by Daniel Poole
"Welcome to My Roots, Our Branches, the podcast where personal identity meets collective history. I’m your host, Daniel. For 3,000 years, the Jewish story has been one of incredible resilience, profound thought, and global migration. But how did we get here? Join me as we travel back to the moments that defined our roots and explore the incredible paths our branches have taken across the globe. This is the story of us."
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
2/4/2026
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June 1, 2026
<p>What if the most famous top-ten list in human history isn’t actually a list of commandments at all?</p><p>In this episode of My Roots, Our Branches, Daniel digs deep into the desert soil of the Sinai Peninsula to uncover the fascinating history, evolution, and secrets behind the Ten Commandments. We look at why the text appears twice—and differently—in the Torah, how a massive translation error completely changed the meaning of "Thou shalt not kill," and how some of history's greatest Jewish thinkers (like Maimonides, Rashi, and Philo) cracked the psychological code hidden within the stone tablets.</p><p>Finally, we explore how different branches of modern Judaism—from Orthodox to Reform—continue to engage with, debate, and live out these ancient words today.</p><p>Whether you see them as literal divine law or a timeless ethical compass, this episode balances deep historical insights with accessible, engaging storytelling. Tune in to see how these ancient roots continue to shape our modern branches.</p><p><strong>Love the show? Here’s how to support us:</strong></p><ul><li><p>👉 <strong>Follow & Review:</strong> Hit follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review!</p></li><li><p>📱 <strong>Instagram:</strong> Follow us <a href="https://instagram.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@MyRootsOurBranches</a> for behind-the-scenes visual breakdowns and daily history tidbits.</p></li><li><p>🎥 <strong>TikTok:</strong> Catch our quick-bite history videos <a href="https://tiktok.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@MyRootsOurBranches</a>.</p></li></ul>
May 15, 2026
<p><strong>Disclaimer: This episode deals with depression, religious isolation, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.</strong></p><p>In this episode of My Roots, Our Branches, host Daniel explores the life of a man who was rejected by both the world he fled and the community he sought to join. Born Gabriel da Costa into a "New Christian" family in Portugal, he lived under the shadow of the Inquisition before fleeing to Amsterdam to return to his Jewish roots.</p><p>However, Uriel’s vision of a pure, biblical faith quickly clashed with the Rabbinic Judaism of the 17th century. We dive into:</p><ul><li><p>The wider context of the Portuguese Inquisition and the Converso experience.</p></li><li><p>Uriel’s explosive philosophical criticisms, including his denial of the immortality of the soul.</p></li><li><p>His brutal conflicts with religious authorities, leading to multiple excommunications and public humiliation.</p></li><li><p>His final autobiography, Exemplar Humanae Vitae, and his tragic death.</p></li><li><p>How his struggle paved the way for future thinkers like Baruch Spinoza.</p></li></ul><p><strong>Follow and support us on all podcast platforms, and find us on Instagram and TikTok @MyRootsOurBranches.</strong></p>
May 12, 2026
<p>What happens when you strip away centuries of Rabbinic tradition and return solely to the written word? In this episode of My Roots, Our Branches, Daniel explores the fascinating and often misunderstood world of <strong>Karaite Judaism</strong>.</p><p>We journey from the intellectual salons of 8th-century Baghdad to the modern-day communities in Israel and California, uncovering a tradition that rejects the Oral Torah in favour of a literal, rationalist approach to the Hebrew Bible.</p><p><strong>In this episode, we discuss:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>The Great Divide:</strong> Why Karaites reject the Talmud and how it changes everything from the food they eat to the way they light their homes.</p></li><li><p><strong>The Baghdad Revolution:</strong> The dramatic (and perhaps legendary) story of Anan ben David and the influence of Islamic rationalism.</p></li><li><p><strong>The Survival Paradox:</strong> How a controversial 19th-century theory about "Khazar" roots led to a life-or-death distinction during the Holocaust.</p></li><li><p><strong>A Living Tradition:</strong> Why modern Karaites pray barefoot and how they use the ripening of barley to set their calendar.</p></li></ul><p>Join us as we explore how this unique branch of the Jewish tree has weathered centuries of change while remaining rooted in the text.</p><p><strong>Follow the journey:</strong>Find us on all major podcast platforms. For more history and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on <strong>Instagram</strong> and <strong>TikTok</strong> at <strong>@MyRootsOurBranches</strong>.</p>
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"Welcome to My Roots, Our Branches, the podcast where personal identity meets collective history. I’m your host, Daniel.
For 3,000 years, the Jewish story has been one of incredible resilience, profound thought, and global migration. But how did we get here? Join me as we travel back to the moments that defined our roots and explore the incredible paths our branches have taken across the globe. This is the story of us."
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