I feel so touched by your love of “am israel”. It is a love that I share and so I caught that expression of love, that “catch” in your voice. Beautiful. AM ISRAEL CHAI
Always very wonderful. Thank you for guiding us through and helping us understand Jewish History and its meaning . . . I am so deeply thankful to have you as a teacher.
Having now made my way this far in your series, I simply cannot find the words to express my enormous gratitude for the care and quality you pour into every video, every statement you make. You’re truly an exemplar for historians and teachers alike. Thank you so much!
This is amazing. The last thing I expected from this lecture series was such a clear breakdown of postmodernism, and it was such a welcome surprise: I received a useful gift that I didn't even know I needed! Beautiful work indeed. If one was to ask me (and I'm conscious that no-one has!) I would argue that Derrida's philosophy is simply a particularly lazy form of criticism that tears down everybody else's work (regardless of the discipline or their academic rigour) while adding nothing of value in return. He relatively "grew" himself by finding a way to diminish everybody else.
Glad you found it useful. There's actually a lot of value in Postmodernism in that it demands a much higher order of critique when it comes to sources. The problem is that there doesn't seem to be an obvious solution to the problem it solves! That's really the main challenge. Eventually we will figure this out, I believe.
Interesting take on the meaning of history. It is axiomatic that if history has no meaning (or we cannot ever know its meaning), then our lives also have no meaning. Its a nice axiom, but I do not believe human beings can live that way. They need to see a deeper meaning behind the daily "text" of our lives. For now we know in part; and we can discuss things in part. Eventually the dim mirror through which we see things will be removed and we will see things clearly as they are (much like how Magnus Carlson sees chess games). I was taken with your earlier comment that Judaism is concerned about right living ("ortho-praxy")more than right doctrine (orthodoxy). It seems that what we can settle for now is a reasonably well supported meta-narrative which leads to a life of compassion and optimism about a hopeful future.
The description you gave of postmodernism is similar to the observation: "how do I know that if I get on that bus to go to town it won't be involved in a deadly crash?" Even "direct experience" can be questioned as the famous story about Sir Walter Raleigh writing his History of England while awaiting his execution in the Tower of London. Seeing an altercation below his cell window he decided to question several eyewitnesses as to what happened. They all disagreed with one another. He then took all of his history manuscript and threw it in his fireplace, despairing that if eyewitnesses can't provide consistent testimony how can history without even a living eyewitness. Obviously there is very little we can be absolutely certain of besides analytic truths. As Aristotle pointed out, we should not seek more certainty than what the subject matter under investigation is capable of. By always being aware of the probabilistic nature of virtually everything we know and applying self-correcting feedback as new information becomes available we can carry out our investigations though they never leave the realm of the merely probable.
I enjoyed the video. Post modernism has value imo when discussing art such as with movie reviews. Post modernism is much less helpful when applied to biography, history and science. Post modernism often has conspiracy theory logic which is used to attack but not to build on knowledge. Flat earth advocates often use this approach.
Yes, weaponized critical theory used to herd and corral the masses for exploitation and then slaughter. Not a new phenomenon, and perhaps created by my own people.
History is meant to teach us something. The debate should be about what we can learn from history not what this or that evidence does or doesn't mean. Of course we should always try to verify accounts with other points of view but the post modernism way of looking at it it makes me feel like they are trying to destroy history as a study because they think we are better than our ancestors and don't have anything to learn from them.
I am just who I am as well, and I have enjoyed your curation of an aspect of history that I skipped. Glad to come back because of the scope and consequence. Also nice Douglas Adams reference!
This is actually the best (noncritical) explanation of postmodernism I have come across. And, to be fair, I can see why it caught on. (Also, I'm chagrined to find out that Derrida was Jewish.) There are times I think you're relying too much on sources I'd rather not rely on, and times I appreciate your reliance on tradition. Which means I think you're walking straight down the center line, which is difficult and admirable and you should please continue exactly as you have been doing hitherto. יישר כחכם.
This fellow Canadian transplant has been thrilled to discover your teachings! My Mom was born in Espanola so I especially enjoyed hearing a bit of your background. Jehovah has endowed you with a wonderful gift for such a time as this. You handle sensitive subjects with great objectivity and care.Thankyou.
Historians don't need to make disclaimers, to admit imperfection. Reasonable readers will assess writers' rigor, glean what increases understanding. Unreasonable readers deserve no consideration.
In the midst of watching all your Jewish History Lab videos in order - I especially LOVE this one. (Big picture person, always searching for meaning...). I too read "Jews G-d and History" in my early 20's - it was a life changer. My visual metaphor of Jewish history in the midst of world history is that it is like the Gulf Stream. I know you'll get the meaning. I admire how you manage to walk a fine line in presenting this material as objectively as possible, but I suspect we share the same passions and pride in the things that cannot be said. כל הכבוד!!
What a waste of time is to cater to false philosophies such as "post-modernism". They are religions in themselves, but with false beliefs. Please give your opinion and explain history as you understand it with no restrictions. You have an information asymmetry in your favor with regards to your audience. This is that you know more about these subjects because you read more and researched more these specific things. And, you post free videos for us to watch for free. Until that asymmetry is diminished all your opinions and information is valuable. Whether we learn or not, received correct information or not, or chose a good teacher, is for us to discern, not your problem (or a problem planted in your mind by a false philosophy). Again, catering to nihilistic circular theories that don't solve any problems but create them and falling for their extortions is a waste if time.
The postmodernism doesn't seem to take into account that these documents can't be analyzed in a vacuum but they are connected to thru time and space to other documents . For instance , let's say you have 200+ documents referring to a king by the name of Nebuchadnezzar, and let's say that there is a great deal of correlation between them giving times and dates of various events. Let's throw in a few monuments and statues and inscriptions on tombs since these are forms of "documents" as well. Sure none of these taken as a stand alone piece of history can say much about their authenticity but take them all together and we can be as sure that Nebuchadnezzar reigned in that region around at a certain time as we can be sure that if we drop a rock it will go down and not fly off into the air or grow wings
That's basically the approach of most historians today: try to improve the argument with a preponderance of evidence. On a philosophical (theoretical) level, however, there is always room for doubt.
I knew max I dimont and visited him and his wife in 1974 at their home in St Louis. He had a beautiful library room where surrounded by four walls of books he wrote his own. He and his wife were very dedicated to each other. He also had a progressive eye disease and more and more his wife helped him in later books. It’s possible he had to dictate his ideas so she knew intimately his every thought. Hope this helps.
And please cut the crap with the constant "gender neutrality" which is another social extortion and a waste of time. It is very costly mentally to filter out these references while trying to listen to the valuable information you put out.
History and fiction. Hmmm. Isn't it that history is from the current to the very best of the past connecting all the data? And anything not connected to past data or anything added is fiction?
הרוצה להחכים ידרים The seven branches of the menorah symbolises the seven secular sciences , that help a person to understand and gain awe of Hashem . Rabbenu Bechaye explains the seven sciences as follows:(1) the Wisdom of Logic and Language (2) the Study of Mathematics (3) The Study of Physics and Chemistry (4) The Science of Geometry and Trigonometry (5) The Study of Music (6) The Study of Astronomy (7) The Study of Divine Theology. History is not a science as chazal say מאי דהוה הוה, it’s only the lessons we can learn from them to serve our creator better.
Tzemach David student of the REM”A Sefer Hayuchsin Zucato , the inventor of the Zucato Tables helped Columbus discover America( student of the b’aal Menorat Hamaor the Mahri Abbuhav)also has an appendix to correlate Jewish history to word history .
history has passed, let's focus on proclaiming what was originally taught, first everything was possible from conversion to how they survived. but the most important thing is to return to the understanding of the teachings themselves without fear. Their will or God's will? let's think basically there is a point of a reprimand.
I find it interesting that how we see ourselves is not how others see us. When I first saw that picture of you, (many videos ago), I thought to myself, "That's a very good portrait except it doesn't capture who he is." Why? Because he's not smiling. It appears to me you love what you do, and that enthusiasm comes across in your videos. I easily could be wrong, but I imagine even when you're reading alone or studying by yourself there's a faint smile on your face that transforms into a broad grin every time you come across some new information or novel ideas. I started watching only wanting to refresh my understanding of the ancient origins of the nation of Israel. In just a few videos, I appreciated your approach, your presentation, your perspective, and yes, even your humor, so much that I’ve now watched maybe half of all your videos and will continue to watch the rest. Dr. Abramson, thank you so much for making these available to the public.
Professor Abramson, you have misrepresented Postmodernism in your examples. The challenge posed by Postmodernism was NOT about the verification or forgery of historical documents. The challenge posed was in regarding history as an objective reality rather than as only the many points of view of its historians. It is not a "real thing" but only what historians, in any given era, decide that it was. In every era, it is the historians that get to decide what is important to write and how to interpret it. The point of view of Josephus was markedly different from Max Dimont, and so on. Derrida corrected the assumption that text can bring to us the readers some ultimate meaning rather than a point of view. For a good example of a Postmodernist view of history, I recommend Michel Foucault's "History of Madness." He writes about the genealogy of knowledge, i.e. what is accepted as true is constrained by the era in which the historian lives.
I suppose I wasn't clear--my point was pretty much what you just wrote. I'm not suggesting that the document (e.g. birth certificate) was a forgery, that would be a very simple historiographic challenge that historians have dealt with for centuries. The postmodernist point is that there is "nothing beyond the text." And the text, as we have discussed in previous videos, is apprehended entirely in the time and place of the person who reads it.
the professor is dead wrong about the definition of metaphysics. metaphysics comes from the very literal definition of where the works of Aristotle were positioned when cataloged (after the 'physics'), NOT from the study of things that are beyond measurement or beyond science. time and space, for example, traditionally studied philosophers concerned with metaphysics, and are definitely measurable. metaphysics mainly concerns itself with the study of first principles, or basis of knowledge.
Personally, I would greatly value your personal opinions on historically, religious material,or otherwise. No one lives in a vacuum and having opinions should be expected.
I watch your videos regularly, and really enjoy them. I was wondering if there is a secular answer to "the meaning of the Jewish History." To my humble opinion, the meaning of the Jewish history is to show the rest us "how to survive after, live with and thrive despite of trauma."
It seems to me that the lesson of Jewish history is that we need to remain as religious as possible because all the movements that went against the Torah either turned out very bad for the Jewish people or there kids and grandchildren are not gaining any spiritual connection from being Jewish so they are looking for other ideologies and forget their Jewish identity
thanks henry you take care as well cause this covid crisis is really stressful,i was hoping my country may not have to enter another lockdown i hope things will turn out for the best alot of people seem to be taking this virus for granted but i hope things will improve
Wow...for the first time, I am kind of glad I stopped at a BS in History. I was unable to read the names of the Jewish historians that appeared in the squares. Would you please provide a list of the historians you named in this video. Thank you.
Leidensgeschichte is „History of suffering“, interessant dass Sie öfters deutsche Wörter einflechten. Yiddish würde Sinn ergeben aber warum Deutsch? Haben Sie einen Bezug? Liebe Grüße aus Wien
Very interesting to see your 'higher immanence' quote from Cecil Roth. I can see your historical methodology expressed in that Rothian way in your videos.
As a non-Jew and out of intellectual curiosity, have watched about 50 lectures on various topics by you in the last couple of years. Firstly, thank you for your systematic efforts, brevity in presentation, modesty in keeping away from absolutism and ideological attitude (although by quoting the “higher immanence” in this episode, it’s clear that you too see providence or divine supervision in the Jewish history), smile, simple language, and following a well-thought map of topics. Secondly, just a thought: At the end of each episode, I would introduce a couple of references for further reading or watching such as titles or links to interesting relevant articles, books, movies, video clips by others, etc. Will take 20-30 seconds but enriches the lecture for those who want to learn more. Best of health and happiness to you.
For the vision is yet for the appointed time, And it declareth of the end, and doth not lie; Though it tarry, wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not delay.’ Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright in him; But the righteous shall live by his FAITH.
Again thank you so much for this lesson. Something you said at the beginning of this series has really stuck with me. That history is something that doesn't exist. Have been pondering that thought on many levels!
I was hoping people weren't really paying attention when I said that...but I put it on the Internet anyway. But you're right, that's a distinctly postmodern thought.
As the Cambridge historian Herbert Butterfield wrote, “The critical method in scholarship has surpassed common sense.” And, as Mr. Roth points out, the continuity and survival of the Jewish people across the centuries and millennia is nothing short of miraculous. It’s unfortunate that our contemporary postmodern lens has made truth relative and shrouded the obvious in doubt.
Postmodernism certainly outpaces common sense--the problem is, no one has developed a really effective critical response yet. Conspiracy theories thrive on the diminished truth ecosystem that postmodernism promotes--yet that is certainly our contemporary political moment in the United States.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD "Conspiracy theories thrive on the diminished truth ecosystem that postmodernism promotes...". Excellent point. I'm sure the progenitors of the philosophy had no idea the kind of Frankenstein they were unwittingly creating.
Birtherism is a _distinctly_ postmodern phenomenon, correct. When standards of Truth (capital T) are diminished, the person who yells the loudest and repeats the most often gains credibility.
![[UNCUT] “บอสณวัฒน์” ลากไส้!! ใครหนุนหลัง "แม่ตั๊ก ป๋าเบียร์" I คนดังนั่งเคลียร์ I 30 ก.ย. 67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QlD7mU2KKRk/mqdefault.jpg)
“They try to kill us...we survive...let’s eat...”
Useful
I feel so touched by your love of “am israel”. It is a love that I share and so I caught that expression of love, that “catch” in your voice. Beautiful. AM ISRAEL CHAI
You never cease to impress, and your humility is inspiring
I'm just good at pretending to be humble. Very postmodern.
I can't believe how clearly you explained post-modernism. I love the idea of the contract between the historian and the reader. It makes so much sense
Thank you! I should probably listen to myself again when I get confused.
Always very wonderful. Thank you for guiding us through and helping us understand Jewish History and its meaning . . . I am so deeply thankful to have you as a teacher.
Thank you for your kind words! I'm glad that the videos are meaningful for you.
I like this guy!
Having now made my way this far in your series, I simply cannot find the words to express my enormous gratitude for the care and quality you pour into every video, every statement you make. You’re truly an exemplar for historians and teachers alike. Thank you so much!
Thank you for your kind words!
Thank you for being a Public Subscriber!
This is amazing. The last thing I expected from this lecture series was such a clear breakdown of postmodernism, and it was such a welcome surprise: I received a useful gift that I didn't even know I needed! Beautiful work indeed.
If one was to ask me (and I'm conscious that no-one has!) I would argue that Derrida's philosophy is simply a particularly lazy form of criticism that tears down everybody else's work (regardless of the discipline or their academic rigour) while adding nothing of value in return. He relatively "grew" himself by finding a way to diminish everybody else.
Glad you found it useful. There's actually a lot of value in Postmodernism in that it demands a much higher order of critique when it comes to sources. The problem is that there doesn't seem to be an obvious solution to the problem it solves! That's really the main challenge. Eventually we will figure this out, I believe.
Interesting take on the meaning of history. It is axiomatic that if history has no meaning (or we cannot ever know its meaning), then our lives also have no meaning. Its a nice axiom, but I do not believe human beings can live that way. They need to see a deeper meaning behind the daily "text" of our lives. For now we know in part; and we can discuss things in part. Eventually the dim mirror through which we see things will be removed and we will see things clearly as they are (much like how Magnus Carlson sees chess games). I was taken with your earlier comment that Judaism is concerned about right living ("ortho-praxy")more than right doctrine (orthodoxy). It seems that what we can settle for now is a reasonably well supported meta-narrative which leads to a life of compassion and optimism about a hopeful future.
Glad you found the video useful.
The description you gave of postmodernism is similar to the observation: "how do I know that if I get on that bus to go to town it won't be involved in a deadly crash?" Even "direct experience" can be questioned as the famous story about Sir Walter Raleigh writing his History of England while awaiting his execution in the Tower of London. Seeing an altercation below his cell window he decided to question several eyewitnesses as to what happened. They all disagreed with one another. He then took all of his history manuscript and threw it in his fireplace, despairing that if eyewitnesses can't provide consistent testimony how can history without even a living eyewitness.
Obviously there is very little we can be absolutely certain of besides analytic truths. As Aristotle pointed out, we should not seek more certainty than what the subject matter under investigation is capable of. By always being aware of the probabilistic nature of virtually everything we know and applying self-correcting feedback as new information becomes available we can carry out our investigations though they never leave the realm of the merely probable.
I enjoyed the video. Post modernism has value imo when discussing art such as with movie reviews. Post modernism is much less helpful when applied to biography, history and science. Post modernism often has conspiracy theory logic which is used to attack but not to build on knowledge. Flat earth advocates often use this approach.
Yes, weaponized critical theory used to herd and corral the masses for exploitation and then slaughter. Not a new phenomenon, and perhaps created by my own people.
Thank you for teaching this difficult subject. Be not Silent!
History is meant to teach us something. The debate should be about what we can learn from history not what this or that evidence does or doesn't mean. Of course we should always try to verify accounts with other points of view but the post modernism way of looking at it it makes me feel like they are trying to destroy history as a study because they think we are better than our ancestors and don't have anything to learn from them.
It's certainly a challenge.
I am just who I am as well, and I have enjoyed your curation of an aspect of history that I skipped. Glad to come back because of the scope and consequence. Also nice Douglas Adams reference!
Welcome back!
This is actually the best (noncritical) explanation of postmodernism I have come across. And, to be fair, I can see why it caught on. (Also, I'm chagrined to find out that Derrida was Jewish.)
There are times I think you're relying too much on sources I'd rather not rely on, and times I appreciate your reliance on tradition. Which means I think you're walking straight down the center line, which is difficult and admirable and you should please continue exactly as you have been doing hitherto. יישר כחכם.
Well, thanks very much. It is a delicate balance.
This fellow Canadian transplant has been thrilled to discover your teachings! My Mom was born in Espanola so I especially enjoyed hearing a bit of your background.
Jehovah has endowed you with a wonderful gift for such a time as this. You handle sensitive subjects with great objectivity and care.Thankyou.
Historians don't need to make disclaimers, to admit imperfection. Reasonable readers will assess writers' rigor, glean what increases understanding. Unreasonable readers deserve no consideration.
You would be surprised what readers expect, I think.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD I doubt I'd be surprised. Readers/viewers vary widely, and many are unreasonable (thus perpetuating much of society's ugliness).
Excellent as usual. I like the expression hashgachah pratit
Thanks! 😃
In the midst of watching all your Jewish History Lab videos in order - I especially LOVE this one. (Big picture person, always searching for meaning...). I too read "Jews G-d and History" in my early 20's - it was a life changer. My visual metaphor of Jewish history in the midst of world history is that it is like the Gulf Stream. I know you'll get the meaning. I admire how you manage to walk a fine line in presenting this material as objectively as possible, but I suspect we share the same passions and pride in the things that cannot be said. כל הכבוד!!
What a waste of time is to cater to false philosophies such as "post-modernism". They are religions in themselves, but with false beliefs. Please give your opinion and explain history as you understand it with no restrictions. You have an information asymmetry in your favor with regards to your audience. This is that you know more about these subjects because you read more and researched more these specific things. And, you post free videos for us to watch for free. Until that asymmetry is diminished all your opinions and information is valuable. Whether we learn or not, received correct information or not, or chose a good teacher, is for us to discern, not your problem (or a problem planted in your mind by a false philosophy). Again, catering to nihilistic circular theories that don't solve any problems but create them and falling for their extortions is a waste if time.
The postmodernism doesn't seem to take into account that these documents can't be analyzed in a vacuum but they are connected to thru time and space to other documents . For instance , let's say you have 200+ documents referring to a king by the name of Nebuchadnezzar, and let's say that there is a great deal of correlation between them giving times and dates of various events. Let's throw in a few monuments and statues and inscriptions on tombs since these are forms of "documents"
as well. Sure none of these taken as a stand alone piece of history can say much about their authenticity but take them all together and we can be as sure that Nebuchadnezzar reigned in that region around at a certain time as we can be sure that if we drop a rock it will go down and not fly off into the air or grow wings
That's basically the approach of most historians today: try to improve the argument with a preponderance of evidence. On a philosophical (theoretical) level, however, there is always room for doubt.
I knew max I dimont and visited him and his wife in 1974 at their home in St Louis. He had a beautiful library room where surrounded by four walls of books he wrote his own. He and his wife were very dedicated to each other. He also had a progressive eye disease and more and more his wife helped him in later books. It’s possible he had to dictate his ideas so she knew intimately his every thought. Hope this helps.
And please cut the crap with the constant "gender neutrality" which is another social extortion and a waste of time. It is very costly mentally to filter out these references while trying to listen to the valuable information you put out.
14:15 Now I wonder what Derrida would have said about Obama's birth certificate lol
Prof....ixxx..you really are a teacher of great class....thanks....keep on please
History and fiction. Hmmm. Isn't it that history is from the current to the very best of the past connecting all the data? And anything not connected to past data or anything added is fiction?
Wow loved the lesson , will have to watch this a few times.
Glad you liked it!
הרוצה להחכים ידרים
The seven branches of the menorah symbolises the seven secular sciences , that help a person to understand and gain awe of Hashem .
Rabbenu Bechaye explains the seven sciences as follows:(1) the Wisdom of Logic and Language (2) the Study of Mathematics (3) The Study of Physics and Chemistry (4) The Science of Geometry and Trigonometry (5) The Study of Music (6) The Study of Astronomy (7) The Study of Divine Theology.
History is not a science as chazal say מאי דהוה הוה, it’s only the lessons we can learn from them to serve our creator better.
Thanks for contributing
Litvaks are rational ?
Some, anyway
I agree to your principles thank you dr abramson
Tzemach David student of the REM”A
Sefer Hayuchsin Zucato , the inventor of the Zucato Tables helped Columbus discover America( student of the b’aal Menorat Hamaor the Mahri Abbuhav)also has an appendix to correlate Jewish history to word history .
Interesting
history has passed, let's focus on proclaiming what was originally taught, first everything was possible from conversion to how they survived. but the most important thing is to return to the understanding of the teachings themselves without fear. Their will or God's will? let's think basically there is a point of a reprimand.
I can't figure out what you are trying to say.
0:44 nice! just 2 seconds off.....don't forget your towel 😁
Ha!
I find it interesting that how we see ourselves is not how others see us.
When I first saw that picture of you, (many videos ago), I thought to myself, "That's a very good portrait except it doesn't capture who he is." Why? Because he's not smiling. It appears to me you love what you do, and that enthusiasm comes across in your videos. I easily could be wrong, but I imagine even when you're reading alone or studying by yourself there's a faint smile on your face that transforms into a broad grin every time you come across some new information or novel ideas.
I started watching only wanting to refresh my understanding of the ancient origins of the nation of Israel. In just a few videos, I appreciated your approach, your presentation, your perspective, and yes, even your humor, so much that I’ve now watched maybe half of all your videos and will continue to watch the rest. Dr. Abramson, thank you so much for making these available to the public.
Thank yo so much for your kind words. I am glad that you are enjoying the videos!
Professor Abramson, you have misrepresented Postmodernism in your examples. The challenge posed by Postmodernism was NOT about the verification or forgery of historical documents. The challenge posed was in regarding history as an objective reality rather than as only the many points of view of its historians. It is not a "real thing" but only what historians, in any given era, decide that it was. In every era, it is the historians that get to decide what is important to write and how to interpret it. The point of view of Josephus was markedly different from Max Dimont, and so on. Derrida corrected the assumption that text can bring to us the readers some ultimate meaning rather than a point of view. For a good example of a Postmodernist view of history, I recommend Michel Foucault's "History of Madness." He writes about the genealogy of knowledge, i.e. what is accepted as true is constrained by the era in which the historian lives.
I suppose I wasn't clear--my point was pretty much what you just wrote. I'm not suggesting that the document (e.g. birth certificate) was a forgery, that would be a very simple historiographic challenge that historians have dealt with for centuries. The postmodernist point is that there is "nothing beyond the text." And the text, as we have discussed in previous videos, is apprehended entirely in the time and place of the person who reads it.
the professor is dead wrong about the definition of metaphysics. metaphysics comes from the very literal definition of where the works of Aristotle were positioned when cataloged (after the 'physics'), NOT from the study of things that are beyond measurement or beyond science. time and space, for example, traditionally studied philosophers concerned with metaphysics, and are definitely measurable. metaphysics mainly concerns itself with the study of first principles, or basis of knowledge.
plato.stanford.edu/entries/metaphysics/
Personally, I would greatly value your personal opinions on historically, religious material,or otherwise. No one lives in a vacuum and having opinions should be expected.
I hope to expand on this in print, not video.
I watch your videos regularly, and really enjoy them. I was wondering if there is a secular answer to "the meaning of the Jewish History."
To my humble opinion, the meaning of the Jewish history is to show the rest us "how to survive after, live with and thrive despite of trauma."
Glad you enjoy the videos! There's certainly value in your approach to the grand narrative.
The black and white photo looks good
The same applies to eyewitness testimony.
It seems to me that the lesson of Jewish history is that we need to remain as religious as possible because all the movements that went against the Torah either turned out very bad for the Jewish people or there kids and grandchildren are not gaining any spiritual connection from being Jewish so they are looking for other ideologies and forget their Jewish identity
Glad you got something from the video.
thanks henry you take care as well cause this covid crisis is really stressful,i was hoping my country may not have to enter another lockdown i hope things will turn out for the best alot of people seem to be taking this virus for granted but i hope things will improve
Be safe!
Terrific video as usual. Bravo Henry Abramson!
Glad you enjoyed it
So we just taught 155-156 for 10 yrs., but the had no meaning ? : )
3 credits each
You made me tear up at the end here. 29:03
Reminder set 😉
Enjoy in good health!
Those who do not like the history of a thing, revise it. Those who can't revise it, call it fiction.
Also pretty postmodern thought, yes.
Yes, great photo 👍
Wow...for the first time, I am kind of glad I stopped at a BS in History. I was unable to read the names of the Jewish historians that appeared in the squares. Would you please provide a list of the historians you named in this video. Thank you.
Leidensgeschichte is „History of suffering“, interessant dass Sie öfters deutsche Wörter einflechten. Yiddish würde Sinn ergeben aber warum Deutsch? Haben Sie einen Bezug? Liebe Grüße aus Wien
It works in both languages, but German is after all the language of much 19th century historical scholarship.
Beautiful lecture.
Many thanks!
🌼🌴😎
!
🇮🇱
Fantastic! Thanks
You are welcome!
Very interesting to see your 'higher immanence' quote from Cecil Roth. I can see your historical methodology expressed in that Rothian way in your videos.
Glad it comes across!
As a non-Jew and out of intellectual curiosity, have watched about 50 lectures on various topics by you in the last couple of years.
Firstly, thank you for your systematic efforts, brevity in presentation, modesty in keeping away from absolutism and ideological attitude (although by quoting the “higher immanence” in this episode, it’s clear that you too see providence or divine supervision in the Jewish history), smile, simple language, and following a well-thought map of topics.
Secondly, just a thought: At the end of each episode, I would introduce a couple of references for further reading or watching such as titles or links to interesting relevant articles, books, movies, video clips by others, etc. Will take 20-30 seconds but enriches the lecture for those who want to learn more.
Best of health and happiness to you.
For the vision is yet for the appointed time,
And it declareth of the end, and doth not lie;
Though it tarry, wait for it;
Because it will surely come, it will not delay.’
Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright in him;
But the righteous shall live by his FAITH.
Not sure what you are trying to say here.
thanks for the video lecture
Most welcome!
Dr. Abramson, your best lecture yet. Would give it more than one thumb-up if I could...
Hey, thanks!
Cool summary
ty
Again thank you so much for this lesson. Something you said at the beginning of this series has really stuck with me. That history is something that doesn't exist. Have been pondering that thought on many levels!
I was hoping people weren't really paying attention when I said that...but I put it on the Internet anyway. But you're right, that's a distinctly postmodern thought.
As the Cambridge historian Herbert Butterfield wrote, “The critical method in scholarship has surpassed common sense.” And, as Mr. Roth points out, the continuity and survival of the Jewish people across the centuries and millennia is nothing short of miraculous. It’s unfortunate that our contemporary postmodern lens has made truth relative and shrouded the obvious in doubt.
Postmodernism certainly outpaces common sense--the problem is, no one has developed a really effective critical response yet. Conspiracy theories thrive on the diminished truth ecosystem that postmodernism promotes--yet that is certainly our contemporary political moment in the United States.
@@HenryAbramsonPhD "Conspiracy theories thrive on the diminished truth ecosystem that postmodernism promotes...". Excellent point. I'm sure the progenitors of the philosophy had no idea the kind of Frankenstein they were unwittingly creating.
Very interesting points! Life boils down to whose voice we choose to believe!
Glad you found it interesting!
Meaning must include the need for NEW jokes.
Sigh.
So the birther controversy makes a lot of sense from a postmodern perspective.
Birtherism is a _distinctly_ postmodern phenomenon, correct. When standards of Truth (capital T) are diminished, the person who yells the loudest and repeats the most often gains credibility.
That was great! I am almost caught up.
Welcome back!
Neat photo...👌🏾
Thank you 🙌