Henry VIII and His Rabbis - by Jerry Rabow (Hardcover)

About the Book

Using primary resources and employing a forensic eye, Jerry Rabow offers a fascinating and unique investigation into the infamous story of Henry VIII's effort to divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn.

Book Synopsis

Why did it take Henry VIII six years of conflict (1527-1533) to end his marriage to Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn? Henry VIII and His Rabbis tells the vivid story of this tumultuous period in Tudor history, including the first full examination of the king's bizarre reliance upon rabbinic interpretations of Jewish law for his final campaign to convince the pope to grant a Catholic annulment. With critical analysis of original documents, contemporary accounts, and historical commentaries, Jerry Rabow makes this engaging history fully accessible for modern readers. The book also furnishes updated online website resources to access copies of relevant historical books and documents. Tudor and Jewish history fans alike will delight in this fascinating intersection of Europe's Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant worlds of five hundred years ago - a historic moment whose consequences still echo today.

Review Quotes

'Jerry's extensive research unearthed layers of complexity that have been glossed over in traditional histories of Henry VIII. He also highlights the role of coincidence and unlikely historical intersections, such as the fact that England, at the time, had been virtually devoid of Jews for 240 years following their expulsion by Edward I in 1290.'--The Jewish Telegraph, March 2025

'Retired lawyer Jerry Rabow has written a dense but vastly entertaining book, Henry VIII and his Rabbis, which examines in forensic detail how Henry, in his desperation to marry Anne, sought Jewish advice to find a legal loophole to extradite himself from his marriage to Catherine.'--The Jewish Chronicle, March 2025

'It is engaging to read, you just need to engage your brain to understand the theology, especially when it's not something you're particularly knowledgeable about. An interesting addition to my bookshelves for sure!'--Tudor Blogger, March 2025

'An historical tale worthy of Game of Thrones! With deft historical scholarship and captivating writing, Jerry Rabow tells the story of a love-sick king and his scheming mistress, conniving churchmen, a dithering pope, feuding rabbis, Kabbalistic mysteries, a false messiah, and the quiet anonymous Jewish wedding in a ghetto of Rome that determined the history of Europe. An historical page-turner, masterfully documented, and told with inspired flair, Rabow's Henry VIII and His Rabbis, is a joyful discovery.'--Ed Feinstein, rabbi of Valley Beth Shalom, and author of Tough Questions Jews Ask and The Pursuit of Godliness and a Living Judaism

'In addition to exploring a fascinating period in English history and being an enjoyable read, Jerry Rabow's investigation of Henry VIII's attempt at finding rabbinic justification for his 'divorce' from Catherine throws new light on the politics and theology of the Tudor monarchy.'--Maximillian E. Novak, Distinguished Research Professor, UCLA, and editor of Daniel Defoe: Serious Reflections of Robinson Crusoe

'In this exciting new book, Jerry Rabow's pathbreaking look at Henry VIII uncovers important evidence of Henry's reliance upon Jewish law in his conflict with the pope over his divorce. Henry VIII and His Rabbis is required reading for anyone and everyone who thought they knew this epic tale.'--Professor Marc Dollinger, San Francisco State University, author of Black Power, Jewish Politics: Reinventing the Alliance in the 1960s

'Read this book and take inspiration from an incredible story and storyteller!'--Rabbi Joshua Hoffman, President of the Academy for Jewish Religion California, and author of The Holiness of Doubt

'Reading Rabow's latest book is like unraveling a mystery. Why does a monarch of a country with no Jews turn to rabbis and Jewish law in his quest for a divorce? Rabow offers a fascinating new exploration of Henry VIII and his Italian rabbis as they interpret Jewish law in the context of the political, social and religious interactions of the sixteenth century.'--Helen Ernst Dosik, PhD, Department of Sociology (retd), California State University Northridge

'The lessons of fascinating historical events must continue to be reexamined by our best teachers to apply new lessons to today's ever-changing world. Henry VIII stands as the center of one of those fascinating chapters, and Jerry Rabow exemplifies such a teacher. Rabow sheds new light on the political and religious milieu of Henry VIII's decision, which shook the European religious institutions of his times. The reverberations can still be felt today.'--Nolan Lebovitz, Senior Rabbi of Valley Beth Shalom, and author of The Case for Dual Loyalty: Healing the Divided Soul of American Jews

About the Author

Jerry Rabow, an honors graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, is the author of 50 Jewish Messiahs and The Lost Matriarch: Finding Leah in the Bible and Midrash. He has enjoyed broad experience as a popular teacher and lecturer on Judaism, history, science, photography, and art appreciation.