Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz

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To help support this podcast, please consider giving a tax deductible contribution here: http://support.rabbidovidkatz.com --- Rabbi Dovid Katz, PhD is lauded for his extensive knowledge of Jewish History, his engaging and insightful lecture series, and eye opening historical international tours.…

Rabbi Dovid Katz


    • Jul 23, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 40m AVG DURATION
    • 1,476 EPISODES

    4.7 from 285 ratings Listeners of Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz that love the show mention: jewish history, fascinating, thank you for sharing, incredible, knowledge, different, interesting, amazing, best, great, listen, rabbonim, minyanim, rabbi katz, r katz.


    Ivy Insights

    The Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz podcast is an absolute treasure for anyone interested in Jewish history. Rabbi Dr. Katz's extensive knowledge and unique perspective make every episode worthy of study. Even if one may disagree with certain aspects of his approach, the podcast offers a fresh way to see historical issues. It's truly amazing to witness the depth of knowledge that one person possesses, and I highly recommend this podcast to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of Jewish history.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is Rabbi Dr. Katz's eye for detail and unmatched perspective. He has a talent for delving into historical topics and presenting them in an engaging and informative manner. His ability to connect various sources and present a cohesive narrative is truly impressive. Listening to his lectures feels like being transported back in time, as he brings these historical events to life with his expert storytelling skills.

    However, it's worth noting that there may be instances where listeners may disagree with Rabbi Dr. Katz's interpretations or conclusions. This is natural when studying history, as different scholars often have varying perspectives on certain events or figures. While Rabbi Dr. Katz provides a comprehensive understanding of Jewish history, it's important for listeners to approach the material critically and form their own interpretations based on additional research.

    In conclusion, The Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz podcast is an invaluable resource for those interested in Jewish history. Through his extensive knowledge, engaging storytelling skills, and unique perspective, Rabbi Dr. Katz provides listeners with a deep understanding of historical events and figures. While there may be room for differing interpretations, this podcast remains highly recommended for its informative and captivating content.



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    Latest episodes from Jewish History with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Katz

    Parshas Matos 5785 What happened to the kids of the two and a half tribes while the fathers were away fighting on the other side of the Jordan River?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2025 25:05


    The kids lived in a rough neighborhood (מִפְּנֵי יוֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ), heavily armed and without paternal supervision for years. result? בְּגִלְעָד נְפִישֵׁי רוֹצְחִין!https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    הַפְטָרַת מַטּוֹת-מַסְּעֵי (בֵּין הַמְּצָרִים) תשפ"ה - A Famous Jeremiad

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2025 25:09


    "Why are the Jews the only people who voluntarily switched their god? The Prophet tears into them.https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    Rashi's raw hatred of the Crusaders - the vicious poem תִּתְּנֵם לְחֶרְפָּה

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2025 30:24


    Every kind of curse and imprecation in the Hebrew language . How Rashi felt when he learned about the Crusader massacres of 1096https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    פָּרָשַׁת מִטּוֹת מַסְּעֵי תשפ"ה - מִלְחֶמֶת הַנְּקָמָה בְּמִדְיׇן וְהַמִּלְחָמָה נֶגֶד חָמָס בְּעַזָּה

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2025 29:20


    Moshe (a former "Midianite") is told to lead the war. He tries to wiggle out, but as events unfold, he is dragged into the thick of it

    Haftarah Pinchas: The Relationship between Pinchas and Eliyahu -Are they literally the same person?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2025 33:52


    Moses says הָרְגֵנִי נָא הָרוֹג. Pinchas says קַח נַפְשִׁי. What is the difference?https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    R Katz Analyzes the Current Middle East Crisis involving the Druze, Syria, Israel, and the USA

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2025 46:21


    The Existential Dilemma facing Bibi: Making Peace with Syria, but also bombing Syria to save the Syrian Druze (thereby giving מְנוּחַת הַנֶּפֶשׁ to the Israeli Druze). A very complicated story!

    The Influence of R Saadia Gaon on the Rambam and all the other Medieval Jewish Philosophers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2025 27:02


    Many of the ideas in the מוֹרֵה נְבוֹכִים, הַכּוּזָרִי, הַחוֹבוֹת הַלְּבָבוֹת, יַד רמ"ה, הָעִקָּרִים, וְכוּלְהוּ actually were already written in the אֱמוּנוֹת וְדֵעוֹת

    Isaac Ochberg of Cape Town (1878-1937): Rescuer of Orphans from World War I

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2025 33:47


    A South African "Jewish Jew" who went to wartorn Ukraine in 1920, then in the midst of massacres of Jews, and brought 200 Jewish orphans to safety in South Africa

    פָּרָשַׁת פִּינְחָס תשפ"ה - The Bloody Discrepancies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2025 28:34


    Why did the Civil Wars between the Tribes in the Desert degenerate into exterminatory massacres?

    Bilam's obseration of הֶן עָם לְבָדָד יִשְׁכֹּן and the current phenomenon of Jews being abandoned by their supposed "allies"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2025 29:12


    So many Jews have deluded themselves that they wre building "alliances" only to discover on October 7 that they had been building on sand

    What is the Oldest Source for the "Three Weeks"?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2025 25:33


    Daniel fasts out of consternation at Cyrus' stop-order re: the building of the Second Templehttps://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת בָּלָק תשפ"ה - Will some Jews choose to remain in חוּץ לָאָרֶץ in the Messianic Era?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2025 25:12


    Is the Messianic Utopia only for the Jews? Or for all mankind?

    Quaker Ger Tzedek: Warder Cresson of Philadelphia and Jerusalem (1798-1861)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2025 56:08


    The Famous Trial in 1849: Is conversion to Judaism an indication of mental insanity?

    פָּרָשַׁת בָּלָק תשפ"ה - Parshas Bil'am and the Current War in Gaza

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2025 26:29


    Contrast the two stories: a.) The King of Arad b.) Bil'am, the lethal rhetoric, and the בְּנוֹת מוֹאָבhttps://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    Katz Analyzes the current situation inthe Middle East: The Connection between Drafting the בני תורה and the possibilities of peace with Syria?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2025 33:25


    Acc.to current reports, the Syrians may be willing to recognize Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights(!), just as Israel is cracking-down on the Haredi Draft. Sighhttps://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    רס"ג והמשיח - The Reasons for Saadia Gaon's Messianic Speculation in the 10th Century Abbasid Caliphate

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2025 53:06


    What was the historical context for Saadia's prediction that משיח would come in 965 CE

    הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת חֻקַּת תשפ"ה - Was Yiftach a Shofet? Or was he a general?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2025 25:40


    Was he a shofet over כְּלַל יִשְׂרָאֵל? Or was he just a big shot (רֹאשׁ וּקְצִין) over the area of עֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן?https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    פָּרָשַׁת חֻקַּת תשפ"ה - The cedar, hyssop, and crimson wool - the Three types of Worshipers of the Golden Calf?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2025 29:05


    Is becoming טָמֵא a sin?https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    עַל כֵּן יֹאמְרוּ הַמֹּשְׁלִים בֹּאוּ חֶשְׁבּוֹן - Some philosophical thoughts re: Oct. 7, 2023 vs. June 12, 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2025 26:11


    An intelligent person (or nation) needs a plan, but he (it) must be its מוֹשֵׁל, not its עֶבֶד!https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    Messianism in Jewish History: The Specific Historical Contexts: The Case of Biblical and then Ancient Judaism

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2025 41:07


    Messianism arose when the situation for the Jews was terrible, and there was nothing they could do about it בְּדֶרֶךְ הַטֶּבַעhttps://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    הַדְרָן עַל מַסֶּכֶת שְׁבוּעוֹת לז"נ אִמִּי לֵאָה בַּת אַרְיֵה לֵיבּ הַלֵּוִי זַ"ל יָארְצַיְט ג תַּמּוּז תשפ"ה

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2025 33:31


    Kavod Habrios (Human Dignity) in situations where your silence will result in other people comitting sins

    הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת קֹרַח תשפ"ה - The two groups who did not want Shaul as King

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2025 23:23


    One group held Saul in contempt as a king. The other group opposed monarchy in principle,they wanted Hashem to rule them through Samuel (יַעֲבֵ"ץ וּכְלֵי יָקָר)https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    פָּרָשַׁת קֹרַח תשפ"ה - לְפִי הָאִבְּן עֶזְרָא - An EGREGIOUS example of אֵין מֻקְדָּם וּמְאֻחָר בַּתּוֹרָה !

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2025 29:28


    With the democtatic model of politics discredited by the Golden Calf episode, Moses resorts to the aristocratic model of political decision-making, and suffers blowback https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    "I was asleep, but I have now woken up!" The Third Pslam and the current Israel-Iran War

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2025 28:23


    Israel is trying to "break the teeth" of Iran - ק֘וּמָ֤ה יְהֹוָ֨ה ׀ הוֹשִׁ֘יעֵ֤נִי אֱלֹהַ֗י כִּֽי־הִכִּ֣יתָ אֶת־כׇּל־אֹיְבַ֣י לֶ֑חִי שִׁנֵּ֖י רְשָׁעִ֣ים שִׁבַּֽרְתָּ׃https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    R Katz analyzes the prospects for regime change in Iran? What does this mean?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2025 33:16


    How successful has "regime change" been in history? What kind of regime change in Iran would be beneficial to Israel? https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    The רֵישׁ גָּלוּתָא who "married" an Iranian Princess. Or did he? The "Bustenai Controversy" of the Gaonic Era

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2025 59:18


    The Caliph gave the רֵישׁ גָּלוּתָא a "present" in the form of the daughter of the Persian Emperor. The halachic debate re: what happened next.https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    R Katz Analyzes the "Tucker Carlson & Co." anti-Israel Isolationism phenomenon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2025 45:20


    The logic and long history of American Isolationism and its latest iteration as opposition to a manipulative Israel (a subtle anti-semitism). A real problem for כלל ישראל https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת שְׁלַח תשפ"ה - The Tradecraft Mistakes of the Two Spies in Jericho

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2025 23:31


    In the end, sending the spies was unnecessary; Jericho fell through a miracle!https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    פָּרָשַׁת שְׁלַח תשפ"ה - The Flaw in Intelligence Procedures that resulted in the sad episode of the מְרַגְּלִים

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2025 30:41


    Did each spy seperately present his own report to Moshe, or did the ten spies hammer out a single unified consensus report prior to returning to the camp?

    How does the Mossad do theseamazing things in Iran? Are they "james Bonds/" Or do they use a vast Iranian network of dedicated revolutionaries?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2025 36:51


    The strange history of Israel and the Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK)https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    The מְגַלֶּה עֲמֻקּוֹת, The Amazing R Nassan Nota Shapiro of Cracow (1584-1633)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 49:02


    The extraordinary combination of גְּאוֹנוּת in lomdus in the Golden Age of Pilpul in the Golden Age of the Jews in The Kingdom of Poland , fascination with mathematics, and the Kabbalistic application of math to the deeper reading of the תּוֹרָה בִּכְתָב וְתוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֹּה

    Rabbi Katz Analyzes the Current Israel-Iran War

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2025 26:18


    How does Israel achieve victory? How does it DEFINE victory? How does it win without American intervention? The " כ"ג סִיוָן factor."

    הַפְטָרַת פָּרָשַׁת בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ תשפ"ה - נְבוּאַת זְכַרְיָה עַל פִּי "פָּשׁוּט פְּשַׁט"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2025 31:42


    The many attempts to translate and interpret the enigmatic phrase  וְנָתַתִּי לְךָ מַהְלְכִים בֵּין הָעֹמְדִים הָאֵלֶּה.https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    פָּרָשַׁת בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ תשפ"ה - What is the meaning of the strange phrase :"בְּכָל בֵּיתִי נֶאֱמָן הוּא"?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2025 33:30


    The commentaries struggle to interpret this rhetorical passage which poetically and enigmatically reveals aspects of Moshe's uniqueness https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    "More Judaico" - The humiliating oath Jews were required to utter when they were sworn into gentile courts in pre-modern times

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2025 33:47


    The historical background to the Noda BiYhudah's famous responsum to the Austrian Government ( יוֹרֶה דֵּעָה ע"א ) re: Jews swearing in non-Jewish Courts

    Is it possible to calculate which mitzvos count more than others? Which aveiros are worse than others?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025 32:19


    The capitalist approach to Judaism? Rambam vs. Meiri on הֱוֵי מְחַשֵּׁב הֶפְסֵד מִצְוָה כְּנֶגֶד שְׂכָרָהּ https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    Haftarah Naso: Was Samson an actual Nazir (Rambam)?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025 28:21


    Was he "hit" by prophecy? Or by a sudden rush of strength? Did the rush extend to his mind and discombobulate him mentally and emotionally?https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    Parshas Naso: The Sotah and Structurally flawed marriages

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025 26:40


    What would lead a wife to "live dangerously" after being warned by the husband in front of witnesses? https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    Different Types of Judaism in the Era of the Amora'im: The Queen Zenobia of Palmyra and the Amora'im

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2025 33:19


    Rabbinic Judaism vs. Non-Rabbinic, Traditional (Hellenistic?) Judaism in the late Roman Empire (3rd century)https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    Rabbi Katz's schedule for Shavuos night in his shul

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025 2:09


    Also, annual Shavuos shiur for women at R Katz's home Tuesday 6:15 PM

    הַפְטָרָה פָּרָשַׁת בַּמִּדְבָּר תשפ"ה - The promiscuous wife and the husband who neverheless wants to stay married to her

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 22:25


    Can a marriage work with a checkered past? Yes, if both are committed to looking ahead and not backhttps://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    שָׁבוּעוֹת תשפ"ה - Why count 50 days if the Torah was actually given on day 51?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 26:52


    "Moshe added a day" - Is this the first instance of לֹא בַּשָּׁמַיִם הִיא?"to sponsor, https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    Megillas Rus: A Controversial Book? Did she convert? When? How many times?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 41:06


    Not everyone reads The Book of Ruth in the synagogue? Why not?To sponsor - https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    The Martyrs of Lvov (1728) - Tortured to Death by the Catholic Church on Erev Shavuos (this is not Count Potocki)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 41:22


    Chaim and Yehoshua Reitzes endured horrible tortures rather than save themselves by conversion To sponsor a podcast https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    Shavuos and Yisro: Why does the story of Yisro precede מַתַּן תּוֹרָה? Hpw did Yisro create אַחְדוּת among כְּלַל יִשְׂרָאֵל?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 15:32


    To sponsor a podcast https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    Parshas Bamidbar: Abarbanel -The Levites too were enslaved in Egypt!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 23:53


    To sponsor a podcast, https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    Haftarah Behar-Bechukosai: G-d tells Jeremiah he may not get married and raise a family

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 24:15


    To sponsor a podcast, go to https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    פָּרָשַׁת בְּהַר-בְּחֻקּוֹתַי תשפ"ה - King David, The Brachos in the parsha, and Depression

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 22:14


    To help support this podcast, sponsor an episode https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    R Shimon ben Yochai and his son: the Aftermath of the Cave

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 25:28


    To sponsor a podcast and help Rabbi Katz continue his work, go to https://thechesedfund.com/rabbikatz/support-rabbi-katzz-podcast

    R Katz analyzes thecurrent situation in the Middle East, especially the future of Syria and Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2025 40:37


    If Syria does make peace with Israel, it will be the biggest defeat for Hamas

    Haftarah Emor: Ezekiel and Priestly Functions in the Third Temple

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 27:29


    Ezekiel is adjured to tellthe people about the future Temple, which is part of the historical tension re: how much priority should be given to קָדָשִׁים וְטַהֲרוֹת in לִמּוּד הַתּוֹרָה?

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