Shows / Sparks of History
Sparks of History
Sparks of History Podcast features insightful and entertaining interviews with renown world historians.
Our experts, including Pulitzer Prize winners, provide deep knowledge and unique perspectives.
Connecting World History with Jewish History.
Episodes
Sparks of HistoryVayera: Three Angels Shatter the Multitasking Myth | Driving Through the Parsha #11
Three visitors arrive at Avraham’s tent—but why three? Rashi explains that each angel had a distinct mission, because one angel does not perform two missions…
Sparks of HistoryLech Lecha: History’s Greatest Influencer & the Excuses We Make | Episode 10
Avraham’s influence reaches billions—but living his message comes down to our everyday choices. In Parashat Lech Lecha, Lot’s shepherds offer a convenient…
Sparks of HistoryNoach: What Do Noah’s Ark and Your Car Have in Common?
Outside the ark, a world was being destroyed. Inside, a new world was being built. Why did God instruct Noach to build an ark rather than simply save him and…
Sparks of HistoryBereishit: An Argument in Heaven | Driving Through the Parsha — Episode 8
Why did God consult the angels before creating humanity? And what can that teach us behind the wheel? Drawing on Rashi, Ohr Gedaliah, and Rabbi Simcha Bunim’s…
Sparks of HistoryHaazinu: One Text, Two Lives—The Life-Saving Power of Attention | Episode 7
How much can one moment of inattention cost? In 2006, nineteen-year-old Reggie Shaw was exchanging text messages while driving to work in Utah. His vehicle…
Sparks of HistoryWhat Do Columbus and the Moon Landing Have to Do With Driving? | Nitzavim–Vayelech
What do Christopher Columbus, Neil Armstrong, and the way we drive have in common? Columbus crossed the sea. Armstrong walked on the moon. Yet in Parashat…
Sparks of HistoryA “Joyride” Ended in Tragedy—What Is Real Joy? | Ki Tavo
A 13-year-old driving a stolen car with seven children crashed into another vehicle—killing William Vance Payne, a husband and father of five, and critically…
Sparks of HistoryKi Teitzei: See the Danger, Build the Fence
Ki Teitzei: See the Danger. Build the Fence. What does an eight-year-old girl driving ten miles to Target have to do with Parashat Ki Teitzei? More than you…
Sparks of HistoryParashat Shoftim: Knowing What’s Right—and Doing It | Driving Through the Parsha
What does Parashat Shoftim teach us about the way we drive? The Torah tells us, “Shoftim v’shotrim titen lecha b’chol she’arecha” — “Appoint judges and…
Sparks of HistoryDriving Through the Parsha | Re'eh | Becoming More Like God (2 Min)
What does it mean to 'cleave' to God? In Parshat Re'eh, the Torah teaches that we become closer to Hashem by imitating His character. In this two-minute…
Sparks of HistoryDriving Through the Parsha | Eikev | Every Decision Matters (2 Minutes)
What do our everyday driving decisions have to do with Parshas Eikev? This week's Driving Through the Parsha explores a powerful lesson from Parshas Eikev: the…
Sparks of HistoryTo be Holy but Human Reflections Upon My Rebbe, Harav Yehuda Amital - Rabbi Moshe Taragin
Amital Rav Amital’s teachings shaped my understanding of Jewish history, identity, and faith. He saw history not as a series of random events, but as a…
Sparks of HistoryRabbi Akiva's Enduring Impact: A Conversation with Abie Rotenberg
A Compelling Portrait of One of the Greatest and Most Influential of Our Sages Most of us learned the familiar story as children: Akiva, the illiterate…
Sparks of HistoryWhen the Stones Speak: The Remarkable Discovery of the City of David and What Israel's Enemies Don't Want You To Know - Major Doron Spielman
This is the untold story of the rediscovery of the ancient City of David in Jerusalem and the powerful evidence that proves the Jewish people’s historical and…
Sparks of HistoryHow to Celebrate: A Historic Halachic Take on Yom HaAtzmaut & Yom Yerushalayim - Rabbi Shimshon Nadel
What is the history of how Yom HaAtzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim were first established in the State of Israel? How did different Israeli political leaders and…
Sparks of HistoryAI and Torah Codes: Unlocking the Hidden Messages of the Bible - Rabbi Moshe Zeldman
How would you define the concept of Torah Codes? Are they truly hidden messages, or are they patterns we impose on the text? What is the historical basis for…
Sparks of HistoryDon Isaac Abarbanel: The Visionary Leader & Scholar Who Shaped Jewish History Rabbi Pinchas Kasnett
Can you give us a brief introduction to Don Isaac Abarbanel and his historical significance? How did Abarbanel view the conversos and what was his relationship…
Sparks of HistoryEngaging the Essence – The Torah Philosophy of the Lubavitcher Rebbe - Rabbi Dr. Yosef Bronstein
Engaging the Essence – The Torah Philosophy of the Lubavitcher Rebbe What is the thesis of the book? How did the Tanya shape the Rebbe’s worldview and…
Sparks of HistoryThe Hidden Depths of Purim – Rabbi Dovid Kaplan Unpacks 10 Big Questions
What was the reason behind Haman’s hatred—was it personal, political, or theological? Why was Haman so confident that he could wipe out the Jewish people? Did…
Sparks of HistoryKabbalah and the Rupture of Modernity: An Existential History of Chabad Hasidism - Rabbi Dr. Eli Rubin
Kabbalah and the Rupture of Modernity: An Existential History of Chabad Hasidism Kabbalah and the Rupture of Modernity provides a comprehensive intellectual…
Sparks of HistoryGreat Disputes in Jewish History: Maimonides, Hasidism, Zionism & Women’s Roles - Rabbi Mayer Schiller
Great Disputes in Jewish History: Maimonides, Hasidism, Zionism & Women’s Roles - Rabbi Mayer Schiller
Sparks of HistoryLife, Legacy and Light of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook - Rabbi Ari Shvat, Director Rav Kook Archives
Life, Legacy and Light of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook - Rabbi Ari Shvat, Director Rav Kook Archives
Sparks of HistoryA Light From Zion: Why Israeli Innovation Matters to the World - Rabbi Dr. Yossi Ives
A Light From Zion: Why Israeli Innovation Matters to the World - Rabbi Dr. Yossi Ives
Sparks of HistoryThe Aruch HaShulchan and the Lost World of Torah: Pre-War Europe to Auschwitz - Rabbi Ilan Segal
The Aruch HaShulchan and the Lost World of Torah: Pre-War Europe to Auschwitz - Rabbi Ilan Segal
Sparks of HistoryThe Eleventh Plague: Jews and Pandemics from the Bible to COVID-19 - Dr. Jeremy Brown
The Eleventh Plague: Jews and Pandemics from the Bible to COVID-19 - Dr. Jeremy Brown
Sparks of HistoryHow To Master Jewish History in No Time - Rabbi Avraham Goldhar
How To Master Jewish History in No Time - Rabbi Avraham Goldhar
Sparks of HistoryUnlocking Biblical Leadership Secrets: Moses, Joshua, and David for the Modern World - Rabbi Dr. Zvi Grumet
Unlocking Biblical Leadership Secrets: Moses, Joshua, and David for the Modern World - Rabbi Dr. Zvi Grumet
Sparks of HistoryJews in the New World: History, Halachah, and Hashkafa - Rabbi Moshe Taub
Jews in the New World: History, Halachah, and Hashkafa - Rabbi Moshe Taub
Sparks of HistoryThe Judaism of The Poskim: Responsa and the Nature of Orthodox Judaism - Rabbi Gidon Rothstein
The Judaism of The Poskim: Responsa and the Nature of Orthodox Judaism - Rabbi Gidon Rothstein
Sparks of HistorySeparation of Church and State: A Blessing or a Challenge for American Jews? - Professor Michael Helfand
Join Professor Michael Helfand - Separation of Church and State: A Blessing or a Challenge for American Jews? Funding for Religious Schools? Ten Commandemtns…
Sparks of HistoryCan Darwin Explain Jewish History? Mutation, Selection & Survival Explored - Professor Michael Berger
Can Darwin Explain Jewish History? Mutation, Selection & Survival Explored - Professor Michael Berger
Sparks of HistoryDiscover the Profound Torah World of Bachya ben Asher - Rabbi Yaakov Taubes
Discover the Profound Torah World of Bachya ben Asher - Rabbi Yaakov Taubes
Sparks of HistoryJewish History of Resilience: Overcoming Trauma and Adversity - Rabbi Dr. Benjamin Samuels
Jewish History of Resilience: Overcoming Trauma and Adversity - Rabbi Dr. Benjamin Samuels
Sparks of HistoryAre You a Kotzker? - Unveiling the Mystique of Simcha Bunim of Peshischa & Menachem Mendel of Kotzk - Rabbi Shaya Katz
Join Rabbi Shaya Katz for a penetrating episode covering two of the seminal Hasidic leaders in Jewish History - Simcha Bunim of Peshischa & Menachem Mendel of…
Sparks of HistoryAmerican Jews: Stop Whining, Get Involved, Be Strong and Fight Back - Rabbi Dov Fischer, Esquire
Cconservtive columnist, Rabbi Dov Fischer, eXhorts and challenges American Jews to be strong & fight back.
Sparks of HistoryExploring Religious Zionism: Past, Present & Future - Rabbi Reuven Brand
The History and Future of Religious Zionism: Insights and Analysis