Meir Soloveichik

Rabbi Dr. Meir Y. Soloveichik is one of America’s leading voices on Jewish ideas, religious freedom, and faith in the modern age. In conjunction with the release of his new YouTube lecture series, "Sacred Time: A Journey through the Jewish Holidays," this podcast will collect and feature Rabbi Soloveichik’s latest podcasts, lectures, live events, and more.

Episode 5: The Ninth and Tenth Commandments 05/23/2025

Episode 5: The Ninth and Tenth Commandments When It Displeases the Court: Truth, Testimony, and the Ninth Commandment What does it mean to speak “the whole truth, and nothing but the truth”? The Torah’s prohibition on false testimony is a deeper call to honor truth itself in all spheres of life. The Green-Eyed Monster: Envy and the End of the Decalogue Why does the Ten Commandments end with “Thou shalt not covet”? This surprising finale unlocks the purpose of the entire code—and shows how civilization depends on them. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/36689000

Episode 4: The Seventh and Eighth Commandments 05/23/2025

Episode 4: The Seventh and Eighth Commandments Family and the Seventh Commandment Adultery is not only a private failing—it strikes at the covenantal heart of marriage. This commandment shows how Jewish tradition links faith in family to faith in God. Life, Liberty, and Judaism: The Eighth Commandment and the Birth of Human Rights “Thou shalt not steal.” Just two words in Hebrew—but within them lies a revolutionary idea: that liberty and property are moral concepts, and that justice begins with respecting what belongs to others. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/36688990

Episode 3: The Fifth and Sixth Commandments 05/23/2025

Episode 3: The Fifth and Sixth Commandments God, Father, and Mother: The Partnership That Defines the Jewish Family Why is honoring one’s parents listed alongside commandments about God? Judaism sees family as a sacred partnership in creation and as the foundation of faith itself. Human Life and the Divine Life: The Sixth Commandment “All humans are created in the image of God”—but what does that mean? The commandment not to murder offers a moral insight that shaped the West and needs to be recovered today. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/36688965

Episode 2: The Third and Fourth Commandments 05/23/2025

Episode 2: The Third and Fourth Commandments Who Is God? The Third Commandment and the Name of the Lord What does it mean that the Creator has a personal and ineffable name? Rabbi Soloveichik explores how the sanctity of God’s name illuminates the biblical vision of divinity and reverence. The Most Misunderstood Day: Sabbath and the Fourth Commandment Shabbat introduced the idea of a day of rest to the world—but what is its real purpose? Discover how the Sabbath reshapes our understanding of work, holiness, and human dignity. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/36688955

Episode 1: The First and Second Commandments 05/23/2025

Episode 1: The First and Second Commandments How Do We Know God? The First Commandment Judah Halevi pondered why the one true God revealed Himself not merely as Creator of the Universe, but as the God of Abraham Who took Israel out of Egypt. What does this tell us about Judaism’s view of God—and the link between the particular and the universal? Judaism vs. Idolatry: The Second Commandment Judaism’s confrontation with idolatry is far from ancient history. Here Rabbi Soloveichik reveals what paganism truly is and how its spirit is returning in modern forms. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/36688950

The Bible, the Founders, and the War on American History 06/26/2024

The Bible, the Founders, and the War on American History American history is under siege today. Rabbi Soloveichik explores how can we make sure our children learn and appreciate the American story, and thinks about the role Jews have in this mission. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/31897037

July 4th, 1976 06/26/2024

July 4th, 1976 On America’s bicentennial, a remarkable Israeli rescue mission spreads the message of liberty throughout the world. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/31897002

Adams, Jefferson, and the Jews 06/26/2024

Adams, Jefferson, and the Jews Thomas Jefferson and John Adams—the founding generation’s preeminent intellectual leaders—differed mightily about the value of the Jews and Judaism. . /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/31896952

Adam’s Family and the “Adams Family” 06/26/2024

Adam’s Family and the “Adams Family” How the lives of John and Abigail Adams shed light on the meaning of the biblical Adam and Eve to America and the world. Text: Genesis 1-6 /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/31896912

The Thanksgivings of Solomon and Roger Sherman 06/26/2024

The Thanksgivings of Solomon and Roger Sherman The Book of Kings figures in a fascinating debate from the first session of the House of Representatives. Text: 1 Kings 4-5, 8 /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/31896887

Washington, Adams, and the Israelite Monarchy 06/26/2024

Washington, Adams, and the Israelite Monarchy A letter by John Adams about his presidential predecessor allows us to better understand the beginning of Saul’s story. Text: Samuel 7-12 /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/31896877

Jonas Phillips and the Sabbath Witness 06/26/2024

Jonas Phillips and the Sabbath Witness Ezekiel has a unique emphasis on the way in which Jews testify to the world through Sabbath observance. Text: Ezekiel 20-23 In this episode, Rabbi Soloveichik quotes an article by Yehuda Avner. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/31896862

George Washington’s Favorite Verse 06/26/2024

George Washington’s Favorite Verse A verse in Micah appears many times in George Washington’s words—including one of the most famous letters in American Jewish history. Text: Micah 1-4 In this episode, Rabbi Soloveichik discusses two of George Washington’s letters to Jewish communities in America. to read Washington’s letter to the Hebreww Congregation in Savannah, GA. to read Washington’s letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, RI. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/31896852

American Exodus: Franklin, Jefferson, and the Seal of the United States 06/26/2024

American Exodus: Franklin, Jefferson, and the Seal of the United States The story of a committee formed on July 4, 1776, shows us how the founders read the Exodus story, and how they saw in it two separate and essential themes that they wished to impress upon America. Text: Exodus 13-16 /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/31896837

Thomas Paine, Yeruba’al, and the Concept of Kingship 06/26/2024

Thomas Paine, Yeruba’al, and the Concept of Kingship A passage in the story of Gideon helped launch the American Revolution. Text: Judges 8-10 /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/31896822

1983 to 2003: A Grave Near the Temple Mount 02/29/2024

1983 to 2003: A Grave Near the Temple Mount Just as he did in life, Menachem Begin channels the meaning of Jerusalem and Jewish eternity in passing. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/30169718

Jerusalem and Egypt: Millennia Ago and Today 02/29/2024

Jerusalem and Egypt: Millennia Ago and Today Menachem Begin completes the Israeli withdrawal from Sinai, evacuating Israeli settlements there. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/30169708

The Miracle of Osirak 02/29/2024

The Miracle of Osirak To Menachem Begin, the successful bombing of the Osirak nuclear reactor was both a strategic success and a gift from God. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/30169698

Menachem Begin’s Greatest Speech 02/29/2024

Menachem Begin’s Greatest Speech In the midst of the 1981 election race, Menachem Begin gives a remarkable speech that embodies the central tenet of his worldview: love of all Jews. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/30169668

Brisk at the White House 02/29/2024

Brisk at the White House Menachem Begin channels the Jewish past at the signing of the final peace agreement between Israel and Egypt. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/30169653

Between Oslo and Jerusalem 02/29/2024

Between Oslo and Jerusalem In his Nobel speech, Menachem Begin provides the definitive Judaic worldview on war and peace. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/30169638

The Motzash Arrival of Anwar Sadat 02/29/2024

The Motzash Arrival of Anwar Sadat At a historic moment for Israel and the Arab world, Menachem Begin makes sure that the Sabbath is honored. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/30169623

Tisha b’Av in New York 02/29/2024

Tisha b’Av in New York On his first trip to the United States, Menachem Begin looks to the Jewish past in order to build the Jewish future. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/30169613

Mahapach 02/29/2024

Mahapach After decades in opposition, Menachem Begin finally becomes the prime minister of Israel. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/30169603

Begin and Sadat: The Beginning 02/29/2024

Begin and Sadat: The Beginning How the curious relationship between Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat began to form. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/30169598

Begin Speaks for Ancient Jerusalem 02/29/2024

Begin Speaks for Ancient Jerusalem The future Israeli prime minister makes a powerful case for reuniting Jerusalem with the Jewish people. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/30169593

Ben-Gurion, Begin, and the Politics of Israel 02/29/2024

Ben-Gurion, Begin, and the Politics of Israel The differences between two political figures define Israel’s early years. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/30169578

Altalena 02/29/2024

Altalena Menachem Begin’s commitment that Jews shall not make war against Jews is put to the test. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/30169573

The War for Independence 02/29/2024

The War for Independence As the War for Independence begins, Menachem Begin connects the Jewish past to the Jewish future in the new state. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/30169548

Revolt: the Saison and Jewish Unity 02/29/2024

Revolt: the Saison and Jewish Unity While leading the Irgun, Menachem Begin resists the seductive urge to pit Jew against Jew. /episode/index/show/meirsoloveichik/id/30169538

Meir Soloveichik

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