KMTT - the Torah Podcast

From Redemption to Consolation: Between Pesach and 9BeAv. Our Best Strategies for Bi'at Ha-Go'el. #7 The Active Voice of God in an Ideal Jewish State, by Rav Gidon Rothstein The prophet's word of God, his right to call for temporary changes to Torah and/or random actions, and the Choshen Mishpat, show us that an ideal Jewish nation has continuing direct contact with Hashem's expressed Will.

Shelach | Of Spies and Scouts, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The central story in Parashat Shelach is the "Meraglim" - even though they are never called "spies" in the narrative. Their job, to "scout" (לתור) the land, the selection of important people and the representative nature of the mission (one from each "civilian" tribe) indicates that the mission was not intended for military reconnaissance; yet in Moshe's retelling in Devarim (ch. 1) he uses the verb ויחפרו (to spy) and presents the mission quite differently. We explore these differences and the broader context of the beginning of Devarim and suggest a more subtle yet impactful lesson that Moshe is imparting to Yehoshua - which he clearly takes to heart, as evidenced by the "real" spy mission that he directs before entering the Land. Sourcesheet >>

Parashat Shelach with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Sin of the Spies - What Sin?? #2 - Modern Commentators - Kalev and the Virtue of Religious Struggle #3 - Machshava / Jewish Thought - Appreciating the Centrality and Importance of Eretz Yisrael #4 - Sparks of Chasidus - The Essence of Emunah: A Powerful Derasha from the Eish Kodesh #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Uman, Meron, & Me'aras Ha-Machpela: Why Do We Daven at Kivrei Tzaddikim?

From Redemption to Consolation: Between Pesach and 9BeAv. Our Best Strategies for Bi'at Ha-Go'el. #6 The Role of the Beit HaMikdash in a Jewish Nation, by Rav Gidon Rothstein In this sixth installment, we will discuss three views of the Beit HaMikdash and its role in a fully realized Jewish nation.

Parashat Behaalotekha with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - The Jewish People Miss Free Fish?!?! #2 - Contemporary Commentators - The Inverted Nuns: Rabbi Lamm's "Knockout Derasha" #3 - Machshava / Jewish Thought - Ani Maamin: What Made Moshe and His Prophecy Unique? #4 - Sparks of Mussar - For the Love of Mitzvos: An Inspiring Message from R. Moshe Feinstsein #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - The MITZVAH to Speak Lashon Hara

Beha'alotekha | Those Memorable Cornets, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The command to fashion two silver cornets (Bamidbar 10:1-10) is puzzling - are they to be made for utilitarian goals or for commemorative (זכרון) purposes? We explore the material, fashioning, timely (desert) uses as well as the eternal (in the Land) opportunities for blasting the cornets and propose a connection between the two cornets, the shofar of Rosh haShanah and the beautiful description of Bnei Yisrael's allegiance to God in the desert. Source sheet >>

From Redemption to Consolation: Between Pesach and 9BeAv. Our Best Strategies for Bi'at Ha-Go'el. #5 Wiping out Amalek or Not? by Rabbi Gidon Rothstein In this fifth installment, we will discuss why wiping out Amalek should come before building the Beit HaMikdash, why Amalek is so bad, and what they are supposed to mean to us?

The Development of Sefirat HaOmer, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The Mitzva of "Sefirat ha'Omer" does not appear in Tannaitic literature and only seems to emerge at the end of the Amoraic era (4th generation). Indeed, it isn't at all clear why the command to "reckon" 7 weeks to arrive at Shavuot would have to be done out loud. Based on the research of Prof. David Henshke, we share his observations about the unusual statement of אמימר in מנחות - that he would only count "days" and not weeks, based on the reasoning that זכר למקדש הוא. By assessing the difference between the two passages concerning ספירת העמר - one in ויקרא and the other in דברים - we note that they serve different functions and, therein, may lie the understanding of both the אמימר practice as well as the development of verbalized counting. Sourcesheet >>

Parashat Naso with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Judaism's Approach to Physical Pleasure #2 - Contemporary Commentators - The Rewards and Risks of the Birkas Kohanim #3 - Midrash - Unified Diversity - Appreciating the Gifts of the Nesiim #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Separating In Order to Connect: A Profound Insight from the Sefas Emes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Mysterious Minhagim: The Case of the Disappearing Daily Duchening in the Diaspora #6 - Sparks of Musar - The Ideal Way to Serve Hashem - A Part of this World And Not Apart from It

Appreciating the Beauty of Yerushalayim, special shiur, english adaptation of hebrew drasha given on Yom Yerushalayim 5782, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb

From Redemption to Consolation: Between Pesach and 9BeAv. Our Best Strategies for Bi'at Ha-Go'el. #4 Why a King? by Rabbi Gidon Rothstein In this fourth installment, we will discuss what is challenging in the commandment to make a king, the reasons the Torah would want us to have a king, and how we can make ourselves more ready for one.

Al haNissim for Yom Yerushalayim, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom. Text composed together with Dr. Avi Shmidman Since the miraculous days of June 1967, we have celebrated the reunification of Yerushalayim, the city of our chief joy. Along with reciting Hallel, there have been various liturgical poems (פיוטים) written for the occasion. In order to be able to incorporate thanks to Hashem for the great miracle of the restoration of Jewish sovereignty over the Eternal City of Yerushalayim, we have composed a text of על הנסים, which retells the long years of distance, the threat and subsequent miraculous victory, the explosion of jubilation that followed and the commitment that we all have to keep Yerushalayim and her welfare as our chief joy. Besides the source sheet, a link to the text, along with English translation and additional sources is included. Sourcesheet >> https://alhanisimforyomyerushalayim.blogspot.com/

Parashat Bamidbar with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Why Does It Matter How the Shevatim Were Organized in the Midbar? #2 - Contemporary Commentators - The Purpose - and Danger - of the Flags: A Profound Insight from R. Yaakov Kaminetzky #3 - Midrash - What Does Moshe Have to Do With Ahron's Children? #4 - Sparks of Musar - "The Torah Was Given With Fire, Water and In the Desert" - What Does That Mean? #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Pidyon HaBen - Understanding he Scope of the Father's Obligation #6 - Sparks of Chassidus - Counting Everyone because Everyone Counts

What is So Important about Yerushalayim? by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela Appreciating the dual religious purpose of the holy city will also help us appreciate the modern miracle of Yom Yerushalayim. Sourcesheet >>

From Redemption to Consolation: Between Pesach and 9BeAv. Our Best Strategies for Bi'at Ha-Go'el. #3 Shavuot as the Culmination of Pesach, by Rabbi Gidon Rothstein In this third installment, we will discuss how the offering of two loaves of leavened bread on Shavuot unlocks key lessons of the holiday of Shavuot and the progression from Pesach to Shavuot. An alumnus of Har Etzion (1982), Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein has served in the community rabbinate and in educational roles at the high school and adult level. He is an author of Jewish fiction and non-fiction, most recently "We're Missing the Point: What's Wrong with the Orthodox Jewish Community and How to Fix It."

Parashat Behar-Bechukotai with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 Classical Commentators - The Torah's Approach to Real Estate #2 Modern Commentators - How Do We Survive Galus? The Meshech Chochma's Incredible Insight #3 Midrash - Making the Right Choices - A Midrashic Perspective #4 Sparks of Chassidut - What is True Freedom? A Profound Thought from the Sefas Emes #5 Halacha from the Parsha - Balancing Bitachon and Hishtadlut: The Torah's Approach to Doctors and Medicine #6 Contemporary Commentators - Rav Moshe Feinstein: Why Do We Do Mitzvos? #7 Sparks of Musar - The True Test of Religious Success: Does Your Torah "Have Legs"? #8 Sparks of Musar - The Shared Lesson of Shemitta and Shabbat: I'm Not the Boss

Bechukotai | Avraham's Path, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The first 11 verses of Parashat Behukotai comprise the "berakha", the promised reward for the people's obeisance of the covenant at Sinai. The opening phrase אם בחקתי תלכו is puzzling and has led to a range of interpretation; building from this notion of "walking" as a description of a way of life and charting the history and development of this semantic meaning in Humash demonstrates that it is an Avrahamic term, appropriately fitting Avraham's constantly journeying, from the first command לך לך to the crescendo לך לך on the way to הר המוריה. We follow the terms of the blessing and identify each of them with a significant factor in the Avraham story. Our conclusions from this clear case of intertextuality make up the core of the shiur. Source sheet >>

From Rabbi Akiva's Students to Contemporary Israel, Why Can't We All Just Get Along, shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Understanding Anti-Semitism - The Jews are the Sand Barrier of Humanity, by Rav Moshe Taragin Special shiur given in London at Mizrachi Day of Inspiration May 15, 2022

Mapping Modern Redemption through Past Miracles, by Rav Moshe Taragin Special shiur given in London at Mizrachi Day of Inspiration May 15, 2022

Rabbi Sacks and the Four Jewish Lessons for Modern Society, by Rav Moshe Taragin. Special shiur given in London at Mizrachi Day of Inspiration May 15, 2022 Source sheet >>

Appreciating the Religious Impact of Eretz Yisrael on ALL Mitzvot, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela If there wouldn't be a State of Israel, we ourselves wouldn't be living here. Given that we are here, what impact does being here have on our lives? Regarding actual mitzvot that are not in and of themselves "land" related.

From Redemption to Consolation: Between Pesach and 9BeAv. Our Best Strategies for Bi'at Ha-Go'el. #2 What Are We Counting, Where Are We Going, by Rabbi Gidon Rothstein In this second installment, we will discuss the counting of the Omer: Is it connected to the Omer sacrifice, to the Giving of the Torah, or to something else entirely? One act or many acts together? What does that mean for how it should shape/change us? An alumnus of Har Etzion (1982), Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein has served in the community rabbinate and in educational roles at the high school and adult level. He is an author of Jewish fiction and non-fiction, most recently "We're Missing the Point: What's Wrong with the Orthodox Jewish Community and How to Fix It."

Behar | Fear My Mikdash - Which Mikdash? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The short Parasha of Behar Sinai is, as alluded to in its heading, out of sequence and was given by Hashem at an earlier point during the Stand at Sinai. We explore several options of what "Behar Sinai" may mean here and conclude that the reference is to the revelation given to Moshe when he was at the foot of the mountain, inside the cloud. We explore where this entire passage may have been given and then pose the question - what is the "Mikdash" referenced at the end - if this is before the notion of the Mishkan was introduced? By addressing this question, we come to a new understanding of the impact of the entire Parashah and of the significant and telling impact of the institution of Shemitah - Shabbat of the Land. Sourcesheet >>

New Series: From Redemption to Consolation: Between Pesach and 9BeAv. Our Best Strategies for Bi'at Ha-Go'el, by Rabbi Gidon Rothstein We will progress from the heights of Pesach to the seeds of hurban, to the road to restoration, finding ways halakha guides us towards the key pieces of a life well lived. By spotting where our predecessors went wrong--from the start, in the middle, and to the end--we can hope to learn from their missteps, and stride more successfully to the redemption and rebuilding we all want. In this first installment, we will discuss the Beitusim, the date of Shavuot, and a fundamental weakness Jews have in engaging with God's commands. An alumnus of Har Etzion (1982), Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein has served in the community rabbinate and in educational roles at the high school and adult level. He is an author of Jewish fiction and non-fiction, most recently "We're Missing the Point: What's Wrong with the Orthodox Jewish Community and How to Fix It."

Parashat Emor with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Sefiras HaOmer - The Deeper Reason Why We Count #2 - Modern Commentators - Why Do We Celebrate Holidays? The Remarkable - and Surprising - Insight of the Netziv #3 - MIdrash - What do the Arba Minim Symbolize? 3 Approaches from the Midrash #4 - Sparks of Musar - The Destructive Power of Negative Speech #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Are Women Obligated in Sefiras HaOmer?

Kedoshim Tiheyu | The Responsibility of Atzma'ut, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Yom Ha'Atzmaut always falls out during the season that we read אחרי מות and קדושים. A fresh look at the end of אחרי מות and the first half of פרשת קדושים presents the Divine recipe for our sustained independence and sovereignty in the Land. Not only are we adjured to avoid the pagan fetishistic practices of the prior inhabitants, we are commanded to develop a holy society in which, ultimately, each individual is cared for in such a way that the rest of the world sees the beauty of this Godly community and ultimately knocks on our gates to be let in, to study and to learn how to build an everlasting and uplifting nation. זה היום עשה ה', נגילה ושנמחה בו! Sourcesheet >>

Thanking Rosh Beit Midrash SKA Migdal Oz בית המדרש לנשים מגדל עז Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg for speaking with us today about her father, Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Aharon Lichtenstein zt'l on his 7th Yahrtzeit, 1 Iyar 5782 חים שאין בהם בושה וכלימה

Torah of HaRav Aharon Lichtenstein: How Did Rav Lichtenstein zt"l Impact Religious Zionism, shiur given by Rav Moshe Taragin at Cong. Rinat Yisrael (Teaneck, NJ) in honor of Harav Lichtenstein's 7th yahrzeit, Sunday May 1, 2022.

Kedoshim | לא תקום ולא תטור - Vengeance AND/OR/ON ACCOUNT OF Bearing a Grudge, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The crescendo of laws governing interpersonal relationships is undoubtedly "You shall love your fellow as yourself" - ואהבת לרעך כמוך. This command is prefaced with an unusual pair of prohibitions - לא תקום ולא תטור את בני עמך - "Do not take vengeance nor hold a grudge against the members of your people." (Lev. 19:18). Are these two independent restrictions or part of a more expansive prohibition? Although the Rishonim reckoned them as two לאוין, there are several Midrashic comments as well as both legal and exegetical comments that seem to indicate a seamless unity between them. We explore the passage, in its context and suggest a new perspective on the entire pericope of Lev. 19:17-18. Source sheet >>

Parashat Acharei Mot - Kedoshim with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Timeless Message of Sa'ir HaMishtaleach #2 - Contemporary Commentators - Understanding the Mitzvah of Rebuke: Hashem's Policeman or Loving Brother? #3 - Midrash - "Kedoshim Tihiyu" - 3 Insights from the Midrash #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Appreciating the Sanctity of Every Jew: An Amazing Teaching of the Lubavitcher Rebbe #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Lifnei Iver - Understanding the Parameters of the Prohibition

Yom HaAtzma'ut | מדיניות ומדינה - Statecraft and State, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Proper appreciation not only for the miracle of Jewish statehood but for the significance of the state in the larger scope of Jewish destiny and legacy is a vital preface to understanding the role of thanksgiving to Hashem for the precious gift of Medinat Yisrael. This shiur examines both steps - the significance of the State within Jewish thought and the obligation to give thanks to HaKadosh Barukh Hu for the modern redemptive process which we are witnessing, experiencing and, if we are zokheh, promoting and furthering. Sourcesheet >>

Yom HaShoah | Rav Asher Weiss on Emuna, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb What are the three things we must teach about the Shoah?

Pesach | As if We Came Out from Egypt - The Pedagogy of the Pilgrimage Festivals, by Rav Alan Haber What does it mean that we are to see ourselves as if WE left Egypt? Why does the Torah describe the 3 Regalim (Pilgrimage Festivals) in primarily agricultural terms? Why do we tell the story of the Exodus when bringing Bikkurim (First Fruits)? What does all of this have to do with our Pesach Seder? Shiur given to English-speaking students in Bar Ilan University.

Pesach | "Five" Phrases of Redemption, pre-Pesach zoom shiur by Rav Moshe Taragin, April 7, 2022 The core part of the seder which describes the actual exodus often gets "passed over". How can we learn about the actual liberation from the 4 pesukim known as Arami Oved Avi?

Pesach | עמלנו: אלו הבנים - The Depths of our Tragedy in Egypt, pre-Pesach shiur given over zoom by Rosh Hayeshiva Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein, April 7, 2022 What exactly is the level of suffering that Bnei Yisrael experienced in Egypt? Source cited is "Redemption, Prayer, Talmud Torah" in Tradition 17:2 (Spring 1978)

Pesach | How Many Matzot? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom There are two disputes between Rambam and the Tosafists regarding the Seder. Rambam maintains that the Pesach could be eaten all night, allowing for the "Afikoman" to be eaten quite late; Tosafot takes the position that the Pesach must be eaten by midnight; consequently, the final matza of the evening must be eaten by then. In what seems to an unrelated dispute, Rambam maintains that we use 2 matzot at our Seder whereas Tosafot argue that we need 3. In this shiur, we examine the role of matza in our commemoration and inquire as to how many different matzot there are in the story. We then use this inquiry to explain the odd inclusion of R. Elazar b. Azariah's promotion of remembering the Exodus every night... Source sheet >>

Pesach | Insights into the Haggada, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Pesach | Cleaning and Kashering for Pesach, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Pesach | The Four Sons Revisited, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom One of the most beloved and well-known passages in the Haggadah is the Midrash of the "Four Sons". We take a look at that Midrash "top-down," by first examining the context and text of the passages in the Torah and then suggesting what motivated the composer of the Midrash to create the four sons. We explore the variant versions of the Midrash, leading up to the popular version found in our Hagadah - and discover lots of surprises along the way. Source sheet >>

Special | Two Types of Chinuch, shiur given by Rav Mordechai Willig to the Overseas Students, followed by a short Q+A session.

Parashat Tazria Metzora with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Was Tzara'as a Physical or Spiritual Ailment? A Surprising Debate in the Rishonim #2 - Contemporary Commentators - Defining Greatness: How We Respond to Failure #3 - Midrash - Who Wants Life? Appreciating The Power of Speech #4 - Sparks of Musar - The Gift of Giving - A Remarkable Insight from R. Chaim Shmuelevitz #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Is It Assur to Speak Lashon Hara?

Pesach | An Overview of the Halakhot of the Seder, part 1 of 3, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Hasmadah, Anavah and Ahavah: A Tribute to Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt"l, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Reflections on various aspects of Torah - most notably hasmadah - in a shiur to 1st year students

How Many Questions? Re-examining the Mah Nishtnah, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom One of the most well-known and beloved passages in the Hagadah is the "Four Questions" - which are introduced with the line מה נשתנה הלילה הזה מכל הלילות. But are there really four questions here? Examining the sources, including variant versions of the Mishnah and a careful reading of that source, suggests that perhaps there are fewer questions here - perhaps 3, perhaps 1 - and perhaps none at all! Source sheet >>

Parashat Shemini with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Why Keep Kosher? 3 Approaches #2 - Contemporary Commentators - Moshe Forgot Something - Cause for Embarrassment? #3 - Midrash - What Was So Bad About What Nadav V'avihu Did? #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Appreciating Aharon's Apprehension: A Beautiful Insight from the Sefas Emes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Must One Drink Chalav Yisroel?

We gathered today to join Am Yisrael in mourning the loss of HaRav Chaim Kanievsky ztl. Hesped by Rav Moshe Taragin.

Parashat Tzav with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - "Tzav es Aharon" - Appreciating the Moment #2 - Modern Commentators - Korban Todah: Acknowledging the Crisis & the Salvation #3 - Midrash - How Can We Make Up for What We Are Missing Without Korbanos? #4 - Sparks of Musar - Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing #5 - Halacha - Special for Pesach - Shabbos Erev Pesach - How, What and When to Eat the Shabbos Meals

Haman: From Mikra to Midrash, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom From the time that we meet Amalek at Refidim to the Midrashic development of Amalek's most infamous scion, Haman, there are (at least) two chasms to bridge - from the genealogical Amalek to the Persian/Medean Haman and from Haman of Esther to the Haman of the Midrashim. We explore the textual basis for both of these spans and demonstrate how the Midrashim breathe life into the personae of Tanakh and reveal their contemporary relevance in every generation. Source sheet >>

Parashat Vayikra with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Why Do We Bring Korbanos? #2 - Modern Commentators - Korban Chatas: Understanding the Role of Shame #3 - Midrash - Hashem's Special Relationship With Moshe and The Jewish People #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Why Do We Need Forgiveness for Accidental Sins? #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - "Nashim Somchos Reshus" - Can Women Perform Mitzvos That They Are Not Obligated In? #6 - Authenticity vs Artificiality in Avodas Hashem: A Lesson from Korbanos