The Czarist government implemented a policy of censorship of all published material in the empire, whether it was imported or printed locally. Though this was a general policy, there were unique particularities regarding the censorship of Jewish works. In the early years following the partitions of Poland, there wasn’t an effective mechanism of censoring in place, and it was only in 1826 when censorship for Jewish works was implemented in a systematic fashion. The government utilized the tool of censorship in order to assist in solving what they termed ‘the Jewish question’. Censorship of religious texts, especially those relating to Chassidic thought, mysticism and Kabbalah, was thought to distance them from sectarianism, integrate the Jews into Russian society, ‘improve’ them and make them more ‘productive’.
An outsized role was played by the censors themselves, who were generally prominent maskilim or even apostates. Later in the century, the government shifted away from censorship of religious works, and focused on secular literature and the emerging media of newspapers and periodicals in Russian, Hebrew and Yiddish. These were considered a greater threat from the Czarist perspective as they encouraged Jewish nationalism, socialism, aspirations of emancipation and revolutionary activity.
Cross River, a leading financial institution committed to supporting its communities, is proud to sponsor Jewish History Soundbites. As a trusted partner for individuals and businesses, Cross River understands the importance of preserving and celebrating our heritage. By sponsoring this podcast, they demonstrate their unwavering dedication to enriching the lives of the communities in which they serve. Visit Cross River at https://www.crossriver.com/
Subscribe to Jewish History Soundbites Podcast on: PodBean: https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/ or your favorite podcast platform
Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram at @Jsoundbites
For sponsorship opportunities about your favorite topics of Jewish history or feedback contact Yehuda at: yehuda@yehudageberer.com
Rebbe! The Life of Rav Nochum Partzovitz
The Civil War & American Jewry
A Guiding Light: The Life of the Chazon Ish Part I
Poles at the Polls: Jewish Political Factions in Interwar Poland
Around the Maggid's Table: The Disciples of Rav Dov Ber of Mezeritch
A Historic Vote: The 1935 Tel Aviv Rabbinate Elections
Sisters of the Revolution Part IV: The Birth of a Movement
The Birth of Proto-Zionism: The World of Rav Tzvi Hirsch Kalischer
From Minsk to Monsey: The Life of Rav Reuven Grozovsky
From Warsaw to Selma: The Complicated Life of Abraham Joshua Heschel
Unfathomable Greatness: The Life & Times of Rav Boruch Ber Part III
Unfathomable Greatness: The Life & Times of Rav Boruch Ber Part II
Unfathomable Greatness: The Life & Times of Rav Boruch Ber Part I
Sisters of the Revolution Part III: The Pioneers : Separating Fact from Fiction
Chassidic Symphony: The Modzitz Dynasty
Great American Jewish Cities #18: Boro Park Part II
Great American Jewish Cities #18: Boro Park Part I
The Life of the Chofetz Chaim: Part IV Personalities & Publications
Sisters of the Revolution Part II: To Teach or not to Teach?
The Revenge of the Yekkes: The Story of the Ritchie Boys
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Rav Gershon Ribner
The Nightingale of Iran
For Heaven’s Sake
Unpacking Israeli History
Abundant Ever After with Cathy Heller