Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz

Latest Episodes:

Piyut for Shabbos Hagadol by R Yosef Bonfils, pre-Rashi. Not the halachic poem Apr 07, 2022

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The poet evokes the original Shabbos, the Saturdays the exhausted slaves rested and ate, with no time for spirituality

The Special-Role of Hyssop in Purifying Tzaraas and in the Original Passover (Parshas Metzora) Apr 06, 2022

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The elaborate purification ritual: it is easier to contract leprosy than to be purified from it!

What Exactly is the Nature of Eliyahu HaNavi's "Kiruv-Project?" (Haftarah Shabbos HaGadol) Apr 05, 2022

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The jaded Jews say God is "on the take," but then comes Judgment Day!

The Connection Between Charoses and the Blood Libel: An Argument by Rabbi Katz Apr 04, 2022

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Originally, it was not Maror that was the symbol of the suffering, it was Charoses

The Historic Evolution of the Seder Over the Centuries: An Analysis by Rabbi Katz Apr 04, 2022

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The changes after the חֻרְבָּן. The manipulations of the narrative for reasons of time and dignity.

Rav Moshe A. Amiel of Antwerp and Tel-Aviv (1882-1946) Apr 03, 2022

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Talmid of R’ Chaim Ozer, but a leading Zionist author of a unique intro to lomdus

The Strange and Controversial Passage in Ezekiel That Almost Got the Book Buried (Haftara HaChodesh) Mar 31, 2022

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Who is this mysterious נָשִׂיא? Rashi vs. מְנַחֵם בֶּן חֶלְבּוֹ

Rabbi Katz discusses Red Wine on Passover and the Blood Libel Mar 31, 2022

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Rabbi JS Bloch of Vienna, the champion against the blood libelers

Parshas Tazria: Lashon Hara and צָרַעַת. Did Everyone Who Spoke It Get Tzaraas? It Doesn't Seem So Mar 30, 2022

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If it requires a miracle to combat לָשׁוֹן הָרַע, what are we to do nowadays?

Origins of the Passover Seder: An Analysis on the Creation of the Seder and Its Historical Context Mar 29, 2022

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The Seder - a response to an outraged Egyptian counter-narrative of the Exodus