KMTT - the Torah Podcast

R. Zelig Reuven Bengis_7 Sivan5713, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Naso 5767

The Ger Tzedek of Vilna_7 Sivan 5509, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Bemidbar 5767

Megilat haHessed - Ruth, Avraham and the Meaning of Hessed, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The Midrash identifies the purpose of the publication of Megilat Rut as "publicizing the reward for those who repay Hessed." Ruth, who is presented as a latter-day Avraham (in Boaz's words of praise for her), has her Hessed lauded by both Naomi and Boaz - but what is the meaning of "Hessed" in this context? Indeed, we would have to search high and low to find acts that we would typically consider "Hessed" in the Biblical record of Avraham's life. By examining a remarkable but often overlooked consistent marker in Avraham's biography, we discover a new meaning of the word חסד, bolstered by the way it is used in several passages in Tanakh, notably Psalm 89. We then reexamine Hessed in Avraham's life, as well as Ruth's. This shiur was given in memory of our dear friend, R. Hayyim Abba b. Natan Aryeh zt"l, Prof. Herbert Davidson of blessed memory. Source sheet available here.

Thank you Rav Willig for sharing your memories as a bachur in yeshiva (KBY) back in 1967.

R. Yitzchak of Corbeil_28 Iyar 5040, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Behar-Bechukotai 5767

In Light of the Meron Tragedy, Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein addressed the overseas students on Monday May 3, the day following Donny Morris's levaya, yehi zikhro barukh. Please note: Unlike the sicha in hebrew in the beit midrash on Sunday, that was prepared as a general public statement with comments planned and presented accordingly, this sicha on Monday was an opportunity to listen to students' distress. Things were presented appropriately to appeal to students who were in the room and not directed outward. We thank Harav Mosheh for his willingness to share the recording with the general public.

A compilation of seven short divrei Torah, by Rav Moshe Taragin, given in various venues a year ago, in preparation for Yom Yerushalayim: Seeing Through the Wall and the Awakening of the Chicken Three "Yerushalayim" Letters From History A City With Two Very Different "Names" Yerushalayim and Non-Religious Jews Settling Yerushalayim Just Takes More Time Comfortable in the "Shade" The Religious Meaning of an Israeli Flag

In the Wake of the Meron Tragedy, personal reflections by Rav Moshe Taragin, on Friday, April 30th, 2021. Two practical recommendations to connect with Am Yisrael's suffering.

Divrei Chizuk by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, in the wake of the Meron Tragedy As part of the National Day of Mourning for the victims of the Meron tragedy the yeshiva held a special program in the Beit Midrash at 2:30 followed by Tehillim and Mincha. The recording will be available on the yeshiva's youtube channel. Rav Mordechai Friedman and Rav Dovid Gottlieb spoke briefly in English to the bnei chul. This was followed by private discussion groups headed by the Ramim. We join all of Am Yisrael in mourning the victims of the tragedy in Meron and in wishing refua sheleima to the injured.

R. Moshe Isserles_18 Iyar 5332, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Bechukotai 5768

Maharam Meir of Rothenburg_24 Iyar 5053, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Emor 5767

Avelut during Sefira (2), by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The various customs regarding mourning-type practices during all or part of the weeks between Pesach and Shavuot are well-known. Yet, the source for these practices is the subject of much speculation among the Rishonim - as we discover in this three-part shiur. Along the way, we also look at the story of the death of R. Akiva's students, including the various versions of the story in Midrashic literature and suggest an explanation for the differences. Source sheet available here.

Avelut during Sefira (1), by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The various customs regarding mourning-type practices during all or part of the weeks between Pesach and Shavuot are well-known. Yet, the source for these practices is the subject of much speculation among the Rishonim - as we discover in this three-part shiur. Along the way, we also look at the story of the death of R. Akiva's students, including the various versions of the story in Midrashic literature and suggest an explanation for the differences.

R. Yechezkel Landau_Noda BeYehuda_17 Iyar 5553, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Behar 5768

R. Naftali of Ropshitz_11 Iyar 5587, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Emor 5768

Memories of Moreinu Harav Aharon zt"l, by Rav Danny Rhein and Rav Ezra Bick, given on Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5781, Harav Lichtenstein's 6th yahrzeit.

Yom HaZikaron: How the Mighty have Fallen, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom It is a long-standing tradition in some communities to read David's elegy for Shaul and Yonatan (Shmuel II 1:17-27) on Yom haZikkaron. In this shiur, we review the dirge and point out several nuances which inform the subtextual message of this beautiful plaint for David's best friend - Yonatan - and the fallen king, Shaul. The spirit which animates this soaring passage resonates for all of us today, as we raise the memories of our fallen brothers and sisters who gave their lives that we may have a secure and prosperous Medinah. יהי זכרם ברוך

Reciting Birkat Shehecheyanu on Mitzvot Part 2, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Shiur given during daf yomi siyum of Massekhet Pesachim 5781, and released here in advance of Yom HaAtzmaut. Click here for source sheet. Chag ha'atzmaut sameach!

Reciting Birkat Shehecheyanu on Mitzvot, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Shiur given during daf yomi siyum of Massekhet Pesachim 5781, and released here in advance of Yom HaAtzmaut. We are accustomed to reciting the ברכה of "שהחיינו", known as ברכת הזמן, when we perform certain מצוות, such as תקיעת שופר, lighting נר חנוכה and so forth. We examine the development of this practice - which is not mentioned anywhere in the משנה - and the background of the ברכה itself, including the formation of its wording. Click here for source sheet. Chag ha'atzmaut sameach!

Harav Aharon Lichtenstein and the Concept of Bitachon, by Rav Moshe Taragin. Shiur given over zoom, April 26, 2020, in commemoration of Harav Aharon's 5th Yahrzeit. Yehi zikhro barukh.

The Impact of the Holocaust upon Harav Amital's Torah, by Rav Moshe Taragin. Shiur given over zoom in April 2020.

Kadesh, UrChatz, Karpas - The First 3 Innings of the Seder, shiur by Rav Mosheh Lichtenstein, March 22nd, 2021, given over zoom The shiur is in memory of Mr. Joshua (Yehoshua Moshe ben Chaya Rachel) Mermelstein z"l. Source sheet available here: http://gush.net/pdf/Likrat_Pesach5781-RML_Kadesh_UrChatz_Karpas.pdf

Reb Aryeh Levine_9 Nisan5729, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Metzora 5768

R. Meir Dan Plotzki_6 Nisan 5688, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Tazria 5768

R. Yechiel Michel Epstein_Aruch HaShulchan_22 Adar I 5668, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Shemini 5768

Haman_14 Adar, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Tzav 5768

R. Moshe Feinstein_13 Adar II 5746, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Vayikra 5768

R. Shabtai HaKohen – The Shach_Rosh Chodesh Adar Bet 5423, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Pekudei 5768

R. Yaakov Kaminetzky - 29 Adar I 5746, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Vayakhel 5768

Likrat Pesach: The 3 Things that Need to be Said at the Seder, by Moreinu Harav Aharon Lichtenstein zt"l March 21, 1990

R. Yitzchok Isaac Tendler - 19 Adar 5740, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Ki Tisa 5768

R. Avrohom Bornsztain, Avnei Nezer - 11 Adar 5670, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Tetzaveh 5768

R. David Rabinowitz-Teomim, ADeReT - 3 Adar 5665, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Teruma 5768

Parshat Mishpatim with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Mysterious and Mystical End of Parshas Mishpatim The first of 5 installments. #2 - Contemporary Commentators #3 - Midrash - #4 - Sparks of Mussar #5 - Halacha from the Parsha

R. David Ben Shmuel HaLevi - The Taz - 26 Shevat 5427, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Mishpatim 5768

Watching the Super Bowl as a Religious Person, by Rav Moshe Taragin Building a healthy relationship with sports

Rav Menachem Mendel Morgensztern of Kotzk, The Kotzker Rebbe, 22 Shvat 5619, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Yitro 5768

R. Yaakov Yehoshua Falk, Pnei Yehoshua, 14 Shvat 5516, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Beshalach 5768

R. Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg, 4 Shvat 5757, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Bo 5768

R. Shmuel Shraga Bialoblutzky, 29 Tevet 5720, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Vaera 5768

R. Avigdor Cyperstein, 19 Tevet 5736, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Shemot 5768

Dubner Maggid, 16 Tevet 5565, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Vayechi 5768

Parshat Vayigash with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Why is it so Important to Yosef that His Family Live in Goshen? #2 - Contemporary Commentators - "All for One and One for All" - The Essence of Yosef #3 - Midrash - The Dual Meaning of Yosef's Tears #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Appreciating Our Own Potential: The Greatest Motivation for Religious Growth #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Honoring Grandparents: Mitzvah or Mentchlichkeit?

Assara BeTevet, 10 Tevet, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Vayigash 5768

Parshat Miketz with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Understanding Yosef's Bizarre and Seemingly Cruel Behavior #2 - Modern Commentators - Yosef's Sons, Chanukah Candles and the Essence of Judaism #3 - Midrash - Why Did Pharaoh Accept Yosef's Dream Interpretation? #4 - Sparks of Mussar - What Inspired the Brother's Self-Reflection? An Incredible Insight from Rav Schwab #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Kavod Malchus in the Modern World

R. Chaim Shmuelevitz z"l, 3 Tevet 5739, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Miketz 5768

Parshat Vayeshev with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Who Sold Yosef? Not As Simple As You Might Think #2 - Modern Commentators - What Can We Learn from Esav's Children? An Amazing Teaching from the Oznayim Le'Torah #3 - Midrash - What is the Kesones Pasim? (Hint: It's Not "Technicolor"!) #4 - Sparks of Chasidus - Being True To Yourself - A Beautiful Teaching from the Sefas Emes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - The Prohibition to Embarrass Another Person

Ra'avad (Rav Avraham ben David) z"l, 26 Kislev 4959, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Vayeshev 5768

Parshat Vayishlach with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Shimon and Levi Slaughter Shechem: Righteous Justice or Unethical Vengeance? #2 - Modern Commentators - The Greatness of Yaakov: Rav Kook's Fascinating Interpretation #3 - Midrash - Who Was Yaakov Fighting and Why Were They Fighting? A Midrashic Interpretation #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Yaakov and the True Source of Humility: The Incredible Insight of the Sefas Emes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - What is the Mitzvah of "Dinim" for non-Jews?

R. Moshe-Zvi Neria z"l, 19 Kislev 5756, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Vayishlach 5768