Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz
Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz • 1629 episodes
Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz
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Name
Release Date
Duration
101
The Chasam Sofer, the Yad haMelech, and the "overused" esrog. Haredi vs. Maskilic notions of aesthetics
The Chasam Sofer, the Yad haMelech, and the "overused" esrog. Haredi vs. Maskilic notions of aesthetics
Oct 10, 2025
37:45
Intra-Jewish ideological politics underneath the dry discourse of the responsa literature
102
נִעֲנוּעִים: The ritual of lulav-waving and its contemporary relevance in the year 5786 (2025)
נִעֲנוּעִים: The ritual of lulav-waving and its contemporary relevance in the year 5786 (2025)
Oct 9, 2025
25:35
Warding-off the dangers from literally all directions. In both the personal life, and in the life of the Jewish People
103
Sukkos 2025: What's with the strange ritual of פָּרֵי הַחַג?
Sukkos 2025: What's with the strange ritual of פָּרֵי הַחַג?
Oct 9, 2025
30:20
It is not enoughto embrace monotheism. The monotheism has to include a כְּלַל יִשְׂרָאֵל as the עַם הַנִּבְחָר (even thoughthey don't seem to fit the role)https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
104
Today is the (English) anniversary of the Yom Kippur War of 1973, another conflict in which Israel was surprise-attacked
Today is the (English) anniversary of the Yom Kippur War of 1973, another conflict in which Israel was surprise-attacked
Oct 6, 2025
33:44
The challenge of constantly evaluating the enemy, not by his intentions, but by his capabilities!
105
The Four Minim and the Wars of Sichon and Og: A Different take on the אַרְבָּעָה מִינִים
The Four Minim and the Wars of Sichon and Og: A Different take on the אַרְבָּעָה מִינִים
Oct 6, 2025
32:32
Lulav - the spearsEsrog - the food Hadassim - the "roofs" of the foxholesAravos - dittoלְפִי שִׁיטַת הָ"רוֹקֵחַ" ב "סֻכּוֹת מַמָּשׁ"
106
A Different Understanding of the Holiday of Sukkos
A Different Understanding of the Holiday of Sukkos
Oct 5, 2025
32:30
It commemorates events that happened in Tishrei, not Nissan (acc. to R Akiva)
107
Sukkos: The Symbolism of the sukkah under a tree
Sukkos: The Symbolism of the sukkah under a tree
Oct 3, 2025
31:49
Sukkah = Jewish Survival in Galus (Branches detached from the soil)Tree = Rootedness in the soilhttps://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
108
לִשְׁכַּת הַפַּרְוָה בַּעֲבוֹדַת יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים - Who was הַפַּרְוָה? Why does the High Priest purify himself there?
לִשְׁכַּת הַפַּרְוָה בַּעֲבוֹדַת יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים - Who was הַפַּרְוָה? Why does the High Priest purify himself there?
Oct 1, 2025
19:17
Was he an Iranian spy? A Zoroastrian clergyman? A Jewish BT who repented?
109
The Pros and Cons of Publicly Confessing your sins to the rest of the congregation
The Pros and Cons of Publicly Confessing your sins to the rest of the congregation
Sep 30, 2025
27:46
The Ancient Debate and the Concerns for the Social Consequences on the Community. What if everyone did the sin?!https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
110
מַפְטִיר יוֹנָה תשפ"ו - Compare and contrast with עֲקֵדַת יִצְחָק
מַפְטִיר יוֹנָה תשפ"ו - Compare and contrast with עֲקֵדַת יִצְחָק
Sep 30, 2025
26:49
The Tragedy of Jonah after he saves Nineveh. What did he do wth the rest of his life?
111
Some thoughts on the Early History of the Yom Kippur Liturgy: Eetz Yisrael in Late Antiquity
Some thoughts on the Early History of the Yom Kippur Liturgy: Eetz Yisrael in Late Antiquity
Sep 29, 2025
30:09
Jewish religious creativity in Israel under the oppressive Christian regime of the Byzantine Empire: Piyutim!https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
112
Haftarah Ha'azinu: Victory Middle Eastern Style
Haftarah Ha'azinu: Victory Middle Eastern Style
Sep 29, 2025
26:54
What does complete victory look like to King David? Contrast it with Israel's current war situation.
113
"פָּרָשַׁת הַאֲזִינוּ תשפ"ו "זְכֹר יְמוֹת עוֹלָם, אֲבָל בִּינוּ שְׁנוֹת דּוֹר וָדוֹר
"פָּרָשַׁת הַאֲזִינוּ תשפ"ו "זְכֹר יְמוֹת עוֹלָם, אֲבָל בִּינוּ שְׁנוֹת דּוֹר וָדוֹר
Sep 28, 2025
30:16
A historian (and the Jewish People!) must know the facts of their past, but then they must properly analyze them in order to use the knowledge correctly
114
שַׁבַּת שׁוּבָה 2025 - Primordial or Mosaic?
שַׁבַּת שׁוּבָה 2025 - Primordial or Mosaic?
Sep 28, 2025
1:17:52
If you don't fix your בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ, does it prevent forgiveness for the sins of בֵּין אָדָם לַמָּקוֹם?
115
?"הַפְטָרָה שַׁבַּת שׁוּבָה תשפ"ו "שׁוּבָה עַד?" אוֹ "שׁוּבָה אֶל
?"הַפְטָרָה שַׁבַּת שׁוּבָה תשפ"ו "שׁוּבָה עַד?" אוֹ "שׁוּבָה אֶל
Sep 25, 2025
25:40
One expectation from the elites, a different expectation from the masses
116
Some famous cases of Penance (not repentance!) in סֵפֶר חֲסִידִים and שׁוּ"ת מַהַרַ"ם לוּבְּלִין
Some famous cases of Penance (not repentance!) in סֵפֶר חֲסִידִים and שׁוּ"ת מַהַרַ"ם לוּבְּלִין
Sep 25, 2025
41:24
The mindset of the person who soclcits the Penance from the בֵּית דִּין
117
"פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּלֶךְ תשפ"ה "הֶסְתֵּר פָּנִים
"פָּרָשַׁת וַיֵּלֶךְ תשפ"ה "הֶסְתֵּר פָּנִים
Sep 22, 2025
32:46
What is the actual meaning of "הֶסְתֵּר פָּנִים"? What is the meaning of הַשְׁגָּחָה כְּלָלִית as opposed to הַשְׁגָּחָה פְּרָטִית?
118
The Debate in the Mishna whether the שְׁלִיחַ צִבּוּר should be מוֹצִיא the intelligent worshipers on רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה - שֶׁהוּא יוֹם הַדִּין
The Debate in the Mishna whether the שְׁלִיחַ צִבּוּר should be מוֹצִיא the intelligent worshipers on רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה - שֶׁהוּא יוֹם הַדִּין
Sep 19, 2025
26:24
Who was the first שְׁלִיחַ צִבּוּר in Jewish History?
119
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת נִצָּבִים "שׁוֹשׁ אָשִׂישׂ בַּשֵּׂם" - "Delighting in God. "How is that done?
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת נִצָּבִים "שׁוֹשׁ אָשִׂישׂ בַּשֵּׂם" - "Delighting in God. "How is that done?
Sep 17, 2025
28:03
Not relief. Not gratitude. Not romantic love. Delight! Not the love of bride and groom, but the delight at the wedding. https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
120
The Middle East: God's chess board. R Katz discusses current events in Egypt, Israel, Yemen, and Ethiopia
The Middle East: God's chess board. R Katz discusses current events in Egypt, Israel, Yemen, and Ethiopia
Sep 17, 2025
28:37
Egypt and Ethiopia, A Tale of Two Dams
121
A suggested history of תְּקִיעַת שׁוֹפָר, involving the masses, the שָׂטָן, and חז"ל
A suggested history of תְּקִיעַת שׁוֹפָר, involving the masses, the שָׂטָן, and חז"ל
Sep 15, 2025
34:00
Thoughts re: the existential tension between the public and the religious elites in the Second Temple period and afterward.
122
The Haredi who spied for Iran and committed sabotage on their behalf
The Haredi who spied for Iran and committed sabotage on their behalf
Sep 15, 2025
23:32
The disconnect between ritual practice and sound hashkafic fundamentals, particularly ahavah and achrayus for The Jewish People
123
פָּרָשַׁת נִצָּבִים תשפ"ה - Trying to match the glorious prophecy with recent Jewish history
פָּרָשַׁת נִצָּבִים תשפ"ה - Trying to match the glorious prophecy with recent Jewish history
Sep 14, 2025
30:51
The ingathering of the alienated Jews: the נִדָּחִים מִקְּצֵה הַשָּׁמַיִם עַד קְצֵה הַשָּׁמָיִם https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
124
The Shofar, the Satan, and the Rabbis: Competing dynamics in the history of Jwish Practice
The Shofar, the Satan, and the Rabbis: Competing dynamics in the history of Jwish Practice
Sep 14, 2025
34:00
The Sages endeavored to change the shofar blowing from an anti-Satan ritual to an exprssion of sublime philosophical monotheism cum Chosen People narrative (מלכויות, זכרונותת ושופרות)
125
The "shouting match" between Primie Minister Sanchez of Spain and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel: The Freudian aspects
The "shouting match" between Primie Minister Sanchez of Spain and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel: The Freudian aspects
Sep 12, 2025
46:31
Bibi's father wrote THE book on the Spanish Inquisition and Spain's successful persecution of the Jews, especially the sccessful (and brutal) erasure of the Jewish Identity of the Jewsforced to convert. IOW the Spanish "Holocaust"
126
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תָּבֹא תשפ"ה - יְמוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ בְּלִי מִלְחָמָה
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תָּבֹא תשפ"ה - יְמוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ בְּלִי מִלְחָמָה
Sep 11, 2025
28:01
Isaiah's vision of a Messianic Era characterized, not by World War III, but by a world in moral darkness turning to Klal Yisroel for Enlightenment. A pain-free Geulahhttps://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
127
A suggested history of shofar blowing
A suggested history of shofar blowing
Sep 9, 2025
35:19
What came first in Jewish History? The תְּקִיעוֹת דִמְיוּשָׁב or the תְּקִיעוֹת דִּמְעֻמָּד ?
128
פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תָּבֹא תשפ"ה - "הַגֵּר אֲשֶׁר בְּקִרְבְּךָ יַעֲלֶה עָלֶיךָ מַעְלָה מָּעְלָה וְאַתָּה תֵרֵד מַטָּה מָּטָּה"
פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תָּבֹא תשפ"ה - "הַגֵּר אֲשֶׁר בְּקִרְבְּךָ יַעֲלֶה עָלֶיךָ מַעְלָה מָּעְלָה וְאַתָּה תֵרֵד מַטָּה מָּטָּה"
Sep 9, 2025
28:16
Abarbanel - The gentile minority in Eretz Yisroel.Netziv - The gentiles who move into Jewish neighborhoods in the Diaspora and economically displace the Jews.https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
129
R Katz analyzes the current Arab-Israeli conflict in in the face of the giant water crisis threatening the entire Middle East
R Katz analyzes the current Arab-Israeli conflict in in the face of the giant water crisis threatening the entire Middle East
Sep 8, 2025
20:44
"The nation which indulges towards another a habitual hatred or a habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest."George Washington's Farewell Address https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
130
Why doesa shofar have to be davka from a שְׁפוֹפֶרֶת, from a horn whose inside layer can be removed?
Why doesa shofar have to be davka from a שְׁפוֹפֶרֶת, from a horn whose inside layer can be removed?
Sep 8, 2025
27:56
The symbolism of וּמַלְתֶּם אֵת עָרְלַת לְבַבְכֶם , removing the layer of "foreskin" on the "heart." A difficult task indeed.https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
131
Why is Rosh Hashanah decribed as "covered up" or obscure? תִּקְעוּ בַחֹדֶשׁ שׁוֹפָר בַּכֵּסֶה לְיוֹם חַגֵּנוּ?
Why is Rosh Hashanah decribed as "covered up" or obscure? תִּקְעוּ בַחֹדֶשׁ שׁוֹפָר בַּכֵּסֶה לְיוֹם חַגֵּנוּ?
Sep 3, 2025
32:03
What if you hold the world was created in Nissan? And anyway, the story of Moshe Rabbenu pleading before Hashem a third time (Elul-Tishrei) is very unclear in the text of the Chumash.
132
"הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תֵּצֵא תשפ"ה - "הַרְחִבִי מְקוֹם אֲהָלֵךְ!
"הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תֵּצֵא תשפ"ה - "הַרְחִבִי מְקוֹם אֲהָלֵךְ!
Sep 1, 2025
26:27
Isaiah predicts the expansion of Israel in the Messianic Era. Will Israel annex Turkey and Spain?!https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
133
Genazym is offering a personal letter from R Ovadia Yosef to R Shlomo Zalman Auerbach re: High Israeli Politics concerning the Shas Party
Genazym is offering a personal letter from R Ovadia Yosef to R Shlomo Zalman Auerbach re: High Israeli Politics concerning the Shas Party
Sep 1, 2025
26:05
The bitter politics surrounding the 1992 Knesset Elections (which led to the Oslo Agreement) and the bitter politics in the frum world surrounding the Shas Party's disobeying the political directives of the leadership of the "Litvish" Yeshiva World's leadership. https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
134
פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תֵּצֵא תשפ"ה - יְפַת תֹּאַר בְּעוֹלַם הַקַּבָּלָה
פָּרָשַׁת כִּי תֵּצֵא תשפ"ה - יְפַת תֹּאַר בְּעוֹלַם הַקַּבָּלָה
Sep 1, 2025
35:36
How can "Righteous Soldiers" (like King David) lust on the battlefield? A mystical take.https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
135
Genazym is offering the Prague 1595 edition of the famous Ramban theological essay דְּרָשַׁת "תּוֹרַת הַשֵּׁם תְּמִימָה"
Genazym is offering the Prague 1595 edition of the famous Ramban theological essay דְּרָשַׁת "תּוֹרַת הַשֵּׁם תְּמִימָה"
Aug 31, 2025
41:18
In this essay, Ramban analyzes the grandeur of the Written Law , the תּוֹרָה שֶׁבִּכְתָב, refuting Christlogical readings and the skepticism of Spanish Jewish אֶפִּיקוֹרְסִים. This is the edition published in the Prague of the Maharal Era.https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
136
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת שׁוֹפְטִים תשפ"ה - "סוּרוּ סוּרוּ צְאוּ מִשָּׁם, טָמֵא אַל תִּגְּעוּ!"
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת שׁוֹפְטִים תשפ"ה - "סוּרוּ סוּרוּ צְאוּ מִשָּׁם, טָמֵא אַל תִּגְּעוּ!"
Aug 28, 2025
30:30
What kind of cultural "baggage" will Jews bring with them from their exiles when they return to Eretz Yisroel? https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
137
פָּרָשַׁת שׁוֹפְטִים תשפ"ה - What is the actual meaning of "צֶדֶק צֶדֶק תִּרְדֹּף"?
פָּרָשַׁת שׁוֹפְטִים תשפ"ה - What is the actual meaning of "צֶדֶק צֶדֶק תִּרְדֹּף"?
Aug 27, 2025
30:24
There's צֶדֶק - justice in the sense of social-contract. Then there is צֶדֶק צֶדֶק, which is Justice with a capital J, the attainment of judicial righteousness, which is an ideal to be pursued (תִּרְדֹּף"), though never quite attained.https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
138
Psalm # 2 and Israel's losing the current propaganda war
Psalm # 2 and Israel's losing the current propaganda war
Aug 26, 2025
30:28
Read this Kapitel and you will see the relevance to Israel's floundering in the current war of ideas and information. Israel is not successfully countering the demonization efforts of its enemies.https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
139
Genazym: The First Printing of the classic בֵּית מֵאִיר (1787), the author's own copy with extensive handwritten glosses on the sides!
Genazym: The First Printing of the classic בֵּית מֵאִיר (1787), the author's own copy with extensive handwritten glosses on the sides!
Aug 25, 2025
50:09
Rabbi Meir Posner of Danzig (1725-1807), one of the leading poskim of the entire 18th century. R Akiva Eger used to send him his questions! A classic אב"ד of the "Old School" https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
140
A recent find of of an ancient coin in Jerusalem, and thoughts about the Messianic Era . Some "dirt" re: Ptolemy III and Berenice II
A recent find of of an ancient coin in Jerusalem, and thoughts about the Messianic Era . Some "dirt" re: Ptolemy III and Berenice II
Aug 24, 2025
51:31
For some obscure reason, Egyptian Pharaoh Ptolemy III's invasion of Syria (246 BCE) to rescue his sister Berenice from a crazed mob is mentioned by the Angel Gabriel in Daniel Chapter 11 as being relevant to the events of יְמוֹת הַמָּשִׁיחַ. The other day, a coin of Ptlemy's Queen Berenice II was discovered under a Jerusalem parking lot.The weird world of archaeology...https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
141
Genazym is auctioning the 15h century classic of Talmudic Methodolgy - הֲלִיכוֹת עוֹלָם, first complete edition (Constantinople 1510)
Genazym is auctioning the 15h century classic of Talmudic Methodolgy - הֲלִיכוֹת עוֹלָם, first complete edition (Constantinople 1510)
Aug 21, 2025
42:09
This methodological intro to the Talmud was held in high esteem, and R Yosef Karo wrote a commentary (סֵפֶר כְּלָלֵי הַגְּמָרָא) on it. One of the first Hebrew books ever printed https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
142
Moses' warning: אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל can easily become a קְלָלָה!
Moses' warning: אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל can easily become a קְלָלָה!
Aug 20, 2025
39:44
To prevent human sacrifce by the uneducated, the Temple is located on the Mountain of the עֲקֵדַת יִצְחָק
143
Genazym is Auctioning an item (a סְמִיכַת חָבֵר) from the tension-laden Golden Age of Prague, the Era of the Noda BiYhudah and the remarkable R Meir Bumsla (1703-1769), the millionaire Rosh Yeshiva
Genazym is Auctioning an item (a סְמִיכַת חָבֵר) from the tension-laden Golden Age of Prague, the Era of the Noda BiYhudah and the remarkable R Meir Bumsla (1703-1769), the millionaire Rosh Yeshiva
Aug 19, 2025
49:32
A close student of R Yehonasan Eibeschutz, Bumsla nevertheless got along with the Noda BiYhudah, and the latter had a "prophecy" about Bumsla which he shared at the latter's funeral.https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
144
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה תשפ"ה - A future without fear? Really?
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה תשפ"ה - A future without fear? Really?
Aug 18, 2025
25:06
Isaiah 54:15 difficult to translate convincingly
145
פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה תשפ"ה - Keep the booze out of the house of the fellow in recovery
פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה תשפ"ה - Keep the booze out of the house of the fellow in recovery
Aug 18, 2025
32:25
אַבֵּד תְּאַבְּדוּן אֶת הַמְּקוֹמוֹת - How does one destroy a place?
146
R Naphtali Katz (1648-1719) Part 2
R Naphtali Katz (1648-1719) Part 2
Aug 16, 2025
56:02
After the Great Fire in Frankfurt: Battling the Sabbateans (Nechemiah Chayon). The very famous (and romantic!) Ethical Will https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
147
R Naphtali Katz (1648-1719): The בַּעַל "סְמִיכַת חֲכָמִים". Part 1
R Naphtali Katz (1648-1719): The בַּעַל "סְמִיכַת חֲכָמִים". Part 1
Aug 14, 2025
1:11:50
Did he cause the Great Fire of 1711 which burned down the entire Jewish Ghetto of Frankfurt? Was it a case of קַבָּלָה מַעֲשִׂית gone awry?
148
Moses and the Bones of Joseph: Two different models of Jewish leadership?
Moses and the Bones of Joseph: Two different models of Jewish leadership?
Aug 13, 2025
25:46
Joseph was the personification of Traditionalism. Moshe was the personification of חִנּוּךְhttps://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
149
Pirkei Avos Chapter 4: Why is the phrase אַל תִּפְרֹשׁ מִן הַצִּבּוּר associted with the Tanna R Tzadok?
Pirkei Avos Chapter 4: Why is the phrase אַל תִּפְרֹשׁ מִן הַצִּבּוּר associted with the Tanna R Tzadok?
Aug 12, 2025
30:03
Did the Rabbis of Eretz Yisroel learn the lesson of שִׂנְאַת חִנָּם in the wake of the Destruction of the בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ?
150
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת עֵקֶב תשפ"ה - The Revolution in Identity in the Messianic Era
הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת עֵקֶב תשפ"ה - The Revolution in Identity in the Messianic Era
Aug 11, 2025
29:31
Millions of gentiles will discover they are actually Jews, which will necessitate territorial expansion of ארץ ישראל