In this Elul shiur Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David begin a sweet journey into the Tolna Rebbe’s Torah on “לערבב את השטן – confusing the Satan.”

Why do we blow shofar both “מיושב” and “מעומד”? What actually silences the מקטרג on Rosh Hashanah?

Through Rashi and the Pnei Yeshua we discover a radical key: חיבוב מצווה—genuine love and longing for mitzvot—pushes us from teshuvah mi’yirah into teshuvah me’ahavah, where “זדונות נעשים לו כזכויות.” We also learn the Tolna Rebbe’s powerful reading of “יתיצב על דרך לא טוב, רע לא ימאס”: it’s not only what you do; it’s what you tolerate. Elul is not just סור מרע; it’s training the heart for עשה טוב, building holy anticipation and preparation so we can truly stand on a good path.

What you’ll hear:

Why liking a mitzvah may matter even more than merely doing it

How love-driven teshuvah flips debts into credits

“Live and let live” vs. מואס ברע—why tolerance of רע is spiritually dangerous

The art of הכנה: turning Elul into daily training for תקיעת שופר

Dropping “pins” on moments of קדושה, so getting back up is faster

Dedications:

לע״נ ר׳ שלום ברודט זצ״ל • לע״נ בתיה פייגא בת ישראל לוי בן יוסף • לרפואה שלמה לאה שושנה בת מלכה ולשרה בת רחל פייגא • Sponsored by the Reinitz family in honor of my sister’s birthday—מזל טוב!

What if the friendships in your life weren’t random at all, but eternal assignments from Above?

Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David open a fiery letter from Reb Usher Freund zt"l, teaching us that Hashem places us together on life’s narrow tracks for a purpose far beyond coincidence.

With stories from the chuppah of Rav Leo Dee and the struggles we all face between fleeting highs and crushing lows, Rav Shlomo brings out Reb Usher’s radical call: to transform emunah from a noun into a verb—faithing—and to hold each other up so the hand of faith always rises above nature.

If you’ve ever wondered why certain souls appear in your life exactly when they do, or how to turn ordinary friendships into lifelines of eternity, this shiur will help you discover the hidden light within every connection and every breath.

In this week’s Hachana L’Shabbos, Rav Shlomo Katz reminds us that Elul תשפ"ה is not a repeat of last year—it is brand new. Together we enter into the niggun of ונאמר לפניו שירה חדשה, the song of renewal, and the tefillot that prepare us for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Through the words of the Ibn Ezra and the teachings of Rav Biderman, the Shla Hakadosh, and the Ba'al Shem Tov, we learn that true life is found not only in feeling inspired, but in choosing to stay alive even through ניסיונות (challenges) that seem to make no sense. Torah and mitzvot done with חיות, with freshness and vitality, become our very source of life. May we merit not just to survive, but to feel renewed, uplifted, and alive every single Shabbos.

In one of the most hidden episodes of the Torah, Parshat Balak reveals a dimension of Hashem’s love that we never even knew was happening. Am Yisrael was entirely unaware while curses were being transformed into blessings, because Hashem simply refused to hear anything negative about His people.

Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David take us deep into the teachings of the Izhbitzer and Chazal, showing how the story of Bilam, the story of Iyov, and the Five Books of the Torah form a complete spiritual picture: what we feel when Hashem seems absent, and what Hashem feels when we seem absent. The answer? He’s always thinking about us.

A perfect entry into the Three Weeks with clarity and compassion.

What if the very pain you're desperate to escape is actually your greatest source of strength? Join Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David and explore a groundbreaking insight from Reb Usher Freund: your struggles aren't just hurdles to overcome—they're the very tools Hashem uses to help you grow.

Drawing from powerful personal stories, including the miraculous story of his own grandfather’s survival during WWII, Rav Shlomo helps us internalize the life-changing truth that pain and challenge are not mistakes, but carefully crafted lifelines from Above.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, lost, or confused by life's hardships, this shiur is your invitation to see your trials through new eyes and discover the hidden kindness within your struggles.

25 minutes exploring the aftermath of Gedalya’s assassination — revealing how its timing on the calendar holds deep relevance for our lives today.

What if the key to Rosh Hashana isn't about being perfect — but about being real?

In this pre-Rosh Hashana shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz shares personal stories, Chassidic insights, and the soul of what it means to crown Hashem as King — not just in the world, but in your life. From a missed moment at Madison Square Garden to the power of not laughing at your own spiritual yearning, this shiur cuts through the noise and gets to the heart of malchut.

With teachings from the Piaseczner Rebbe, Rav Moshe Weinberger, and a powerful story from the Gerrer Rebbe, Rav Shlomo reminds us: Hashem takes you as seriously as you take yourself.

If you've ever struggled with cynicism, felt disconnected from the Yomim Noraim, or wondered how to begin again… this is for you.

Rav Shlomo Katz explores Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s profound connection to Rosh Hashana—and why this day is considered the “head” of the entire year. Through moving insights, personal stories, and deep Torah, we’re guided into a mindset of renewal, clarity, and preparation for the new year.

Why did Rebbe Nachman say, “My whole thing is Rosh Hashana”? Why are thousands willing to risk so much just to be in Uman during this time? And more personally: what spiritual “baggage” are we still holding on to that we shouldn’t carry with us into a new year?

As the world around us feels increasingly chaotic, this is our opportunity to clear space in the mind, release old weight, and open the gates to a sweet, clear, and connected year ahead.

In 1937, tragedy struck once again—this time, painfully close to home. Rav Kook’s grandson, Shlomo, was murdered in the Old City of Yerushalayim while studying in Chevron. In this final installment, we explore how Rav Kook’s teachings on suffering, redemption, and the hidden pathways of Divine Providence took on a piercing new dimension. This was not just a national loss—it was a personal wound. And yet, even here, the Rav’s legacy of faith, resilience, and spiritual vision remained unshaken.

In 1931, two years after the Chevron massacre, 200 brave Jews returned to reestablish a fragile community. With Rav Kook’s unwavering encouragement, and despite the silence of the political establishment, life slowly began to return—culminating in Rav Kook’s emotional 1933 visit. But just a few years later, Chevron was evacuated once again. This episode captures the heartbreak of fleeting return, the testimony of those who tried to hold on, and Rav Kook’s final cries that Chevron must never be abandoned.