Originally from New York, Rabbi Spiro's education includes a degree in Russian Language and Literature, graduate studies at the Pushkin Institute in Moscow, a Masters Degree in History, and rabbinical ordination from Yeshivat Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife and children where he works as a senior lecturer and researcher for Aish HaTorah outreach programs, and is a licensed tour guide.
The fact that Christianity was born from Judaism is well known, but few know what key concepts we differ on, and why - such as Messiah. Rabbi Spiro traces the steps of several failed and false Messiahs. Also hear why the Roman Empire was a very fertile environment for Christianity to take root in.
With broad brushstrokes, we hear the history of the Jews in Poland - a country whose rich Jewish culture is rivaled only by the golden ages of Babylon and Spain. Poland saw brilliant highlights such as the Volozhin Yeshivah, and the darkest lows of violent pogroms - ending in the Holocaust. A fascinating overview of what European Jewry saw and built, and who they have become today.
With broad brushstrokes, Rabbi Ken Spiro sketches the history of the Jews in Poland, a land who's rich Jewish presence is only rivaled by the earlier communities of Babylon and golden Spain. We saw brilliant highlights such as the Volozhin yehivah, and the dark lows of violent pogroms - and ended our turbulent stay with the black finale of the Holocaust. A must listen to gain an understanding of what we've seen, built, and gone through - and who we are today.
What makes Sammy run? By looking at world history from Jewish sources, Rabbi Spiro describes specific breakthroughs of civilization, and the roles that Jews played in bringing them about. Hear a long list of contributions the Jewish people made in civilizing our world physically, interpersonally and of course spiritually. A fascinating talk by a fascinating historian.
Why have the Jews been hated since day one? And why are Jews always the scapegoats for every world problem? And why is hatred of a Jew different from every other type of hatred? And even as we speak, many Jews continue to assimilate, but we are hated nonetheless! Rabbi Spiro takes a profound look at the strange nature of anti-semitism, its origins, and why it relentlessly continues to haunt our holy, 'chosen' nation.
To understand Israel's sociological and political state of war and terrorism, it helps to examine the basic tenets of Islam and how they translate when superimposed over today's Islamic worldview. An excellent class that assesses the practical chances for peace in Israel, plus an educated forcast on scenario's we can expect in the future.
What could possibly be the reason the world relentlessly makes irrational claims against the Jewish nation and their homeland? This striking phenomena of why people hate the Jews is ironically accompanied by a long list of self-contradictory reasons and double standards that keep forcing them to dwell quite alone.
Reform Judaism was born in Germany as the western world was adopting a more rational, science-based view of life. Jews felt emancipated and responded to the 'open arms' of their home countries by bringing their religion somewhat in line with the trends of their Christian counterparts. This historic perspective explains many of the struggles that we deal with today.
There are many worrying myths that are in constant flux within the fragile Israeli-American bond, myths that stir up strong feelings on just how to convince the Palestinians to sit down and make peace. Rabbi Ken Spiro is always clear, concise, and energetic as he portrays the much larger conflict between the Muslims and the Western world - particularly wherever Israel is involved.
The evolution of modern political thinking and liberal democracy began when the Protestants fled Europe to the United States, making the US the second most Biblical nation to ever exist. Hear how Judaism played a pivotal role in shaping world values and the directions those ideals have evolved.