Rav Shlomo Katz on the Parsha

How does God truly look at us when we mess up? Rav Shlomo Katz opens the Alexander Rebbe (Yismach Yisrael) to explore the verse: "He perceived no iniquity in Jacob." We learn that while our sins might create "prosecuting angels" on the outside, Hashem looks past all of that to the Pnimiyut HaLev —the inner chamber of the heart—where every Jew remains eternally pure. Rav Shlomo discusses Yaakov Avi...

Can you watch sports or use social media and still be holy? In this fascinating philosophical dive, Rav Shlomo Katz shares a "Chassidish" insight from Rav Kook regarding the difference between Jewish and non-Jewish spirituality. We analyze the "Deep Confusion" ( Bilbul Amok ) of Balak and Bilaam, who understood holiness only as Olah (burnt offering)—something completely separated from physical lif...

Why is the story of Balak and Bilaam in the Torah if the Jewish people didn't even know it was happening at the time?  In this heartwarming session on parenting and faith, Rav Shlomo Katz explains that we are the "Children of the Book of Mistakes" (Bamidbar). Just as a child needs to know that their parents speak highly of them to others, we needed to hear Hashem defending us "behind our backs." R...

What happens when a generation loses its leaders? I n this tribute to the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Gimmel Tammuz, Rav Shlomo Katz explores the transition in Parshat Chukat where Miriam (Water) and Aharon (Clouds) pass away. We learn that Moshe Rabbeinu didn't just mourn; he "harnessed" himself to provide what was missing. The Rebbe teaches that this is the definition of true leadership: When you see a...

Why did the people rebel specifically on the day Miriam died? In this heart-opening session, Rav Shlomo Katz connects the death of Miriam to Rebbe Nachman's teaching about the "High Heart" ( Lev Elyon ) versus the "Low Heart." We learn that Miriam represented the "Well"—the warmth, the prayer, and the flow that made Torah understandable and sweet. When she died, the words of Torah became "cold," a...

We live in a generation of "Now." But what happens when our spiritual demands are met with silence? Rav Shlomo Katz opens Likutey Moharan (Torah 20) to explore the danger of Akshanut (stubbornness) in serving Hashem. We learn that Moshe hit the rock because he fell into the trap of "Force" — wanting the result immediately. Rav Shlomo offers a radical alternative: The prayer of "Whenever the time i...

Do we really believe Mashiach is coming, or is it just a nice idea we recite? In this special Gimmel Tammuz session, Rav Shlomo Katz shares a piercing insight from the Lubavitcher Rebbe on the Rambam . The Rambam breaks his own code of concise legal language to write "May he be revealed soon" regarding the Red Heifer. The Rebbe explains that there is a vast difference between believing in Mashiach...

Is it ever okay to get angry for the sake of Heaven? In this nuanced and critical session, Rav Shlomo Katz analyzes the fallout of "Holy Zealotry" through the writings of Rav Kook . While Moshe’s anger at the rock (or Pinchas’s zealotry) may have stemmed from a pure place, we learn that anger, even when righteous, always leaves a negative residue that requires repair. Rav Shlomo reads a powerful l...

Why does the Torah use the word Chukah (Statute), which implies something engraved? In this deep psychological dive, Rav Shlomo Katz explores the difference between "Reason" ( Ta'am as logic) and "Taste" ( Ta'am as flavor). Drawing on the Izhbitzer Rebbe and a legendary story about Reb Shlomo Carlebach's grandfather, we learn that a person can know all the laws but remain "cold" and dead inside. T...

In this fiery and passionate session recorded during a time of national tension, Rav Shlomo Katz explores the tragedy of Moshe Rabbeinu hitting the rock through the lens of the Chidoushei Harim (The First Gerer Rebbe) and the Maggid of Mezritch . We learn that the stories of the Torah aren't just history; they are specific instructions for today . Rav Shlomo challenges the idol of "Political Corre...

Why did Moshe Rabbeinu have to stay behind in the desert? In this moving tribute to the Lubavitcher Rebbe , Rav Shlomo Katz explores the one task Moshe left unfinished for us to complete: talking to the "Rocks." Drawing on Rebbe Nachman of Breslov , we learn that forcing a child or student to grow is like hitting a rock—you might get results, but you break the relationship. Rav Shlomo explains tha...

What is the difference between giving someone a symbol of love and giving them the "thing itself"? In this deep mystical exploration, Rav Shlomo Katz opens the Toras Emes (Rebbe Leibele Eiger) to understand the deeper meaning of "Water" in Parshat Chukat. We learn that while an apple is just a sign of affection, water represents the essence, giving the recipient everything you are. Rav Shlomo guid...

Why does the Mishna describe the dispute as "Korach and his Congregation" rather than "Korach and Moshe"? Rav Shlomo Katz explores the anatomy of a fake argument versus a holy disagreement. Drawing on the Noam Elimelech and the Malbim , we uncover the dirty secret of Korach's rebellion: there was absolutely no unity within his own camp. We learn that while Hillel and Shammai loved each other despi...

What did we actually learn during the 40 years in the desert? In this raw and emotional session recorded during a painful time of house demolitions in Israel, Rav Shlomo Katz asks if the Torah has truly permeated our reality. Drawing on the Izhbitzer Rebbe and a story about the Lubavitcher Rebbe , we distinguish between "Head Torah" and "Vein Torah." The Izhbitzer teaches that the entire purpose o...

When we see darkness in the world, is it an invitation to judge or an invitation to fix ourselves? In this introspective session, Rav Shlomo Katz shares a powerful teaching from Reb Shlomo Carlebach about two types of friends. One friend points out your mistakes; the other friend sees your mistakes and says, "It's my fault because if I were a better friend, you wouldn't be falling." Rav Shlomo exp...

Why does the Torah count "Not being like Korach" as one of the 613 commandments?  Rav Shlomo Katz explores the psychology of arrogance versus the "Holy of Holies." Drawing on Rabbi Moshe Weinberger and the Ramban, we learn that while Korach felt "sinless" and perfect, Aharon HaKohen walked around seeing the Golden Calf wherever he looked—a brokenness that protected him from ever feeling superior....

Was Korach truly a villain, or was he so holy that even the greatest Tzaddikim struggled to see the flaw? In this mind-bending session, Rav Shlomo Katz opens with a shocking testimony from the Yismach Moshe , who revealed that in a previous life, he stood among the generation of the desert and didn't know whose side to take—because Korach’s holiness was so blinding. We explore the terrifying conce...

We often think of humility as being quiet or shy, but what if humility is actually resilience? Rav Shlomo Katz explores the definition of Anava through the lens of the Alexander Rebbe (Yismach Yisrael) . We learn that Moshe Rabbeinu’s humility was his Savlanut —his ability to tolerate his own imperfections and the imperfections of the people, and yet keep going. Rav Shlomo contrasts this with the...

Why does the Torah tell us to "follow your eyes" if our eyes often lead us astray? In this fascinating session, Rav Shlomo Katz shares a story of Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk traveling to the Holy Land just to "see what God is looking at." We delve into the Kli Yakar’s radical insight: If Moshe had sent women as spies, they would not have sinned, because women possess a purity of sight that men oft...

In a world of doubters and "realists," how do we find the courage to say "Yes"? ' Rav Shlomo Katz shares a story about the Alexander Rebbe and the power of being a "Yes Man" for holiness. We revisit the Aish Kodesh in the Warsaw Ghetto to understand that Calev's cry of "We can surely go up" was not a military assessment, but a spiritual defiance of reality. Rav Shlomo discusses why we must stop lo...

Why does the Torah follow the tragic story of the Spies with the laws of Libations, Challah, and the Wood-Gatherer? Rav Shlomo Katz explores the danger of "spiritual" Judaism that lacks concrete action. Drawing on the Lubavitcher Rebbe and Rashi , we analyze the mistake of the Spies: they wanted to stay in the desert to remain spiritual and avoid the "grind" of physical life in Israel. Rav Shlomo...

Where do our doubts come from? In this deep psychological and spiritual dive, Rav Shlomo Katz opens the Tanya (Chapter 29) to explain the root of Safek (doubt). We learn that when we feel blocked or skeptical, it is not our true self speaking; it is the Sitra Achra (the Other Side) covering our soul like a shell. Rav Shlomo explains the sudden shift of the Spies from "We can't" to "We will go up"...

The Spies reported that Eretz Yisrael is "a land that devours its inhabitants." Was this an insult, or a hidden blessing? Rav Shlomo Katz explores a profound teaching from Rebbe Nachman of Breslov regarding the concept of "digestion." Just as food becomes part of the person who eats it, being "swallowed" by the Holy Land or a Tzaddik means becoming transformed into their very substance. Rav Shlomo...

Why does life in Israel often feel like "murder" on the ego? In this candid session, Rav Shlomo Katz discusses the stark transition from the comforts of the West to the grit of the Holy Land. Drawing on the Alexander Rebbe , we identify the voice that says "it's not for me" as the voice of the Spies. Rav Shlomo challenges us to stop looking for the "luxury" spirituality of the desert and embrace t...

Why does it seem that the moment we decide to get close to Hashem, everything gets harder? Rav Shlomo Katz opens Likutey Moharan (Torah 66) to reveal the secret of Mniyot (Obstacles). We learn that Hashem places stumbling blocks before us not to reject us, but to generate passion. Just as a child chases a toy that is pulled away, our souls are meant to chase the connection that seems out of reach....