Rav Shlomo Katz on the Parsha

What is the saddest thing in the world? In this deep and stirring shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz shares a fundamental teaching from Reb Shlomo Carlebach : "Unless you want more, you don't really have anything." We explore why the Parsha of the Ten Commandments is named after Yitro, a man whose very name implies "adding" and "more." Rav Shlomo dives into the Meshech Chochmah to explain why the laws of the...

Why does the Parsha of freedom begin with the word Vayehi —a word traditionally associated with sorrow? In this profound shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz explores the transition from slavery to true identity through the lens of Rav Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin . We analyze the difference between being merely an Am (a nation) and becoming Bnei Yisrael . Rav Shlomo explains the metaphor of "unlit charcoal"—potent...

Will the Third Temple be built by human hands, or will it descend from Heaven? Rav Shlomo Katz navigates this classic theological debate using Rashi , the Vorker Rebbe , and the Chortkover Rebbe . We discover a beautiful synthesis: we "build" the Temple by creating the vessel of unity down here. Rav Shlomo shares a touching insight on the difference between shaking hands and holding hands, explain...

Why does Hashem tell the Jewish people to "be silent" during the attack of Pharaoh, but commands them to "go out and fight" against Amalek? Rav Shlomo Katz breaks down the fundamental difference between physical and spiritual threats. We learn that when our physical safety is at risk, we rely on Hashem's salvation, but when Amalek comes to "cool us off" spiritually and inject doubt, we cannot affo...

Why is it that immediately after the greatest spiritual highs, like crossing the Red Sea or experiencing Yom Kippur, we often crash or face our toughest battles? Rav Shlomo Katz addresses the "post-high" struggle through the lens of the Beit Yaakov (The Izhbitzer School) . We discover that Amalek, the spiritual force of doubt, specifically attacks at Refidim —the place where our hands become weak,...

We often rely on yesterday's miracles to get us through today's challenges, but is that enough? In this powerful session, Rav Shlomo Katz explores the connection between Parshas Beshalach and Tu B'Shvat. Drawing from the Agra DeKalah (Bnei Yissaschar) , we learn that a tree knows it will die if it doesn't receive new sustenance from the roots at the very last second. Rav Shlomo connects this to th...

Information informs the mind, but stories transform the heart. In this beautiful session, Rav Shlomo Katz explores the commandment, "And you shall tell your son," drawing on the Belzer Rebbe and the Sfat Emet . We learn that you cannot tell a story to your child effectively unless you have first internalized the faith yourself. Rav Shlomo shares a stunning insight: Why did Moshe Rabbeinu's childre...

When you feel stuck in a spiritual rut, or worse, addicted to something that is destroying you, what do you do? Rav Shlomo Katz brings a life-saving teaching from Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (Likutei Halachot) on the concept of Chipazon (Haste). We learn that when a person finally hears the "Bat Kol" (Heavenly Voice) calling them to return, they must run immediately and not look back. Rav Shlomo expl...

In the winter of 1940, in the depths of the Warsaw Ghetto, the Aish Kodesh (Piaseczna Rebbe) gave a Drasha on Parshat Bo that he later crossed out and couldn't remember. Rav Shlomo Katz opens this "rejected" text to find a hidden light. We explore the difficult verse "I have made a mockery of Egypt" and the Rebbe's struggle with the concept of God rejoicing in the downfall of the wicked. Rav Shlom...

We assume the Korban Pesach (Passover Offering) was a regular event in Jewish history, but was it? Rav Shlomo Katz takes a fascinating historical look through Tanach to reveal that the Korban Pesach was actually a rare occurrence, celebrated massively only by kings like Chizkiyahu and Yoshiyahu. Drawing on the Chatam Sofer and Rashi , we explore why the Jews in Egypt were commanded to take the she...

What is Jewish Intuition? Rav Shlomo Katz delves into Rav Kook's commentary on the Mitzvah of Kiddush HaChodesh . We explore the idea that the long exile stripped us of our spiritual "kidneys"—our intuitive sense of holiness—and how this first Mitzvah is designed to restore it. We discuss the three components of sanctifying the moon: Sight (Intuition), Calculation (Intellect), and Declaration (Act...

Why did the Torah wait a book and a half to give the first Mitzvah of Kiddush HaChodesh (Sanctifying the Moon)? Rav Shlomo Katz explains that while the first Mitzvah is about Renewal ( Hitchadshut ), we first needed to learn how to find strength when we don't feel renewed. Drawing on Rashi and the Sfat Emet , we explore the concept of "The Strength of His Actions" ( Koach Ma'asav ). Rav Shlomo tea...

Is the goal of Judaism just to be "normal"? Rav Shlomo Katz argues that while nature dictates that "if you hit me, I hit you," a Jew is created in the Image of God to go beyond nature. Drawing from the Maharal of Prague and the Izhbitzer Rebbe , we explore why the redemption from Egypt wasn't just about ending slavery, but about initiating a relationship with Hashem that "never existed before",. R...

There is a difference between being free and being redeemed. In this deep session, Rav Shlomo Katz explains that freedom means no one is whipping you, but redemption means your relationship with Hashem has no limits. Based on the Izhbitzer School of Thought and Reb Shlomo Carlebach , we explore the concept of "removing the locks" ( Shal Na'alecha ) from our habits and daring to dream of wonders we...

Why does the Torah choose the sanctification of the New Moon ( Kiddush HaChodesh ) as the very first Mitzvah given to the Jewish people? In this uplifting shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz explores the power of small beginnings. Drawing from the Piaseczna Rebbe (The Aish Kodesh) , we learn that the initiation into Judaism isn't about waiting for an "atomic explosion" of light, but rather trusting that one ti...

"And also I heard the groaning..." What does the word "also" add? Rav Shlomo Katz shares a moving story involving the Chatam Sofer to explain that true Redemption is when we hear the cries of others within our own pain. We discuss the concept of being "close enough to cry"—that the ultimate sign of freedom is feeling safe enough to be vulnerable. Rav Shlomo highlights that before we ask God for so...

Do miracles actually change people? Drawing from the teachings of Rabbi David Aaron and the Izhbitzer School , Rav Shlomo Katz argues that miracles are often a "lower" form of connection. Moshe Rabbeinu feared that by asking for signs, he had reduced the Redemption from a relationship of intimacy to a display of power. This shiur explores the difference between Elokim (God of Nature/Power) and Has...

Does a tear ever fall in vain? In this powerful shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz shares a mind-blowing insight from the Satmar Rebbe (The Divrei Yoel) on the verse: "I have heard the groaning... and I will remember My covenant." Why the future tense? We learn that while the redemption hadn't happened yet, Hashem was "banking" every single tear for the ultimate Geulah. Rav Shlomo explains that the Jewish peo...

What is the first step of Redemption? It isn't leaving Egypt; it is realizing that we are sick of being there. Rav Shlomo Katz explores the concept of Sivlot (burdens) through the lens of the Kedushas Levi (Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev) and the Beit Yaakov (Izhbitzer Rebbe) . We learn that Sivlot implies "tolerance"—the dangerous ability to become comfortable with our own enslavement. Rav Shl...

Why did things get worse for the Jewish people immediately after Moshe Rabbeinu demanded their freedom? In this heart-wrenching and comforting shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz addresses the question we are all afraid to ask: "God, why are You making it so hard?" Drawing from the Izhbitzer School , we explore the difference between a revelation of power (miracles) and a revelation of intimacy (hearing). Rav...

We often think the goal of the Exodus was simply to stop being slaves and become free people. In this deep philosophical exploration, Rav Shlomo Katz challenges that notion, arguing that being "normal" was never the goal of the Jewish people. Drawing from the Maharal of Prague and the Izhbitzer Rebbe , we learn that anything unnatural (like slavery) eventually reverts to nature, but the Jew is cre...

How did Batya's arm stretch to reach the basket of Moshe? Rav Shlomo Katz explores the spiritual mechanics of "reaching for the impossible" through the lens of the Kotzker Rebbe . We learn that if a person truly desires a goal, they should never let the "distance" stop them from reaching out. Rav Shlomo weaves in a comforting teaching from Rav Kook : being liable to stumble does not damage your pe...

"In the merit of righteous women, we were redeemed." But what does that actually mean? Rav Shlomo Katz breaks down this famous teaching using the Sforno and Daat Mikra . We focus on the midwives, Shifra and Puah, and their "inner wisdom of the heart," which allowed them to defy Pharaoh. Rav Shlomo explains that their Yirat Elokim (Fear of God) granted them Yishuv HaDaat (peace of mind), freeing th...

Does your name determine your destiny? In this fascinating exploration of Shemot , Rav Shlomo Katz dives into the concept of Shema Garim —that a name influences a person's attributes. We look at the Gemara involving Rabbi Meir , who would check a person's name before doing business with them. Rav Shlomo also discusses practical Halachic perspectives from Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe) regarding...

Why did things get worse for the Jewish people after Moshe Rabenu arrived? In this intense shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz addresses the difficult question Moshe asked Hashem: "Why have You done evil to this people?" Using the insights of the Izhbitzer Rebbe (Mei HaShiloach) , we learn the spiritual purpose of Ra'am (thunder). Rav Shlomo explains that the 12 months of plagues and fear were necessary to "st...