Raised in Riverdale, New York, Rav Chwat made Aliyah and completed the Hesder Program at the Ohr Etzion and Kiryat Arba yeshivot where he received smicha and served as a sergeant in Tzahal. He holds a B.A. in Tanach and an M.A. in Jewish History and Talmud, and enjoys utilizing his music as an educational medium, producing two albums of original compositions (including a tune for the bracha of Al HaMichya taught in the religious school system in Israel and in many schools and camps around the world). Rav Ari is currently a senior lecturer at numerous educational institutions as well as for the Israeli Army Air Force. Rav Chwat is also the director of Rav Kook’s archives in Beit HaRav and is considered a world authority on his writings and philosophy. He has authored and co-authored many books and articles and is a popular international lecturer. His teaching style has successfully deepened the connection with the Land, the People and the State of Israel for thousands of students from abroad, through his
warm personality, informal style, music, and a unique synthesis of high-level
intellectual philosophy and halacha together with history and an internalizing
emotional experience. He currently lives in Kochav HaShachar with his wife Tzvia and they have seven children.
