Best Torah Vision For Israel Podcasts (2025)

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Vaeschanan - Having Visions Fulfilled 30:08

2d ago30:08

30:08

Having Visions FulfilledBy Ari Goldwag

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Think Different | Parsha with the Chief: Va'etchanan 24:44

3d ago24:44

24:44

Information and knowledge stream everywhere. In a world overflowing with ideas and content, what makes Torah different? In this week's message on the Parsha of Va'etchanan, Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein explores what sets Torah apart in the knowledge economy. While the world now prizes information and insight, Judaism has always placed Torah lea…

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Devarim-Tisha B'av - Great as the Stars 30:08

10d ago30:08

30:08

Great as the StarsBy Ari Goldwag

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Tisha B'Av and the Hidden Work of a Torah Jew 43:12

11d ago43:12

43:12

Why doesn't Pirkei Avot mention the prohibition against Lashon Hara? The ultimate guide to Jewish ethics never brings up one of our most discussed interpersonal laws. In this transformative Tisha B'Av teaching, Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein reveals that this apparent oversight actually holds the key to understanding what Torah life is really abo…

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Matos-Masei - Enemies of Israel Fall 30:10

17d ago30:10

30:10

Enemies of Israel FallBy Ari Goldwag

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Mastering anger | Parsha with the Chief: Matot-Masei 22:40

17d ago22:40

22:40

Anger is never isolated — it draws strength from across our inner world. By understanding its true nature, we begin to reclaim control, heal relationships, and grow in ways that truly matter. In this talk, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores the root of anger through the lens of this week’s parsha Matot-Masei, and the teachings of Pirkei Avot.…

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26. The Challenge of Ger Toshav in Our Days 9:50

17d ago9:50

9:50

Can non-Jews dwell in Eretz Yisrael according to halacha today? Rav Shlomo Katz explores the status of ger toshav—a non-Jew who commits to the seven Noahide laws and aligns with the values of a Jewish society—and the halachic tension created by the absence of yovel. Drawing from the Rambam, Rav Herzog, and modern examples like the Druze community, …

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25. Boundaries, Bravery, and the Torah’s Vision for the Land 8:32

17d ago8:32

8:32

As Am Yisrael returns home, the Torah presents clear halachic guidelines about who may dwell in the Land and under what terms. Rav Shlomo Katz explores the opinions of Rashi, the Rambam, and the Sefer HaChinuch on the mitzvos of lo techanem and lo yeshvu be’artzecha—not as political slogans, but as enduring halachic frameworks. Through real-life ex…

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24. Land, Covenants, and the Borders of Holiness 4:46

17d ago4:46

4:46

When Am Yisrael returns home, who else is here, and what does the Torah ask of us in response? Rav Shlomo Katz opens a deeply sensitive and essential conversation around two core prohibitions in the Torah: forming covenants and selling land to non-Jews in Eretz Yisrael. With humility and fire, he brings the words of the פסוקים, the wisdom of the sa…

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23. When Each Tribe Returns Home: The Deeper Conditions for Shemitah and Yovel 4:48

17d ago4:48

4:48

It’s not just about being back in the Land. It’s about being back in our place. Rav Shlomo Katz opens the gates of time and prophecy, guiding us through the halachic and prophetic conditions for the return of Shemitah and Yovel. With the Rambam, the Gemara in ערכין, and Yechezkel’s vision of tribal boundaries, we’re reminded that the geulah isn’t m…

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22. From Exile to Aliyah: The Return of the Land-Based Mitzvot 9:10

17d ago9:10

9:10

Rav Shlomo takes us on a breathtaking historical sweep of the mitzvos that only come alive in Eretz Yisrael. From Yehoshua’s conquest to Ezra’s second sanctification, from exile to return, we trace how mitzvos like Shemitah, Yovel, Terumos and Ma’asros waxed and waned with the presence—or absence—of Am Yisrael in the Land. But the real heart of the…

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21. Judges, Justice, and the Sweet Spirit of Torah 7:18

17d ago7:18

7:18

Now that we’ve mapped the borders, Rav Shlomo brings us into the heart of what it means to live Torah in Eretz Yisrael. Beyond Shemittah and Terumos, there’s a mitzvah that rests on the entire nation: to establish a society guided by Torah justice. But what happens when the most powerful judges can’t say Shema Yisrael? Through a moving reflection o…

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20. Do Mitzvos Fly Coach? 7:09

17d ago7:09

7:09

Rav Shlomo wraps up our deep dive into the גבולות of Eretz Yisrael with a story that’s as hilarious as it is holy—about a בעל תשובה, a chicken parmesan, and a very literal take on the Ramban. But from this “flying mashal,” we soar into something deeper: what it means to keep Torah in the Land versus outside of it, and why mitzvos done here carry a …

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19. Drawing the Line: Eastbound Borders and the Promise of the Future 4:50

17d ago4:50

4:50

Back east we go, tracing the uncertain outlines of עבר הירדן המזרחי. With love, clarity, and a dash of cartographic chaos, Rav Shlomo Katz explores what happens when the Torah says “from the desert to the river” but leaves the rest to us. Through Rambam’s squared geometry, the conquest of Sichon and Og, and the promise of נהר פרת, we touch the drea…

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18. Northbound: Where the Borders Kiss Heaven 4:53

17d ago4:53

4:53

Rav Shlomo Katz leads us into the northern edges of the holy land, where the mountains rise and the halachic questions deepen. What and where is הר ההר? How far does the Torah's promise stretch? With ancient maps, differing opinions, and the tension between עולי מצרים and לעתיד לבוא, we journey through the evolving shape of ארץ ישראל. As Rav Shlomo…

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17. Where Is the South?: Mapping the Mitzvah 9:17

17d ago9:17

9:17

From the wars of Sihon and Og to modern-day Eilat, the southern borders of Eretz Yisrael remain a halachic and historical mystery. Rav Shlomo Katz takes us deep into the confusion around Nachal Mitzrayim, the shifting number of nations to conquer, and the conflicting maps passed down through Torah and tradition. What does all this mean for the mitz…

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16. Did Moshe Enter Eretz Yisrael?: The Eastern Border Debate 5:03

17d ago5:03

5:03

Was Moshe Rabbeinu ever in Eretz Yisrael? It’s not as simple as it sounds. Rav Shlomo Katz explores the spiritual and halachic status of עבר הירדן המזרחי—the eastern side of the Jordan River—conquered before we ever entered the land proper. Can mitzvot tied to the land be fulfilled there? Can you force someone to move from east to west? Why couldn’…

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15. Where Does the Mitzvah Apply?: Borders, Footsteps, and Eilat 6:36

17d ago6:36

6:36

What defines the halachic borders of Eretz Yisrael—and what happens when our feet tread beyond them? Rav Shlomo Katz opens a deep dive into the tension between the Torah’s promised boundaries and modern questions like the status of Eilat or Yamit. Is every inch we settle inherently a mitzvah, or must the original g’vulot come first? With sources fr…

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14. Planting Trees, Planting Holiness 3:15

17d ago3:15

3:15

Rav Shlomo Katz reveals a breathtaking halachic truth: in Eretz Yisrael, working the land isn’t just agriculture. It’s divine service. With the Chasam Sofer as a guide, we learn that planting in the Holy Land is itself a fulfillment of the mitzvah of yishuv ha’aretz. From Boaz’s threshing floor to our own hands in the soil, every act of development…

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13. The Lashon Hara That Caused the Churban 8:56

17d ago8:56

8:56

Rav Shlomo Katz tackles a painful truth: there is one kind of Lashon Hara that might be worse than speaking badly about another person—speaking negatively about Eretz Yisrael. Through Rav Kook’s writings and the example of Chazal, we explore how the Meraglim’s sin wasn’t just ancient history. It repeats every time we diminish the Land with our word…

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12. Is There a Mitzvah to Love Eretz Yisrael? 3:48

17d ago3:48

3:48

Beyond halachic obligation, does the Torah command us to love the Land? Rav Shlomo Katz brings down a striking Rambam in Hilchot Melachim and a teaching from Rav Eliezer Melamed that reframes everything: when Chazal kissed its stones and rolled in its dust, it wasn’t poetic symbolism. It was halacha. If the Rambam records this in Mishneh Torah, the…

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11. Every Second in the Land Is a Mitzvah 5:29

17d ago5:29

5:29

Rav Shlomo Katz continues exploring the modern implications of the mitzvah of living in Eretz Yisrael—this time focusing on the halachic and spiritual weight of leaving. Whether it’s a short family vacation or a necessary journey, halacha permits it—but what’s the internal consciousness we carry? Quoting the Rambam, Rav Goren, and contemporary posk…

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10. Is Just “Owning” in Eretz Yisrael Enough? 6:32

17d ago6:32

6:32

Rav Shlomo Katz opens up a charged halachic question: Is the mitzvah of Yishuv Eretz Yisrael fulfilled by owning a home here, or does the Torah demand constant physical presence in the Land? We explore the Rambam's rulings, the Gemara in Avodah Zarah, and modern questions of travel, shidduchim, parnassah, and Torah learning. What counted as a heter…

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9. What If Your Parents Say “Don’t Make Aliyah”? 4:42

17d ago4:42

4:42

A sensitive and common question meets the clarity of halacha: When parents object to a child’s desire to move to Eretz Yisrael, what does Torah say? Rav Shlomo Katz dives deep into the rulings of the Shulchan Aruch, the Rambam, and the Ramban to show why living in the Land is a mitzvah that even parental wishes cannot override. With compassion and …

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8. Can You Be Halachically Forced to Move to Eretz Yisrael? 3:00

17d ago3:00

3:00

Rav Shlomo Katz brings a halacha from Even HaEzer that might surprise you: when a couple disagrees about making aliyah, the side refusing to move could lose their halachic standing. Based on the Gemara in Ketubot, we explore powerful rulings that prioritize living in Eretz Yisrael—even over major marital contracts. Whether moving from chutz la’aret…

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7. Sovereignty vs. Presence: What Counts as Building the Land? 8:54

17d ago8:54

8:54

Rav Shlomo Katz explores one of the most misunderstood aspects of Yishuv Eretz Yisrael: the difference between Jews merely living in the Land, and actual sovereignty over it. Drawing on the halachic writings of the Beit Yosef and the Bach, we learn that the mitzvah klalit—national fulfillment—requires Jewish control, not just Jewish presence. Even …

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6. Is Risking Your Life for Eretz Yisrael a Mitzvah? 6:09

17d ago6:09

6:09

Rav Shlomo Katz delves into the deep halachic question: does conquering and settling the Land of Israel override pikuach nefesh—the Torah’s command to preserve life? Through the teachings of Rav Kook, Rav Goren, and the Minchat Chinuch, we discover that Yishuv Eretz Yisrael is a klal Yisraeli mitzvah, one that may require mesirut nefesh when it com…

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5. Is Living in Israel a Requirement or Just a Bonus? 7:28

17d ago7:28

7:28

Rav Shlomo Katz unpacks a key question: is living in Eretz Yisrael optional, or an actual obligation? We explore the difference between a mitzvah you fulfill by living here (kiyumit) versus a mitzvah you’re obligated to fulfill (chiyuvit). With halachic sources from the Gemara, the Rambam, and the Tosefta, we learn that dwelling in the Land isn’t j…

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4. Where Should We Start Settling the Land? 5:07

17d ago5:07

5:07

Rav Shlomo Katz shares how the pasuk “Ufaratzta Yama Vakeidma…” teaches us that the mitzvah of Yishuv Eretz Yisrael starts from Yerushalayim and spreads outward. Drawing from Rav Melamed and the vision of Yaakov Avinu, we explore how settling desolate areas—especially near the heart of the land—is a direct fulfillment of the Torah’s call. Even toda…

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3. Can You Buy a House in Israel on Shabbat? 6:48

17d ago6:48

6:48

Rav Shlomo Katz introduces the powerful teachings of Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook zt”l, who helped shape modern halachic understanding of settling the land of Israel. We explore a fascinating halacha: Chazal allowed certain Shabbat laws to be pushed aside in order to buy land in Eretz Yisrael from non-Jews. Why? Because the mitzvah of Yishuv Ha’aretz is so…

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2. Why Didn’t the Rambam Count Living in Israel as a Mitzvah? 6:32

18d ago6:32

6:32

Rav Shlomo Katz explores the famous question: why didn’t the Rambam include Yishuv Eretz Yisrael in his list of 613 mitzvot? We dive into the Rambam’s view that living in Israel is a foundational principle—a mitzvah that holds up the rest of Torah, even if it’s not listed like Shabbat or kashrut. Through insights from Rav Teichtal and Rav Rabinovit…

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1. Is Living in Israel Really a Mitzvah? 7:37

18d ago7:37

7:37

Rav Shlomo Katz opens the series by laying out the foundations of the mitzvah of Yishuv Eretz Yisrael—settling and dwelling in the Land of Israel. He introduces the famous debate between the Rambam and Ramban: Is this a timeless mitzvah or just a historical one? We also explore the two parts of the mitzvah—conquering the land and actively living in…

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Pinchas - Just Say Thank You 32:55

24d ago32:55

32:55

Just Say Thank YouBy Ari Goldwag

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When to be brazen | Parsha with the Chief: Pinchas 21:03

25d ago21:03

21:03

When to be bold, and when to be gentle? When to challenge and when to pacify? When to speak up, and when to step back? These are some of the trickiest questions we face in leadership, parenting, business, and everyday life. In this shiur on Parshat Pinchas, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores the tension between moral courage and emotional sen…

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61. Completing Tikkun HaMedinah with the Menorah’s Seventh Candle 38:35

25d ago38:35

38:35

In this final episode, Rav Shlomo Katz celebrates the completion of Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh’s Tikkun HaMedinah. The menorah’s seventh candle, embodying Malchut’s humility, unifies all Sefirot, reflecting Torah, Am Yisrael, and Eretz Yisrael as one. Through aliyah, olim actualize this tikkun, transforming the Medinah into a divine monarchy for Mashia…

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60. The Menorah’s Order and the Rectified State 54:36

25d ago54:36

54:36

Rav Shlomo Katz explores Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh’s teachings on the menorah’s order and placement in the Heichal, symbolizing Tikkun HaMedinah. The menorah’s seven branches, aligned with the Sefirot, channel divine light through chesed, tiferet, and yesod, illuminating love, balance, and Torah-madda unity. Aliyah empowers Am Yisrael to light these c…

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59. The Menorah as the Symbol of a Rectified State 47:55

25d ago47:55

47:55

Rav Shlomo Katz explores Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh’s teachings on the menorah as the symbol of a rectified Jewish state. Its straight branches, per the Rambam, reflect Malchut’s tikkun, uniting Torah and tradition against secular distortions. Through aliyah and Messianic consciousness, Am Yisrael illuminates the world, fulfilling Tikkun HaMedinah for …

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58. Preparing for Mashiach’s Redemption 40:47

25d ago40:47

40:47

Rav Shlomo Katz explores Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh’s teachings on Malchut, addressing whether Am Yisrael should leave redemption to Mashiach. Through Torah, mitzvot, and aliyah, Jews create refined vessels for Mashiach’s revelation, uniting joy and pain in Tikkun HaMedinah. Malchut transforms Israel into a global light, fulfilling the divine mission i…

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57. Malchut: The World with a Divine King 48:14

25d ago48:14

48:14

Rav Shlomo Katz introduces Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh’s teachings on Malchut, envisioning a world where a divine king, Mashiach Ben David, unites all nations under Torah’s truth. Malchut completes Yesod’s unification of Torah and madda, reflecting divine light without concealment. Through aliyah and Messianic consciousness, Am Yisrael prepares for a gl…

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56. Completing the Foundation for Malchut 34:42

25d ago34:42

34:42

Rav Shlomo Katz concludes Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh’s teachings on Yesod, unifying Torah and madda to reveal Hashem in all spheres. From Einstein’s potential to modern challenges, Yesod fosters a spiritual revolution, preparing Am Yisrael for Malchut’s divine monarchy. Through aliyah and new Torah-madda institutions, Jews can build a Torah-aligned sta…

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55. Einstein, God, and Unifying Torah with Science 55:39

25d ago55:39

55:39

Rav Shlomo Katz delves into Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh’s teachings on Yesod, exploring Albert Einstein’s views on God and the potential for a Torah-aligned scientist to usher in Messianic energy. Yesod unifies Torah’s masculine (zachar) and science’s feminine (nekava) energies, revealing Hashem in all spheres. Through aliyah and new educational institu…

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54. Why Science Leans Left and Torah Right 39:25

25d ago39:25

39:25

Rav Shlomo Katz explores Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh’s teachings on Yesod, addressing why science leans left and Torah right. Through a Kabbalistic lens, the Sefirot reveal science’s feminine (nekava) and Torah’s masculine (zachar) energies, requiring unification (zivug) to fulfill Am Yisrael’s dream of a divine dwelling place. By merging Torah and madd…

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53. Yesod: Unifying Worlds and Fulfilling Jewish Dreams 33:36

25d ago33:36

33:36

Rav Shlomo Katz delves into Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh’s teachings on Yesod (foundation), the midda that unifies Torah and worldly wisdom—science, art, and more. Moving beyond fixing distortions, Yesod enables Am Yisrael to actualize divine potential in Eretz Yisrael, creating a dwelling place for Hashem. Through aliyah and a Torah-aligned state, this …

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52. Who Belongs in Eretz Yisrael? 45:29

25d ago45:29

45:29

Rav Shlomo Katz explores Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh’s teachings on who belongs in Eretz Yisrael, emphasizing a Torah-conscious connection to holiness (kedusha). Through the midst of Hod and Yehoshua’s three letters, the episode highlights that only Jews aligned with Torah and righteous Gentiles accepting Jewish sovereignty belong. By rejecting foreign …

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51. The Immune System of Hod: Purifying Am Yisrael 44:20

25d ago44:20

44:20

Rav Shlomo Katz delves into Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh’s teachings on the midda of Hod (eternity, splendor) as a spiritual immune system for Am Yisrael. Working in harmony with Netzach, Hod purifies the nation by rejecting harmful elements and fostering gratitude for Eretz Yisrael’s divine gift. Through aliyah, Hod strengthens the Jewish soul’s connect…

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50. Aliyah and Mashiach: Paving the Path to Redemption 52:04

25d ago52:04

52:04

Rav Shlomo Katz explores Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh’s teachings on whether all Jews must make aliyah before Mashiach arrives. Drawing on the Rebbe’s insights, he frames aliyah as a spiritual act of paving the way for redemption, embodying Netzach (victory) and Hod (eternity) by connecting to Eretz Yisrael. While the final ingathering occurs post-Mashia…

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49. Messianic Aliyah: Returning to the Inner Chamber of the King 46:58

25d ago46:58

46:58

Rav Shlomo Katz explores Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh’s vision of aliyah as a Messianic act, driven by a consciousness of entering the “inner chamber of the King.” Unlike mere migration, aliyah requires aligning with Torah values, overcoming a flawed judicial system, and embodying Netzach (victory) and Hod (eternity) under inspired leadership. Rav Katz c…

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48. Victory, Eternity, and Leadership: The Spiritual Power of Aliyah 40:38

25d ago40:38

40:38

Rav Shlomo Katz delves into Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh’s teachings on aliyah as a spiritual return to Eretz Yisrael, embodying Netzach (victory) over obstacles, Hod (eternity) through connection to Jewish destiny, and the orchestration of inspired leadership. Aliyah is not mere migration but a triumphant, eternal act of aligning with Torah and the Land…

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47. Torah-Based Judicial Reform 40:52

25d ago40:52

40:52

Rav Shlomo Katz explores Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh’s vision for judicial reform, emphasizing that Israel’s current system, rooted in foreign laws, lacks the Rachamim (compassion) of Torah law. A shallow view of Torah as harsh or irrelevant obscures its true beauty, rooted in Tiferet, which brings divine mercy to justice. Rav Katz calls for a deep, lov…

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46. Tiferet’s Harmony: Living Torah Values in Israel 52:51

25d ago52:51

52:51

Rav Shlomo Katz introduces Rav Yitzchak Ginsburgh’s teachings on Tiferet( beauty, harmony), the synthesis of Chesed (love) and Gevurah (strength), vital for a Torah-aligned Israel. Before Tiferet can manifest, the nation must settle the land, eliminate threats, and strengthen society through love-driven unity (Ahavat Yisrael). Rav Katz explores how…

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