The Laws of War and Peace with Rav Shlomo Katz

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...

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 sides: the genuine fear of spiri...

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...

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...

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...

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 emotionally prepared to confront evil wi...

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 ago, or is there still a sp...

Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David explore one of the most urgent Torah questions of our generation: What does the Torah actually demand from Am Yisrael when danger is rising? Through the lens of הלכות מלחמה, Rav Shlomo learns the Rambam, Gemara, and Shulchan Aruch on מלחמת מצוה, לא תעמוד על דם רעך, and the obligation not only to respond to danger… but to prevent it. From October 7th t...

Recorded in the midst of painful and urgent questions surrounding war, leadership, and Jewish identity, this shiur dives into one of the deepest Torah concepts of our time: מלחמת מצווה. Drawing from Avraham Avinu, Yehoshua bin Nun, Rav Herzog, Rav Soloveitchik, and Rav Shmuel Eliyahu, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David explore what it actually means for Jews to fight a war with clarity...

What does it actually mean to be a חלוץ? Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David dive into Hilchos Milchama VeShalom , and uncover the hidden meaning behind one of the most familiar phrases in bentching: “Retzei V’Hachalitzeinu.” Far beyond the modern image of pioneers and soldiers, Rav Shlomo explores the Torah concept of chalutziut — the courage to break free from habits, fear, exile-cons...

Recorded on ערב יום הזיכרון, standing in the חלקה הצבאית of כפר עציון,  Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David reflect on what it means to stand among קדושים who gave everything for עם ישראל. Through the lens of חז״ל, the story of לוליאנוס ופפוס, and the halachic depth of מסירות נפש, a different picture of Yom HaZikaron begins to emerge. This isn’t only a day of grief. It’s a day of gratit...

There’s a question that refuses to go away: If David HaMelech were here today… would we recognize him? In this shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David go back to the roots of leadership in Torah—what Moshe Rabbeinu was searching for, what Yitro advised, and why it took generations until someone finally embodied it fully. Through the stories of Boaz, Ruth, and ultimately David HaMelec...

There’s a question sitting quietly beneath everything we’re living through right now: If Moshe Rabbeinu were here today… would he recognize our leaders of war? In this shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David open up one of the most uncomfortable and necessary teachings in Torah: the gap between strength and spirit . Yitro tells Moshe to appoint leaders who are not just powerful, but...

Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David learn a breathtaking and deeply timely idea: the mesirus nefesh of Am Yisrael is not only protecting the nation — it is purifying the very air of Eretz Yisrael. Drawing from Rav Shmuel Eliyahu, Tanach, Chazal, and the story of Yitzchak Avinu, Rav Shlomo expands the meaning of mesirus nefesh beyond the battlefield itself. A soldier who enters danger an...

Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David open one of the deepest foundations of מלחמה in Torah: when a Jew fights to protect Am Yisrael , he is not only defending lives — he is fighting a war of Kiddush Hashem . Learning through Tanach , Chazal , and Rambam , Rav Shlomo explores the greatness of the chayalim , the holiness of the war camp, and the responsibility to understand battle not as p...

In this episode of The Laws of War and Peace , Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David open a deeper dimension of Jewish war that most people never think about: when Am Yisrael goes out to battle, it is not only the soldiers on the ground and not only the Ribbono Shel Olam above — the neshamos of tzaddikim from across the generations join the fight as well. Learning from Midrash, Zohar, and...

Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David learn that the wars of modern Israel are not merely political or historical events. But they are biblical events , unfolding in front of our eyes. Through the lens of Hilchos Milchamah VeShalom by Rav Shmuel Eliyahu, Rav Shlomo walks through the miracles of 1948, 1967, 1973, and the present moment, showing how again and again Am Yisrael has lived thro...

In the opening episode of The Laws of War and Peace , Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David begin learning from Hilchos Milchamah VeShalom by Rav Shmuel Eliyahu and ask a piercing question for our generation: what happens when Jews become used to miracles? As missiles fly, sirens sound, and impossible salvations become part of daily life, Rav Shlomo warns that the deepest danger is not on...