EPISODE · Mar 5, 2026 · 44 MIN
Gambling Addict, Renaissance Rabbi? Leone da Modena
from Jewish History Nerds · host Unpacked
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you! What happens when a rabbi becomes a compulsive gambler? Yael and Schwab explore the life of Rabbi Leone de Modena, a remarkable Renaissance thinker from the Venetian ghetto. A prodigy, prolific writer, and the author of the first full-length Hebrew autobiography, Modena was also a famous preacher whose sermons drew both Jews and Christians. He defended bringing choral music into synagogue services and is claimed by a broad range of Jewish traditions. His story offers a glimpse into life in early modern Venice, where Jews and non Jews mingled and shared ideas despite the ghetto walls, while revealing the genius and very human struggles of one of the era’s most fascinating rabbis. If you like this show, please rate and write a review wherever you get your podcasts. And be in touch. Write to us at [email protected]. Watch Yael and Schwab on YouTube: Sources and summary: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1InrXhFPXoVLetO1XWExJhu1h_hkiCZ_EVhHulLvtwXc/edit?usp=sharing Visit jewishlives.org to explore and buy books from the Jewish Lives book series. Use the discount code JLIFE to get a discount. This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube. ------------------ For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History Wondering Jews
What this episode covers
Please fill out this short survey. Go to: unpacked.bio/podsurvey. We want to hear from you! What happens when a rabbi becomes a compulsive gambler? Yael and Schwab explore the life of Rabbi Leone de Modena, a remarkable Renaissance thinker from the Venetian ghetto. A prodigy, prolific writer, and the author of the first full-length Hebrew autobiography, Modena was also a famous preacher whose sermons drew both Jews and Christians. He defended bringing choral music into synagogue services and is claimed by a broad range of Jewish traditions. His story offers a glimpse into life in early modern Venice, where Jews and non Jews mingled and shared ideas despite the ghetto walls, while revealing the genius and very human struggles of one of the era’s most fascinating rabbis. If you like this show, please rate and write a review wherever you get your podcasts. And be in touch. Write to us at [email protected]. Watch Yael and Schwab on YouTube: Sources and summary: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1InrXhFPXoVLetO1XWExJhu1h_hkiCZ_EVhHulLvtwXc/edit?usp=sharing Visit jewishlives.org to explore and buy books from the Jewish Lives book series. Use the discount code JLIFE to get a discount. This podcast was brought to you by Unpacked, a brand of OpenDor Media. Follow @unpackedmedia on Instagram and check out Unpacked on youtube. ------------------ For other podcasts from Unpacked, check out: Soulful Jewish Living Stars of David with Elon Gold Unpacking Israeli History Wondering Jews
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Gambling Addict, Renaissance Rabbi? Leone da Modena
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