KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Parshat Vayetzei with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Did Yaakov Really Place a Condition on His Commitment to Hashem? #2 - Modern Commentators - Torah Study as the Foundation of our Professional Lives #3 - Midrash - Appreciating Greatness #4 - Sparks of Mussar - Learning How to Love from Yaakov #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Does Halacha Recognize the Right of Workers to Strike?

Corona, Forms of Addiction, and Mental Health Issues of Your Time in Israel First sicha in a new Gush series "We Need to Talk" Sicha by Dr. Jacob L. Freedman with Har Etzion talmidim, Nov 20, 2020 Dr. Jacob L. Freedman is a board-certified psychiatrist in both American and lsrael. After completing his training as an award­winning Chief Resident at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Freedman made Aliyah with his wife and children. Dr. Freedman is known for his inspirational talks in the community, his popular column in Mishpacha Magazine and his recently published book Off The Couch.

R. Isser Zalman Meltzer z"l, 10 Kislev 5714, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Vayeitze 5768

Parshat Toldot with Rav Dovid Gottlieb 1 - Classical Commentators - Why Did Yitzchok Want to Bless Esav and not Yaakov? 2 - Contemporary Commentators - Yaakov's Moral Dilemma 3 - Midrash - "Vayisrotzetzu HaBanim BeKirbah" - The Essence of Yaakov and Esav Is Revealed 4 - Sparks of Chassidus - The Greatest Gift is a Relationship With Hashem 5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Is a Blind Person Obligated in Mitzvos?

R. Bezalel Zolty z"l, 30 Cheshvan 5743, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Toldot 5768

Parshat Chayei Sara with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Avraham's Marriage Advice: Bad Midos Are Worse Than Avodah Zara #2 - Contemporary Commentators - "Ger ve'Toshav": The Dual Identity of the Jew #3 - Midrash - Who Was Eliezer? The Midrash Paints a Complex Portrait #4 - Sparks of Musar - Calm Under Fire: Learning From Avraham's Inspiring Example #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Sheva Berachos - Some Halachic Highlights

In Tribute to Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt"l, program for Bnei Chul at yeshiva Speakers: Rav Eli Weber, Rav Aviad Tabory, Rav Dovid Gottlieb and Gavriel Rosen

Building a Castle of Words: A Tribute to Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt"l, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Niftar 20 Cheshvan 5781

R. Menachem Kasher z"l, 27 Cheshvan 5744, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Chayei Sara 5768

Special Shiur: Religious Opportunity on a Secular Campus, lecture by Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, introduced by Rav Yair Kahn, and followed by a question and answer session. Thursday, March 10, 2011. Jointly sponsored by the Yeshiva Forum for Campus Awareness and JLIC (Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus)

On Radical Responsibility. The Chief addresses students learning this year in Midrashot and Yeshivot, in preparation for their future study at college campuses around the world. Coordinated by Rav Yair Kahn. Followed by a short address by Rav Menachem Schrader, founding director of JLIC. Enjoy! Originally released Feb 14, 2013

Parshat Vayera with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - What Event Led to Akeidas Yitzchok? #2 - Contemporary Commentators - The True Beneficiary of Our Chessed #3 - Midrash - What Happened to Avraham and Yitzchok On the Way to the Akeida? #4 - Sparks of Mussar - Sara's Laughter And Our (non)Belief in Mashiach - An Incredible Teaching of the Chafetz Chayim #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - The Source and Scope of Bikur Cholim

Chazon Ish z"l, 16 Cheshvan 5714, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Vayera 5768

Parshat Lech Lecha with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Did Avraham Sin By Leaving Eretz Yisroel and Putting Sarah in Danger? #2 - Modern Commentators - What Does it Mean to be "Tamim"? A Fascinating Explanation from the Beis HaLevi #3 - Midrash - Did Avraham Really Doubt Hashem's Promise? #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Why Was Avraham Chosen? An Inspiring Insight from the Sefas Emes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Is Conversion a Mitzvah?

R. Meir Shapiro z"l, 7 Cheshvan 5694, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Lekh Lekha 5768

Parshat Noach with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Meforshim - "Noach Walked With Hashem" - What Could be Bad About That? #2 - Modern Mefoshim - The Tragic Arc of Noach's Spiritual Life #3 - Midrash - Can There Be Too Much Unity? The Lesson of the Dor Haflagah #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Noach's Fatal Flaw: A Lack of Self-Confidence #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Are non-Jews Obligated in Kibud Av v'Aim?

R. Yisrael of Ruzhin z"l, 3 Cheshvan 5611, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Noach 5768

Parshat Bereishit with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Meforshim - A Talking Snake? #2 - Contemporary Meforshim - A World Without Truth? R. Schwab's Fascinating Explanation of an Enigmatic Midrash #3 - Midrash - Is This World the ONLY World that Hashem Created? #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Partnering With Hashem in Our Self-Creation #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Is Saying Va'yechulu Really a Form of Testimony?

Parshat VeZot HaBerakha with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Why Does Moshe Bless Reuven - of all Shevatim - With Life? #2 - Modern Commentators - Torah and the Essence of the Jewish Soul: Rav Schwab's Remarkable Insight #3 - Midrash - The Incredible Backstory of Yehuda's Blessing #4 - Spark of Mussar - Appreciating Eretz Yisrael - Important Mussar from Rav Yerucham #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - "B'rov Am Hadras Melech" - Coming Together to Enhance Kavod Shamayim

The Magic and Mystique of Torah Study at Night, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Special shiur as part of Yeshivat Har Etzion Hoshana Rabbah learning program 5781. Source sheet available here.

Eating in the Sukkah: Analyzing the Dispute Between R. Eliezer and Hakhamim (Sukkah 2:6) The Mishnah (Sukkah 2:6) records a dispute between R. Eliezer and the Hakhamim as to whether there is a minimum amount of meals that must be eaten in the Sukkah during the week of Sukkot; both positions are difficult on a number of counts and the expected resolution - in favor of Hakhamim's "no set amount" ruling seems inevitable; yet both their final ruling as well as the eventual history of the practice in Eretz Yisrael is not nearly as clear as it seems. Sourcesheet is available here.

The Multi-Faceted Sukkah, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom We are commanded regarding the holiday of Sukkot in five different places in Chumash, but only one of them spells out the mitzva of dwelling in the Sukkah and the reason - "That your generations may remember that I caused you to dwell in Sukkot as I took you out of Egypt". What event is this commemorating? Why do we celebrate this Exodus-recreation in the fall? Why a Sukkah? We survey answers from Chaza"l and the Rishonim and find a surprising range of approaches. (This shiur was given in memory of our dear friend, Judd Magilnick z"l, who passed away suddenly just before Yom Kippur. We'll miss you, Judd, every Wednesday and every day.) Sourcesheet is available here.

The Symbolism of the 4 Minim (4/4) : The Spine, by Rav Moshe Taragin

The Symbolism of the 4 Minim (3/4) : An "Arava" Prayer, by Rav Moshe Taragin

The Symbolism of the 4 Minim (2/4) : The Hadasim Prophecies, by Rav Moshe Taragin Each of the 4 Represent a Different Facet of HKB"H. Which does Hadasim Reflect?

The Symbolism of the 4 Minim (1/4) : Return to Gan Eden, by Rav Moshe Taragin Moadim le-simcha.

"Divine and Human Sukkot - The Relationship Between Mikdash and Sukka," special shiur given by Rosh HaYeshiva Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein by zoom to a Lunch and Learn American (plus Israeli) audience, Tuesday, September 29th, 2020. Followed by a short Q+A session with the Rosh Yeshiva.

Parshat Ha'azinu with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Meforshim - Is Matan Torah Alluded to In Shirat Ha'azinu? #2 - Contemporary Meforshim - R. Soloveitchik's Approach to Reward and Punishment #3 - Midrash - Why Do Heaven and Earth Need to Hear What Moshe Says? #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Historical Sensitivity as a Catalyst for Teshuva - The Remarkable Insight of the Shem MiShmuel #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Birchos HaTorah: A Divine or Rabbinic Command?

R. Velvel Soloveitchik - The Brisker Rav z"l, 9 Tishrei 5720, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Vayelech/Shuva 5768

R. Yerucham Gorelick z"l, 3 Tishrei 5744, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Nitzavim 5768

Pre Rosh Hashana Ideas with Rav Dovid Gottlieb Teshuva: Not About What We Do and Say, It's About Who We ARE Akeidas Yitzchak and Rosh Hashana: Leveraging the Legacy of Our Spiritual DNA To Cry or Not to Cry - What Is Rosh Hashana Really About?

Hacham Ben Zion Meir Chai Uziel z"l, 24 Elul 5713, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Ki Tavo 5768

Parshat Nitzavim-Vayelekh with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Meforshim - "Va'yeilech Moshe" - Where Did Moshe Go and Why Did He Go? #2 - Achronim - The Gift and Responsibility of Teshuva: An Awesome Insight of the Meshech Chochma #3 - Chazal - "Lo Bashamayim Hi" - The Amazing Interpretation of Chazal #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Rav Tzadok Hakohen: Success is Only Possible Because Failure IS an Option #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Is Teshuvah a Mitzvah?

R. Elya Lopian z"l,19 Elul5730, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Ki Tavo 5767

Rav Yehuda Leib ben Bezalel - The Maharal of Prague z"l, 18 Elul 5369, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Ki Tetze 5767

Parshat Ki Tavo with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Meforshim - Accepting the Validity of Torah - Even More Important than Observance #2 - Contemporary Meforshim - Appreciating the Kedusha of Eretz Yisrael: A Beautiful Thought from Rav Schwab #3 - Midrash - Learning Without Observing the Mitzvos is Worse Than Not Learning At All! #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Bikkurim and Eretz Yisroel: The Lubavitcher Rebbe's Beautiful Explanation #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Birkas HaMitzvos: What's The Relationship Between the Beracha and the Mitzvah?

R. Yaakov Gesundheit z"l, 13 Elul 5638, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Ki Tetze 5768

The Power and The Glory of Rosh Hashana: Analyzing the 30 Pesukim of Shofar, special Elul shiur by Rav Moshe Taragin, given over zoom to the Rabbinic Conference of South Africa, August 31, 2020

Parshat Ki Teitzei with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Meforshim - Eishet Yefat Toar: What is the Torah Thinking? #2 - Achronim - Parenting Lessons from the Ben Sorrer U-Moreh: Rav Hirsch's Brilliant Insight #3 - Midrash - Integrating Converts from Egypt: 2 Relevant Lessons Derived by the Midrash #4 - Sparks of Chasssidus - Going Out to Spiritual War - Strategic Advice from the Sefas Emes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Is There a Mitzva to Get Married?

Parshat Shoftim with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Meforshim - Rabbinic Authority - Even if They're Wrong? #2 - Contemporary Meforshim - Political Leaders as Religious Role Models - The Inspiring Vision of the Oznayim Le'Torah #3 - Midrash - Is Judaism Really Pro Monarchy? #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Healthy and Balanced Religiosity - The Kotzker's Remarkable Insight #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Why Do We Have to Keep Rabbinic Mitzvos?

R. Reuven Margolios z"l, 7 Elul 5731, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Shoftim 5768

Parshat Re'eh with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Meforshim - The False Prophet - If He's "False" Then How is He a "Prophet"? #2 - Achronim - The Twin Benefits of the Mikdash and Centralized Worship #3 - Midrash - A Life of Blessing or Curse - The Choice is Ours #4 - Sparks of Musar - The INABILITY to Sin: A Profound Religious Insight #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - The Mitzva of Tzedaka

Parshat Ekev with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Meforshim - Is Yiras Shamayim a "Small Thing"?! #2 - Modern Meforshim - How Can We "Bless Hashem"? Rav Hirsch's Revolutionary Approach #3 - What Makes Us Worthy of Eretz Yisroel? #4 - Sparks of Musar - Why Do We Bentch? The Amazing Insight of the Meshech Chochma #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Is There is a Mitzvah to Daven?

Parshat Vaetchanan with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Meforshim - Loving Hashem - The Rambam's Perspective #2 - Moshe's Desire to Enter Eretz Yisroel - And Ours #3 - Kibud Av V'Em: The Important Lessons Learned from non-Jews #4 - Sparks of Chasidus - Praying to be Able to Pray: The Powerful Insight of R. Levi Yitzchok #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Kibud Av V'Em In Deed, Word, and Thought

Two Seminal Stories of Harav Amital zt"l and How They Impacted My Life, by Rav Moshe Taragin

Parshat Devarim and Religious Zionism, by Rav Moshe Taragin

Parshat Devarim with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Meforshim - What's Devarim About? The Ramban's Theory #2 - Contemporary Meforshim - Who Was Responsible for the Cheit Ha-Egel - Hashem or the Jewish People? #3 - Midrash - Learning How to Give - and Grow From - Cristicism #4 - Sparks of Chasidus - Emunah "Conquers" Machshava and Maaseh - A Beautiful Thought from the Sefas Emes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Kavod Ha-Beriyos: Human Dignity as a Halachic Value

The Goals of Conquering Land In and Beyond Eretz Yisrael (Including an Insight from Moreinu HaRav Yehuda Amital zt'l on his 10th Yahrtzeit), by our alumnus Rabbi Michael Taubes. The shiur was given by zoom on July 16, 2020. Sourcesheet available here. Rabbi Taubes is Rosh Yeshiva at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) of Yeshiva University and the spiritual leader of Congregation Zichron Mordechai in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Parshat Matot-Masei with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Meforshim - Why Do We Need to Know About Alllll of the Stops in the Midbar? #2 - Contemporary Meforshim - The Basis of Jewish Morality: An Amazing Insight from R. Moshe Feinstein #3 - Midrash - Obsessing Over Money: The Tragic Mistake of Benei Gad and Reuven #4 - Sparks of Musar - The Importance of Being Inspired: Rav Schwab's Beautiful Insight into Am Yisroel's Journeys #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - The ABCs of Tevilas Keilim

Kamtza and Bar Kamtza - Special Shiur given in honor of the 10th Yahrzeit of Moreinu Harav Amital zt"l. Yehi zikhro barukh. The well-known Agadah about Kamtza and Bar-Kamtza (in which, by the way, Kamtza never makes an appearance) is filled with riddles and oddities; by studying the Midrash's version (Eikhah Rabbah Ch. 4) of this story, closer to the events in both time and place, events, personalities and adages become much clearer.