Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz

Parshas Bo: Were there apostates (משומדים) already at the time of יציאת מצרים? 27.01.2025 31:20 ↓

Why does G-d warn Moses about the בן נכר before they even left Egypt? Was this part of his disagreement re: the עֵרוּב רַב?

Haftarah VaEra: Pharaoh the Crocodile 23.01.2025 24:08 ↓

Why did the Jews always allow themselves to get "played" by the cynical Egyptians?

Psalm 81 הַיּוֹם יוֹם חֲמִישִׁי בְּשַׁבָּת Commemorating the First Liberation 23.01.2025 22:15 ↓

The extraordinary transformation of Joseph in Egypt, foreshadowing the later Exodus. And Divine frustration at the obtuseness of the liberated

Parshas VaEra: Redemption without repentance? 22.01.2025 25:01 ↓

The Jewish slaves cried out to God in pain. But they did not repent!

The Hostage Deal and the Current Matzav 20.01.2025 30:40 ↓

R Katz analyzes the sobering reality of no victory, balanced by the need to not give in to יֵאוּשׁ, and creating new countermeasures

Haftarah Shmos- "הַנִּדָּחִים בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם" 15.01.2025 30:16 ↓

Who are the Jews Cast Off in the Land of Egypt? Did 4/5 die in Egypt? Or did they assimilate?

Psalm 94 - The Call for Revenge, when is it appropriate? 15.01.2025 27:43 ↓

The Historical Context of Psalm 94, and its relevance to the current מַצָּב

Ramchal and his Rebbe, Pt. 2. - More on the remarkable relationship 14.01.2025 55:28 ↓

Ramchal in Amsterdam (1730s-1740s), where he wrote the works that made him famous

Parshas Shmos: A Three Day Holiday? 13.01.2025 31:02 ↓

Who was Moshe deceiving? Pharaoh? Or the Jews!

Asarah B'Teves: Then and Now 10.01.2025 31:14 ↓

The theme of siege in Torah Judaism and Jewish Memory

An Analysis of the Current Influence of Turkey in Syria and Israel 09.01.2025 30:11 ↓

Is Erdogan trying to recreate the old Turkish Empire in 21st century form?

Dovid and Yoav: Why really did Dovid resent Yoav? 07.01.2025 26:23 ↓

Was David's reign an ideal era in Jewish History?

Why was there a military escort at Jacob's funeral? 06.01.2025 28:25 ↓

Jacob's insistence that his grandchildren not touch his coffin?

The Shma Prayer in its original context 06.01.2025 30:56 ↓

Jacob & Sons in Egypt. what was the challenge שמע addressed?

Haftarah VaYigash: Unity Before Geulah 02.01.2025 23:22 ↓

Was the modern State of Israel created "out of order?"

Parshas VaYigash: Why did Joseph supply his brothers with literally all their need? 02.01.2025 33:00 ↓

Altruism or Cynicism?

The Ruthless Use of Hostages: The assasination of Judah Maccabee's brother Shimon and its aftermath 31.12.2024 36:29 ↓

The assassins used hostages to get away with their crimes: a cautionary tale re: Gaza?

נְחֹשֶׁת: דְּבַר תּוֹרָה לַחֲנֻכָּה תשפ"ה 31.12.2024 34:19 ↓

Yavan, Copper, and the Copper Snake

Lighting Inside v. Lighting Outside: History of Controversy 30.12.2024 41:47 ↓

Jews lit inside even when there is no danger

The prophecy of 24 Kislev (סֵפֶר הַנָּבִיא חַגַּי) and current events in the Middle East 25.12.2024 24:12 ↓

"I will overthrow regimes and destroy armies through civil wars!" 

Al HaNissim- When was it composed? 23.12.2024 27:30 ↓

Was Chanukah ordained as a day of הַלֵּל וְהוֹדָאָה? Or was it ordained as a day of שִׂמְחָה וְהַלֵּל?

Haftarah Shabbos Chanukah - Zechariah Magical Menorah 23.12.2024 22:44 ↓

Did the Maccabees know about this prophecy? How could they not?

Mikeitz and (metaphysical) Chanukah: The two dream stories - Joseph and Daniel 23.12.2024 28:45 ↓

Both involve the dream of a gentile king concerning his kingdom; both dreams contain a subtext for the future of Klal Yisroel 

Parshas Mikeitz: Joseph the first "galus yid" in history 22.12.2024 27:02 ↓

Negotiating both Jewish as well as Egyptian identities: not an easy task

Seudas Chanukah: How old is this custom? Did it predate Rabbinic Literature? 22.12.2024 28:12 ↓

Which parts of  חֲנֻכָּה are דְּאוֹרָיְתָא, and which parts are דְּרַבָּנָן?