KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Topics in Practical Halakha #18, Ma'aser Kesafim, by Rav Mordechai Friedman

Parshat Beha'alotekha - The Three Books of Bamidbar, written by Rav Yair Kahn According to Chazal, the section of this week's parasha beginning with va-yehi bi-nesoa ha-aron serves to split the entire book of Bamidbar into three independent books. What is the meaning of this statement, and what roles do each of the "fragments" of the book of Bamidbar play?

The Weekly Mitzva - Behaalotecha, The Mitzva of Blowing Trumpets, by Rav Yair Kahn A discussion of the significance of the mitzva to blow trumpets based on the positions of the Rambam and the Ramban.

Topics in Practical Halakha #17, The Laws of Travel, by Rav Mordechai Friedman

Parshat Naso - Completing the Machaneh, written by Rav Ezra Bick How do the four "halakhic" sections that appear in Parashat Naso fit with the rest of theparasha, which deals with completing the construction of the Israelite encampment and, by extension, establishing a spiritually wholesome Jewish society?

The Weekly Mitzva - Naso, "And the woman should respond amen amen," by Rav Yair Kahn The various meanings of "Amen"

Am Levadad Yishkon #22 – Conclusion, by Rav Asher Haber In this final podcast of the series, we look at a remarkable passage in the Rambam’s discussion of the Messianic Era, and use it as a basis for summarizing the entire series, examining thousands of years of Jewish history and the world as it is today, and drawing some fascinating conclusions.

Parshat Bemidbar - The Levi'im and the Firstborn, written by Rav Ezra Bick What is the true purpose and meaning of the various censuses of the people of Israel described in Parashat Bamidbar and why are some groups seemingly excluded from them?

The Weekly Mitzva - Bamidbar, One Who steals Utensils From the Temple, by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur deals with those unique cases in which zealots are permitted to attack violators.

The Weekly Mitzva - Bechukotai, The Sanctity of Yerushalayim and the Beit Hamikdash, by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur deals with the Rambam's position, which distinguishes between the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael and that of Yerushalayim and the Mikdash

Parshat Bechukotai - The Torah's Response to Calamity, written by Rav Yair Kahn The end of the tokhacha - the section of Parashat Bechukotai describing the curses that will befall Israel if they do not follow God's laws - contains curses far harsher than what seems justified. What is the explanation for this, and what does this tell us about the true purpose of divine punishment?

The Weekly Mitzva - Behar, "And the sabbatical year should be for you in order to eat," by Rav Yair Kahn Does one who eats shemitta produce fulfill a mitzvah?

Parshat Behar - You Shall Dwell in the Land in Security, written by Rav Yair Kahn

Am Levadad Yishkon #21 – “Messianic Era Part Four: Rambam’s Opinion,” by Rav Asher Haber In this podcast, we will examine the view of the Rambam (Maimonides) concerning the coming of the Mashiach. As we will see, his conception differs significantly from that of Ramban (Nachmanides) – he believes it will be a completely natural event, with no miracles whatsoever. This dispute has very significant ramifications, as we will see.

Topics in Practical Halakha #16, Lag BaOmer, by Rav Mordechai Friedman

Topics in Practical Halakha #15, Sefirat HaOmer, by Rav Mordechai Friedman

Hespedim for Harav Aharon Lichtenstein ztl - Ohab Zedek by Rabbi Yosef Blau, Rabbi Nati Helfgot and Rabbi Dr. David Berger

The Weekly Mitzva - Emor, He Shall not Leave the Mikdash, by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur is dedicated to the memory of Rav Lichtenstein zt"l and deals with the unique status of the high priest as expressed by the verse noted in the title.

Hesped for Harav Aharon Lichtenstein 6, by RavMoshe Taragin. Words of summation by Rav Eli Weber

Hesped for Harav Aharon Lichtenstein 5, by Rav Doniel Schreiber

Hespedim for Harav Aharon Lichtenstein 4, by Rav Mordechai Friedman and Rav Dov Karoll

Hesped for Harav Aharon Lichtenstein 3, by Michael Eisenberg, talmid of Harav Lichtenstein zt"l

Hesped for Harav Aharon Lichtenstein 2, by Rav Danny Wolf, Ram and close talmid of Harav Lichtenstein zt"l

Hesped for Harav Aharon Lichtenstein 1, by Rabbi Julius Berman, long-time friend of Harav Aharon zt"l, introduced by Rav Eli Weber On the eve of the 7th day of Shiva, alumni, friends and talmidim gathered to hear hespedim in English in the Yeshiva auditorium.

Parshat Emor, The Megadef Episode, written by Rav Yair Kahn The story of the megadef - the man who blasphemed the name of God - seems wildly out of context in its place here in Parashat Emor. What is the Torah's account of this incident doing here, and how can this teach us about the fine line between man's relationship with God and his relationship with his fellow man?

Tribute to Harav Aharon Lichtenstein zt"l, by Eli Weber '81, Radio Interview with Zev Brenner

Harav Aharon Lichtenstein zt"l in the Eyes of Rabbanei Hayeshiva Rav Daniel Rhein, Rav Doniel Schreiber, Rav Moshe Taragin, Rav Mordechai Friedman, Rav Eli Weber speak to the bnei chul about their Rebbe, Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5775

The Weekly Mitzva - Tazria, The Laws of Shiv'at Yemei Mishteh, by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur discusses various aspects of yemei hamishteh of a chatan and kallah

Parshat Tazria Metzora, Taharat HaMetzora, written by Rav Ezra Bick The metzora can only reenter society once he has undergone a three-step process of atonement, purification and rededication. What is the purpose of this complicated procedure, and what is the meaning of each of these three stages?

“Am Levadad Yishkon #20 – Messianic Era Part Three: Ramban’s Opinon” by Rav Asher Haber This week, we look at the opinion of the Ramban, who understands the Messianic Era as a time in which human nature and the world itself will become fundamentally altered, to the point of being unrecognizable. This view is in direct contrast to the more commonly known opinion of the Rambam, which we will discuss next week.

The Weekly Mitzva - Shemini, Eating an animal in its entirety, by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur deals with the interesting halakha known as "beria," whereby the standard shiur of k'zayit is not required when eating an animal in its entirety.

Parshat Shemini, Darosh Darash, written by Rav Ezra Bick Moshe's confrontation with Aharon's remaining sons over their neglecting to eat the sin offering following the deaths of Nadav and Avihu can be difficult to understand. By reading between the lines of their interaction, how can we uncover the subtext of this narrative and find out what may have been going on in the mind of Moshe?

Parshat Tzav, Kohanim and Benei Aharon, written by Rav Yair Kahn The inclusion of the miluim in the summary of the korbanot section in Parashat Tzav seems strange and out of place. As we analyze the role of the miluim, how can we arrive at a greater understanding and appreciation of the dual identity of the kohanim

The Weekly Mitzva - Tzav, The Berakha on Eating Shelamim, by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur will deal with the unique opinion of Rashi as well as the discussing how birkhot hanehenim work in general.

“Am Levadad Yishkon #19 – The Messianic Era Part Two,” by Rav Asher Haber What is the world going to look like when the Mashiach comes? In this week’s podcast we begin to answer that question by looking at a few selections from the Prophets and the Rabbis.

Parshat Vayikra, Haktara, written by Rav Ezra Bick What is the meaning of the wordhiktir - traditionally translated as "burn" - in the context of the sacrifices brought in theMishkan, and what deeper insight does the Torah's choice of this word signify?

Topics in Practical Halakha #14, Erev Pesach, by Rav Mordechai Friedman

Topics in Practical Halakha #13, Kitniyot on Pesach Part 2, by Rav Mordechai Friedman

The Weekly Mitzva - Vayikra, The Prohibition of Leaven and Honey, by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur deals with the general parameters of this prohibition as well as the specific case of adding leaven and honey to the ketoret.

Parshat Vayakhel-Pekudei, Mishkan and Shabbat, written by Rav Ezra Bick What is the commandment to observe Shabbat doing at the beginning of a parasha that is all about the construction of the mishkan, and what can this teach us about the character of Shabbat as a holy day?

Am Levadad Yishkon #18 – “Messianic Era Part One,” by Rav Asher Haber What is the “Messianic Era”? How does it connect to everything we’ve been speaking about in this series? We’ll begin to address that question by looking at what the Torah itself tells us about the End of History.

The Weekly Mitzva - Vayakhel-Pekudei, Engraving Letters, by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur distinguishes between writing words directly and causing words to appear indirectly.

Topics in Practical Halakha #11 Benching and Zimmun Part 1

The Weekly Mitzva - Ki Tisa, Pitum Haketoret, by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur deals with the issur of leaving out one of the ingredients of the ketoret

Parshat Ki Tisa, written by Rav Ezra Bick The series of interactions between God and Moshe in the aftermath of the sin of the golden calf can be difficult to follow and understand. By examining these interactions, we arrive at a fascinating insight into Moshe's ability to achieve forgiveness from God on behalf of the people of Israel.

Parshat Tetzaveh - Tamid, written by Rav Ezra Bick Thetamid, the continual, twice-daily burnt offering, is described in two separate sections in the Torah. How can the subtle differences between these two series of verses help us understand two aspects of the relationship between man and God?

Am Levadad Yishkon #17 – “Story of Bilaam Part Four – Pinhas and the War of Midian” The story of Bilaam appears to end with his failure, on all three attempts, to curse the Jewish People. However, a closer reading of the text shows that the narratives that follow, involving the sin of Baal Peor, the act of Pinhas and the war of Midian, are an integral part of the story. These events form a tragic and triumphant conclusion to the showdown with Balak and Bilaam, and give us additional insight into the eternally unique qualities of the Am Levadad Yishkon.

Topics in Practical Halakha #10 Shabbat Zachor and Purim, by Rav Mordechai Friedman

The Weekly Mitzva - Tetzaveh, The Ner Tamid of the Mikdash, by Rav Yair Kahn To what extent can the menora be described as a 'ner tamid'? After all, the mitzva is to light it only till the morning.

The Weekly Mitzva - Teruma, The Halakha of "Nediv Lev", by Rav Yair Kahn Under what conditions can one create a binding obligation through unverbalized thought.