Rav Shlomo Katz

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...

In this final class of the year exploring the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, Rav Shlomo Katz and the women of Shirat David tackle the ultimate goal: achieving true shalvat hanefesh (serenity) by anchoring our lives in Emet (Truth) and Emunah (Faith). Rav Shlomo explores a profound paradox: true faith only begins where the human intellect ends. If we demand logical proofs for every challeng...

Can a Jewish leader take a massive risk in order to save the Jewish people? Or does Torah demand that we avoid relying on miracles? In this final shiur of the season, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David explore one of the deepest and most sensitive questions in Jewish history: Was it permissible for Ben-Gurion to declare the State of Israel when the odds of survival seemed impossible? B...

Who Shouldn't Serve in the Army? Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David dive into the heart of the current debate surrounding the IDF draft and Torah study. Seeking a "brand new light" to heal the divisiveness, the Shiur explores the historical precedents of Avraham and King Asa, who were both punished for taking Torah scholars out to war. Rav Shlomo addresses the complex realities on both...

Are You Teaching Mitzvot But Forgetting The Soul? In this final class of the year on the sefer Know Your Children, Rav Shlomo Katz and the women of Shirat David explore what it truly means to make Hashem the center of your home. It doesn't mean walking around holding Tehillim all day. It means integrating a deep, spiritual purpose into the daily grind of parenting, from giving baths to feeding you...

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 praye...

The One Question the Rebbe Lived By Rav Shlomo Katz and the women of Shirat David explore a profound teaching from the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Parshas Chukas. When Miriam and Aharon passed away, the Jewish people temporarily lost their miraculous well of water and protective clouds of glory. The Rebbe explains that Moshe Rabbeinu had to step out of his own spiritual comfort zone and rein himself in (...

One of the most powerful sections in all of Tanach is not a battle. It's the song that comes after it. Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David explore Shirat Devorah and the extraordinary way Devorah HaNeviah speaks about those who came to help Am Yisrael in a time of war—and those who chose not to. Why does Devorah bless Yael alongside Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, and Leah? Why are some tribes p...

In this special Rosh Chodesh Tammuz teaching, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David explore the deeper spiritual work of the month through the lens of Reuven, the tribe associated with Tammuz and the sense of sight. Drawing from the teachings of Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh, Rebbe Nachman, and Chassidus, Rav Shlomo uncovers a powerful challenge: when we look at another Jew, what do we actually...

What are we really hoping for when we say we want our children to be religious? In this week's episode, Rav Shlomo Katz and the women of Shirat David explore one of the deepest questions in Jewish parenting. Is the goal simply that our children keep Torah and mitzvot, or is there something even more fundamental that must come first? Drawing from the teachings of Rav Itamar Schwartz, Chassidut, Par...

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...

One of the greatest obstacles to inner peace isn't what happens inside of us. It's what we think about everyone else. In this week's shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz and the women of Shirat David explore a foundational teaching that sits at the heart of Rebbe Nachman's path to tranquility: learning how to see people differently. Beginning with the Gemara's command to judge others favorably, Rav Shlomo uncov...

The conversation around drafting yeshiva students often begins with opinions. This shiur begins with Torah. Continuing the exploration of one of the most sensitive issues facing Am Yisrael, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David examine the Rambam's famous discussion of Shevet Levi and the claim that Torah learners occupy a unique role within the Jewish people. But does the Rambam actually...

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...

What is peace? Most people think shalom means agreement. Rebbe Nachman teaches something far more challenging—and far more transformative. Rav Shlomo Katz and the women of Shirat David explore Rebbe Nachman's surprising definition of peace: not the absence of disagreement, but the ability to seek truth together with those who see the world differently than we do. Drawing from current events, perso...

Few conversations in Israel today are more painful, emotional, or explosive than the question of drafting yeshiva students into the army. But in this shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz insists on approaching the topic not through politics, anger, or slogans — but through Torah. Beginning with the census of מלחמה in Sefer Bamidbar, the role of Shevet Levi, the Rambam’s understanding of Torah leadership, and th...

“We are rachmanim bnei rachmanim.” Again and again throughout this shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David return to that reality: the Jewish people are compassionate by nature. And precisely because of that, the Torah forces us to confront Amalek over and over again. Moving through Shaul HaMelech’s mercy on Agag, the obligation of Parshas Zachor, October 7th, the moral confusion sur...

What changes when we stop seeing parenting as behavior management… and start seeing it as caring for a נשמה? In this deeply moving episode of Know Your Children, Rav Shlomo Katz and the women of Shirat David explore the uniquely Jewish foundation of parenting — not merely raising functional children, but honoring the divine soul hidden within them. Through stories from Reb Shlomo Carlebach, reflec...

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...

Amalek: What Can We Actually Do Today? After learning about Amalek in theory, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David turn to the question everyone eventually reaches: So what are we actually supposed to do with this? This is not a shiur about slogans or politics. It’s an honest conversation about galus mentality, October 7th, “quiet for quiet,” fear, leadership, and whether Am Yisrael is e...

Does Amalek Exist Today? In this deeply charged shiur, Rav Shlomo explores one of the most difficult and misunderstood sugyos in Torah: Amalek. Through the writings of the Rambam, Ramban, and Rav Soloveitchik, the conversation moves beyond slogans and politics into the deeper Torah question: what does Amalek actually mean in our generation? Is Amalek only an ancient nation that disappeared long ag...

Rav Shlomo Katz and the women of Shirat David explore the Gemara’s teaching that “Anochi” means: “Ana Nafshi Kesavis Yehavis” — “I gave over My soul.” From there, he opens a deeply practical conversation about what our children are actually receiving from us every day. Are we only giving them food, clothing, routines, and structure… or are we giving them our hearts within those things too? Through...

What really happened when Am Yisrael said Na’aseh V’Nishma at Har Sinai? In this powerful continuation of the Tolner Rebbe’s teaching, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David explore the frightening possibility that even our greatest spiritual moments may contain contradiction beneath the surface. Why did the first Luchos come with thunder, fire, and overwhelming revelation — only to be bro...

On the journey toward Shavuot, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David explore one of the most uncomfortable, and liberating, questions in avodas Hashem: What if Am Yisrael themselves weren’t fully “there” at Har Sinai? Drawing from a breathtaking teaching of the Tolner Rebbe, this shiur dives into the mystery of Naaseh V’Nishma, the feeling of being spiritually “fake,” and the deeply Jewis...

What happens when a Jew finally reaches Yerushalayim… and still feels like something is missing? In this deeply moving Yom Yerushalayim shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David, learn the holy words of Rav Shilo Shapiro, a תלמיד of Rav Kook and brother of the Aish Kodesh, who struggled with the gap between the Yerushalayim he dreamed about as a child and the Yerushalayim he physically...