Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz
Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz • 1770 episodes
Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz
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Name
Release Date
Duration
1
הֱוֵי מְקַבֵּל אֶת כָּל הָאָדָם בְּסֵבֶר פָּנִים יָפוֹת vs. וֶהֱוֵי מְקַבֵּל אֶת כָּל הָאָדָם בְּשִׂמְחָה in light of Hoshana Rabbah
הֱוֵי מְקַבֵּל אֶת כָּל הָאָדָם בְּסֵבֶר פָּנִים יָפוֹת vs. וֶהֱוֵי מְקַבֵּל אֶת כָּל הָאָדָם בְּשִׂמְחָה in light of Hoshana Rabbah
Oct 2, 2026
34:04
Civility vs. Affection: Two different approaches
2
The נַעֲנוּעִים in 5787 (2027) in light of current events
The נַעֲנוּעִים in 5787 (2027) in light of current events
Oct 1, 2026
28:05
The physical and political dangers we face from all directions
3
פָּרָשַׁת וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה תשפ"ז - Before Moshe blesses the hereditary Jews, he blesses the גֵּרִים
פָּרָשַׁת וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה תשפ"ז - Before Moshe blesses the hereditary Jews, he blesses the גֵּרִים
Sep 28, 2026
30:28
Including the עֵרֶב רַב!
4
A new interpretation of בַסֻּכּוֹת הוֹשַׁבְתִּי אֶת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּהוֹצִיאִי אוֹתָם מִמִּצְרַיִם - סֻכּוֹת מַמָּשׁ
A new interpretation of בַסֻּכּוֹת הוֹשַׁבְתִּי אֶת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּהוֹצִיאִי אוֹתָם מִמִּצְרַיִם - סֻכּוֹת מַמָּשׁ
Sep 28, 2026
32:32
Where did the Jews sleep BEFORE they crossed the Red Sea?
5
Leone Modena's explanation of the halachos of the arba minim and the US Constitution
Leone Modena's explanation of the halachos of the arba minim and the US Constitution
Sep 25, 2026
30:02
The נַעֲנוּעִים are not some devil-worship ritual, but rather a sublime Maimonidean-Logical rite of acknowledging God's sovereignty over everything, even the Heavens. The great impact of Modena's explanation upon Gentile intellectuals
6
Calling a Spade a Spade: The עוֹלְלוֹת אֶפְרַיִם on the אַרְבַּע מִינִים
Calling a Spade a Spade: The עוֹלְלוֹת אֶפְרַיִם on the אַרְבַּע מִינִים
Sep 24, 2026
27:16
The לוּלָב is the תַּלְמִיד חָכָם who is a turnoff!
7
Sukkos and the Battle for "The" Official-Memory of the 40 years in the desert
Sukkos and the Battle for "The" Official-Memory of the 40 years in the desert
Sep 23, 2026
20:46
The years in the Desert were magical, wondrous, and wonderful (עַנָּנֵי הַכָּבוֹד)ORThe year in the desert were physically torturous and ended in death (because of the two big sins) (סֻכּוֹת מַמָּשׁ)
8
Intellectual Bankruptcy and the Current (non-frum) Jewish Anti-Zionism
Intellectual Bankruptcy and the Current (non-frum) Jewish Anti-Zionism
Sep 22, 2026
32:01
Will Dissolving Israel and returning to Galus save the Jewish People? Are you nuts?
9
The unusual מַחְלֹקֶת רִאשׁוֹנִים re: The אַרְבָּעָה חִלּוּקֵי כַּפָּרָה
The unusual מַחְלֹקֶת רִאשׁוֹנִים re: The אַרְבָּעָה חִלּוּקֵי כַּפָּרָה
Sep 20, 2026
24:06
The סֵפֶר הָאֶשְׁכּוֹל says that is not how Heaven operates
10
שַׁבַּת שׁוּבָה פָּרָשַׁת הַאֲזִינוּ תשפ"ז - Moshe goes out on a rhetorical high
שַׁבַּת שׁוּבָה פָּרָשַׁת הַאֲזִינוּ תשפ"ז - Moshe goes out on a rhetorical high
Sep 17, 2026
29:23
When misfortune strikes, will you intelligent enough to be thoughtfully and constructively self-critical? Or will you be like everyone else in the Middle East?
11
A Possible History of Yom Kippur
A Possible History of Yom Kippur
Sep 16, 2026
30:09
Why does the Torah (i.e., Hashem) permit everything on Yom Kippur except eating and drinking?
12
Rabbi Yekusiel Aryeh Kamelhar (1871-1937), life in the Jewish Galicia in the fin de siècle
Rabbi Yekusiel Aryeh Kamelhar (1871-1937), life in the Jewish Galicia in the fin de siècle
Sep 16, 2026
56:44
At different times, a Rav, Rosh Yeshiva, Historian, journalist. Seeking a footing when you are an original thinker but not a member of the "in club" in Hasidic society
13
Major Alfred Mordecai US Army (1804-1887): Can one stay frum at West Point?
Major Alfred Mordecai US Army (1804-1887): Can one stay frum at West Point?
Sep 14, 2026
50:02
Robert E Lee chose the Confederacy. George Thomas chose the Union. Which side did Major Mordecai choose?
14
Rosh Hashanah and the Dangers of AI: An interpretation of the theme of Malchiyos
Rosh Hashanah and the Dangers of AI: An interpretation of the theme of Malchiyos
Sep 10, 2026
29:04
Also: The historical origins of וְכֵן תֵּן פַּחְדְּךָ
15
A Historical Introduction to the Drashos HaRamban to Rosh HaShanah, Pt. 2
A Historical Introduction to the Drashos HaRamban to Rosh HaShanah, Pt. 2
Sep 9, 2026
52:57
Ramban, a Sephardi, spars with his Ashkenazic audience
16
A Historical Introduction to the Drashos HaRamban to Rosh HaShanah, Pt. 1
A Historical Introduction to the Drashos HaRamban to Rosh HaShanah, Pt. 1
Sep 7, 2026
1:03:44
A Sephardi take on עִנְיְנֵי רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה delivered in an Ashkenazi yeshiva (in the Capital of the Crusader Kingdom) in 1267
17
Rosh Hashanah: A Suggested History of Malchiyos, Zichronos and Shofros in the Common Liturgy (5787)
Rosh Hashanah: A Suggested History of Malchiyos, Zichronos and Shofros in the Common Liturgy (5787)
Sep 6, 2026
37:45
Did the predecessors of R’ Abahu also combine different meanings of תְּקִיעַת שׁוֹפָר that were "out there" into a single standard liturgy for all Jews? Was he merely following their example of uniformization?
18
Haftarah Nitzavim-VaYelech: Angelology and the Final Redemption
Haftarah Nitzavim-VaYelech: Angelology and the Final Redemption
Sep 4, 2026
26:30
Will Hashem Himself kill Edom? Or will it be the Archangel Michael? Different strands of Jewish Tradition.
19
פָּרָשַׁת נִצָּבִים תשפ"ו "הַנִּסְתָּרוֹת וְהַנִּגְלוֹת" לְמַה בְּדִיּוּק מִתְכַּוֵּן הַתּוֹרָה?
פָּרָשַׁת נִצָּבִים תשפ"ו "הַנִּסְתָּרוֹת וְהַנִּגְלוֹת" לְמַה בְּדִיּוּק מִתְכַּוֵּן הַתּוֹרָה?
Sep 3, 2026
39:04
Are courts, shul-rabbis, teachers, roshei-yeshiva and mashgichim, principals etc. obligated to organize spies and snitches in the institutions under their control?
20
רַבִּי יְשַׁעְיָהוּ דִּטְרַנִי - הַ"תּוֹסְפוֹת רי"ד " (1150s-1240s) THE Gadol of Italy & the Byzantine Empire
רַבִּי יְשַׁעְיָהוּ דִּטְרַנִי - הַ"תּוֹסְפוֹת רי"ד " (1150s-1240s) THE Gadol of Italy & the Byzantine Empire
Sep 2, 2026
37:30
Classic case of a Rishon (among the greatest, according to his contemporaries) whose writings were forgotten for centuries and then rediscovered in the Modern era.
21
What is the exact history of the practice of 30 shofar blasts? Part 2
What is the exact history of the practice of 30 shofar blasts? Part 2
Aug 31, 2026
37:07
A Hasidic-Kabbalistic metahistorical narrative from the בְּנֵי יִשָּׂשכָר
22
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תָבֹא תשפ"ו - The Nations of the World "See the Light"
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תָבֹא תשפ"ו - The Nations of the World "See the Light"
Aug 27, 2026
32:13
In the Messianic Era, will the Jews influence the gentiles to respect Judaism, or will the gentiles' respect for Judaism influence the Jews to value their own religion?
23
תְּקִיעַת שׁוֹפָר as part of anti-Karaite/Sadduceean Rabbinic Judaism
תְּקִיעַת שׁוֹפָר as part of anti-Karaite/Sadduceean Rabbinic Judaism
Aug 27, 2026
29:07
Aspects of the laws of תְּקִיעַת שׁוֹפָר reflect anti-heretical practices which are such an interesting part of Rabbanite Judaism
24
Did World War Two end widespread antisemitism in America?
Did World War Two end widespread antisemitism in America?
Aug 26, 2026
34:38
Already in 1945 organizations like the ADL & Co. feared some future technology (like the internet) which would empower antisemitic groups and even enable them to win elections
25
Rabbi Aharon of Narbonne (Luniel), late 1200s-early 1300s, the אָרְחוֹת חַיִּים
Rabbi Aharon of Narbonne (Luniel), late 1200s-early 1300s, the אָרְחוֹת חַיִּים
Aug 24, 2026
51:40
Thoughts on the social-history of rabbinic literature: How come some seforim take-off (like the Tur), while others remain obscure, despite their quality?
26
What is the exact history of the practice of 30 shofar blasts? Part 1
What is the exact history of the practice of 30 shofar blasts? Part 1
Aug 24, 2026
35:40
Talmud Bavli, Rambam, Zohar
27
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תֵּצֵא תשפ"ו - The Childless woman discovers she has children!
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תֵּצֵא תשפ"ו - The Childless woman discovers she has children!
Aug 19, 2026
26:20
The sharp (and deep) conversation between בְּרוּרְיָה and the Jew for J
28
פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תֵּצֵא תשפ"ו - Moshe switches from Musar to Halacha
פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תֵּצֵא תשפ"ו - Moshe switches from Musar to Halacha
Aug 17, 2026
26:10
Do these laws originate with Moshe, just Hashem confirms them? Were they told to him at an earlier time?
29
The Imprisonment of the Tosafos Yom Tov in the Historical Context of the Thirty Years War
The Imprisonment of the Tosafos Yom Tov in the Historical Context of the Thirty Years War
Aug 17, 2026
1:05:43
Worthy of its own miniseries: Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman Heller, Jacob Bassevi, Albrecht von Wallenstein and The Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II
30
Some Original Thoughts about the Original Elul
Some Original Thoughts about the Original Elul
Aug 16, 2026
35:13
Moshe was up on the Mountain for the third time with two blank tablets waiting for writing to appear...
31
Haftarah Shoftim: Don't give up hope for a Glorious Future!
Haftarah Shoftim: Don't give up hope for a Glorious Future!
Aug 13, 2026
26:08
Isaiah endeavors to inspire hope in a Jewish People suffering (understandably) from depression and hopelessness because of so much persecution. The future is brighter than you can imagine!
32
Parshas Shoftim: Moses Shifts Gears From Mussar Schmooze to Practical Directions for Government
Parshas Shoftim: Moses Shifts Gears From Mussar Schmooze to Practical Directions for Government
Aug 13, 2026
40:18
Also, Rambam vs. Ramban re: whether the Canaanites must be exterminated or not
33
פְּשַׁט vs. דְּרַשׁ in Judaism and Christianity: A Tale from the שֵׁבֶט יְהוּדָה
פְּשַׁט vs. דְּרַשׁ in Judaism and Christianity: A Tale from the שֵׁבֶט יְהוּדָה
Aug 11, 2026
24:02
כָּל פָּסוּק בְּלָשׁוֹן עִבְרִי סוֹבֵל כָּל צוּרָה שֶׁיִּרְצֶה הַמְּצַיֵּר, אֲבָל הַצּוּרָה הָאֲמִתִּית בְּמָה יִתְאַמֵּת הֲלֹא הוּא אִם נִמְשְׁכוּ שְׁאָר הַפְּסוּקִים עַל הַצּוּרָה הַהִיא.
34
Rabbi Abraham Bing of Frankfurt and Wurzburg (1752-1841), the most influential modern German Gadol you never heard of
Rabbi Abraham Bing of Frankfurt and Wurzburg (1752-1841), the most influential modern German Gadol you never heard of
Aug 10, 2026
53:26
The Rebbe of all the German Gedolim (in Germany and elsewhere) you ever heard of. Really
35
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה תשפ"ו - A בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ constructed out of diamonds? Literally?
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה תשפ"ו - A בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ constructed out of diamonds? Literally?
Aug 5, 2026
32:03
Only in the Messianic Era will Israel be totally free of terror. Sigh
36
Parshas Re’Eh: Are you Bonim or are you Avodim?
Parshas Re’Eh: Are you Bonim or are you Avodim?
Aug 4, 2026
32:25
The difference between living in the desert "panopticon" vs. living scattered on farms in Israel with the privacy (and therefore the option) to make bad choices.
37
The fight in Israel over who exactly is being פּוֹרֵשׁ מִדַּרְכֵי הַצִּבּוּר?
The fight in Israel over who exactly is being פּוֹרֵשׁ מִדַּרְכֵי הַצִּבּוּר?
Aug 3, 2026
30:43
Similarities between the current antisemitism and that of the era of Theodore Herzl
38
The current Moroccan "invasion" of Spanish Ceuta and Melilla and its possible effect on Israel
The current Moroccan "invasion" of Spanish Ceuta and Melilla and its possible effect on Israel
Aug 2, 2026
31:33
Is Spain dumping on Israel in order to kiss-up to the Muslim world and thereby get a pass and avoid criticism for the fact that Spain still colonially rules parts of Muslim N. Africa?
39
Jewish Communists of the 20th Century, particularly in Poland
Jewish Communists of the 20th Century, particularly in Poland
Jul 30, 2026
1:00:43
A fascinating set of interviews with leading Jewish communists in their old age, plus equally fascinating secret remarks re: Jews by Nikita Khrushchev, successor to Stalin. Communism was a religious faith!
40
Historical Megatrends: The "Secular Episode" in Western History and the rise of the State of Israel
Historical Megatrends: The "Secular Episode" in Western History and the rise of the State of Israel
Jul 29, 2026
26:18
Is the 21st century going to be the century in world affairs when religion returns to it position as the LEADING factor in world events ?
41
ט"ו בְּאָב תשפ"ו - The existential Jewish tension between Tribalism and Nationalism
ט"ו בְּאָב תשפ"ו - The existential Jewish tension between Tribalism and Nationalism
Jul 28, 2026
30:34
שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל vs. כְּלַל יִשְׂרָאֵל
42
Haftarah Eikev: The Depression of Zion and the melodramatic transformation
Haftarah Eikev: The Depression of Zion and the melodramatic transformation
Jul 28, 2026
27:50
Tragedy, especially prolonged tragedy, brings depression in its wake
43
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת עֵקֶב תשפ"ו - The Depression of Zion and the melodramatic transformation
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת עֵקֶב תשפ"ו - The Depression of Zion and the melodramatic transformation
Jul 28, 2026
26:38
Tragedy, especially prolonged tragedy, brings depression in its wake
44
Trump and his seesaw re: the Iran War
Trump and his seesaw re: the Iran War
Jul 27, 2026
26:38
Do 18th century tactics work in a 21syt century conflict with evil fanatics?
45
פָּרָשַׁת עֵקֶב תשפ"ו - What happened during those 38 years missing from the Torah's narrative?
פָּרָשַׁת עֵקֶב תשפ"ו - What happened during those 38 years missing from the Torah's narrative?
Jul 27, 2026
30:11
"You have been rebellious all the way through!"Even during those missing years?
46
Haftarah Shabbos Nachamu: The Highway to Hashem
Haftarah Shabbos Nachamu: The Highway to Hashem
Jul 22, 2026
31:37
The four obstacles to building a "Straight Road to Hashem"כְּנֶגֶד הָאַרְבַּע גָּלוּיוֹת?
47
Tisha b"Av 5786 (2026): another opinion on why Jews were exiled in the Biblical era
Tisha b"Av 5786 (2026): another opinion on why Jews were exiled in the Biblical era
Jul 22, 2026
26:02
The "war-crime" of Amaziah King of Judah re: mistreating the Edomite POWs
48
פָּרָשַׁת וׇאֶתְחַנׇּן תשפ"ו - The strange passage " וַיִתְעַבֵּר הַשֵּׁם בִּי"
פָּרָשַׁת וׇאֶתְחַנׇּן תשפ"ו - The strange passage " וַיִתְעַבֵּר הַשֵּׁם בִּי"
Jul 21, 2026
30:02
Were the pleas of Moses rejected out of anger? Because the request was premature? Out of a sense of Divine "pain?"
49
What is the meaning of גָּלוּת, as in גָּלוּת אֱדוֹם? Afterall, the Romans did not kick the Jews out of Israel?
What is the meaning of גָּלוּת, as in גָּלוּת אֱדוֹם? Afterall, the Romans did not kick the Jews out of Israel?
Jul 19, 2026
30:24
What is the difference between heresy and unbelief? Which more accurately applies to the חִלּוֹנִים in Israel today?
50
הַפְטָרַת שַׁבַּת חֲזוֹן תשפ"ו - Isaiah blasts the smug survivors of the Assyrian Holocaust
הַפְטָרַת שַׁבַּת חֲזוֹן תשפ"ו - Isaiah blasts the smug survivors of the Assyrian Holocaust
Jul 14, 2026
26:25
"You were not spared because you are righteous! In fact, God hates your so-called mitzvos!"