In this episode, Rabbi Yonatan Dorfman interviews Rabbi Commander Michael Goldman, on what it means to fight for Klal Yisroel, what it's like to take a life, and what religious life is like in the army. Rabbi Commander Michael Goldman is from New Jersey. He served in the IDF in Tzanchanim from 2013 -2015, eventually becoming a commander of a sniper team. He has served over 300 days during the recent war, Charvot Barzel, including stints in Lebanon and Syria. He went to Yeshivas Torat Shraga and learned in the YU, as well as the Gruss Kollel earning him semicha. He is a close talmid of R Mordechai Willig and teaches in Yeshivas Torat Shraga and Machon Lev. All rights reserved by Yeshivas Yedid HaMelech Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:50 What is it like to take a life? 11:46 Rav Goldman's combat experience 14:10 Danger and faith in the army 15:18 What is family life like? 18:21 The gadlus of seeking help from a specialist 26:07 What is it like to take a life (pt. II)? 32:08 Religious life in the army 43:55 Who should go? 59:10 Q&A 1:04:05 Rav Dorfman's personal opinions Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/31mu4hrid6xojieppa2vsqbdqime Instagram https://www.instagram.com/yeshivasyedidhamelech

In this special episode, filmed during his Simchas Beis HaSho’eivah, the talmidim of Yeshivas Yedid HamMelech interviewtheir Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yonatan Dorfman about his upbringing, background, chinuch philosophy, why he founded a yeshiva, and challenges facing the broader Jewish community. Rabbi Yonatan Dorfman is currently the Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivas Yedid Hamelech and the Rosh Kollel of Kollel Emek HaTorah/ELC. He has had a close connection with leading Rabbis of the generation including his Rebbe Rov Asher Weiss shlita. He has learned in many different yeshsivas including the Yeshiva of Greater Washington, Ateres Yerushalaim, Yeshivas Rabeinu Yitzchok Elchanon (YU) and Mir and has received numerous smichas. With extensive experience in chinuch, he spent several years as night seder rav at Yeshivas Shaarei Mevaseret Tzion. Many of his talmidim have gone on to achieve success in both business and Torah learning. In 2025, he founded his own yeshiva, introducing a revolutionary derech halimud focused on halacha b’iyun. Aside from teaching, counseling, and giving psak Rabbi Dorfman is also the host of the podcast In the Valley of Giants. Chapters: 0:00 Upbringing/history 9:43 What does it mean to be dynamic? 19:19 Cheshbon HaNefesh 26:55 Pros and Cons of Discipline 34:20 Rebbi's Relationship with Mevaseret 42:27 Why Start a Yeshiva? 46:29 What's so Special About This Yeshiva? 58:10 How Did We Get the Modern Yeshiva System? 1:07:09 The Was, Is, and Will Be of Modern Orthodoxy 1:18:44 Q&A Note: There was a brief disruption with the film, leading to the loss of a question. The question had to do with how far to take chumrahs that aren't necessarily textually based. All rights reserved by Yeshivas Yedid HaMelech Yedidhamelech.org [email protected]

In this episode, the rosh yeshiva, Rav Yonatan Dorfman, interviews his rebbi, Rav Yaron Weisberg, discussing taking the steps to make you a better spouse, how to avoid pitfalls that destroy your marriage, and how to help be mekarev people of the opposite gender. Rabbi Yaron Weisberg is a musmach of R' Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg z"l, who learned in Yeshivas Ohr Yerushalayim and Ner Yisroel. He has extensive experience in chinuch, teaching in Ohr Yerushalayim, Ateres Yerushalayim and Ner Aharon. Aside from being a posek, R' Weisberg is the director of The Marriage Initiative which helps many couples all over the world, increasing marital satisfaction. R' Weisberg's other claim to fame is being incredibly successful with his talmidim, including some that have become roshei kollel and roshei yeshiva concurrently. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:10 What Changed? 14:19 How Cell Phones Shape Relationships 18:46 How Can We Fix This? 29:58 Pros & Cons of Shidduch Dating 36:44 The Right Reason to Get Married 39:27 How to Date Effectively 43:38 Who's Decision is it? 44:42 Kiruv on the Opposite Gender 50:23 Final Thought 55:23 Q&A All rights reserved by Yeshivas Yedid HaMelech Yedidhamelech.org [email protected]

In this interview, the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yonatan Dorfman, interviews Doctor Yaakov Freedman about matters surround grief and depression, common rabbinical problems, and the line between obsession and frumkeit. Dr. Jacob L. Freedman is a board-certified psychiatrist practicing in both Massachusetts and Israel, with a private practice in Jerusalem. He completed his medical training at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Harvard’s Longwood Psychiatry Residency, where he was Chief Resident. Dr. Freedman has worked in diverse settings, including emergency psychiatry, inpatient care, and outpatient psychotherapy, and has been involved in medical education and leadership roles, such as Assistant Professor at Tufts University and medical director at Bayit Cham in Israel. Additionally, he is a healthcare consultant, public speaker, and researcher, with interests in medicine, ethics, and Jewish thought, as well as having worked with many notable rabbanim throughout his career. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 1:35 Guilt & Depression 9:35 How Can We Fix It? 21:31 Mistakes that Rabbanim make 24:42 What About Pulpit Rabbanim? 27:56 The Pulpit Rabbi Toolkit 29:46 Problems With Parents and Dating 36:53 Obsessive vs Genuine Connection 47:20 ADHD All rights reserved by Yeshivas Yedid HaMelech Yedidhamelech.org [email protected]