Meet the Rabbi of Social Media | How Rabbi Raps Built 2M+ Followers

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Rabbi Raps — the Rabbi of Social Media — who has built a community of 2M+ followers by bringing Torah, confidence, and unapologetic Jewish identity to the digital world.What started as simply sharing thoughts online turned into a global platform. We talk about what really happens when a Rabbi goes viral — the backlash, the hate, the pressure, and the responsibility that comes with millions of people watching. Rabbi Raps opens up about confronting antisemitism head-on, staying authentic in an algorithm-driven world, and why purpose always matters more than popularity.From Torah to TikTok, from raising proud Jewish kids to having real conversations about the Noahide movement, this episode goes far beyond social media strategy. It’s about courage. Identity. Leadership. And what it truly takes to show up boldly when the world would rather you stay quiet.If you’re building something online — or trying to lead with more confidence in your own life — this conversation will challenge and inspire you.💡 In This Episode, We Cover:◼️ How Rabbi Raps built 2M+ followers without chasing trends◼️ The viral moment that changed everything◼️ Dealing with hate, backlash, and public criticism◼️ Faith vs. algorithms — and staying real online◼️ Addressing antisemitism on a massive platform◼️ The responsibility that comes with influence◼️ Raising confident Jewish kids in today’s climate◼️ The Noahide movement and global Torah conversations◼️ The emotional cost of visibility◼️ Why purpose beats popularity every time◼️ The future of Jewish leadership in the digital age⏱️ Chapters:0:00 From Atlantic City to Rabbi Raps1:53 From Shlichus to Running a Community10:08 Building Shuls & Community Growth15:13 When Social Media Changed Everything17:02 Going Viral, Algorithms & Menorah Moments18:46 Humans for Noah & The 7 Laws23:34 Hate, Authenticity & Finding Your Voice27:43 Raising Confident Jewish Kids34:05 Purpose, Tafkid & Showing Up Online38:35 Confidence, Cameras & Fear of Being Seen🔗 Connect with Rabbi RapsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbiraps/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbiraps?lang=en🔗 Connect with the Host - Tuli KrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/🎙 Sponsored by:DabblDabbl is an all-in-one platform where kids and teens can explore a wide range of lessons—from music, art, and cooking to photography, wilderness skills, and money management—without the hassle of commuting or expensive one-on-one classes. For just $25 a month, learners get access to all courses designed to bring them off-screen into real-life skills. Listeners can use code TK-20 for 20% off athttps://justdabbl.com/United RefuahUnited Refuah offers an affordable alternative to traditional health insurance through a health share program, with a monthly cost of just $500. For the first 10 listeners, use code Blackbird to get the third month free.https://unitedrefuahhs.org/Blackbird RecruitingHiring the wrong person is expensive — not just financially, but culturally.Blackbird Recruiting helps growing companies hire people who actually perform, so you can spend less time filtering résumés and more time building your business.If you’re serious about scaling with the right team, visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.