Ep. 57 – How to Act in Front of the King

If the King were in the room, would you move differently? Speak differently? Touch things more carefully?

In this stirring episode, Rabbi Klapper takes us deeper into the reality of Shabbos as a royal encounter. Building on the image of standing lifnei haMelech, we explore why even seemingly minor halachic infractions on Shabbos—like tearing a hangnail or tying a simple knot—are treated with extreme gravity. But the goal isn’t fear—it’s awareness. With vivid mashalim from the Persian court, historical anecdotes, and a moving story about a presidential visit, we learn how kavod (honor) for a human king demands restraint, precision, and presence. So how much more so when we're standing in the home of Hashem?

Shabbos isn’t just “a day off.” It’s a kingdom. The palace gates open, and every step we take—from how we dress to how we move our hands—is part of the protocol. The drapes come down, distractions are removed, and we are called to give Hashem our full attention.

Because when the King is here, there’s no such thing as “small.”

Hosted by Rabbi Ari Klapper and produced by Eli Podcast Productions, this episode is part of the Real Judaism series, available on RealJudaism.org. Don't forget to subscribe and share to stay connected with our daily lessons and timeless Torah insights!