brancheortiz8804]

Jeez, Hagiz sounds like the Witchfinder General and Monty Python's Spanish Inquisition. "Deliver them to the magistrates assembled in the court in the shire in which they dwell."

[@SamAronow]

Consider this: Hagiz was in Italy at the same time the Salem Witch Trials were happening.

[@rezajafari6395]

And as alvvays: thou art a wretched sinner, utterly unvvorthy of God's love

[@sheikowi]

@@SamAronow - Yeah, right. A Civil War amongst the Harvard elite. George Burrough vs Cotton Matthew. [(No one ever suggests that both sides were wrong (hubris, error)] Sounds like you're a masmid of the early Jewish Publication Society.

[@Michael-do2xf]

Thank you for your work! I can't wait to watch the whole series all over again :)

[@inegev]

“The pursuit of enlightenment could now begin…” yes yes yes, the Haskala might actually be one of my favorite periods of Jewish history as it completely shaped and still effects modern Jewish life.

[@andreabolognaviolin]

I'm discovering your channel just now, and enjoying every little bit of it....Wonderful work!!!

[@borkerman]

14:10 come on we all know that's not conclusive proof. Maybe Luzzatto being in the navy would be.

[@ja_aq.ov_]

Hah, I'm glad to see that one of the few pre-war relatives I know of (Tzvi Askhenazi) got into these videos. As we get closer to the present, there are more and more sources, so it's much easier to notice the contradictions and peculiarities of these people, but I imagine these were ever-present

[@dudeonthasopha]

"Two beards" Lmao 🤣

[@emkultra2349]

love this channel and your latest video.

[@ee99858]

Finally, another episode

[@marymcgranaghan9918]

You’re movies are really good, the way the look and the way you have broken down Jewish history and issues. You spelt heresy wrong in the heading artwork. Thanks, they are really educational

[@rin_etoware_2989]

that wasn't an f, that was a long s (ſ). s had two minuscule forms and a laundry list of when to use them until the 19th century. long s, by the way, is also part of the reason why Eszett (ß) exists.

[@flastable9842]

Nowadays the Ramchal is seen as being an unbelievable Gaon in yeshivish circles. How do you explain how they ignore his secular leanings? And regarding his possibly attending university, do you have a link to learn more about that? Are you implying you think the Ramchal might have been gay??? I should say that I studied a good part of milas yeshorim myself. It's certainly very open to interpretation. One other question: to this day kabbalah is viewed among charedi Ashkenazim with distrust (even though the shulchan oruch bases numerous ruling on it). Would you say that is due to the long run aversion to Shabtai Tzvi? (Yes, both Sephardim and Chasidim are much more at home delving into kabbalah, which only makes the Yeshivish / Litvish aversion more peculiar, because those other groups have shown that it no longer really is dangerous.) One other question: how did England's Jews come to be so "liberal"? The influence of England? I ask because even today, it in many ways exemplifies a nominally orthodox Judaism that is frightened and distanced even from traditional Talmud study.

[@flastable9842]

@@thepablorz that is really interesting. Because bit might explain the nature of the Ashkenazi community there. I'm talking about what I'm the United Kingdom is called the "United Synagogue".

[@SamAronow]

I'm going to guess that you're either from the US, Canada, or Australia. These countries are unusual in that they don't have a Jewish court system at all- every synagogue is its own supreme authority. Most countries aren't like that and stick to the old system. And except in Israel, where the Haredi-controlled courts refuse to recognize other schools of Judaism, national rabbinates in most countries are way more inclusive as a matter of practicality.

[@pbjbagel]

@@SamAronow Did you reply to the right comment? Maybe I'm not connecting the dots.

[@sheikowi]

Skirting and skirts are closely held by "professional" @@pbjbagel Skirting and skirts are closely held by "professional" at all times, in all places. Not so much by novelists.

[@pbjbagel]

@@sheikowi What

[@rafaelvaidergorn1315]

Excellent video, as always

[@michaelbertino8107]

I’ve learned so much from your channel. Tell me, how long had you been studying/researching Jewish history before you began recording? This seems like a massive undertaking.

[@tippikuppi]

Binge watching your videos. Such a good work. PS: Love the use of Piano Trio in E- Flat from Kubricks' Barry Lyndon

[@kaushiksheshnagraj7176]

Usually I don't comment on anyone's video but your content is superb so I am commenting on your video. Wow this video is fantastic. Every line is a point. Your channel deserve more subscriber. I regularly watch your videos from 6 years. As a old subscriber I want a help from you that please make a video on skanderbeg because I realised that only you can describe it nicely. As I know you from the old days, I think you will definitely make a video on this topic

[@Gachaleieish]

i learn ramchal every day. beautiful video

[@sheikowi]

Aside from no reference to Yaabetz and Besht, a starkingly beautiful presentation. Aronow is impressive, but not the last word (which will be the Last Word).

[@cgt3704]

This channel , alongside Oversimplified, Jack Rackham, Sam O'Nella , Al Muqaddimah, Useful Charts, History Productions, Epic History TV , History Marche, Cool History Bros, Kings and Generals, Great War ,and Every Channel Simon Whistler makes are the saints of KZbin history Channels.

[@davedark27]

Don't forget about Extra Credits and Historia Civilis

[@borkerman]

And History Matters

[@73honda350]

Thank you. So well written and presented. You exposed me to history of which I was unaware. BTW, I am not Jewish.

[@Mark761966]

No one expects the Jewish Inquistion! Wait... What!?

[@Headhunter_212]

Great job. Love the music, so much from Barry Lyndon!!

[@Sisyphus317]

I don't get the reference to the painting. Because it's an engraved image?

[@Yitzhak480]

the video was great!, kinda harsh but still great!, about the last people in the video, the middle one was the Vilna Gaon, basically the anti-hasidic, i'm guessing the first was Ba'al Shem Tov but i have no idea

[@nathanielzarny1176]

I must have watched this video 3 times already, but I never fully got it until now. This wasn't simply a battle over Sabateanism and kabbalah, but rather a greater battle over what was really Jewish. Was what the Jews already had enough? Or could new ideas be established? What could Jews tolerate and what was too far? This is what it's really about, and the ramchal moved us into the modern era. Through his persecutions, he paved the way for chassidism to exist within Judaism, rather than simply be deemed full on heretics. He paved the way for rabbis to begrudgingly accept enlightenment ideas, and secular practices, to co exist with Jewish ones, and played the stepping stones for what would one day become modern orthodoxy. I may be going a bit far here, but today, the Ramchal isn't remembered for not having a wife, but rather as the author of books like Mesilat Yesharim and Derech Hashem. We took the path forward of acceptance, not banishment.

[@johncasarino5627]

lol as soon as i saw the painting...yup he's outta there

[@jimmybuzaglo15]

I would also like to know what your personal views and beliefs are just out of curiosity. If you don’t mind sharing that is.

[@nattiedraws]

Okay, I am not jewish, but I am enjoying this series. I will say though, that "well, two beards" joke, oml, that got me good. Also, a historical (possibly) gay and religious man, further proof they DO exist~

[@cxarhomell5867]

They do exist, but they would be violating the mitzvot as they are engaging in forbidden relationships. A clear contradiction against the Torah. Also, why are you a furry? Just why at this point on time?

[@sheikowi]

@nattiedraws: Assuming that reversion/transition is possible among that mindset. Luzzatto became aloof from that fraternity.

[@harelkalifa2451]

Great video, but you should maybe try and tell the story of multiple communities (cough cough... Poland... cough cough)

[@CivilWarWeekByWeek]

Such a cool rabbi

[@jonyprepperisrael60]

what's the deal with the potrait? 9:56 ?

[@Hircine0]

לא תעשה לך פסל וכל תמונה And he took it very personally

[@Mark761966]

But are Luzzatto's plays any good?

[@arah2368]

I’m curious why are so many S in ur videos frequently written as an f sans the mid stroke? I’ve seen this over several videos.

[@SamAronow]

It's not an f, it's a ſ, and it was standard in the Latin alphabet until the Napoleonic Wars.

[@patrickkelmer6290]

The eve of the Haskala is coming....

[@lazarusofratzk]

Anyone know the origin of the Jewish surname Galanty in Poland? Is that a branch of this Galante rabbinic family?

[@sheikowi]

Gaul, Galicia, Galilee -- choose one or all.

[@richwilliams15]

Why did you use the lion with wings as the cover picture? And where does that symbol come from?

[@Cheese-zt3ns]

this is a symbol of Venice

[@battleman210]

once we get to the 19th century will there be an Isaac Meyer Wise video?

[@theklorg305]

18:17 How I wish nothing was burned!

[@RedCubUK]

“Well… Two beards.” #מת

[@dovi77]

Are people with the last name "Padawer" from Padua?

[@SamAronow]

Yes! And "Luzzatto" meant "from Lusatia!"

[@dovi77]

@@SamAronow thanks! Now I know where my grandmother's family comes from.

[@jedimmj11]

7:13 Shouldn't that correctly be translated as "transgressing for its own sake" (i.e. sinning not out of desire but for the sole purpose of committing a sin)?

[@cxarhomell5867]

Both are relatively similar with their own punishments. I think he knew what he translated.

[@Yitzhak480]

IT WAS THE RAMCHAL

[@Yitzhak480]

i really didn't reconized him

[@bengorelik1428]

Saw about a dozen of your videos. Great when it comes to secular topics. You’re such a compelling storyteller. Coming from a Torah observant perspective though, I can’t help feeling of sadness over your lack of depth. This content might’ve as well been put together by a gentile or an AI. Not a fault of yours I’m sure, but still missing a Neshoma nevertheless. For someone who endeavors to understand and present history of Jews, you can’t do without empirical knowledge and live of Torah. That’s the definition and foundation from which everything else evolves

[@sh6361]

Is it a known rumour that he was homosexuel or your personal conclusion?

[@SamAronow]

It's not a settled issue and probably never will be, but multiple of my sources suggested it in a a way I found convincing. Certainly there has been _open_ discussion of his sexuality for at least a century, and by actual academics, not Tumblr.

[@lewiakk5844]

@@SamAronow what is the reasoning they give.

[@denizalgazi]

And what would they have said about him if he spent time in the company of young women LOL! Sounds like it could be gossip to me though I am not dismissive of the theory. There are many who are homosocial but that is not indicative of one's sezual behaviour or sezual identity. Look at the present-day orthodox communities and their separation of gender.

[@Solomonpious]

Bro, Moshe Hagiz was based af though. You make him sound like bad hombre. Also he advocated for secular learning

[@noahtylerpritchett2682]

Hey I have a question. If I'm correct Jews were only migrating into England in the 1600s if I'm correct. I have a Jewish ancestor from that period. Probably just moved to England from the continent but I don't exactly know. Would he be Sephardic or Ashkenazim when the Jews moved into England.

[@noahtylerpritchett2682]

@@jonathanrotem251 so Sephardic then.

[@noahtylerpritchett2682]

@@jonathanrotem251 dna =/= ancestry. I did a DNA test. The DNA bred out in my lineage. Ancestry is forever and ever but DNA after generations can get bred out. I'm looking at my family tree and I see Jewish last names. So It would be better if my grandparents did a DNA test because the DNA may not of bred out.

[@theklorg305]

What is the definition of Heremes? Castigation?

[@NatanFlayer]

Exclusion from the community.

[@eccoeco3454]

Although with fluctuation, venetian society was rather liberal towards religious minorities such as the jews. If any ghetto could be said to have been honestly enstablished with the goal of protection perhaps the venetian one could be it , or at least come close, as the venetians often had to juggle themselves with trading partners and neighbours that weren't that often had much less liberal opinion on the role of religion in society. From my knowledge it was indeed one of the most liberal statutes in the catholic west although still obviously not ideal, and Venice was still one of the most prominent centers of rabbinical learning of the mediterranean, losing the primate only much later to Livorno. The fact that people could attend the university, and even teach if I am not wrong, regardless of religious affiliation was extremely noteworthy. So much that to do it venice had to enact a special government act called Auctoritate Veneta which allowed the state to confer academical titles bypassing the Church. The freedom of padua was declared uninfringeable, "Universa universis patavina libertas", whole and for all is the freedom of padua, a declaration that would become the motto of the university itself and remains so to this day. Be it out of diplomatic necessity or honest sentiment a number important happenings of the republic were held in the ghetto, such as when the rich families of the ghetto funded and held the celebrations for the conquest of Morea. That said a note of carefulness is necessaey when dealing with this topic, the memory of the past, even that of the current jewish venetians, isn't necessary objective. Venetians be them jewish or not have a strong civic pride, and tend to idealize the republic as a bastion of enlighted secularism and multiculturalism in a dark age. I have heard time and time again venice described as the place where christians, jews, and muslims discussed theology and Philosophy freely, and venetian jews sometimes go out of their way to specify how the venetian jewish experience was different than that of most jews in the west. Should this be believed or dismissed as a view of the past theough rose tinted glasses? Most likely a bit of both is true.

[@georgeptolemy7260]

What makes you think Luzzatto was gay? Couldn't find anything about it online at all.

[@MiguelTorres-zg5bk]

Whats the name of the song in the end?

[@Eunacis]

Zadok the Priest by Handel (the guy who wrote the Hallelujah Chorus)

[@sawyermauthe5400]

What’s the song at the end?

[@alexandermackin3001]

Zadok the priest by Handel

[@ungraud6553]

Me (not an intellectual) reading the thumbnail: *The Purfuit of Herefy*

[@HistoricalStoriesoftheBi-qm3te]

תענוג

[@johnconnah4569]

Yup this is me when i suppress mysticism in my religion nothing bad comes from this!

[@ramkitty]

Giving a paintings is bad?

[@Hircine0]

"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image" Graven images were considered idolatry, also the reason why so many jewish people in the video series have no reference photos, except those depicted by non-jewish painters, for the most part.

[@ramkitty]

@@Hircine0 thanks, ah religious paradox, it's bad mkay.. see it here on these sacred tablets!

[@Ohotniktrolly]

Why did folks write f’s where s’s should be, back then? What is the Purfuit of Herefy?

[@shawnwaite3026]

Thats no f. That’s a long S.

[@Ohotniktrolly]

@@shawnwaite3026 I know. Was just wondering why they used that letter.

[@Ohotniktrolly]

@@shawnwaite3026 and you faid it wrong. “That’f no f. It’f a long f”.

[@shawnwaite3026]

@@Ohotniktrolly I don't remember why he used it, it was mentioned in one of the community post or corrections video I think.

[@Ohotniktrolly]

@@shawnwaite3026 I know. I am being silly. Er, filly. Hey… Filly Fally Fells Feashells by the Feashore.

[@Meirstein]

Moshe, are the Sabbateans in the room with us right now?

[@Mark761966]

Gordon?

[@theklorg305]

Jews have a lot of dynastic philosophical disagreement in our history (*cough* Rashi Rambam *cough*)

[@theklorg305]

Nothing like Gay-Guessing people from centuries ago

[@noahtylerpritchett2682]

Modern Hebrew is very Arabized language. Though that isn't entirely accurate to say.

[@user-cg2tw8pw7j]

My brother, when did the modern Hebrew language, which consists of German, Slavic and a little Aramaic, become a Semitic language? This is very strange.

[@kingofkings600]

Aten is spelled Birth of monotheism

[@Solomonpious]

Also, the humor in this one is uncanny lol

[@doctorswifto5422]

Mosé Luzzatto is my distant ancestor. This is crazy

[@sheikowi]

Pretty distant since his immediate family were wiped out. Some unknown factoid you wish to share? (I do note the difference between "distant" and "direct". Every man is distantly related. "Italian" doesn't cut it. I'm Italian; even so I'm titillated by the Mesilah Ysharim.

[@doomera5911]

age of 20? wtf, am I doing with my life

[@SurfersHandler]

Look I’m not trying to be an ass here but following the spirit of the law led to Christianity.

[@SamAronow]

But Hillel the Elder was a moralist, and all modern forms of Judaism can be traced back to his school/party.

[@Reticulosis]

“Get a beard… well two beards” Whoa there guy lol not sure how to feel about that sentence.

[@mew11two]

What's the problem?

[@trevor1667]

Clichés!

[@ethanomcbride]

Why doesn’t this channel have like 1M subscribers? This is some quality content 🥲

[@Jdm4290bb]

Why did you but a gay pride flag at 14:19. This is incredibly disrespectful to the Ramhal... please change it.

[@joshuaparramore2064]

What's wrong with the flag. I see nothing wrong.

[@Jdm4290bb]

@@joshuaparramore2064 there is plenty of things wrong when putting a gay pride flag behind a well respected rabbi, and on top of that saying what the creator said while the flag was shown. It’s extremely disrespectful.

[@joshuaparramore2064]

@@Jdm4290bb everyone has there own opinion on things the creator has his opinion on things if you listened to it, he has a semi good reason to show the pride flag

[@moshecohen6565]

I do not so much understand English but from the little I understood you are trying to undermine the Torah and the oral Torah and spoil the words of the rabbis by drawing animated slaps and cynicism .. one may ask why? What bothers you so much about this tradition that you are so engrossed in history and disintegrating into factors?