Video content by Uri Pilichowski
019 Current Events – What can America do to advance its Gaza and Lebanon goals?
In this video, I share that Israel's political scene is stabilizing, with internal party elections wrapping up and the country gearing up for national elections in October 2026 unless called earlier. In Gaza, the situation remains grim: only two hostages remain—one Thai and one Israeli—both tragically killed, with ongoing efforts to recover their bodies; scattered Hamas fighters are emerging from tunnels to surrender or face elimination; reconstruction is completely stalled due to no international forces willing to secure the area, clear ordnance, or rebuild, leaving ordinary Gazans to bear the suffering while Hamas actively recruits; and the group now refuses [...]
018 Current Events – Next next steps in Gaza
I'm frustrated by the ongoing stalemate over next steps in Gaza, where high-level talks involving Prime Minister Netanyahu, Jared Kushner, and U.S. representatives have hit a wall on advancing a 20-point plan—stage two can't begin because Hamas refuses to fully disarm and surrender weapons, even after most hostages, living and deceased, have been returned. A recent discovery of around 200 armed Hamas fighters trapped in a tunnel inside Israel's controlled zone has them pleading for U.S.-brokered negotiations to avoid capture or worse, but from Israel's view, they should have laid down arms long ago as part of the deal. The [...]
Misconceptions in the Torah, Kedusha and holiness
In this week's video, we tackle a fundamental misconception within the Torah: the meaning of Kedusha. Many people mistakenly translate this word as holiness, but I want to explain why that is actually a misnomer in a Jewish context. While holiness often implies an inherent, supernatural quality, the Jewish concept of being Kadosh is about being set aside for a sacred purpose. Whether it is an object dedicated to the Temple or our own lives as a people, Kedusha is a status we achieve through our actions and our commitment to a specific mission. By understanding that we are commanded [...]
The Sedra Kedoshim 5784
In this week's video for Parshat Kedoshim, we explore the fundamental Mitzvah of charity, an area where the Jewish community has always excelled. Maimonides teaches that there has never been a Jewish community without a formal system for Tzedakah, and even today, Jewish households lead the way in generosity. In our Sedra, God commands us to leave the corners of our fields and the fallen fruit of our vineyards for the poor and the stranger. The commentator Sforno explains that since we accept one God, we must strive to act like Him. Just as God is gracious and merciful, we [...]
The Sedra Acharei Mos 5784
One of the greatest gifts that God has bestowed upon humanity is the profound ability to repent and gain atonement for our sins. While life is meant to be lived through an ethical and monotheistic lens according to the rules of the Torah, we are all human and prone to error. In this week's Sedra, Acharei Mos, we learn about the service of the High Priest and the mechanics of forgiveness. Many believe that atonement is strictly dependent on the bringing of a sacrifice, but the Sforno and Maimonides teach us that the heart of the process is Vidui, or [...]
Misnomers in the Torah- The Hamsa
In today's study of misnomers in the Torah, we are examining the Hamsa. Many people today wear this symbol as jewelry, believing it to be a Jewish icon that brings luck or protection. However, if we look at the history and principles of our faith, we see a very different story. Judaism is fundamentally opposed to the use of symbols and amulets, which are often rooted in idolatrous traditions. The Hamsa actually originates from primitive practices in Mesopotamia and parts of North Africa and the Middle East, far removed from the teachings of the Torah. Believing that a piece of [...]
