Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz

Latest Episodes:

Parshas VaEra: Why Show Respect to a Bum Like Pharaoh? Jan 13, 2021

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Moses could have lobbied with influential Egyptians had G-d not prohibited.

R Yehiel Weinberg - "The Seridei Aish" (1884-1966): Can One Be Yeshivish and Not Yeshivish At the Same Time? Jan 12, 2021

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What happens when the beauty of mussar runs into the horrors of the materialism and genocide of modernity?

Isaiah Predicts Destruction Followed By Restoration - Haftarah Shmos Jan 07, 2021

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Isaiah's condemnation of alcoholism and hedonism. The challenge of indulgence.

Parshas Shmos (2020): Unpacking the Hotel Incident - Did G-d Really Intend to Kill Moses After so Heavily Recruiting Him? Jan 05, 2021

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Getting used to a life with no time for anything other than prophecy-availability

Rabbi Moshe Oster of Brody (1710-1785): Life in the Kloiz of the Early Modern Era Jan 03, 2021

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Daunting schedule but the pay is good. Kabbalah after you have mastered Shas. No shortcuts!

David and Joab: A Complex of Emotions National-Security Issues - Haftarah VaYechi (2020) Dec 31, 2020

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Does Dovid actually tell Shlomo to kill them? The Abarbanel's version.

Parshas VaYechi (2020): Why Did Yaakov Have a "Gentile" funeral? Dec 30, 2020

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Where are exactly was Joseph buried in Egypt?

The "Ksav Sofer" of Pressburg (1825-1872): Steering the Ship Through Stormy Waters. Dec 29, 2020

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"Who needs Gan Eden when you have a good yeshiva, a hot mikvah, and a good cup of coffee?"

The Sticks of Moses vs. the Sticks of Ezekiel - Haftarah VaYigash (2020) Dec 23, 2020

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Has the "blending" of the tribes occured?

Parshas VaYigash: The Revelation, Shock, and Heart-Attacks in the Parsha Dec 23, 2020

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Did the brothers doubt themselves after Joseph's revelation?