Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz
Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz • 1582 episodes
Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz
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Name
Release Date
Duration
1
Parshas VaYigash: Not saying dumb things that will hurt the Jewish People
Parshas VaYigash: Not saying dumb things that will hurt the Jewish People
Dec 24, 2025
29:16
See how Joseph doesn't trust his brothers. He stage-manages their encounter with Pharaoh and the Egyptians, micromanaging every aspect of the conversation, like a trial-lawyer with a client. (יוֹסֵף הַפִּקֵּחַ not יוֹסֵף הַצַּדִּיק)
2
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת וַיִּגַּשׁ תשפ"ו - The vision of grafting the two trees together
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת וַיִּגַּשׁ תשפ"ו - The vision of grafting the two trees together
Dec 24, 2025
24:02
Will the tribes retain their individual identities and consciousness in the future Messianic Utopia?
3
R Katz discussesa fasinating siddur published in Greece in 1941 who omits the word יָוָן from עַל הַנִּסִּים
R Katz discussesa fasinating siddur published in Greece in 1941 who omits the word יָוָן from עַל הַנִּסִּים
Dec 23, 2025
27:53
At that moment, Greece under the Metaxas Regime was saving the Jews from Hitler and Mussolini
4
פָּרָשַׁת וַיִּגַּשׁ תשפ"ו - Was Joseph actually the VICEROY, the ruler of Egypt? Or just the czar of the economy?
פָּרָשַׁת וַיִּגַּשׁ תשפ"ו - Was Joseph actually the VICEROY, the ruler of Egypt? Or just the czar of the economy?
Dec 22, 2025
33:28
The roe of the Jew in the Egyptian economy foreshadowed the role of the Jew in later economies: find a niche not occupied by the native inhabitants.לע"נ יששכר מאיר בן ברוך סטפנסקי
5
Final Chanukah 2025 Thoughts: וּלְךָ עָשִֽׂיתָ שֵׁם גָּדוֹל וְקָדוֹשׁ בְּעוֹלָמֶֽךָ
Final Chanukah 2025 Thoughts: וּלְךָ עָשִֽׂיתָ שֵׁם גָּדוֹל וְקָדוֹשׁ בְּעוֹלָמֶֽךָ
Dec 22, 2025
26:04
"Olamecha" also means hidden or invisible. Through the miracle of the oil, an Invisible God became "visible" (so to speak)
6
Another Apocryphal "Midrash" on the Chanukah Story, with interesting takes on the discovery of the jar of oil
Another Apocryphal "Midrash" on the Chanukah Story, with interesting takes on the discovery of the jar of oil
Dec 21, 2025
35:41
The jar of oil was located under the altar. Had they not torn down the existing altar (as an act of piety, to replace it with a new, unblemished altar), they would not have found the famous פַּךְ שֶׁמֶן https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
7
Haftarah Shabbos Chanukah: The Vision of Zachariah and its relevance to Chanukah
Haftarah Shabbos Chanukah: The Vision of Zachariah and its relevance to Chanukah
Dec 18, 2025
29:04
The Menorah that stayed lit for eight days was being fueled by the two (spiritual) olive trees in Zachariah's prophetic vision https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
8
פָּרָשַׁת מִקֵּץ תשפ"ו - Yosef, the first "Court Jew"
פָּרָשַׁת מִקֵּץ תשפ"ו - Yosef, the first "Court Jew"
Dec 18, 2025
25:47
Comparing & Contrasting Yosef with Hasdai ibn Shaprut, Shmuel haNagid, Benjamin Disraeli, and Henry Kissinger
9
Chanukah, the Maccabean Wars, and the Civil wars in Seleucid Syria
Chanukah, the Maccabean Wars, and the Civil wars in Seleucid Syria
Dec 17, 2025
24:42
The Jews' final victory was due to the political disintegration of the Syrian state at that time
10
Some thoughts on the Chanukah Story and its historiosophical relation to גָּלוּת יָוָן
Some thoughts on the Chanukah Story and its historiosophical relation to גָּלוּת יָוָן
Dec 15, 2025
31:33
Two opposite models: A.) Alexander bows to the Kohen Gadol B.) Antiochus forces the High Priest and the Temple to "bow" to himhttps://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
11
Some thoughts on today 24 Kislev and its famous prophecy in סֵפֶר חַגַּי (תְּרֵי עָשָׂר)
Some thoughts on today 24 Kislev and its famous prophecy in סֵפֶר חַגַּי (תְּרֵי עָשָׂר)
Dec 14, 2025
41:22
Does it prophecy the Maccabean Wars? The Messianic Wars? The current situation in Syria and the Middle East?
12
פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּשֶׁב תשפ"ו חֵלֶק ב - Yaakov and Yosef "wake up," but too late!
פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּשֶׁב תשפ"ו חֵלֶק ב - Yaakov and Yosef "wake up," but too late!
Dec 11, 2025
27:51
Yosef was one his way to talk to his brothers in an altogether different tone, but they never gave him a chance. Yaakov was going to by colored coats for the other brothers too, but the bloody coat killed THAT plan!https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
13
How the Judith Story in the Apocrypha (or a different version of the story) entered orthodox rabbinic literature AND practice
How the Judith Story in the Apocrypha (or a different version of the story) entered orthodox rabbinic literature AND practice
Dec 9, 2025
42:03
Some old widespread chanukah customs had no source in REGULAR rabbinic literature, but were accepted (despite some opposition) by basing them on sources in IRREGULAR Jewish literature
14
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּשֶׁב תשפ"ו - Amos blasts the social injustice prevalent in his time
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּשֶׁב תשפ"ו - Amos blasts the social injustice prevalent in his time
Dec 8, 2025
27:38
NOT the idolatry! Although there WAS idolatry, it is the abuse of the poor and helpless that will cause the חֻרְבַּן!
15
פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּשֶׁב תשפ"ו - The remarkable tale of the character-development of Joseph
פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּשֶׁב תשפ"ו - The remarkable tale of the character-development of Joseph
Dec 8, 2025
28:40
From oblivious to the impact of his actions and words on others (in Canaan) to the extreme-opposite in Egypt. A lesson for us all?https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
16
Chanukah 2025: The Story of the Greeks depriving the Jews of doors and windows
Chanukah 2025: The Story of the Greeks depriving the Jews of doors and windows
Dec 8, 2025
43:03
From (apocryphal?) non-mainstream midrashim on the Hellenistic persecutions. This one is mentioned by Rambam in his אִגֶּרֶת הַשְׁמַד
17
The Current Big Threat to Israel from ... Turkey
The Current Big Threat to Israel from ... Turkey
Dec 7, 2025
30:27
Turkey today is more of a threat than Iran!
18
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת וַיִּשְׁלַח תשפ"ו מִי הָיָה עוֹבַדְיָה? - Who exactly was Ovadiah?
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת וַיִּשְׁלַח תשפ"ו מִי הָיָה עוֹבַדְיָה? - Who exactly was Ovadiah?
Dec 5, 2025
27:04
Past history PLUS future historical (cyclical?) patternshttps://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
19
Israel & France (and Syria) : Connecting Dots
Israel & France (and Syria) : Connecting Dots
Dec 4, 2025
35:12
The two faces of France in its dealings with Israel
20
Chanukah 2025: Was the oil in the jar in the Temple the only kosher oil available?
Chanukah 2025: Was the oil in the jar in the Temple the only kosher oil available?
Dec 3, 2025
34:28
If you go by the Talmudic literature, there was other oil available, but they started with the oil in the famous jar and it burned for eight days.https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
21
"פָּרָשַׁת וַיִּשְׁלַח תשפ"ו "תַּרְיָ"ג מִצְווֹת שָׁמַרְתִּי - Why does Jacob say this to Esau?
"פָּרָשַׁת וַיִּשְׁלַח תשפ"ו "תַּרְיָ"ג מִצְווֹת שָׁמַרְתִּי - Why does Jacob say this to Esau?
Dec 2, 2025
27:22
Why didn't Jacob send messengers to his father Yitzchak? Instead of to Esau?https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
22
The "בַּת עַיִן" in Historical Context (1765-1840)
The "בַּת עַיִן" in Historical Context (1765-1840)
Dec 1, 2025
1:11:47
The challenges of living in צְפַת in the terrible 1830sHow to live in the old אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל without being victimized by the חֲלֻקָּה system
23
Haftarah VaYeitzei: Hoshea 11:7, an extremely difficult verse to parse
Haftarah VaYeitzei: Hoshea 11:7, an extremely difficult verse to parse
Nov 27, 2025
30:24
Sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Mordy Gardyn 'in honor of my parents may they have אֲרִיכַת יָמִים וְשָׁנִיםand sponsored by "a member of the local fan club"🙂 How can you get a unified response to crisis when the theological causes are not clear? וְאֶל עַל יִקְרָאֻהוּ יַחַד לֹא יְרוֹמֵםhttps://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
24
What's with this Israeli preoccupation with the bodies of their dead, killed by Hamas & Co.?
What's with this Israeli preoccupation with the bodies of their dead, killed by Hamas & Co.?
Nov 27, 2025
32:05
Why does Israel release live Arab terrorists (who admit they will kill again if they can!) in exchange for the corpses of Jewish dead? Is this a Halachic thing? A Zionist thing?
25
Parshas VaYeitzei: What is Yaakov afraid of?
Parshas VaYeitzei: What is Yaakov afraid of?
Nov 25, 2025
30:52
Let's examine the image of the ladder closely
26
November 25, 2025
November 25, 2025
Nov 25, 2025
30:52
27
Some thoughts on Self-Hating and Self-Denying Jews in the current antisemitic climate, now and a century ago
Some thoughts on Self-Hating and Self-Denying Jews in the current antisemitic climate, now and a century ago
Nov 25, 2025
33:20
When Arabs slaughtered (literally) the Jew in Hebron in 1929, the Communist Party said it was the fault of the Jews and the Arabs were in the right. And Jewish Communists sided with the Party! Similar things are happening today ...https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
28
Answering a listener's query re: allegorical interpretations of Biblical stories in ultra-orthodox sources
Answering a listener's query re: allegorical interpretations of Biblical stories in ultra-orthodox sources
Nov 24, 2025
27:15
If the Hebrew language pre-existed the physical world, then it is not subject to the rules of linguistic evolution, and if is constitutive of the physical world and its history, then the non physical interpretations are NOT at the expense of the literal meanings. https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
29
Today's Posthumous Promotion of Alfred Dreyfus to General in the French Army
Today's Posthumous Promotion of Alfred Dreyfus to General in the French Army
Nov 20, 2025
47:23
Was Alfred Dreyfus really a self-hating or self-denying assimilated Jew?
30
Haftarah Toldos: Quantity vs. quality in the performance of mitzvos. An age-old problem. Sigh
Haftarah Toldos: Quantity vs. quality in the performance of mitzvos. An age-old problem. Sigh
Nov 19, 2025
26:16
"אֶת עֵקֶב אָהַבְתִּי וְאֶת עֵשָׂו שָׂנֵאתִי" - ?Why
31
Manasseh Ben Israel's (very recently translated from the Latin) "Thirty Problem Concerning מַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית"
Manasseh Ben Israel's (very recently translated from the Latin) "Thirty Problem Concerning מַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית"
Nov 18, 2025
28:24
Giving the Jewish POV of Genesis to the world of European Intellectuals in the 17th Century
32
Parshas Toldos: Was Yitzchak Avinu poverty-stricken (Ibn Ezra)?
Parshas Toldos: Was Yitzchak Avinu poverty-stricken (Ibn Ezra)?
Nov 17, 2025
26:13
Yaakov acquires claim to Israel through purchase, a sale subsequently resented by the seller. Sounds like Jewish History in Israel 1880-1948https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
33
The recent 50th anniversary (November 10, 1975) of Moynihan's great speech at the UN excoriating the אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם for offcially branding Zionism as Racism
The recent 50th anniversary (November 10, 1975) of Moynihan's great speech at the UN excoriating the אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם for offcially branding Zionism as Racism
Nov 13, 2025
29:55
One of the great speeches in the English language of the 20th century חֲבָל עַל דְּאָבְדִין וְלָא מִשְׁתַּכְחִיןhttps://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
34
Rabbi Michoel Forshlager of Baltimore: His recent yahrtzeit and some thoughts on this remarkable gadol
Rabbi Michoel Forshlager of Baltimore: His recent yahrtzeit and some thoughts on this remarkable gadol
Nov 13, 2025
54:09
Whole busloads come to Baltimore every week to pray at the kever of a person who, a short time ago, was unknown...
35
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת חַיֵּי שָׂרָה תשפ"ו Adonijah vs. Shlomo: the Background
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת חַיֵּי שָׂרָה תשפ"ו Adonijah vs. Shlomo: the Background
Nov 13, 2025
28:01
Was it just a case of political intrigue? Or did people sincerely distrust Nathan re: the David Bathsheba story?
36
Parshas Chayei Sarah: Why does Avrohom adjure Eliezer not to take a wife from the Bnos Knaani for Yitzchok?
Parshas Chayei Sarah: Why does Avrohom adjure Eliezer not to take a wife from the Bnos Knaani for Yitzchok?
Nov 10, 2025
34:32
Abraham's visit to his relatives in אֲרַם נַהֲרַיִםhttps://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
37
Some thoughts on the current dispute Christian dispute between philosemites and antisemites
Some thoughts on the current dispute Christian dispute between philosemites and antisemites
Nov 10, 2025
25:23
It all goes back to 1657 and that strange episode of English Christian would-be missionaries who sent money to Jerusalem to save the starving Jews there.https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
38
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּרָא תשפ"ו אֱלִישָׁע וְהַשּׁוּנַמִּית
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּרָא תשפ"ו אֱלִישָׁע וְהַשּׁוּנַמִּית
Nov 7, 2025
23:13
Elisha does not blame the death of the child on the woman's sins. "The Buck stops here!"
39
Psalm 83 and the current coinciding of שִׂנְאַת יִשְׂרָאֵל on the part of the Antisemitic Christian influencers and their counterparts in the בני ישמעאל world
Psalm 83 and the current coinciding of שִׂנְאַת יִשְׂרָאֵל on the part of the Antisemitic Christian influencers and their counterparts in the בני ישמעאל world
Nov 4, 2025
26:16
כִּי הִנֵּה אוֹיְבֶיךָ יֶהֱמָיוּן וּמְשַׂנְאֶיךָ נָשְׂאוּ רֹאשׁ:ד עַל עַמְּךָ יַעֲרִימוּ סוֹד וְיִתְיָעֲצוּ עַל צְפוּנֶיךָ:ה אָמְרוּ לְכוּ וְנַכְחִידֵם מִגּוֹי וְלֹא יִזָּכֵר שֵׁם יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹד:ו כִּי נוֹעֲצוּ לֵב יַחְדָּו עָלֶיךָ בְּרִית יִכְרֹתוּ:ז אָהֳלֵי אֱדוֹם וְיִשְׁמְעֵאלִים
40
פָּרָשַׁת וְיֵרָא תשפ"ו - The Rashbam's unique take on Abraham's encounter with the Three Angels
פָּרָשַׁת וְיֵרָא תשפ"ו - The Rashbam's unique take on Abraham's encounter with the Three Angels
Nov 3, 2025
28:28
According to Rashbam, there is no תִּקּוּן סוֹפְרִים in this parsha!https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
41
Part 2: The Other "Hellenistic Judaism" - not the Chanukah villains
Part 2: The Other "Hellenistic Judaism" - not the Chanukah villains
Nov 2, 2025
43:09
The fight over the language of קְרִיאַת הַתּוֹרָה בְּבֵית הַכְּנֶסֶת
42
The Current Wave of Antisemitism in Italy - My reaction to a podcast
The Current Wave of Antisemitism in Italy - My reaction to a podcast
Nov 2, 2025
36:08
Are we seeing a long-internalized resentment by Italian Catholics to the liberalized theology towards the Jews adopted by The Church in 1965?
43
Part 1: The Other "Hellenistic Judaism" - not the Chanukah villains
Part 1: The Other "Hellenistic Judaism" - not the Chanukah villains
Oct 30, 2025
30:10
The other Hellenistic Judaism, not identical with Talmudic Judaism (but not un-frum) but more widespread, once upon a time .Part 1 of a 2 part serieshttps://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
44
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ לְךָ תשפ"ו - Drawing inspiration from Abraham's victory over the Four Kings
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ לְךָ תשפ"ו - Drawing inspiration from Abraham's victory over the Four Kings
Oct 28, 2025
24:48
Though outnumbered, Klal Yisroel will rip through the enemy like a thresher. So do not succumb to enemy efforts to undermine your moralehttps://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
45
"פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ-לְךָ תשפ"ו "וְהוּא יִהְיֶה פֶּרֶא אָדָם
"פָּרָשַׁת לֶךְ-לְךָ תשפ"ו "וְהוּא יִהְיֶה פֶּרֶא אָדָם
Oct 27, 2025
24:23
Resh Lakish "Yishmael will be into kidnapping people and taking hostages"!https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
46
Abarbanel's general thoughts on the stories in Genesis: The relationship between literal and symbolic meanings of Scripture
Abarbanel's general thoughts on the stories in Genesis: The relationship between literal and symbolic meanings of Scripture
Oct 26, 2025
24:03
When did full-blown idolatry begin? AFTER the Flood. Isn't that strange?https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
47
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת נֹחַ תשפ"ו "כִּי מֵי נֹחַ זֹאת לִי" - The Flood as a metonymy for Jewish suffering down the Ages...
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת נֹחַ תשפ"ו "כִּי מֵי נֹחַ זֹאת לִי" - The Flood as a metonymy for Jewish suffering down the Ages...
Oct 20, 2025
23:32
Just as God promised no more floods that can destroy the entire human race, so too He promises not to destroy the entire Jewish People.
48
פָּרָשַׁת נֹחַ תשפ"ו - Noah and "the day after"
פָּרָשַׁת נֹחַ תשפ"ו - Noah and "the day after"
Oct 20, 2025
27:09
Noah walked "with God," but could not get ahead of God, that is, he did not establish rules for the survivors of the Flood to ensure they would not revert to sin. IOW Noah was good but not great.https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
49
Is Donald Trump a "Second Cyrus"?
Is Donald Trump a "Second Cyrus"?
Oct 19, 2025
27:15
The first Cyrus was a complex figure in Jewish history. The battle of the lobbyists at the ancient Persian Court. A playbook for Qatar? https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
50
Rabbeinu Tam and Count Henry I of Champagne (and Countess Marie)
Rabbeinu Tam and Count Henry I of Champagne (and Countess Marie)
Oct 19, 2025
42:50
Was Rabbeinu Tam a kind of French nobleman? Why did he practice falconry ? Why did the Count of Champagne turn to him to explain the David-Saul story?