KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Mental Health: Depression and Anxiety, by Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, Psychiatrist, Founder of Gateway Rehabilitation Center and author of more than 60 books First of 3 sessions in the Mini Yom Iyun: Mental Health, The Internet and the Yetzer Harah, January 23rd, 2020 at the yeshiva for the Bnei Chul.

Positive Mitzvot of Shabbat 08: Tosefet Shabbat (Part 3), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb How does Tosefet Shabbat work? What does it mean to "make Shabbat early" if it's still Friday afternoon? Understanding the conceptual framework of Tosefet Shabbat will help explain numerous disputes that surround this fascinating halacha.

Understanding Minhagim #11, by Rav Binyamin Tabory - Kiddush at night and during the day (continued)

Aseret HaDibbrot 11: Kriat HaTorah of Aseret HaDibbrot, by Rav Tzvi Kaye. Explaining the different customs; should one stand or sit, which tune to use, and what this teaches us about the Aseret HaDibbrot and Kriat HaTorah.

The Process of Pesak Halacha 13: Manuscripts in Halacha, by Rav Jonathan Ziring When considering the positions of previous poskim, how does one weigh new editions or newly found Rishonim? Does one reject these new discoveries or allow them to impact the way one determines halacha?

The Persona of Moreinu Harav Aharon Lichtenstein zt"l, special shiur by Rabbi Michael Rosensweig, a Rosh Yeshiva at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University and the Rosh Kollel of the Beren Kollel Elyon. This shiur was given to the Bnei Chul at Har Etzion on Thursday January 16, 2020.

The Halachic Prenup, Special Shiur by Rav Mordechai Willig. Rav Mordechai Willig, Rosh Yeshiva at YU, will spoke with Bnei Chul on Tuesday Jan 14, 2020, on Halachic Solutions to the Aguna Problem. Rav Willig wrote the Prenuptial Agreement that is widely used today and is one of the leading experts in the field.

Understanding Minhagim #10, by Rav Binyamin Tabory - Leil Shabbat Part 1

Aseret HaDibbrot 10: Lo Tachmod, by Rav Tzvi Kaye. Is the prohibition to actually take another person's property, and if so what is the difference between lo tachmod and lo tigzol, or is this a prohibition of the desire to take someone's property. If the prohibition is on the desire, what is the essential problem with having such desire?

The Process of Pesak Halacha 12: Halacha KeBatrai, by Rav Jonathan Ziring How do poskim weigh early and late poskim? Why and when are later poskim given more authority?

Positive Mitzvot of Shabbat 07: Tosefet Shabbat (Part 2), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb If a husband or wife accepts early Shabbat does that obligate his or her spouse? When does a "communal acceptance" obligate individuals? Can you ask a non-Jew to do melacha for you after you have accepted Shabbat? Can you ask a fellow Jew? Can you change your mind?

Understanding Minhagim #9, by Rav Binyamin Tabory - Tefillin Part 3

Aseret HaDibbrot 9 - Bearing False Witness, by Rav Tzvi Kaye. Does the prohibition focus on the act of lying in court, or the abuse of the court system to attack another person?

The Process of Pesak Halacha 11: Choosing Authorities: Mara D'Atra Classic and Modern, by Rav Jonathan Ziring Why do certain communities follow particular poskim? How does this emerge from the category of Mara D'Atra, local rabbinic authority?

Positive Mitzvot of Shabbat 06: Tosefet Shabbat (Part 1), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Review of the laws of accepting Shabbat "early". Topics discussed include: the source, who is obligated, when and how this is accomplished.

Aseret HaDibbrot 8 - Theft, by Rav Tzvi Kaye. What is the difference between geneiva and gezeila? Why is kidnapping and deceiving people referred to as types of geneiva?

The Process of Pesak Halacha 10: Ruling Based on Previous Authorities, by Rav Jonathan Ziring How does one determine which authorities to use for psak? Does one count the number of poskim? Look at their relative expertise? Other factors?

Understanding Minhagim #8, by Rav Binyamin Tabory - Chanuka Part 2

Positive Mitzvot of Shabbat 05: Special Shiur - The Mitzvot of Shabbat Chanukah, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb How are the mitzvot of Shabbat impacted by Chanukah and how are the mitzvot of Chanukah impacted by Shabbat?

Aseret HaDibbrot 7 - Adultery, by Rav Tzvi Kaye. What are the differences between the prohibition on Jews and non-Jews. And what is the essence of the prohibition? Source sheet: gush.net/audios/kmtt/mekorot/aseret-hadibbrot-RTK-07-adultery.pdf

The Process of Pesak Halacha 09: The Ambiguity of Text, by Rav Jonathan Ziring Why don't poskim rely simply on their understanding of primary texts? Why do they need to take into account the interpretations of others, as well as the customs of Jews?

Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l as a Public Figure, by Avrumi Yishai, talmid and personal assistant to Moreinu Harav Amital when he served as a minister in the Israeli Government. The sicha was given as part of a Mini Yom Iyun Harav Amital zt"l for the Overseas Program, Dec 19, 2019

Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l as a Rebbe (in Hebrew), by Rav Shlomo Brin, talmid, Ra"m, son-in-law, and chairman-elect of the yeshiva. The sicha was given as part of a Mini Yom Iyun Harav Amital zt"l for the Overseas Program, Dec 19, 2019

Understanding Minhagim #7, by Rav Binyamin Tabory - Chanuka

"Ha-Omer Davar B'Shem Omro" - Bringing the Geulah 1 Quote at a Time, Shiur by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, who will return to his regular series next week.

Understanding Minhagim #6, by Rav Binyamin Tabory - Tefillin 2

Aseret HaDibbrot 6 - The Prohibition of Murder, by Rav Tzvi Kaye. What is the nature of the prohibition? What is the essential problem with murder? What is the difference between the prohibition included in the seven mitzvot of non-Jews, and the unique prohibition given to Jews?

The Process of Pesak Halacha 08: The Role of Kabbalah in Halachic Decision Making, by Rav Jonathan Ziring What role does Kabbalistic texts have in making halachic decisions? Do they have the role of primary texts, precedent, or are they not part of the equation? Does the Zohar have a different role than other texts?

Rabbi Gottlieb is away this week, giving shiurim across the USA, and unable to record his regular Positive Mitzvot of Shabbat shiur. Here is something to tide us over: Lev Tov: Why is it Important to Have a Good Heart?, by Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb

Understanding Minhagim #5, by Rav Binyamin Tabory - Tefillin

Q+A with Rosh Yeshiva Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein, given during the Bnei Chul Mishmar - Nov 28th, 2019, at the yeshiva

Forgetting Ya'aleh veYavo on Leil Rosh Chodesh, shiur in hebrew given during the Bnei Chul Mishmar - Nov 28th, 2019, at the yeshiva. A halachic discussion which opens a discussion on the essense of Rosh Chodesh in general.

On Parshat Toldot with Rav Menachem Leibtag, shiur given during the Bnei Chul Mishmar - Nov 28th, 2019, at the yeshiva

Aseret HaDibbrot 5 - Kibbud Av Va'Eim, by Rav Tzvi Kaye. Is this a mitzva bein adam l'chaveiro or bein adam l'makom? What is the essential difference between these two possibilities, and what are the ramifications of it? Source sheet: http://gush.net/audios/kmtt/mekorot/aseret-hadibbrot-RTK-05-kibbud_av_va-eim.pdf

The Process of Pesak Halacha 07: The Role of Aggada in Halachic Decision Making, by Rav Jonathan Ziring To what extent can Aggadic texts be used to determine halacha? Does the source of the Aggada matter? Does the kind of Aggada make a difference?

Positive Mitzvot of Shabbat 04: Bathing, Personal Grooming and Nice Clothing for Shabbat, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb This shiur discusses the various halachic requirements for personal grooming as we complete our study of Shabbat prepaprations.

Understanding Minhagim #4, by Rav Binyamin Tabory - Tachanun

Aseret HaDibbrot 4 - Shabbat, by Rav Tzvi Kaye. What is the difference between Zachor and Shamor. How are they connected to the mitzvot of Kavod and Oneg? Why does the Torah provide two different reasons for the mitzva of Shabbat? Source sheet: gush.net/audios/kmtt/mekorot/aseret-hadibbrot-RTK-04-shabbat.pdf

The Process of Pesak Halacha 06: Can We Derive New Halachot from Pesukim?, by Rav Jonathan Ziring Do we still analyze pesukim independently of (and not contradictory to) the interpretations of Chazal? Is there any place for this in halachic analysis?

Understanding Minhagim #3, by Rav Binyamin Tabory - Chazarat HaShatz and Birkat Kohanim

Positive Mitzvot of Shabbat 03: The Prohibition of "Keviut Seudah" on Erev Shabbat, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Why and what types of meals are prohibited on Erev Shabbat?

Aseret HaDibbrot 3 - Taking G-d's Name in Vain, by Rav Tzvi Kaye. The difference between a false oath and a vain oath; what are they and why are they problematic. Source sheet: gush.net/audios/kmtt/mekorot/aseret-hadibbrot-RTK-03-shevuat_shav.pdf

The Process of Pesak Halacha 05: Primary Sources, Precedent, and the Status of the Bavli Part 2, by Rav Jonathan Ziring How did the Bavli go from being "interpretation of the Torah" to "part of the canon"? How does that process shed light on the way poskim treat previous authorities?

Positive Mitzvot of Shabbat 02: Personal Involvement in Shabbat Preparations, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb The importance of preparing for Shabbat - in the form of personal involvement and financial commitment. Bonus: Is it a mitzva to taste the food on Erev Shabbat?

Understanding Minhagim #2, by Rav Binyamin Tabory - Shemoneh Esrei Part 2

Aseret HaDibbrot 2 - Avoda Zara, by Rav Tzvi Kaye. What is the essential problem with idolatry? Is it the turning away from God or the attachment to the idol? Why is God uniquely zealous when the Jewish people commit idolatry? Source sheet: gush.net/audios/kmtt/mekorot/aseret-hadibbrot-RTK-02-avoda_zara.pdf

The Process of Pesak Halacha 04: Primary Sources, Precedent, and the Status of the Bavli, by Rav Jonathan Ziring What is the relationship between the weight given to primary sources and precedent? Where is the line drawn between the two? How did the Bavli become the primary basis of Jewish Law?

Positive Mitzvot of Shabbat 01, Zachor et Yom Ha'Shabat: How Do We "Remember" Shabbat During the Week? by Rav Dovid Gottlieb We will discuss the various ways we are commanded to acknowledge and prepare for Shabbat throughout the week.

Understanding Minhagim #1, by Rav Binyamin Tabory - Shemoneh Esrei Part 1

Setting Aside Time for Torah Study, Panel with Doron Luder '03, Daniel Kaszovitz, David Glatt '85 Third session of the Yom Iyun entitled: Transforming Torah into Avodat Hashem, held at yeshiva on Thursday November 7, 2019.