Chief Rabbi of South Africa reacts to Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu, speech to Congress on the Iran threat. The video covers Israeli military strategy, US Congress reaction, and the Iran-Israel conflict. During his speech to Congress, Netanyahu highlighted the pressing concerns regarding Iran and stressed Israel's imperative to take action. The Chief Rabbi delves into an analysis of Netanyahu's address discussing its impact on military tactics and the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. Highlights...
Aug 01, 2024•11 min
A recording of the prayer delivered by Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein at the inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 19 June 2024. Chief Rabbi Goldstein was among four other national religious leaders, representing the country's major faith communities, delivering prayers at the ceremony. The inauguration followed the national elections held on 29 May 2024, and the National Assembly elections on June14 2024 appointing President Ramaphosa as the head of a ...
Jul 04, 2024•5 min
I had been feeling conflicted on how to respond to an invitation from the government of national unity to deliver a prayer at the presidential inauguration today. On the one hand, as I have said publicly on this platform, a government of national unity, anchored by the two largest parties in South Africa, the ANC and the DA, has the potential to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity. It represents the best prospects for the success of our country: economic development, political stability, ...
Jul 04, 2024•8 min
There are moments in the history of nations which are not merely events – they are historic turning points. The announcement of a government of national unity anchored by the two largest parties in South Africa – the ANC and the DA – has the potential to be such a moment. After 15 years of progress in repairing the ravages of apartheid post-1994, followed by 15 years of corruption and incompetence that have caused untold human suffering – the country is at a pivotal point. The South African elec...
Jul 04, 2024•4 min
This new world of power-sharing can be the dawn of an era of great prosperity and success and happiness for South Africa – provided our politicians show true, principled leadership. Post-elections South Africa is a completely different country. For the first time since the advent of democracy, voters have decided not to give one party – the ANC – an absolute majority. The South African people have said that it is enough of one party exercising absolute power. The corruption must end. It's time t...
Jul 04, 2024•6 min
On the eve of South Africa's national elections, Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein had an in-depth conversation with renowned political analyst, Dr Frans Cronje – whose cutting-edge thinktank, the Social Research Foundation, has been running a daily tracking poll that is the go-to place for much of the country's election analysis. Find out everything you need to know about the elections – the different possible and probable outcomes, coalition options, and what we can expect moving forward into th...
Jul 04, 2024•1 hr 20 min
In expressing commitment to "never again", Western leaders contradict themselves. The only thing that stands between Jews in Israel and another Holocaust is the immense strength of the IDF. By seeking to weaken the IDF, those leaders are placing the Jewish people in mortal danger. In their relentless pressure on the IDF, and in withholding the weaponry Israel needs to fight the genocidal forces that pledge its destruction, Western governments are repeating their sins during the Holocaust, when t...
Jul 04, 2024•9 min
Jul 04, 2024•52 min
Pesach is our moment to discover meaning in the utter bewilderment and shock that we as Jews have experienced since October 7. The barbaric attacks themselves. The Iranian bombardment. The massive surge in global antisemitism. Israel's ongoing demonization. The global obsession with the Jewish state. None of it makes rational sense. The very existence of the Jewish people is a mystery – we're the only nation in recorded history to have survived mass exile, been scattered to every corner of the g...
Jul 04, 2024•13 min
I just got back from Washington DC where I met with congressmen and senators, held engagements with media and think tanks, and spoke with key opinion makers and Jewish community leaders. A centerpiece of my mission was to deliver a key opening address at the AIPAC congressional summit, drawing global attention to one of the most unnoticed stories in the world today – yet one of vital national security interest to Africa, the United States and Israel.
Jul 04, 2024•13 min
As chief rabbi of South Africa, I undertook a recent diplomatic mission to Israel amidst the hostility of the South African government and a breakdown in communications between the two countries. I met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and other senior government officials, assuring them of the support of the Jewish community and millions of non-Jews in South Africa. The purpose of my trip was to establish a strong, parallel diplomatic channel between the people of South Africa and the Jewish ...
Jul 04, 2024•15 min
The International Court of Justice has delivered its interim judgment. Even a political body appointed by the United Nations General Assembly, whose members are mainly non-democratic states, couldn't bring itself to order Israel to ceasefire, but we should not be grateful for that. They had no moral right to order Israel to cease its just war of self-defense in the first place. What these so-called judges should have done is express the gratitude of the international community of civilized natio...
Jul 04, 2024•14 min
The United Nations and its institutions have a credibility they do not deserve, and have become a threat to freedom and democracy in the world. Israel's case before the UN's International Court of Justice, brought by South Africa, should be used to expose this fact and begin the process of placing clear boundaries on the UN. The UN's gross bias against Israel places it in breach of the agreements signed at the establishment of the Jewish state to accept the authority of the ICJ to adjudicate its...
Jul 04, 2024•12 min
In a widely reported conversation with Israel's President Isaac Herzog, the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, chastised Israel's war on Hamas saying it is "forbidden to respond to terror with terror". In comparing Israel's just war of self-defense to the barbarism of Hamas, Pope Francis repeats the sins of Pope Pius the XII, from the Nazi era, of surreptitiously supporting the forces of evil who seek to annihilate the Jewish people. And betrays his fiduciary duty as the head of the Cath...
Jul 04, 2024•9 min
It feels like 1938 again. Iran is today's Nazi Germany. And October 7 is our Kristallnacht. Through its proxy forces Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, Iran is on a mission to exterminate the Jewish people. And yet the leaders of the world's elite academic institutions are unable or unwilling to condemn calls for Jewish genocide. Objective standards of right and wrong are deemed not to exist. Moral confusion is everywhere. Moral relativism abounds - a nihilistic philosophy posing a direct threat ...
Jul 04, 2024•16 min
Chief Rabbi Goldstein exposes the defamatory lies of the SA President in referring Israel to the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide. This libel threatens the Jewish State, and Jews around the world. Discover the strict legal and ethical standards upheld by the Israel Defense Forces, debunking allegations of war crimes and genocide. Learn how these false accusations against Israel serve to dehumanize and stigmatize Jews, leading to a surge in anti-Semitism on a global scale, and ...
Jul 04, 2024•21 min
Across the world, we've seen a stark contrast between pro-Israel rallies – prayerful peaceful, compassionate; non-violent, non-hateful, non-threatening, and anti-israel rallies – aggressive and hateful; marred by intimidation and threats. This dichotomy is mirrored in the Israel-Hamas conflict itself and their underlying ideologies. Here's how.
Jul 04, 2024•12 min
In a sweeping address, Chief Rabbi Goldstein confronts what the Israel-Hamas conflict is really about – Iran's plans to destroy Israel and spread global jihad. Pinpointing how the South African government and those marching against Israel in the world's capitals are Iran's "useful idiots", he addresses multiple issues ranging from jihadi terror in Africa to the ANC's betrayal of biblical and basic moral values. Chief Rabbi Goldstein also explains how the baseless accusations of colonialism, apar...
Jul 04, 2024•25 min
Chief Rabbi's speech at the SAZF's Rally for Israel.
Jul 04, 2024•10 min
An address delivered at a prayer gathering at Yeshiva College in Johannesburg
Jul 04, 2024•15 min
A talk that I gave in tribute to my late Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav HaGaon Rav Azriel Chaim Goldfein zt'"l on his 14th yahrzeit (14 Kislev) - teachings from Chazal that he would emphasize again and again have become etched so clearly into my consciousness that they accompany and guide me every day in whatever it is that I do.
Nov 23, 2021•45 min
5781 has been a year filled with real and unique challenges for all of us. Like all challenges; these ones are pregnant with opportunity. On the eve of Rosh Hashana 5782, I've recorded this essay for you that outlines what I believe is the greatest opportunity for us all. Writing it has given me a lot of clarity, direction and hope. I hope that hearing it will do the same for you. Wishing you and yours, and our entire blessed community, a shana tova umetuka , a good and sweet new year and כתיבה ...
Aug 31, 2021•30 min
If we want to hold our communities, our families, our society together – it starts with respect, because respect is the foundation of all human interaction.
Jul 13, 2021•26 min
Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein chats to world-renowned speaker, thinker and author of 'Permission to Believe', Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen.
May 11, 2021•46 min
Chief Rabbi Goldstein and Rabbi Tatz discuss key ideas on Purim and important lessons that we can take out of the Megillah for the challenging times we are living through
Feb 24, 2021•42 min
What we have all been going through this last year is a deeply 'Purim' experience. Will we respond as people of fate or as people of destiny?
Feb 22, 2021•28 min
Every Sunday night, Gina and I sit down with our children to learn the weekly Torah portion together. Our focus is exploring the big picture. We do this by sharing, debating, arguing as a family, and – most importantly – by listening to each other and making space for every question and opinion around the table. It's one of the highlights of our week and we thought it would be great to share.
Feb 11, 2021•23 min
Your Feedback please Every Sunday night, Gina and I sit down with our children to learn the weekly Torah portion together. Our focus is exploring the big picture. We do this by sharing, debating, arguing as a family, and – most importantly – by listening to each other and making space for every question and opinion around the table. It's one of the highlights of our week and we thought it would be great to share. We have created this pilot for a podcast and would love to know what you think. Is ...
Feb 04, 2021•27 min
Is ours a story of freedom for its own sake? Or is there something else at play? If we look closely we begin to see the real value in freedom that is connected to a deeper purpose.
Jan 22, 2021•15 min
Superficially, the struggle between the Maccabees and the ancient Greek Empire looked like a political struggle for freedom, a military fight. But beneath the surface, it really was a struggle of values. The brave Maccabees confronted a world superpower in order to defend our eternal values. And when we light Chanukah candles, we fulfil that same mitzvah to publicise and proudly proclaim our faith and mission to ourselves, our families and our world.
Dec 09, 2020•14 min
