Shlomo Katz: 'Today's idol worship is self-persecution'

From 18 Questions, 40 Mystics by 18Forty

March 30, 2026 · 42 min · Season 2 · Episode 17

About this episode

Rabbi Shlomo Katz discusses the challenges of connecting with others and the essence of Jewish mysticism.

To Rabbi Shlomo Katz, the song of Torah is the most natural gateway into Jewish mysticism. A spiritual disciple of Shlomo Carlebach, Rabbi Shlomo believes that our greatest challenge today is that we lack the courage to connect with others and show our love. Rabbi Shlomo Katz is the rabbi and spiritual leader of Kehilat Shirat David in Efrat and the head of Machon Zimrat Ha’aretz. He is also an accomplished singer, musician, and educator. Today, he sits down with us to answer eighteen questions with Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy on Jewish mysticism including the challenge of technology, the meaning of Torat Eretz Yisrael, and the true purpose of the Jewish People. Here are our questions: What is Jewish mysticism? How were you introduced to Jewish mysticism? In an ideal world, would all Jews be mystics? What do you think of when you think of God? What is the purpose of the Jewish people? How does prayer work? What is the goal of Torah study? Does Jewish mysticism view men and women the same? Should Judaism be hard or easy? Why did God create the world? Can humans do something that is against God’s will? What do you think of when you think about Moshiach? Is the State of Israel part of the…

People in this episode

Host: Rabbi Dr. Benji Levy

Guest: Rabbi Shlomo Katz

Topics covered

Jewish mysticism
Torah
technology
Jewish People
prayer
modernity

Keywords

Jewish mysticism
Torah study
prayer
Moshiach
State of Israel
self-persecution
technology

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Kehilat Shirat David, Machon Zimrat Ha’aretz

Places: Efrat, Israel