On the 22nd yahrzeit of Reb Shlomo Carlebach zt”l, Rav Shlomo Katz learns a breathtaking teaching of Rav Kook — through the heart of Reb Shlomo — about what true fear of Heaven really means.Yirah, says the Baal Shem Tov, isn’t the fear of punishment. It’s the trembling awareness that I could lose the closeness, that I could dim the light between me and Hashem. Rav Shlomo shows how Reb Shlomo and Rav Kook both lived with that kind of awe — not born of guilt or distance, but of love too deep

In American Judaism today, Orthodoxy is the fastest growing movement. However, Orthodoxy is anything but monolithic.Living in Both Worlds: Modern Orthodox Judaism in the United States, 1945–2025 by Lawrence Grossman explores a piece of the Orthodox story, that of Modern Orthodoxy. For those who may be unfamiliar, Modern Orthodoxy affirms the traditional tenets and practices of Orthodox Judaism while at the same time maintaining an openness to contemporary cultural and intellectual developments

On the yahrzeit of Reb Shlomo Carlebach zt”l, Rav Shlomo Katz shares a breathtaking Torah on Parshat Vayera — a teaching that changes how we understand prayer forever.Drawing from the Mei HaShiloach and Reb Shlomo’s own words, Rav Shlomo reveals that it’s not we who pray and God who answers. It’s God who prays, and we who respond. Hashem whispers His desires into our hearts, and when we daven, we are answering His tefillah.Through the story of Sarah Imeinu and the mystery of her impossible

On the 22nd yahrzeit of Reb Shlomo Carlebach zt”l, Rav Shlomo Katz leads a night of song, Torah, and reflection from Efrat — weaving stories, teachings, and niggunim that reach straight to the heart.From “Ha’er Einai” to “Chasdei Hashem Ki Lo Tamnu,” Rav Shlomo explores the mystery of how Reb Shlomo’s love continues to awaken souls around the world. He shares how Reb Shlomo taught us not only that there was never anyone like him, but that there will never be anyone like you. Each soul

Rav Shlomo Katz shares a heartfelt yahrzeit teaching on what it truly means to cleanse the heart — through the life and soul of Reb Shlomo Carlebach zt”l.Through stories, Torah, and niggunim, Rav Shlomo explores the mystery of how Reb Shlomo loved the way he loved, how he lived without judgment, and how he reached the deepest chambers of niggun and prayer by freeing himself from anger. With reflections on the Etz HaChaim, Rav Kook, Avraham Avinu, and the Vorker Rebbe, this shiur invites us

Recorded on the 20th Yahrzeit of Reb Shlomo Carlebach zt”l at Simchat Shlomo, this intimate shiur with Rav Shlomo Katz journeys through niggun, story, and heart. Between the melodies of L’Yeshuascha Kivisi Hashem and Mizmor L’David, Rav Shlomo opens the question that has carried generations — how did Reb Shlomo love the way he loved?Through stories of Reb Shlomo’s parents, his mother’s boundless chesed, and the niggunim that fill and break the heart at once, we glimpse the secret of a

Zevachim Daf 29 - Pigul and Pasul - Oct 13, 2025 -

Yom Kippur is the time of repentance. What does that mean? How do we prepare and is this important all year long? By Harry Shepler at Ruach Israel, September 27, 2025

Miracle may be the most misunderstood concept in Judaism. While some Jewish sects officially (like Chabad), and most Jews unofficially, construe "miracles" as supernatural interventions in the nature, as in Christianity, the Jewish tradition tends to understand the word "miracle" (in Biblical Hebrew: "nes") in a far more subtle way. In this sermon, I explain the true meaning of "nes" as "sign" or "that which is risen above the ordinary" to help us deepen our sense of God's presence in our everyday

As Sukkot begins, Mijal and Noam revisit a favorite episode about what it really means to live with fragility and joy. From stepping into temporary huts to Rabbi Nachman’s teaching to “always be in a state of joy,” they explore how Judaism reframes happiness—not as comfort or control, but as presence, purpose, and connection.Mijal Bitton: ⁠Committed by Mijal Bitton  | Substack⁠ Martin Seligman: ⁠Pursuit of Happiness⁠ Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz (Harvard study on happiness): ⁠The Good

Explanation of ברכת מעין שבע, where we come together as a community to praise Hashem in a context similar to תפילת הצבור, specifically emphasizing קדושת השבת.

Tanya Applied: Episode 231: Yom Kippur to Sukkos. Chapter 28.02: Why We Have Inappropriate Thoughts During Prayer Part 2A journey into the deepest teachings of the Torah and their application...

A short shiur on Asara B’Tevet focused on Reb Nosson’s teaching: the search itself has value. Rav Shlomo sings “בברסלב בוער אש – הבער אותה בליבי” (Reb Nosson’s post-Shabbos Breslov tefillah) and explains why, after learning, we must daven over what we learned. From Likutey Halachos (Hil. Aveidah #5): even if you haven’t “found” what you’re seeking in avodas Hashem, every bit of seeking, longing, and effort counts and effects change—often unseen—so you need emunah to believe you’ve already

Recorded live in Tekoa on the 178th yahrzeit of Reb Nosson of Breslov. Rav Shlomo Katz reflects on Reb Nosson’s lifelong courage to walk the narrow bridge of Emes — truth. Drawing from Reb Nosson’s writings and tefillos, the shiur explores what it means to live with honesty before Hashem, to pray from within confusion, and to keep moving even when we feel small or uncertain.Through stories of Reb Nosson’s break from his earlier path, his devotion to Rebbe Nachman, and his teaching that the

Reb Nosson of Breslov was the one who made sure that you and I know about Rebbe Nachman and his Torah. It was through the power of the printing press that Reb Nosson was able to make sure we knew this. On the occasion of his 176th yahrtzeit, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David learned a teaching of his on the parsha, Parshat Vayechi, explaining the role that the printing press has in regards to the coming of Mashiach, and our generation.

At the banks of the Bug River in Breslov, Rav Shlomo Katz learns a Likutei Halachos of Reb Nosson on Parshas Noach — a teaching that asks one piercing question: If you’re still getting to know yourself, who are you judging when you judge yourself?Standing beside Reb Nosson’s resting place, Rav Shlomo explores the depth of “אל תדין את חברך עד שתגיע למקומו” — not only about others, but about oneself. We don’t yet know our makom, our full place or story — across lifetimes, struggles, and