How do we find comfort (Nachamu) when it feels like our prayers are hitting a wall?

In this powerful session for Shabbat Nachamu and parshat Va'Etchanan, Rav Shlomo Katz opens the Beis Avraham of Slonim to address the most painful question of faith: Why was Moshe Rabbeinu, who prayed 515 times, seemingly rejected? We explore the concept that a prayer not answered is not a prayer wasted. Rav Shlomo explains that Moshe's prayers created a spiritual "imprint" (Roshem) that became Torah itself. Drawing on the distinction between a "Minister" and a "Servant" found in the Gemara regarding Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai and Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa, we learn why sometimes knowing less about how God runs the world allows us to receive more.

This episode is a guide to praying like a "destitute tree in the desert"—asking not with the logic of a minister, but with the desperate simplicity of a servant who just needs his King.

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We often feel the urge to run away from the confusion of the world, and sometimes, even from God Himself.

In this poignant session on Parshat Matot/Masei, Rav Shlomo Katz opens the Beis Avraham of Slonim to offer a new perspective on the "Cities of Refuge." We learn that the ultimate refuge isn't a physical place, but the six words of the Shema, which serve as a sanctuary for our minds when we feel pursued by guilt and anxiety.

Rav Shlomo discusses the spiritual opportunity of the "Three Weeks" (Bein HaMetzarim). Rather than a time of mere sadness, it is described as a time when the King is "homeless" and wandering in the field, making Him accessible to anyone who simply wants to be close. We explore the Slonimer teaching that in our generation, we don't need massive acts of penance to fix our "bundles of sins"; we simply need to jump into "bundles of love" and Torah to find safety.

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For more Shuirim and Music from Rav Shlomo Katz, visit: https://ravshlomokatz.com

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How can we ask a "God of Vengeance" to draw down kindness?

In this deep shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz analyzes the liturgy of Friday night davening through the lens of the Beis Avraham of Slonim. We explore the concept that Hashem sometimes "disguises" Himself in garments of harshness or zealotry to test who truly knows the King and who only knows His clothes. Rav Shlomo connects this to the tragedy in Meron and the incredible faith of the parents who refused to let the darkness cloud their relationship with Hashem. By looking at the "Zealotry" of Pinchas, we learn that true spiritual vision means looking into the eye of the storm and recognizing that the Compassionate One is hiding right there.

This episode is a manual for finding the "pearls hidden in rags" — the light hidden within the darkness of the Three Weeks.

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For more Shuirim and Music from Rav Shlomo Katz, visit: https://ravshlomokatz.com

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Why were Kalev and Yehoshua the only spies who survived the mission?

Rav Shlomo Katz explores the trait of Anava (Humility) as the secret weapon for connecting to the Land of Israel, drawing on the Beis Avraham of Slonim and Rav Kook. We discuss why Kalev went to pray at the graves of the Patriarchs and how viewing oneself as the "heel" (Akev) protects a person from the ego that distorts reality. Rav Shlomo shares a profound parable about "hiding the diamond in the rags"—explaining why some Tzaddikim appear royal or confident on the outside to hide their extreme humility on the inside.

This episode challenges us to reframe our understanding of humility not as weakness, but as the rock-solid foundation that allows us to experience the holiness of Shabbat and the Land of Israel as if it were the very first time.

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For more Shuirim and Music from Rav Shlomo Katz, visit: https://ravshlomokatz.com

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We live in a world of instant gratification, but does real spiritual growth happen overnight?

Rav Shlomo Katz explores the lighting of the Menorah through the lens of the Beis Avraham of Slonim. We learn that the seven branches represent the seven emotional attributes (Middot), and the work of refining them is often heavy and tasteless at the beginning. Rav Shlomo explains that Aharon HaKohen did not look for "shortcuts" (Gedolot), but worked step-by-step to build a foundation.

This episode challenges the social media mindset of needing to feel "high" instantly, teaching us that the sweetness of the "Yoke of Heaven" only comes after we are willing to carry the burden without tasting the reward.

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The command "You shall be holy" can feel intimidating, but is it a demand or a promise?

In this heart-opening shiur on Parshat Kedoshim (recorded during the Sefirat HaOmer period), Rav Shlomo Katz shares a transformative teaching from the Beis Avraham of Slonim. We explore the idea that "Kedoshim Tihiyu" is written in the future tense, implying a Divine guarantee: "If you stay close to Me, you will end up holy."

Rav Shlomo connects this to the concept of "Choosing Life"—not just biologically surviving, but choosing to feel alive and worthy despite our failures. We learn that the repetition of the command to be holy at the end of the Parsha comes to teach us that even if we have fallen into the deepest impurities, the door to holiness remains open.

This episode is a call to stop viewing holiness as a burden and start viewing it as our inevitable destiny.

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For more Shuirim and Music from Rav Shlomo Katz, visit: https://ravshlomokatz.com

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What is the difference between "surviving" and truly "living"?

In this heart-wrenching and uplifting shiur recorded on Yom HaShoah, Rav Shlomo Katz opens the Beis Avraham of Slonim to understand the deeper meaning of bringing a sacrifice. We explore the distinction between "Coming Close" (Vayikrev) and "Doing" (Vaya'as), learning that the preparation of the heart is often more powerful than the act itself.

Rav Shlomo shares a chilling story involving Rebbe Aharon of Karlin about a sinner whose only path to atonement was the willingness to be "slaughtered," teaching us that God values our willingness to give up everything more than the physical offering. Drawing also on the Noam Elimelech, this episode challenges us to use the memory of the Six Million not just to mourn, but to live our lives with the same absolute Mesirat Nefesh (self-sacrifice) that they had in their death.

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For more Shuirim and Music from Rav Shlomo Katz, visit: https://ravshlomokatz.com

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With Pesach approaching, there is often an unspoken pressure to feel a specific type of freedom.

In this pre-Pesach shiur, Rav Shlomo Katz opens the Beis Avraham of Slonim on Parshat Tzav to explore the deep spiritual work of the Korban Ola (Burnt Offering). Since the Ola is fully consumed on the altar, we learn the profound level of doing a Mitzvah Kulo L'Hashem—performing a holy act as if no one in the world knows about it, even if done in public.

Rav Shlomo discusses how to navigate the "Night" periods of our lives—times of darkness and contractive mindset (Mochin de'Katnut)—by activating Mesirat Nefesh (self-sacrifice),. Finally, we analyze the command of "Tzav" as a call for Zerizut (alacrity). We learn that over-meditating on a Mitzvah can be a trap of the Yetzer Hara; true holiness often requires us to stop thinking and start doing immediately to prevent our service from becoming "cold".

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For more Shuirim and Music from Rav Shlomo Katz, visit: https://ravshlomokatz.com

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