Holidays

Why does a shofar have to be davka from a שְׁפוֹפֶרֶת, from a horn whose inside layer can be removed?

The symbolism of וּמַלְתֶּם אֵת עָרְלַת לְבַבְכֶם , removing the layer of "foreskin" on the "heart." A difficult task indeed.

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

Rabbi Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dovid Katz
Why does a shofar have to be davka from a שְׁפוֹפֶרֶת, from a horn whose inside layer can be removed?
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Why is Rosh Hashanah decribed as “covered up” or obscure? תִּקְעוּ בַחֹדֶשׁ שׁוֹפָר בַּכֵּסֶה לְיוֹם חַגֵּנוּ?

What if you hold the world was created in Nissan? And anyway, the story of Moshe Rabbenu pleading before Hashem a third time (Elul-Tishrei) is very unclear in the text of the Chumash.

Rabbi Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dovid Katz
Why is Rosh Hashanah decribed as "covered up" or obscure? תִּקְעוּ בַחֹדֶשׁ שׁוֹפָר בַּכֵּסֶה לְיוֹם חַגֵּנוּ?
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15th of Av – Humpty-Dumpty Day?

Can machlokes and unilateralism ever be fully-repaired?

Rabbi Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dovid Katz
15th of Av - Humpty-Dumpty Day?
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R’ Katz’ Tisha b’Av Kinos Explication 5785/2025

Rabbi Dovid Katz at Beth Abraham Hertzeberg's shul in Baltimore (unedited)

Rabbi Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dovid Katz
R' Katz' Tisha b'Av Kinos Explication 5785/2025
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This Tisha B’av, turn tears into Action

Watch the ground breaking, first of its kind initiative called Uniting Torah which unites the 4 Torah worlds. Let’s show hashem that the divisions of the past no longer define us. Now every Jew can support all Torah worlds equally. This time, we give to each other.

https://Unitingtorah.com/rk

Rabbi Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dovid Katz
This Tisha B’av, turn tears into Action
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What is the Oldest Source for the “Three Weeks”?

Daniel fasts out of consternation at Cyrus’ stop-order re: the building of the Second Temple

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

Rabbi Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dovid Katz
What is the Oldest Source for the "Three Weeks"?
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Shavuos: Why count 50 days if the Torah was actually given on day 51?

“Moshe added a day” – Is this the first instance of לֹא בַּשָּׁמַיִם הִיא?”

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

Rabbi Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dovid Katz
Shavuos: Why count 50 days if the Torah was actually given on day 51?
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Megillas Rus: A Controversial Book? Did she convert? When? How many times?

Not everyone reads The Book of Ruth in the synagogue? Why not?

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

Rabbi Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dovid Katz
Megillas Rus: A Controversial Book? Did she convert? When? How many times?
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Shavuos and Yisro: Why does the story of Yisro precede מַתַּן תּוֹרָה? Hpw did Yisro create אַחְדוּת among כְּלַל יִשְׂרָאֵל?

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

Parsha
Parsha
Shavuos and Yisro: Why does the story of Yisro precede מַתַּן תּוֹרָה? Hpw did Yisro create אַחְדוּת among כְּלַל יִשְׂרָאֵל?
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The Historical Background to the 1830s controversy re: הַקְרָבַת קָרְבַּן פֶּסַח בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה – What was going on in Turkish Palestine at that time

R Akiva Eger thought the Muslims would allow the Jews to offer sacrifices on the Temple Mount. The Chasam Sofer disabused him. Why did R Akiva Eger think this?

Rabbi Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dovid Katz
The Historical Background to the 1830s controversy re: הַקְרָבַת קָרְבַּן פֶּסַח בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה - What was going on in Turkish Palestine at that time
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Seder Thoughts 2025 (תשפ”ה)

R Akiva's seder and the question of the Premature Exodus. Also, Lavan and his role inthe Egypt story

Rabbi Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dovid Katz
Seder Thoughts 2025 (תשפ"ה)
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The Rambam and His Thoughts About the Hagadah

In Chapter 7, the Rambam rearranges the order of the narrative, for philosophical/theological reasons

Rabbi Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dovid Katz
The Rambam and His Thoughts About the Hagadah
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The current war in light of וְהִיא שֶׁעָמְדָה לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְלָנוּ שֶׁבְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר עוֹמְדִים עָלֵינוּ לְכַלּוֹתֵנוּ וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַצִּילֵנוּ מִיָּדָם

Was Hamas's goal realistic? Maybe!

Rabbi Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dovid Katz
The current war in light of וְהִיא שֶׁעָמְדָה לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְלָנוּ שֶׁבְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר עוֹמְדִים עָלֵינוּ לְכַלּוֹתֵנוּ וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַצִּילֵנוּ מִיָּדָם
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The Pesach Haggadah: רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר

What kind of guests were at the seder of רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל? Why did his narrative differ from that in Bnai Berak?

Rabbi Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dovid Katz
The Pesach Haggadah: רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר
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Purim live 5785 (2025)

Live from Baltimore

Rabbi Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dovid Katz
Purim live 5785 (2025)
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Two Short Purim Vorts

Why did Esther try to be nice to Haman? Also, did Haman actually prohibit circumcision?

Rabbi Dovid Katz
Rabbi Dovid Katz
Two Short Purim Vorts
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