19. Can We Rely on Miracles? episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 24, 2026 · 47 MIN

19. Can We Rely on Miracles?

from The Laws of War and Peace with Rav Shlomo Katz · host Rav Shlomo Katz

Can a Jewish leader take a massive risk in order to save the Jewish people? Or does Torah demand that we avoid relying on miracles?In this final shiur of the season, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David explore one of the deepest and most sensitive questions in Jewish history: Was it permissible for Ben-Gurion to declare the State of Israel when the odds of survival seemed impossible?Beginning with the story of Matityahu and the Maccabees, the shiur examines the Torah's approach to military risk, faith, and leadership. Why did some great rabbanim oppose Zionism? How should we understand those positions today? And how do Torah leaders balance military expertise with spiritual vision when making decisions that affect the lives of an entire nation?Along the way, Rav Shlomo reflects on the divisions within Am Yisrael, the legacy of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, Oslo, Iran, and the ongoing challenge of building a Jewish future rooted in both faith and responsibility.----------For more Shuirim and Music from Rav Shlomo Katz, visit: https://ravshlomokatz.comJoin Rav Shlomo Katz's WhatsApp Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KHKOhhPaeHx5Kb74WL9L9a?mode=ems_copy_tCHAPTERS00:00 - Intro, Dedications, and a Grandfather's Yahrzeit03:15 - Can a Military General Halachically Take Risks?08:45 - The Spiritual Roots of Anti-Zionism and Finding True Unity16:20 - Ben Gurion's 1948 Declaration: A Miracle or a Gamble?24:00 - Stop Settling: Living "L'chatchila" vs. "Bedieved"35:30 - Bombing Iran and the Modern Miracles We Take for Granted43:15 - Dovid HaMelech's Council: Balancing Strategy and the Sanhedrin52:00 - Bottom-Up Brotherhood: What God Really Wants to Hear

Can a Jewish leader take a massive risk in order to save the Jewish people? Or does Torah demand that we avoid relying on miracles?In this final shiur of the season, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David explore one of the deepest and most sensitive questions in Jewish history: Was it permissible for Ben-Gurion to declare the State of Israel when the odds of survival seemed impossible?Beginning with the story of Matityahu and the Maccabees, the shiur examines the Torah's approach to military risk, faith, and leadership. Why did some great rabbanim oppose Zionism? How should we understand those positions today? And how do Torah leaders balance military expertise with spiritual vision when making decisions that affect the lives of an entire nation?Along the way, Rav Shlomo reflects on the divisions within Am Yisrael, the legacy of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Mordechai Eliyahu, Oslo, Iran, and the ongoing challenge of building a Jewish future rooted in both faith and responsibility.----------For more Shuirim and Music from Rav Shlomo Katz, visit: https://ravshlomokatz.comJoin Rav Shlomo Katz's WhatsApp Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KHKOhhPaeHx5Kb74WL9L9a?mode=ems_copy_tCHAPTERS00:00 - Intro, Dedications, and a Grandfather's Yahrzeit03:15 - Can a Military General Halachically Take Risks?08:45 - The Spiritual Roots of Anti-Zionism and Finding True Unity16:20 - Ben Gurion's 1948 Declaration: A Miracle or a Gamble?24:00 - Stop Settling: Living "L'chatchila" vs. "Bedieved"35:30 - Bombing Iran and the Modern Miracles We Take for Granted43:15 - Dovid HaMelech's Council: Balancing Strategy and the Sanhedrin52:00 - Bottom-Up Brotherhood: What God Really Wants to Hear

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19. Can We Rely on Miracles?

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This episode was published on June 24, 2026.

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Can a Jewish leader take a massive risk in order to save the Jewish people? Or does Torah demand that we avoid relying on miracles?In this final shiur of the season, Rav Shlomo Katz and the chevra of Shirat David explore one of the deepest and most...

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