KMTT - the Torah Podcast

The Mishkan - A Reflection of Revelation or Creation?, by Rav Menachem Leibtag This shiur was given during the 2016 Tanakh Study Days at Herzog College / Yeshivat Har Etzion.

Burials of Yaakov and Yosef - Pharonic or Abrahamic Rites? by Rav Danny Wolf This shiur was given during the 2016 Tanakh Study Days at Herzog College / Yeshivat Har Etzion. Click here for source sheet.

Samuel David Luzzato (Shadal) as a Bible Commentator, by Rabbi Prof. Meir Lockshin This shiur was given during the 2016 Tanakh Study Days at Herzog College / Yeshivat Har Etzion. Click here for source sheet.

Kayin and Hevel: Structure, Parallel and Drama, by Rav Chanoch Waxman This shiur was given during the 2016 Tanakh Study Days at Herzog College / Yeshivat Har Etzion. Click here for source sheet.

The Symbolic Meaning of Clothing in Tanakh, by Dr. Avigail Rock This shiur was given during the 2016 Tanakh Study Days at Herzog College / Yeshivat Har Etzion. Click here for source sheet.

Legacy of Sinai, by Rav Yair Kahn This shiur was given during the 2016 Tanakh Study Days at Herzog College / Yeshivat Har Etzion. Click here for source sheet.

What is the Story of Shimshon Doing in Sefer Shoftim? by Rav Ezra Bick This shiur was given during the 2016 Tanakh Study Days at Herzog College / Yeshivat Har Etzion.

Teshuva - Before Yom Kippur, by Rav Binyamin Tabory The Rav [Rav Soloveitchik zt"l] would say... This shiur was given in 5763.

Parshat Vayelekh - The Juxtaposition of Parashot in Vayelekh, written by Rav Nathaniel Helfgot What can the order and content of the various sections of Parashat Vayelekh teach us about the complementary roles of routine and novelty in our relationship with God?

Parshat Nitzavim - The Concept of Teshuva in the Torah, written by Rav Alex Israel How does the Torah convey its message on the nature of repentance through the repeated use of the word teshuva - "return" - in this week's parasha?

Parshat Ki Tavo - Great Stones and Whole Stones, written by Rav Amnon Bazak What is the connection between the "great stones" upon which the Torah was inscribed when the people of Israel crossed the Jordan and the "whole stones" used to build an altar at Mount Eval?

Parshat Ki Tetze - Literal and Exegetical Understandings of the Law of Lashes, written by Rav Amnon Bazak How and why do Chazal's interpretations of the Torah's text sometimes depart dramatically from its literal meaning, and how can this help us understand Chazal's approach to the law of lashes described in our parsha?

Parshat Shoftim - Who is Represented by the Egla Arufa?, written by Rav Amnon Bazak It is clear that the breaking of the heifer's neck in the egla arufa ritual is a highly symbolic act. But what does each of the elements of this seemingly arcane ritual represent?

Parshat Re'eh - Atonement in Sefer Vayikra and in Sefer Devarim, shiur written by Rav Amnon Bazak What is at the heart of the differences in perspective on the sacrificial offerings between Sefer Vayikra and Sefer Devarim, and what can this teach us about two distinct types of sanctity that the Torah presents?

Parshat Ekev, For Your Eyes Only, shiur written by Rav Yair Kahn Throughout Sefer Devarim, and particularly in Parashat Ekev, an emphasis on what the "eyes" of the people of Israel had seen in Egypt and in the wilderness appears numerous times. What is the meaning of this phrase and how can its message be applied to future generations?

Parshat Vaetchanan - God's Voice Speaking from Amidst the Fire, by Rav Amnon Bazak What is the meaning of the central role of fire and sound in the three descriptions of the Revelation at Sinai in Sefer Devarim?

Parshat Devarim - Mishneh Torah: The Book of Second Chances, written by Rav Yehuda Shaviv

Parshat Masei - The Long and Winding Road, written by Rav Yair Kahn What novel idea is the Torah conveying through the seemingly superfluous list of journeys in Parashat Masei?

Parshat Matot, The Inauguration, written by Rav Yair Kahn Parshat Matot contains numerous, seemingly superfluous details surrounding the battle with Midian and the two and a half tribes who settled east of the Jordan. How do these details contribute to the theme of Israel becoming a cohesive whole prior to the nation's entry into the land?

July 20th, 2016 at Kehillat Shivtei Yisrael, Raanana. With Rav Yair Kahn - "Eish Tamid and Ner Tamid" and Rav Menachem Leibtag, Tzelem Elokim and Mikdash Me'at". Divrei Peticha by Prof. Joel Hirsch

Parshat Pinchas, The Second Census, written by Rav Yair Kahn Why were the people of Israel commanded to battle Midian twice, and what does this teach us about the evolution of Israel's national identity?

Parshat Balak - I Will Bless Those Who Bless You, written by Rav Yair Kahn What is the deeper meaning of Bil'am's narrative arc, and how is this connected to the role of blessings and curses in the Torah?

Parshat Chukat - Benei Yisrael: The New Generation, written by Rav Amnon Bazak What is the meaning of Moshe and Aharon's silent reaction to the nation's complaint at Mei Meriva, and what does this tell us about the nation's evolving relationship with God at the time?

Parshat Korach - The Entire Nation is Holy, written by Rav Yair Kahn Despite Korach's rebellious intentions, he had a legitimate complaint. How can we answer Korach's charge that "the entire nation is holy"?

Parshat Shelach, The Mission of the Spies, written by Harav Yaakov Medan The details of the story of the spies in Parashat Shelach are notoriously difficult to understand. How can we make sense of the episode's various incongruities and shed light on Moshe's role in this historic disaster?

Parshat Beha'alotekha - The Episode of the Cushite Woman, written by Rav Amnon Bazak. What is the true nature of the complaint of Miriam and Aharon about Moshe, and how can we understand Moshe's reaction to this complaint?

Parshat Naso - Bridging Vision and Reality, written by Rav Yair Kahn How do the three prominent halakhic passages of Parashat Naso fit in with the overall narrative structure of Sefer Bamidbar?

Parshat Bamidbar - Not Just Numbers, written by Rav Yair Kahn Why does Sefer Bamidbar open with the census of the people of Israel, and why do Chazal seem to view the census as reflective of the very essence of the book?

Parshat Bechukotai, The Harmony of Shemitta, written by Rav Avraham Walfish How does the seemingly anti-climactic final chapter of Parashat Bechukotai fit into the larger context of Sefer Vayikra, and how does this connect to the relationship between the different types of sanctity discussed throughout the book?

Parshat Behar - The Unique Perspective of Parashat Behar, written by Rav Amnon Bazak Why are the laws of shemita and yovel repeated in Parashat Behar, when those laws are described elsewhere in the Torah, and what can this repetition teach us about multiple ways of looking at the same Torah laws?

The Legacy of Harav Aharon Lichtenstein zt"l, by Rav Ezra Bick. A memorial evening was held on May 15th 2016 at the Alei Tzion Synagogue in London. Opening remarks by Chief Rabbi and Har Etzion alumnus Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis. Additional remarks by alumni Rabbi Chaim Kanterovitz, Rabbi Daniel Roselaar, and Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon. 00:00 to 13:55 Chief Rabbi Mirvis 13:55 to 20:20 Rabbi Chaim Kanterovitz 20:20 to 64:30 Rav Ezra Bick 64:30 to end Rabbi Daniel Roselaar and Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon

Special Shiur: Selling Land in Eretz Yisrael in Perpetuity, by alumnus Rabbi Michael Taubes Shiurim in memory of Harav Aharon Lichtenstein given on Sunday morning, May 8, 2016 at Cong. Netivot Shalom based on the Torah legacy of Rav Lichtenstein zt"l

Special Shiur: Insights in the Nature of Birkat Hagomel, by alumnus Rabbi Nati Helfgot. Shiurim in memory of Harav Aharon Lichtenstein given on Sunday morning, May 8, 2016 at Cong. Netivot Shalom based on the Torah legacy of Rav Lichtenstein zt"l

Parshat Emor, The Law of the Blasphemer, by Rav Amnon Bazak Why does the story of the blasphemer appear at this seemingly inexplicable juncture in Sefer Vayikra, and what is the connection to the concept of nationality in the Torah?

Hesped for Harav Aharon Lichtenstein zt"l on his First Yahrzeit, by his talmid Rav Moshe Taragin, given at the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, Sunday May 8th, 2016

Parshat Kedoshim - The Repeated List of Forbidden Sexual Relations, written by Rav Amnon Bazak Why does the Torah devote two separate chapters to repeating a virtually identical list of prohibited sexual relations, and what is the fundamental connection between these laws and the land of Israel?

Parshat Metzora - The Purification Process, written by Rav Yair Kahn What is the thematic connection between Tazria and Metzora, and how does this connection manifest itself in the specific types of tum'a discussed in these parshiyot?

Parshat Tazria, The Lessons of Tum'a, written by Rav Yair Kahn The laws of tum'a detailed in Parashat Tazria and Metzora are strategically placed in the book of Vayikra between the episode of Nadav and Avihu and the commandment of the Yom Kippur service. What can this unusual placement teach us about the proper balance of emotions that a person must display when approaching God?

Parshat Shemini - For On This Day Hashem Will Appear Before You, written by Rav Yair Kahn What is the connection between Aharon's pivotal role in the sin of the golden calf and his appointment by God to the position of Kohen Gadol?

Parshat Tzav, The Law of Piggul, The Plain Meaning and the Halakhic Midrash, written by Rav Amnon Bazak

Parshat Vayikra, Not Leviticus, written by Rav Yair Kahn It is difficult to understand how the book of Vayikra, known as Torat Kohanim, fits into the broader context of the Torah's narrative. What purpose does Vayikra serve at this juncture in the Torah, and how do its lessons apply to Kohanim and non-Kohanim alike?

Parashat Pekudei - Let Us Sanctify His Name in the World, written by Rav Yair Kahn In light of this year's division of Vayakhel-Pekudei, read together as a double parasha on non-leap years, what is the relationship between the Mishkan and the priestly garments?

Parshat Vayakhel, More Than Repetition, written by Rav Yair Kahn Aside from a few subtle distinctions, much of the Torah's description of the Mishkan's construction in Parashat Vayakhel seems to constitute an exact repetition of Parashat Teruma. What is the reason for this apparent repetition, and what can the two parallel accounts tell us about different ways of relating to religious life?

Parshat Ki Tisa - From the Egel to the Second Luchot, written by Rav Yair Kahn Unlike the sin of the spies, the sin of the golden calf was largely forgiven. What was the reason for this change in God's approach to our sins, and how can we apply this dichotomy to other points in the history of the people of Israel?

Parshat Tetzaveh - The Korban Tamid: A Continuous Beginning, shiur written by Rav Yair Kahn What is the dual symbolism of the korban tamid, and what can this teach us about man's continuous daily encounter with God?

Parshat Teruma - The Mishkan and the Tent, written by Harav Yaakov Medan What can examining the respective roles of the Mishkan and the tent covering it teach us about the dual nature of the people of Israel's relationship with God?.

Parshat Mishpatim - Murdering with Guile, written by Harav Yaakov Medan What is the meaning of the unique fate the Torah assigns to the person who murders with guile, and how does the Tanakh's account of Yoav and his punishment fit this model?

Mizrachi UK in conjunction with British Friends of Yeshivat Har Etzion and The Midrasha held a discussion with two of the leading thinkers of our time, Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein and Rav David Stav. The discussion, on ‘The Emerging Role of Women in Orthodox Judaism’, was led by Rebbetzon Lauren Levin and took place on Motzei Shabbat Yitro 30 January at a NW London venue. A video of the event can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JghbQxF5kBk&feature=youtu.be The event begins approx. 54 minutes into the video recording.

Parshat Yitro, written by Harav Yaakov Medan What was the precise nature of Yitro's involvement with the people of Israel's nascent legal system, and what role did his advice actually play in guiding Moshe's judicial policy?

Modern Orthodox Education in 21st Century Israel & America, by Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg. A panel discussion held on January 15th 2016 at Heichal Shlomo, together with YU Pres. Richard Joel and Rav Dr. Meir Soloveitchik; Moderated by Rav Assaf Bednarsh To listen to the entire discussion, click here. To see in video, click here.