Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz

Yosifon's Counterhistory of the Translation of the Torah into Greek 22.12.2023 27:56 ↓

As a result of the translation, Pharaoh freed 150,000 Jewish slaves ( Yosifon)

Haftarah VaYigash: After the Dry Bones Comes the Achdus, Then מִלְחֶמֶת גּוֹג וּמָגוֹג 20.12.2023 26:42 ↓

Is this haftarah theological or political?

Asarah B’Teves: Fasting to Mourn the Septuagint Translation? 19.12.2023 55:05 ↓

Different ancient accounts of the translation of the Torah into Greek. Which stories are accurate? Different reactions: a.) Feast day b.) Fast day

Parshas VaYigash: Joseph's References to His Kavod 19.12.2023 32:18 ↓

How did the brothers feel now about everyone bowing to Joseph? About having tried to prevent that?!

What exactly is זֹאת חֲנֻכָּה ? 15.12.2023 33:04 ↓

When do the יָמִים נוֹרָאִים come to an end? On the last day of חֲנֻכָּה!

Again, Why Didn't Viceroy Joseph Contact His Father? (Parshas Mikeitz) 14.12.2023 33:13 ↓

Why did the brothers try to kill אָסְנַת?

Reflections on Hellenists, Then and Now 13.12.2023 28:45 ↓

Hellenist mercilessness and Maccabean retaliation. They never did find common ground!

Haftorah Mikeitz: King Solomon and the two "mothers" 12.12.2023 27:44 ↓

Why did a frum king tolerate זוֹנוֹת וּקְדֵשׁוֹת?

Parshas Mikeitz: Joseph uses his prison time to learn Egyptian culture and politics 12.12.2023 31:53 ↓

Joseph also learns discretion!

Judah Maccabee Storms Gaza- עַל פִּי יוֹסִיפוּן 10.12.2023 32:57 ↓

The Hasmoneans implement a "day-after" strategy

Rambam in אִגֶּרֶת תֵּימָן: the "two-pronged" attack on Judaism... and Chanukah 08.12.2023 30:32 ↓

The current propaganda war against Israel & Jews is part of an existential feature of our history(Rambam)

Outbreak of the Revolt - 3 different versions of the story (Chanukah) 08.12.2023 46:13 ↓

Sifting through conflicting accounts. Welcome to the "history " of חֲנֻכָּה

Chanukah: Why does Josephus call the holiday not Chanukah, but Festival of אוֹר? 06.12.2023 41:13 ↓

"The actual נֵרוֹת חֲנֻכָּה can be מַגִּידִים עֲתִידוֹת." What does that mean?

Haftarah Chanukah: The High Priest is Given a Pass in the Heavenly Court, as a Shoah Survivor 05.12.2023 31:59 ↓

Zechariah's vision of miraculous oil fueling the heavenly menorah. This came true in the נֵס חֲנֻכָּה

Parshas VaYeshev: Oy, מַעֲשֵׂה אָבוֹת סִימָן לַבָּנִים in a Negative Way - the Sale of Joseph 05.12.2023 31:22 ↓

The goat theme Jacob, Joseph, Judah

Henry Kissinger: Good for the Jews? Bad? 03.12.2023 1:13:23 ↓

The unique and weird relationship between Richard Nixon and Kissinger in retrospect

Haftarah VaYishlach: Who Exactly was Ovadiah? When Did He Live? 01.12.2023 33:36 ↓

The problem with Eisav is not open entity, but treachery

The Israeli Hostages - Is the Story of David Rescuing the Hostages Relevant to Gaza? 30.11.2023 26:33 ↓

Does Netanyahu & Co. have an אֵפוֹד אוּרִים וְתֻמִּים?

Parshas VaYishlach: Shimon & Levi - Proportionate Response? 27.11.2023 37:54 ↓

Whatever happened to the surviving women & children of the town of שְׁכֶם?

Rambam, Rav Zevin, & the Kehillos Yaakov on Fear in Combat 26.11.2023 35:24 ↓

Is a Jewish soldier allowed to be afraid of battle?

Thanksgiving and Jewish History: Were the Pilgrims of 1620 Antisemites, Philosemites or Both? 23.11.2023 37:33 ↓

The Pilgrims/Puritans and the rise of the modern State of Israel

The Hostage Deal and Psalm 140: References to the Effective Propaganda Offensive of the Enemy 23.11.2023 24:34 ↓

King David is confident he can beat them in physical combat, but fears their prowess in spin!

Hostage Deals in Jewish History 22.11.2023 28:43 ↓

The halacha was one thing. What they actually did was something else

Haftarah Vayetzei: Remarkably Relevant to Current Events in Israel Over the Last Year 22.11.2023 30:46 ↓

The sin of Israel? מַחְלֹקֶת! The cure? Words of אַחְדוּת, not a discourse of פֵּרוּד

Parshas VaYetzei: Jacob's Character Development in This Parsha 21.11.2023 29:24 ↓

Lavan, ancestor of the Jewish People