Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz
Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz • 1705 episodes
Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz
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Name
Release Date
Duration
151
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
152
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?
153
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
154
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
155
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
156
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
157
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...
158
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?
159
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
160
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
161
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!"
162
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
163
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
164
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
165
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?
166
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
167
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
168
"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
169
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
170
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.
171
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
172
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
173
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?
174
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת בְּרֵאשִׁית תשפ"ו - Israel will survive (Al Aqsa) Floods and even the fires of internal strife
הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת בְּרֵאשִׁית תשפ"ו - Israel will survive (Al Aqsa) Floods and even the fires of internal strife
Oct 16, 2025
21:54
Who is it that 'has eyes but does not see, ears but does not hear"?https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast
175
Parshas Bereishis: The world was created for a UNITED Klal Yisroel
Parshas Bereishis: The world was created for a UNITED Klal Yisroel
Oct 16, 2025
33:06
In a Jewish world with unbridgeable divisions, we must be alert to divinely-sent "opportunities that pass"
176
The Strage history of Hoshanah Rabbah in the Temple: TheWillow vs. the Palm Frond ( הַלּוּלָב שֶׁנִּפְרְדוּ עָלָיו)
The Strage history of Hoshanah Rabbah in the Temple: TheWillow vs. the Palm Frond ( הַלּוּלָב שֶׁנִּפְרְדוּ עָלָיו)
Oct 13, 2025
40:40
What is the meaning of striking the ground?
177
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
178
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
179
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
180
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!
181
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"
182
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)
183
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
184
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?
185
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
186
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?
187
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
188
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.
189
"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
190
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?
191
?"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
192
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
193
"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?
194
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?
195
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
196
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
197
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.
198
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
199
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
200
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)