Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz
Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz • 1670 episodes
Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz
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Name
Release Date
Duration
1
פָּרָשַׁת (אַחֲרֵי מוֹת) קְדוֹשִׁים תשפ"ו Part Two - "You will be different!" or "You should be holy" ?
פָּרָשַׁת (אַחֲרֵי מוֹת) קְדוֹשִׁים תשפ"ו Part Two - "You will be different!" or "You should be holy" ?
Apr 22, 2026
27:30
Shabbos as a powerful enforcer through mimesis of the Jewish Family unit, with the parents playing roles reflecting their exalted status in the family-unit
2
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת אַחֲרֵי מוֹת - קְדוֹשִׁים תשפ"ו - How are the Jews like Ethiopians?
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת אַחֲרֵי מוֹת - קְדוֹשִׁים תשפ"ו - How are the Jews like Ethiopians?
Apr 22, 2026
32:32
The modern State of Israel already includes territory that is שְׁאֵרִית אֱדוֹם
3
An interesting responsum from the חֲתַם סוֹפֵר re: the מִצְוָה of כְּבוֹד מְלָכִים. Is it a חֹק?
An interesting responsum from the חֲתַם סוֹפֵר re: the מִצְוָה of כְּבוֹד מְלָכִים. Is it a חֹק?
Apr 21, 2026
36:04
Do you have to give honor and respect to a bad king? an antisemitic king?
4
Sober thoughts on Israel's upcoming 78th birthday
Sober thoughts on Israel's upcoming 78th birthday
Apr 20, 2026
30:25
What mistakes has Israel made recently? How can they be fixed?
5
Parshas Acharei Mos-Kedoshim: Some thoughts about the consequences of the עֲרָיוֹת laws
Parshas Acharei Mos-Kedoshim: Some thoughts about the consequences of the עֲרָיוֹת laws
Apr 19, 2026
26:16
Their crying over it was not simply a matter of petulance!
6
The Two Metaphors of שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים: Individual spirituality and national chosennesss
The Two Metaphors of שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים: Individual spirituality and national chosennesss
Apr 5, 2026
35:40
The Left has tried to assimilate Jews, the Right to exterminate (because in their eyes assimilation does not work)
7
Some thoughts about "Schlissel Challah" (Really)
Some thoughts about "Schlissel Challah" (Really)
Apr 5, 2026
29:06
The Talmudic metaphor of מַפְתֵּחוֹת בְּיָדָיו שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא and its culinary application in 18th century Hasidic Practice
8
Seder Thoughts 2026
Seder Thoughts 2026
Apr 1, 2026
40:33
Some ideas for your seder
9
Plagiarism in Rabbinical Literature - The case of the נוֹדַע בִּיהוּדָה
Plagiarism in Rabbinical Literature - The case of the נוֹדַע בִּיהוּדָה
Mar 31, 2026
50:18
The passionate speeches of the נוֹדַע בִּיהוּדָה and his son against the theft of their intellectual property
10
Passover in Jewish history: Some Historical questions re: how it was celebrated
Passover in Jewish history: Some Historical questions re: how it was celebrated
Mar 29, 2026
34:05
In Israel right now, people are praying the enemy missiles should "pass over"!
11
Shabbos HaGadol 2026
Shabbos HaGadol 2026
Mar 29, 2026
1:18:05
Some thoughts on בַּל יֵרָאֶה עַל בְּלִיעוֹת וְחָמֵץ הַטַּל בְּשִׁשִּׁים. Plus, plagiarism in rabbinic literature, eradicating bad traits, and other matters.
12
What's the first thing the Jews do after Pharaoh give the permisson to leave?
What's the first thing the Jews do after Pharaoh give the permisson to leave?
Mar 27, 2026
26:48
Why were the Jews told to lie to the Egyptians? Isn't that the ultimate חילול השם? "Jews are all about money!"
13
Tucker Carlson & Henry Ford - Compare and contrast
Tucker Carlson & Henry Ford - Compare and contrast
Mar 26, 2026
26:09
The poisonous rhetoric of both men. But the Ford Antisemitism called-forth an eloquent protest from America's leading non-Jews. R Katz reads this public letter on this episode.
14
פָּרָשַׁת צַו תשפ"ו (שַׁבָּת הַגָּדוֹל) - the מֶשֶׁךְ חָכְמָה and the theory of the two types of קָרְבָּנוֹת
פָּרָשַׁת צַו תשפ"ו (שַׁבָּת הַגָּדוֹל) - the מֶשֶׁךְ חָכְמָה and the theory of the two types of קָרְבָּנוֹת
Mar 26, 2026
24:31
The קָרְבָּנוֹת offered on the בָּמוֹת were (Maimonidean) concessions to popular superstitionsOTOH the קָרְבָּנוֹת offered in the בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ were sublime in nature and were (Nachmanidean) constituent-elements in the metaphysical universe
15
הַפְטָרַת שַׁבָּת הַגָּדוֹל תשפ"ו - Why is Elijah the one sent before "The Great and Terrible Day"?
הַפְטָרַת שַׁבָּת הַגָּדוֹל תשפ"ו - Why is Elijah the one sent before "The Great and Terrible Day"?
Mar 23, 2026
30:20
Will תְּחִיַּת הַמֵּתִים occur for the benefit of the Dead, or the benefit of the Living?
16
Rabban Gamliel and the Matzah at the Seder - the interpretation of Abarbanel
Rabban Gamliel and the Matzah at the Seder - the interpretation of Abarbanel
Mar 22, 2026
37:24
It is NOT about the affliction, it is about the hope for the messianic redemption in the near future. This is Abarbanel speaking to the battered Sephardim in 1496!
17
"The Chuck Norris Era" in American popular culture as it relates to the Arab-Israeli Conflict
"The Chuck Norris Era" in American popular culture as it relates to the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Mar 22, 2026
26:51
Can "Christian Zionism" flourish in the aftermath of the Cold War? Or is it a phenomenon confined to older Americans?
18
More on Israel-German Relations (and Non-Relations) in the 1950s and 60s. And some comments on Trump's retort to the Japanese today
More on Israel-German Relations (and Non-Relations) in the 1950s and 60s. And some comments on Trump's retort to the Japanese today
Mar 20, 2026
46:02
Trump joked about the Pearl Harbor Attack of 1941. Actually, this resulted in Hitler stupidly declaring war on the USA (thus sealing his own doom) , PLUS providing the Americans with an insight into his thinking, thanks to the blabbermouth Japanese Ambassador in Berlin Baron Oshima
19
R Katz analyzes aspects of the latest developments in the chaotic war-situation
R Katz analyzes aspects of the latest developments in the chaotic war-situation
Mar 18, 2026
28:28
Are Bibi and Trump encouraging the Syrians to invade Lebanon and "disarm" (i.e., exterminate) Hezbollah? Who gains from that? This is reminiscent of certain Biblical episodes...
20
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת וַיִּקְרָא תשפ"ו - Korbanos in Judaism and in Paganism
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת וַיִּקְרָא תשפ"ו - Korbanos in Judaism and in Paganism
Mar 17, 2026
23:11
Man-made idols do not offer moral criticism!
21
Various definitions of אִשָּׁה חֲשׁוּבָה (Passover Seder)
Various definitions of אִשָּׁה חֲשׁוּבָה (Passover Seder)
Mar 17, 2026
34:14
Looks? Bucks? Yichus? Higher salary? Higher job position? Class? Equal Partner in the Marriage?
22
פָּרָשַׁת וַיִּקְרָא תשפ"ו - Rambam on Korbanos that don't make sense
פָּרָשַׁת וַיִּקְרָא תשפ"ו - Rambam on Korbanos that don't make sense
Mar 15, 2026
37:38
For the first year after the original Passover, there were basically no korbanos (with a few exceptions) in Judaism
23
More Strange Bedfellows: Germany financed Israel's A- Bomb Project (Dimona) back in the 1960s. A story in the news today
More Strange Bedfellows: Germany financed Israel's A- Bomb Project (Dimona) back in the 1960s. A story in the news today
Mar 13, 2026
53:19
Israel agreed not to "out" ex-Nazis in the West German Government. A grateful Germany bankrolled Israel's secret nuclear project. An previously unknown detail of the relationship between Ben Gurion and Konrad Adenauer
24
זֵכֶר יְצִיאַת מִצְרַיִם VS סִפּוּר יְצִיאַת מִצְרַיִם part 1
זֵכֶר יְצִיאַת מִצְרַיִם VS סִפּוּר יְצִיאַת מִצְרַיִם part 1
Mar 11, 2026
25:23
What did the Jews imagine was going to happen when they were told God would "pass over" their houses that night?
25
Some historical considerations re: Poles, Jews, Hitler, Food, and the Holocaust
Some historical considerations re: Poles, Jews, Hitler, Food, and the Holocaust
Mar 10, 2026
36:41
The German food crisis of 1942 as a cause of the setting-up of industrial genocide centers in Occupied Poland in 1942
26
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ תשפ"ו - Abrabanel: "ha-ha מְשֻׁמָּדִים וּמְסִיתִים וּמַדִּיחִים, don't tell me THIS prophecy is metaphorical!"
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת הַחֹדֶשׁ תשפ"ו - Abrabanel: "ha-ha מְשֻׁמָּדִים וּמְסִיתִים וּמַדִּיחִים, don't tell me THIS prophecy is metaphorical!"
Mar 9, 2026
25:05
High- Office will have the power to tempt the powerful to be corrupt even in the Messianic Era!
27
פָּרָשַׁת וַיַּקְהֵל-פְּקוּדֵי תשפ"ו The Contrast between the מִשְׁכָּן-idea and the שַׁבָּת-idea
פָּרָשַׁת וַיַּקְהֵל-פְּקוּדֵי תשפ"ו The Contrast between the מִשְׁכָּן-idea and the שַׁבָּת-idea
Mar 9, 2026
26:01
Shabbos - God the Creator of literally everything, hence beyond transcendentMishkan- God something that has a "presence" (שְׁכִינָה), hence somehow immanent
28
Abarbanel on Messianism Part 2. R Katz gives a historical introduction to Abarbanel's יְשׁוּעוֹת מְשִׁיחוֹ" עַל מַאַמׇרֵי חֲזַ"ל בְּסִפְרוּת הַתַּלְמוּד”
Abarbanel on Messianism Part 2. R Katz gives a historical introduction to Abarbanel's יְשׁוּעוֹת מְשִׁיחוֹ" עַל מַאַמׇרֵי חֲזַ"ל בְּסִפְרוּת הַתַּלְמוּד”
Mar 8, 2026
1:02:07
Abarbanel burns with indignation at the falsehoods to which the Jews had been subject at the Disputation of Tortosa (1413) and the hostile misrepresentations of Aggadah in Raymond Martini's infamous 'Pugio Fidei" cynically hurled at them
29
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת פָּרָה תשפ"ו - The Red Cow as a Historiosophical Mystical Reality
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת פָּרָה תשפ"ו - The Red Cow as a Historiosophical Mystical Reality
Mar 6, 2026
23:36
That which becomes impure can be made pure again; a nation that becomes homeless can regain their home
30
פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תִּשָּׂא תשפ"ו - Why the Juxtaposition of the קְטֹרֶת and the עֵגֶל הַזָּהָב?
פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תִּשָּׂא תשפ"ו - Why the Juxtaposition of the קְטֹרֶת and the עֵגֶל הַזָּהָב?
Mar 4, 2026
30:33
God can only be comprehended (to some extent) through history, not philosophy!
31
The shaky acceptance of Purim by the Jewish people back at the time of Mordechai
The shaky acceptance of Purim by the Jewish people back at the time of Mordechai
Mar 4, 2026
41:22
Why did the Jews stop observing Purim a few years after they originally accepted it?
32
Iran and Hamas: בּוֹר כָּרָה וַיַּחְפְּרֵהוּ וַיִּפֹּל בְּשַׁחַת יִפְעָל ("Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made.")
Iran and Hamas: בּוֹר כָּרָה וַיַּחְפְּרֵהוּ וַיִּפֹּל בְּשַׁחַת יִפְעָל ("Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made.")
Mar 2, 2026
38:23
Has Sinwar ימ"ש caused the death of Khamenei and the fall of his regime? The ironies of the Purim season
33
Analyzing the קִיְּמוּ וְקִבְּלוּ episode. If it is actually a valid complaint, why were the Jews punished for sins in the Biblical Era?
Analyzing the קִיְּמוּ וְקִבְּלוּ episode. If it is actually a valid complaint, why were the Jews punished for sins in the Biblical Era?
Mar 2, 2026
36:24
Was the mountain held over their heads at Sinai to compel them to accept ALL the mitzvot? Did the Jews not want to accept ANY mitzvot? Or just some of them? In other words, what actually happened as a result of Purim?
34
The archaeology of a Dvar Torah - The כְּתַב סוֹפֵר on the last verse in the Megilah
The archaeology of a Dvar Torah - The כְּתַב סוֹפֵר on the last verse in the Megilah
Mar 1, 2026
37:42
Why would he deprecate the use of coercion on the non-frum? The answer lies in his own and his family's history...
35
Addendum to the podcast this morning re: הֵגֶא סְרִיס הַמֶּלֶךְ שֹׁמֵר הַנָּשִׁים
Addendum to the podcast this morning re: הֵגֶא סְרִיס הַמֶּלֶךְ שֹׁמֵר הַנָּשִׁים
Feb 26, 2026
8:22
וְנָתַתִּי לָהֶם בְּבֵיתִי וּבְחוֹמֹתַי יָד וָשֵׁם טוֹב מִבָּנִים וּמִבָּנוֹת שֵׁם עוֹלָם אֶתֶּן לוֹ אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִכָּרֵת
36
Why some rabbis disliked Mordechai - They thought the was being מחמיר at the expense of the entire Jewish People
Why some rabbis disliked Mordechai - They thought the was being מחמיר at the expense of the entire Jewish People
Feb 25, 2026
32:09
Had Esther's intervention not succeeded, would Mordechai THEN bow down to Haman to save the Jews?
37
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת זְכֹר תשפ"ו - What the is the meaning of " זֵכֶר עֲמָלֵק"
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת זְכֹר תשפ"ו - What the is the meaning of " זֵכֶר עֲמָלֵק"
Feb 25, 2026
31:34
Managing an unsolvable existential problem - the " זֵכֶר עֲמָלֵק" in every generation,
38
Who exactly is הֵגֶא סְרִיס הַמֶּלֶךְ שֹׁמֵר הַנָּשִׁים? Is he a "hidden hero" of the story?
Who exactly is הֵגֶא סְרִיס הַמֶּלֶךְ שֹׁמֵר הַנָּשִׁים? Is he a "hidden hero" of the story?
Feb 25, 2026
32:01
Who was the ממוכן who recommended הֵגֶא ? The world of varied interpretations of מגילת אסתר
39
Abarbanel on Messianism Part 1 - this historical context of the late 1490s
Abarbanel on Messianism Part 1 - this historical context of the late 1490s
Feb 24, 2026
45:39
Abarbanel wrote three books on Messianic themes: a,)מַעַיְנֵי הַיְּשׁוּעָה b.) יְשׁוּעוֹת מְשִׁיחוֹ c.) מַשְׁמִיעַ יְשׁוּעָה
40
How did Mordecai & Esther know the contents of the private conversation between Haman and the King?
How did Mordecai & Esther know the contents of the private conversation between Haman and the King?
Feb 23, 2026
25:15
When Haman fell from power, did Mordecai gain possession of Haman's "Jeffery Epstein Files"?
41
פָּרָשַׁת תְּצַוֶּה תשפ"ו - The source of Moses' moral authority
פָּרָשַׁת תְּצַוֶּה תשפ"ו - The source of Moses' moral authority
Feb 23, 2026
23:10
Why is שִׂנְאַת חִנָּם the thing that prevents the Rebuilding of the בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ ?
42
Why did Moshe accept the עֵרוּב רַב and Mordecai the מִתְיַהֲדִים?
Why did Moshe accept the עֵרוּב רַב and Mordecai the מִתְיַהֲדִים?
Feb 18, 2026
25:16
Both leaders wanted the Jews-by-birth to accept the Torah, and discerned they would be impressed by sight of the non-Jews who now embraced Judaism
43
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת תְּרוּמָה תשפ"ו Was Shomo's Temple popular?
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת תְּרוּמָה תשפ"ו Was Shomo's Temple popular?
Feb 18, 2026
26:12
Built with forced labor, it doesn't seem to have captured the emotions of כלל ישראל. Instead, separation, במות, etc. Unlike the בַּיִת שֵׁנִי
44
Malbim on Messianism and the Messianic Era Part 2
Malbim on Messianism and the Messianic Era Part 2
Feb 18, 2026
41:03
Malbim's theory of the terminus post quem for the Redemption
45
The new English translation of the Classic R Yehonasan Eibeschutz sefer on Megilas Esther
The new English translation of the Classic R Yehonasan Eibeschutz sefer on Megilas Esther
Feb 17, 2026
28:33
R Menachem Tenenbaum (Cleveland) has translated the wonderful סֵפֶר יְשׁוּעָה גְּדוֹלָה (שֶׁהוּא מְלֻקָּט מִסֵּפֶר "יַעֲרוֹת דְּבַשׁ"), which contains the "Agadic Pilpul" on the Purim Story from the Gaon Y. Eibeschutz into readable English...in time for this Purim!
46
וְרַבִּים מֵעַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ מִתְיַהֲדִים כִּי נָפַל פַּחַד הַיְּהוּדִים עֲלֵיהֶם - Did they actually convert?
וְרַבִּים מֵעַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ מִתְיַהֲדִים כִּי נָפַל פַּחַד הַיְּהוּדִים עֲלֵיהֶם - Did they actually convert?
Feb 17, 2026
32:09
Was it a wave of גֵּרֵי צֶדֶק or an avalanche of opportunists, a new עֵרוּב רַב?
47
פָּרָשַׁת תְּרוּמָה תשפ"ו - Stationary and Mobile
פָּרָשַׁת תְּרוּמָה תשפ"ו - Stationary and Mobile
Feb 16, 2026
32:04
A box never to be opened, a symbol of Divine Mystery?
48
וְאֶל מֹשֶׁה אָמַר עֲלֵה אֶל יְהֹוָה - What does this actually mean?
וְאֶל מֹשֶׁה אָמַר עֲלֵה אֶל יְהֹוָה - What does this actually mean?
Feb 11, 2026
25:54
"Rise intellectually and struggle to comprehend the meaning of the Tetragrammaton." Like any ideal, you cannot get there but you must strive to constantly progress in that direction"
49
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת שְׁקָלִים תשפ"ו - Fundraising techniques 2800 years ago
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת שְׁקָלִים תשפ"ו - Fundraising techniques 2800 years ago
Feb 10, 2026
56:07
How the King and the High Priest had to come up with a fundraising plan whereby none of the money went to the solicitors! Rather all the $$ went to the Temple Plant refurbishing campaign.
50
The Malbim on Messianism Part 1
The Malbim on Messianism Part 1
Feb 9, 2026
56:07
Malbim calculated Mashiach would come in 1927. To be continued...