Even Shlomo - Rav Shlomo Carlebach zt"l on the Weekly Parsha

As Parshat Balak unfolds, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David explore one of the most uncomfortable questions in Judaism: what does it actually mean to be the "Chosen People"? Is chosenness about superiority, exclusivity, or something entirely different? Drawing on the Even Shlomo, Rebbe Nachman, and a breathtaking reading of Balak's deepest desire, Rav Shlomo reveals that Balak's mista...

As Parshat Chukat opens with the mystery of the Parah Adumah, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David uncover a startling teaching hidden within its ashes.  Drawing from  Reb Tzadok HaKohen, the Rambam, and Reb Shlomo Carlebach, this short but powerful shiur becomes a meditation on exile, redemption, and what it truly means to prepare for Mashiach. Beginning with the Rambam's surprising pra...

Every year, we return to Parshat Korach, thinking we know the story. A jealous man challenges Moshe Rabbeinu, gets swallowed by the earth, and that's the end of it. But Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David explore a much deeper reading: Korach's downfall was not that he made a mistake. It was that he could not admit he had made one. Drawing on the Ishbitzer, Chazal, and the inner relatio...

As Parshat Shelach confronts us once again with the story of the Meraglim, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David uncover what may be the deepest question hidden beneath their report. Were the spies really afraid? Drawing from the Even Shlomo, Rav Shlomo suggests that the issue was not fear at all. The issue was רצון. Because if there is something you truly want — something your life depen...

As Parshat Behaalotecha opens with the lighting of the Menorah, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David uncover a deeper question hidden beneath the mitzvah: what was it that Moshe Rabbeinu could not understand about the Menorah? Drawing from the teachings of Reb Leibel Eiger, the Sfas Emes, and Reb Shlomo Carlebach, this shiur explores the meaning of “fire” in Avodat Hashem — not external...

As Parshat Behar–Bechukotai closes Sefer Vayikra, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David explore one of the deepest teachings of the Ishbitzer on the words “אם בחוקותי תלכו.” What does it mean for Torah to become חקוק — engraved — inside a person? And how do you know if your mitzvot are truly becoming part of you, or just remaining external behaviors? In this shiur, Rav Shlomo weaves toget...

As Parshat Emor brings us into the avodah of Sefirat HaOmer, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David uncover a deep teaching from the Even Shlomo: the secret of time and space is not abstract. It’s the key to knowing where you are, who you are, and what this moment is asking of you. In this shiur, Rav Shlomo explores why we specifically daven for the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash after c...

As Parshat Tazria–Metzora confronts the difficult reality of lashon hara, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David reveal a deeper and almost surprising truth: the one who speaks negatively is not small, but someone with a big soul. Drawing from the Mei HaShiloach and the Meor Einayim, Rav Shlomo explores why the Torah דווקא calls the metzora an “Adam” — the highest name for a human being. W...

There are stories in the Torah we think we understand… until we slow down and actually listen. Nadav and Avihu are usually taught as a warning—two sons who did something wrong and paid the price. But what if that’s not the real story? In this shiur on Parshat Shemini, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David go deeper into one of the most misunderstood moments in the Torah and uncover what t...

As Parshat Vayikra opens the world of korbanot, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David uncover a deeper truth from the Even Shlomo: the purpose of a korban was never only to express guilt. It was to bring a person back to clarity — to help them leave the Beit HaMikdash knowing more deeply what truly matters, what doesn’t, and who they really are. In this shiur, Rav Shlomo explores the inne...

As the war with Iran widens, Rav Shlomo Katz turns to one word in Parshat Ki Tisa that may define this moment more than any other: Ayeh — Where? Recent days have brought more Israeli strikes, Iranian missile attacks, and a growing sense that the conflict is both militarily real and spiritually overwhelming. In this shiur, Rav Shlomo explores Moshe Rabbeinu’s cry after the Golden Calf — “Har’eini n...

As Purim approaches, Parshat Zachor arrives first—an annual call not only to remember Amalek historically, but to recognize Amalek as a force that shows up while you’re already on the way . Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David explore “ asher karcha baderech ” as the place where momentum gets sabotaged: the moment someone begins real growth, a convincing inner voice appears in the name o...

In Parshas Terumah, the Torah details the measurements of the Mishkan — broken numbers, halves, small dimensions. Why? In this powerful shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David uncover a radical truth from Reb Shlomo: holy light doesn’t overpower small light. It awakens us to it. What’s the difference between holy money and unholy money? Between a big donation and a small one? Between...

Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David learn the shocking Midrash from Parshat Yitro that says Am Yisrael were sleeping the night before receiving the Torah. But Reb Shlomo Carlebach reveals something much deeper: it wasn’t laziness. It was small anava . The feeling of “Who am I to stand by Har Sinai?” And Moshe Rabbeinu comes tent-to-tent with one last message before Torah can be given: I...

Parshas Bo is not just the story of leaving Egypt. It’s the inner blueprint of freedom . Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David opens an Even Shlomo that sounds “insane” at first: why does the Torah say “וישאלו איש מאת רעהו” — “ask from your friend ” — when it’s describing Egyptians who enslaved us? Why call them re’ehu at all? Because the night of Yetzias Mitzrayim wasn’t only an exit fro...

This week in Even Shlomo on Parshat Va’era, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David go straight into the cry so many of us are holding: “Ribono Shel Olam… for what? Haven’t we been through enough?” Moshe Rabbeinu asks it too — and the answer isn’t a slogan, it’s a demand: Geulah is not “back to normal.” Reb Shlomo teaches that the world’s “unnatural” situation can’t last forever — but the r...

What happens when an enemy loses every shred of humanity? In a deeply personal and vulnerable Shemot shiur on Reb Shlomo’s birthday, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David confront the painful reality of our generation. Drawing from the Izhbitzer Rebbe (Mei HaShiloach) , we explore the verse "The King of Egypt died." We learn that this does not merely refer to a physical death, but to the...

In Parashat Vayechi , Yaakov Avinu gathers his children for what feels like the ultimate “final download” — He’asfu… and I’ll tell you what will happen at the end of days.  And then… it disappears . Nistalka mimenu haShechinah. In this shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David learn a short but life-shaping Torah from Even Shlomo : sometimes the deepest clarity isn’t prophecy at all. I...

Parshat Vayigash is the moment the Ishbitzer says is the closest we can taste in this world to what it will feel like when Moshiach reveals himself . Because “ Ani Yosef ” isn’t just a plot twist. It’s the revelation that everything that looked like hester panim … everything that felt like an enemy… everything that seemed like punishment… was actually part of the process that “squeezed” a deeper Y...

Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David open parshat Vayeshev in a way most of us never heard growing up. Instead of a childish tale of jealous brothers and a flashy coat, we meet two kings of Am Yisrael – Yosef and Yehuda – and an underground story of sacrifice, responsibility, and teshuva . Drawing on Ishbitz , Zohar and Reb Shlomo Carlebach , Rav Shlomo explores the possibility that Yose...

In this week’s Even Shlomo on the Parsha , Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevre of Shirat David walk with Yaakov into the darkest, most misunderstood place in the human heart – loneliness. “ ויבשר יעקב לבדו" – Yaakov was left alone.” Reb Shlomo reads this night of wrestling not as a tragedy, but as the moment Yaakov’s deepest self is revealed on the night he receives the name Yisrael and gives every Jew...

In this week’s Even Shlomo on the Parsha , Rav Shlomo Katz learns a Beis Yaakov from Ishbitz on Yaakov Avinu’s first steps out into galus , and quietly rewrites our whole definition of “success.” We follow Yaakov as he leaves Be’er Sheva and discovers that when you’re searching for Hashem, every step on the way already fills you , unlike the Western model where nothing “counts” until you close the...

Parshat Toldot opens a door into spiritual speed. When Yitzchak asks, “ מַה־זֶּ֛ה מִהַ֥רְתָּ לִמְצֹ֖א בְּנִ֑י ” —“How did you find it so fast?”—and Yaakov answers, “ כִּ֥י הִקְרָ֛ה ה׳ אֱלֹקיךָ לְפָנָֽי ” —"Because Hashem has granted me good fortune"— Reb Shlomo Carlebach reads it as a secret of kefitzat haderech : the heart can shorten the road when there’s clarity, love, and the courage to truly...

Chayei Sara is the world after the Akeidah: how Avraham and Yitzchak walked back into life with new eyes, and how we’re meant to daven with those eyes today. Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevre of Shirat David learn a short, potent piece from Reb Carlebach's Even Shlomo about מיחדות —that inner point of “what’s special” inside every Jew—and why Yitzchak and Rivka’s shidduch had to be more than “compati...

In Vayera , the name Yitzchak —“laughter”— opens a window into two kinds of kedushah: the holiness we build through our choices, and the inborn holiness that no failure can touch. On Reb Shlomo’s 31st yahrtzeit, we sing, remember, and learn how courageous love makes our days longer and our lives larger. Drawing from Even Shlomo , we explore why the world “burst into laughter” at Yitzchak’s birth:...