Best Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein Podcasts (2026)

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Hanukkah: The Fight for Values 25:19

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8d ago25:19

25:19

We are living through turbulent and confusing times. Much of what we see is filtered through politics and headlines. Hanukkah offers a completely different paradigm to make sense of everything. In this talk, Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein asks a foundational question: what is Hanukkah really about? The Gemara speaks about the miracle of the oil, but …

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Difficult Relationships | Parsha with the Chief - Vayeishev 23:53

14d ago23:53

23:53

Difficult relationships and conflict are woven into so many social dynamics - within family, friendship, work community and society - causing tension, distance and pain. Can these relationships be repaired? Can resentments and divisions be overcome? In this talk on the Parsha of Vayeishev, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores the roots of confl…

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Dealing with Fear | Parsha with the Chief: Vayishlach 19:43

22d ago19:43

19:43

Fear is an intensely powerful and natural human emotion. It takes many forms. Fear of harm or failure or disapproval, fear of loss or rejection. These fears can be debilitating obstacles to our success and growth, and to fulfilling our potential. And yet sometimes fear is an entirely appropriate response to real threats. Sometimes it warns and prot…

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Message of the prophets to South Africa - Live at FNB Stadium, National Day of Prayer 7:17

22d ago7:17

7:17

A few days ago I had the privilege of speaking to more than 100,000 South Africans in the National Day of Prayer at FNB Stadium. The moment reveals something profound about the soul of the real South Africa. What I experienced was profoundly moving: the warmth of the crowd, the shared spirit of prayer, and the deep sense of unity that filled the st…

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Finding Paradise | Parsha with the Chief: Vayeitzei 20:43

28d ago20:43

20:43

There is a deep psychological need to find paradise - a state of bliss without stress, duty or struggle. Entire industries are built around that longing: leisure, entertainment, escape. Perhaps it is a yearning for the Garden of Eden we once had, and then lost. We have been searching for paradise ever since. But what are we really seeking? And are …

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Torah Philosophy of Time Management | Parsha with the Chief - Toldos 19:24

2M ago19:24

19:24

Life is short. The average human lifespan of 4000 weeks is, as Oliver Burkeman says, "absurdly, terrifyingly, insultingly short". No increased productivity or efficiency can escape the limits of our mortality. How do we live with this? How do we confront the fact that our time is finite, and that nothing we do can change that? To explore this quest…

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My Journey After October 7th - The Common Sense Interview with the Chief Rabbi 1:16:34

2M ago1:16:34

1:16:34

I was invited by The Common Sense - South Africa's newest and most exciting online publication, led by Dr Frans Cronje - for a long-form interview about my journey since October 7th. In this conversation with Gabriel Makin, I reflect on leading the South African Jewish community through crisis, and standing up to the anti-Israel campaign advanced o…

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The Search for Self-Worth | Parsha with the Chief - Chayei Sarah 19:33

2M ago19:33

19:33

There is a deep psychological need that every human being has to impress other people. To be recognised, to be seen, respected, and to be valued. This need is real and demands to be fulfilled. But when we pursue it in the wrong way, it can be harmful to our happiness, our integrity, and our relationships. In this talk on the Parsha of Chayei Sarah,…

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How to Approach Difficulties in Life | Parsha with the Chief - Vayera 19:05

2M ago19:05

19:05

Life is filled with obstacles and problems. Some are small. Others shake us to the core. Setbacks and struggle punctuate the human condition. How do we deal with this reality? We need a mental model that's honest and realistic, and also positive and productive. In this talk on the Parsha of Vayera, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores a profoun…

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The Leadership Model | Parsha with the Chief - Lech Lecha 20:19

2M ago20:19

20:19

We often think leadership is only for those in official positions. But actually, we're all leaders. Because leadership is about how we impact the lives of others. We're leaders in family and community, at work, in society and wherever our actions touch others. I want to share a model of leadership that can change your life. In this talk on Parshat …

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Dynamics of Change | Parsha with the Chief - Noach 20:00

2M ago20:00

20:00

How do you reverse a negative trend in your life before it's too late? And how do you catalyze positive change to transform your life for the good? The key is to understand the dynamics of change itself. The story of Noach teaches that just as decline unfolds step by step, so too can redemption. Each action, each decision, creates the world we live…

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Listen Now: 'We have won' - SAZF speech 10:33

3M ago10:33

10:33

Almost two years to the day since the October 7 attacks, Israel has achieved peace through strength, and South African Jews have stood firm against the ANC government. These past two years have taught us powerful lessons about moral courage, unity, and a formula for securing the future. The remaining hostages have been returned. The war in Gaza has…

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The Purpose of Life | Parsha with the Chief - Bereishit 20:52

3M ago20:52

20:52

What is the purpose of life? It's the most important question of all. Why was the world created? Why do human beings exist? What does Hashem want from us? The Torah begins with Bereishit - the story of creation - to answer these questions. In this talk, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores the Torah's vision of purpose through the lens of Pirke…

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Blessings of Vulnerability | Sukkot with the Chief 22:12

3M ago22:12

22:12

Human vulnerability is profound and inescapable. And yet, one of our deepest psychological longings is for safety and security. We need to know everything will be okay. But the world offers no guarantees. How do we make peace with being fundamentally vulnerable? Sukkot provides the answer. We leave our secure homes for the sukkah, a temporary dwell…

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Your Second Chance | Yom Kippur with the Chief 19:17

3M ago19:17

19:17

Yom Kippur is a celebration of the human capacity to change. Making mistakes is part of being human. But Yom Kippur tells us something radical: our mistakes don't overwhelm us. Failure is not the end of the story. You can rewrite your past. Growth is born in struggle. It is not a day of humiliation, but of hope. It's not a day of fear, but of trans…

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Why God Judges Us | Rosh Hashanah with the Chief 22:16

4M ago22:16

22:16

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, the thought of being judged by God can feel unsettling. It brings discomfort. Even fear. But Divine judgment is actually one of the greatest gifts that Hashem gives us. Understanding why, reveals a perspective on Rosh Hashanah that turns everything we thought we knew, on its head. Drawing from Pirkei Avot and the deepe…

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3 paths to self-awareness | Parsha with the Chief - Ki Tavo 21:49

4M ago21:49

21:49

Self-awareness is the gateway to success. When we see ourselves clearly - strengths and weaknesses, victories and mistakes - we know where to double down, and where to improve. But how do we be objective about ourselves? Drawing on Pirkei Avot, with an illuminating idea in this week's parsha Ki Tavo, Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein reveals three p…

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Shaping your environment | Parsha with the Chief: Ki Teitzei 20:40

4M ago20:40

20:40

Environment - physical and human - shapes our actions and worldview. What if you could design it to work for you instead of against you? The key is not to passively accept the environment as we find it, resigned to the status quo. The question we need to ask is this - how do we proactively shape our environment for success. This talk by Chief Rabbi…

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Finding Clarity | Parsha with the Chief: Shoftim 24:31

4M ago24:31

24:31

Decisions that lead to growth, success, and lasting happiness depend on clarity. Clarity in how we think. Clarity in how we see. Clarity in how we judge people and situations. But that clarity is constantly undermined by human bias, which distorts how we see the world and how we see ourselves. How do we overcome it? This week's Torah portion Shofti…

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How to Access Abundance | Parsha with the Chief: Re'eh 21:37

5M ago21:37

21:37

Is the world a place of survival of the fittest, fighting for scarce resources, or Divine abundance where everyone can thrive? These opposing perspectives are at the heart of how we relate to others. Do we see people as competitors whose success comes at our expense, or as partners in creating something greater together? In this teaching on Parshat…

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Thriving in Uncertainty | Parsha with the Chief: Eikev 20:25

5M ago20:25

20:25

We live in a world of constant change - nothing stays the same. This can lead to fear, anxiety, or the opposite: denial of reality and damaging overconfidence. The Torah offers a different path. In this uplifting talk, the Chief Rabbi explains how awareness of Hashem grounds us with the strength and humility to face the unknown. The key is not cont…

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Think Different | Parsha with the Chief: Va'etchanan 24:44

5M ago24:44

24:44

Information and knowledge stream everywhere. In a world overflowing with ideas and content, what makes Torah different? In this week's message on the Parsha of Va'etchanan, Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein explores what sets Torah apart in the knowledge economy. While the world now prizes information and insight, Judaism has always placed Torah lea…

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Tisha B'Av and the Hidden Work of a Torah Jew 43:12

5M ago43:12

43:12

Why doesn't Pirkei Avot mention the prohibition against Lashon Hara? The ultimate guide to Jewish ethics never brings up one of our most discussed interpersonal laws. In this transformative Tisha B'Av teaching, Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein reveals that this apparent oversight actually holds the key to understanding what Torah life is really abo…

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Mastering anger | Parsha with the Chief: Matot-Masei 22:40

5M ago22:40

22:40

Anger is never isolated — it draws strength from across our inner world. By understanding its true nature, we begin to reclaim control, heal relationships, and grow in ways that truly matter. In this talk, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores the root of anger through the lens of this week's parsha Matot-Masei, and the teachings of Pirkei Avot.…

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When to be brazen | Parsha with the Chief: Pinchas 21:03

6M ago21:03

21:03

When to be bold, and when to be gentle? When to challenge and when to pacify? When to speak up, and when to step back? These are some of the trickiest questions we face in leadership, parenting, business, and everyday life. In this shiur on Parshat Pinchas, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores the tension between moral courage and emotional sen…

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What brings success? | Parsha with the Chief: Balak 19:45

6M ago19:45

19:45

There is more to achieving success than intelligence, strategy, charisma, or hard work. Pirkei Avot and this week's parsha, Balak, reveal a three-part formula for holistic success in family, career, happiness, and legacy. A powerful mishna offers a striking contrast between two individuals: Bilam, brilliant but broken, and Avraham, humble and lasti…

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Defying Death | Parsha with the Chief: Chukat 19:50

6M ago19:50

19:50

One of the most defining aspects of being human is death. It happens to everyone. How do we relate to it? How do we understand it? How does it shape the way we think and live? Because how we approach death is, in truth, how we approach life itself. In this week's parsha, Chukat, we read about Miriam and Aaron passing away. The Torah also introduces…

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What drives you? | Parsha with the Chief : Korach 20:32

6M ago20:32

20:32

It's not easy to confront the quiet pull of ego. But when our motivations reach beyond self, something changes in us — we are strengthened, not drained. We can access the love, respect and meaning we need to hold our family, community and society together. In Parshat Korach, we find a rebellion that sounds like a call for equality — but beneath the…

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The Impact of Influence | Parsha with the Chief: Shelach 19:51

7M ago19:51

19:51

We all like to believe we think for ourselves. But Parshat Shelach tells a deeper story — a cautionary tale about the power of influence. Twelve spies enter the Land of Israel. Ten return filled with fear, persuading the nation to turn back. Two remain strong — but lose the battle for public opinion. The people are blinded by influence. Pirkei Avot…

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The War to Save Israel and the World 10:51

7M ago10:51

10:51

Israel's war on Iran is an historic moment for the Jewish state and the free world. The stakes could not be higher. Iran was weeks away from building nuclear weapons. That's not a theory. It's a fact — confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. According to recent IAEA reports, Iran had accumulated enough 60% enriched uranium to build up …

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Finding Contentment | Parsha with the Chief: Beha'alotcha 19:58

7M ago19:58

19:58

In a world that constantly reminds us of what we lack — where happiness is confused with consumption — how do we find a sense of abundance and contentment? In this week's parsha, Beha'alotcha, we uncover one of the Torah's most powerful insights into the psychology of discontent — and how to overcome it. Drawing from Pirkei Avot, this shiur explore…

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The Beauty of Balance | Parsha with the Chief: Nasso 21:24

7M ago21:24

21:24

There is beauty in finding the balance between ambition and humility, freedom and responsibility, physical and spiritual. This week's parsha explores one of the deepest ideas in Pirkei Avot — that a life of beauty comes from learning how to hold opposites together. It's not about compromise and neutrality. It's about synthesis and harmony. What doe…

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Shavuot with the Chief: Becoming a creator 20:04

7M ago20:04

20:04

On Shavuot, we receive the power to create ourselves. Pirkei Avot reveals something life-changing: Torah is the tool that God used to create the world. And it is the tool that He gives us to create ourselves. It is not just a set of laws. It is a framework for becoming. A sacred blueprint for shaping character, building values, and growing into the…

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South Africa's cursed President in the White House 10:11

7M ago10:11

10:11

The Oval Office confrontation between President Ramaphosa and President Trump served to highlight the appalling failures of South Africa's ruling elite. In this powerful and painful video, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein confronts the full moral weight of what that moment revealed — not just about political failure, but about human suffering. The m…

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The Impermanence of Life | Parsha with the Chief 19:41

8M ago19:41

19:41

What does the fleeting nature of life teach us about gratitude, loss, and the search for purpose? This week's parsha, Behar-Bechukotai, contains a prophecy of exile and return. But beneath that national story lies a personal one. The story of the soul. Drawing on Pirkei Avot, the laws of shemittah and yovel, and powerful Torah insights, we explore …

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The Secret to Inner Peace | Parsha with the Chief 21:20

8M ago21:20

21:20

Peace isn't merely the absence of conflict. It is something we must create from within. It is about the active, soul-level work of humility, generosity of spirit, and emotional abundance. In this talk, we explore a profound framework for achieving inner and outer peace drawing from this week's parsha, and key teachings from Pirkei Avot, as we uncov…

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What's next for South Africa: Chief Rabbi talks to Dr Frans Cronje 1:16:16

8M ago1:16:16

1:16:16

I sat down with South Africa's most respected political analyst, Dr Frans Cronje, to talk about where this country is going. Here is the recording of our conversation. We discuss all the big issues of the day: the GNU's survival, the decline of the ANC, Trump's approach to SA, the expropriation act, employment equity, NHI, electricity, SA's foreign…

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Courage and Unity in a Time of Pain - Yom HaZikaron, 29 April 2025 9:01

8M ago9:01

9:01

On Yom HaZikaron, Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein delivered a powerful address at the South African Zionist Federation ceremony in Johannesburg, paying tribute to Israel's fallen soldiers, victims of terror, and the extraordinary courage of the Israeli people. With heartfelt words, he reminds us: "Hazak ve'ematz" — be strong and courageous. These …

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Respect isn't Polite — it's Spiritual | Parsha with the Chief 20:22

8M ago20:22

20:22

Speech flows from the soul. The urge to speak negatively about others often comes from a need to feel superior. That's why the real battle isn't against words – it's against ego. Pirkei Avot offers a counter-force that can change your life. In exploring this, in the context of this week's parsha - Tazria-Metzora - Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein expla…

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Now is the time to reset the South Africa/ Israel relationship 13:03

8M ago13:03

13:03

At the Israeli Embassy in Pretoria, during the Yom Hazikaron service, honouring the victims of terror and the brave IDF soldiers who gave their lives in defence of Israel, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein called for a reset in relations between South Africa and Israel. This is not only a Jewish story. In his remarks, the Chief Rabbi calls for moral …

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The art of empathy - Parshat Shemini 21:34

9M ago21:34

21:34

Silence is not absence. It's presence without intrusion. Comfort without explanation. Sometimes, the kindest thing we can do—is nothing at all. Why does the Torah emphasize Aharon's silence after the tragic death of his sons, Nadav and Avihu? In this moving Parsha reflection, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein explores the profound spiritual and emoti…

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Trump's South Africa Mistake 7:44

9M ago7:44

7:44

The Trump Administration's policy to focus on white-Afrikaners by offering them refugee status in the United States, now supported by a bill just introduced into Congress, falls into the same trap as the ANC does—understanding South Africa as a conflict between black and white. Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein explains why framing South Africa's proble…

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Parsha with the Chief: Vayikra - Why We Pray 19:23

9M ago19:23

19:23

Why do we pray? God already knows our needs so why do we need to ask? In this talk, Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein explores this week's parsha, Vayikra, through the lens of Pirkei Avot — uncovering the structure, tension, and transformative purpose of prayer. Prayer is not for God. It is a gift from God — for us. Through a deep dive into the Mishnah,…

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Parsha with the Chief: Pekudei – The Power of Action 17:12

9M ago17:12

17:12

Judaism is a system grounded not only in vision and ideas, but in action. As we study Parshat Pekudei, we return once again to the Mishkan—the portable sanctuary that stood at the heart of Jewish life in the desert. The Torah dedicates extensive space not only to its design, but to its actual construction. Why such repetition? Chief Rabbi Warren Go…

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Christians beheaded in Africa: The world must act now 7:07

10M ago7:07

7:07

The recent beheadings of 70 Christians in a church in the DRC is not an isolated incident. There is a continent wide war being waged by Jihadists against Christians in Africa. Each year, thousands of Christians are murdered, raped, kidnapped and beheaded for their faith, burned inside in their churches across the continent. The world stays silent. …

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Trump is good for South Africa 10:05

11M ago10:05

10:05

The Chief Rabbi of South Africa says that South Africans should welcome the Trump administration's interventions in the country's affairs, and how these interventions present an historic opportunity to create a better life for all South Africans. Highlights: 🔹 South Africa's ties to Iran – a direct threat to national security and economic stability…

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New Counter Terror Task Force announced by Chief Rabbi 3:13

12M ago3:13

3:13

Chief Rabbi Goldstein announces a new Counter Terror Task Force that will be coming to South Africa to assist with the investigation into the recent attack with an explosive device on a Cape Town Jewish community center. In it the Chief Rabbi outlines the proactive steps being taken to ensure the safety of Jewish life in South Africa and beyond. 🔍 …

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Hanukkah in a year of miracles - Chief Rabbi's call 16:46

1y ago16:46

16:46

We are living in historic and miraculous times. The world has been transformed in ways we could hardly imagine a year ago. Israel's remarkable military victories have realigned the balance of power in the Middle East. With shifts in South Africa and the United States, we have witnessed a year of extraordinary transformations. As we light our Chanuk…

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Terror attack in Cape Town: Chief Rabbi's response 6:07

1y ago6:07

6:07

On December 5th, an explosive device was thrown at the Jewish Community Center in Cape Town, South Africa, in an attempted terror attack. Thank G-d, it did not detonate, but the intent was clear: to cause harm and incite fear. In this video, Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein delivers a powerful response, addressing the global rise in anti-Semitism, the …

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Netanyahu Arrest Warrant: How the UN is weaponising the ICC against democracies 7:38

1y ago7:38

7:38

The ICC's arrest warrant against Netanyahu is a national security threat to all democracies. The Chief Rabbi of South Africa exposes how the ICC, a tool of the autocratic regimes who dominate the UN, targets free countries like Israel for defending themselves while shielding tyrannies that exploit global institutions. With no jurisdiction and blata…