Best Zionism And Torah Podcasts (2025)

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'Our reliance on power': 6 Israeli Thinkers on Israel's Greatest Success and Mistake in the Gaza War 58:14

1h ago58:14

58:14

What has been Israel's greatest success, and greatest mistake, in its war against Hamas? We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to Sruli Fruchter's favorite answers and the secret behind the question. Here are our top 6 answers from: 6. Fleur Hasan-Nahoum 5. Haviv Rettig-Gur 4. Y…

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Torah Ethics of Warfare: Must we Leave a Path for Escape? 59:56

4d ago59:56

59:56

Rabbi David Polsky is an Orthodox rabbi, educator, and Kashrut professional living in Southfield, Michigan with his wife and two children. His main research interest is the interaction between Halakhah and social justice. He published two articles in The Lehrhaus making a Halachic case for police accountability, and his article on water access and …

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How Sound Shapes Jewish Identity 30:47

5d ago30:47

30:47

The Dangers of a world seen on a screen: What Judaism Knew All Along In our visually-dominated world, we're raising a generation that can see but not hear. This week's Madlik episode challenges us to reconsider the primacy of listening in Jewish tradition and its profound impact on our spiritual and emotional lives. Key Takeaways Deuteronomy emphas…

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'Still a deeply divided society': 5 Israeli Thinkers on how they feel today 44:31

8d ago44:31

44:31

As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history? We asked this question to 40 Israeli Thinkers over the last year. For the first time, come behind the scenes to Sruli Fruchter's favorite answers and the secret behind the question. Here are our top 5 answers from: 5. Natan Sharansky 4. Netta Barrak Corren 3. Yossi …

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Beyond Faith: The Unexpected Joy of Torah Study 32:54

12d ago32:54

32:54

The Torah's allure is so powerful, rabbis had to warn against misusing it. Exploring the concept of "limud" (learning) unique to Deuteronomy, we uncover the rabbis' complex relationship with Torah study. From the joy of learning to the fear of misuse, the discussion spans intentionality, secular study, and the power of Torah to attract even non-bel…

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Are AI’s Existential Risks Real? 54:46

14d ago54:46

54:46

Join Mark MacCarthy, adjunct faculty in the Communication, Culture & Technology Program at Georgetown University, for an engaging conversation on the future of artificial intelligence. While concerns about the existential risks of advanced AI—ranging from loss of control to human extinction—have been circulating for years, recent developments sugge…

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Beyond Tikkun Olam: A Jewish Case for Social Justice 57:05

18d ago57:05

57:05

While tikkun olam and tzedek tzedek tirdof have become the rallying cries of the Jewish social justice movement, there are many rich texts that provide nuance and depth to the Jewish imperative for social justice. Come explore these texts and, perhaps, even be inspired to find your own personal rallying cry for the work. -- Rabba Melissa Scholten-G…

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Moses last word: Judicial Independence 30:48

19d ago30:48

30:48

Ancient Jewish texts offer surprising insights into contemporary debates on judicial activism, restraint and independence Join us as we delve into a fascinating exploration of Moses' farewell address in Parashat Devarim. This episode uncovers striking parallels between ancient concerns about judicial integrity and modern debates over judicial refor…

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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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

25d 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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Brushstrokes of the Soul - Healing through Art and Kabbalah in Israel 53:28

26d ago53:28

53:28

In this moving episode, Rabbi Mark Wildes sits down with Israeli art therapist and visionary artist Rakefet Hadar (founder of Soul Pages) to explore the healing power of creativity in the wake of unimaginable tragedy.Following the violent attacks on October 7th that devastated communities across Israel — including women living on a kibbutz — Rakefe…

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What the Haredi Draft Crisis Says About Israel 32:50

26d ago32:50

32:50

70,000 mothers are fighting for Israel's future - one draft notice at a time. Mothers on the Front Line founder Agamit Gelb joins us to discuss the contentious issue of Haredi military service in Israel. We explore biblical parallels from Numbers, where Moses confronts tribes seeking exemption from conquest. The conversation delves into the social …

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The Strength, the Spirit, and the Secularization of Religious Zionism 45:14

26d ago45:14

45:14

In this class we will explore two opposing answers to the most fundamental question raised by the Jewish return to political power,the surprising shift by the Religious Zionist movement, and the practical implications for the burning questions of our day - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Avidan Freedman is a rabbi and activist worki…

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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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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Serach - The Keeper of Israel’s Collective Memory 32:13

1M ago32:13

32:13

The only Israelite to go down to Egypt and enter the Promised Land was a woman. In the years after the Civil War, heritage groups began honoring a rare category of Americans: Real Sons and Real Daughters — children born to aging veterans of that war. Not grandchildren. Not great-grandchildren. Their actual children. Living, breathing links to a fad…

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

1M 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

1M 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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