KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 14), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Predicting a Crisis in Western Civilization..35 Years Ago; Food Rationing in Israel; Rav Amital's Favorite Sicha From His Rebbe; Responding to the Wave of Terror in 2001; Feeling Gratitude and Guilt

Chukat | The Skirmish at Chormah, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom When did this war take place? The brief mention of a war with "Melekh Kna'ani" immediately after the report of the death of Aharon raises questions about geography, the route that Bnei Yisra'el took in the desert and the larger problem of post-Mosaic additions to the text of the Torah. Rashi, ibn Ezra, R. Yosef Bkhor Shor and Ramban's approaches to understanding this war are assayed, with an important digression within the comments of Ramban. Source sheet >>

Avot 3:2-3 (2 Distinct Themes), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing the Torah of Rav Asher Weiss This shiur was given to the Women's Halakha Group at Kehilat HaEla (RBS) Civil Society and the Dangers of Chaos (Avot 3:2) Torah-Focused Meals and Conversations (Avot 3:2-3)

The Limitations of Ignorance and the Importance of Torah Knowledge (Avot 2:5), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing Torah of Rav Asher Weiss Can an "Am Ha-Aretz" be a good person?

Why is Being Liked by Others a Religious Value? (Avot 3:10), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Does Hashem only like people who are popular? This shiur was given to the Kehillat HaEla women's group in Ramat Beit Shemesh.

Does it Matter WHY We Do Mitzvot? (Avot 1:3), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Is it so bad if I do mitzvot for the reward? This shiur was given to the Kehillat HaEla women's group in Ramat Beit Shemesh, on June 19, 2024.

Enhancing our Personal Kabbalat HaTorah, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb This shiur was given to the Kehillat HaEla women's group in Ramat Beit Shemesh, on June 10 of this year, in preparation for Shavuot. 3 independent thoughts on the holiday of Matan Torah / Chag HaBikkurim.

The Holocaust and Challenges to our Faith, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb This shiur was given as part of the Ramat Beit Shemesh Women's Halakha series the week of Yom HaShoah 5784, on May 9, 2024. "The Jewish people are not witnesses to the miracle, we are the miracle." Emotional and religious considerations of the Holocaust, as well as of our immediate situation. Important items to discuss.

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 12-13), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Part 12: A Strange Voice of Jewish Universalism; The "Meeting" Between the Besh"t and the Maggid; Worrying About Wagon Drivers and Animals Part 13: Responding to the Fall of Communism (1991); Rav Kook on Social Justice Without Religion; Justice Without Religion; The Chillul Hashem of 9/11; The Art of Self-Critique

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 11), by Rav Moshe Taragin A "Pintele Yid" or a "Poshete Yid"; Deveikut with Simple Jews; Grafting Trees; Don't Overhype Expectations; Inside Out; The Honesty to Say "I Don't Know"

6 Stories of Rav Amital Which Shaped My Life, by Rav Moshe Taragin On the power of a story. Sicha given in advance of Harav Amital zt"l's 14th yahrzeit. Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Oct 31, 1924 - July 9, 2010)

Ramban on the Torah | 49 | Korach, by Rav Eli Weber What was Moshe risking? What did Hashem create to kill Korach?

Korach | Moshe's Brilliant Response to Korach's Challenge, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why did Korach, in spite of his claim that "the whole congregation are holy people", agree to a test to see "which one" would be selected by Hashem? Korach's initial claim - that כל העדה כולם קדושים - seems to argue for universal access to the משכן and a nationwide כהונה גדולה. Yet, when Moshe responds with the "Incense test", he stresses that through this test, Hashem will indicate which singular person is holy - and chosen for that job. Korach, surprisingly, accepts the challenge and the battle is played out, essentially, on Moshe's terms. We explore the success of this stratagem in several places in Tanakh - along with analyzing the basis for Korach's claim. This leads us, inexorably, to the story of the 12 scouts, via the oddly placed Mitzva of Tzitzit. Source sheet >>

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 9 and 10), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: On the religious crisis in Pre WWII Europe; building a different type of yeshiva; can you become a talmid chokhom while serving in the army? Remaining a "Poshete" Yid; Eliyahu Hanavi visits the Chasam Sofer; lessons of "Pashtus" from Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer; when sophistication ruins passion

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 8), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: The "Language" of Role Modeling; Do We Care How the Non-Orthodox View Us?; Does Heresy Begin With Revulsion to Moral Misbehavior?; Rav Amital Joining a "Leftist" Government; Rav Menachem Zemba and the State of Israel

Ramban on the Torah | Naso, by Rav Eli Weber Why can we rely on the miracle of sota? Is a nazir doing something good or bad? Why does the Torah repeat the korbanot of the Nesiim?

Ramban on the Torah | Behaalotekha, by Rav Eli Weber Why is Aharon's lighting the Menorah comparable to the Nesiim's Korbanot? Why was Pesach celebrated in the Midbar? Why does Hashem stand up for Moshe?

Ramban on the Torah | 1 Year Anniversary! | Shelach, by Rav Eli Weber Why doesn't Hashem stop Am Israel from sinning? What is the meaning of Moshe and Aharon falling on their faces? What does Moshe request from Hashem?

Shelach | Who is the Edah? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The interactions between the various actors in the dramatic scene when the scouts return from Eretz Canaan is hard to decipher. At what point does Calev separate from the 10? When does Yehoshua join him? More significantly, who "cries on that night" and who "wants to stone them" (Calev and Yehoshua)? Most dramatically - who is the focus of the punishment of dying in the desert and having their children wander for 40 years? A close look at the text reveals surprising answers. Source sheet >>

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 7), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Why is Gemara Learning So Critical? Vision and Discipline Are Crucial for Growth in Learning; Shouldering Responsibility; The Yetzer Harah of the Beit Midrash

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 6), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: The Value of Torah Study; Providing Spiritual Leadership for an Emerging Community; Practical Rather Than Ideological; The Importance of Intellect in the Modern Culture; Romanticizing "Ba'alei Batim" Who Learn

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 4-5), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: 4. How Should The Holocaust Shape our Questioning of Hashem? How Does it Affect Our View of the State of Israel? How Does it Reshape our Feelings of Gratitude to Hashem? 5. A Message from Hashem That He Didn't Understand; A Conversation With Abba Kovner; Moral Lessons from The Holocaust; Representing Those Who Have Been Taken

Behaalotekha | Where was the Korban Pesach Brought? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Was the Pesach brought at the beginning of the 2nd year brought in people's homes?! Although we broadly assume that, once the Mishkan was constructed, any offerings would be brought there; especially in line with Vayikra 17 which prohibits שחוטי חוץ - animals slaughtered outside of the precincts of the Mishkan. Yet, there is sufficient evidence to suggest that perhaps the Pesach brought at the beginning of the 2nd year (the first anniversary of the Exodus) was brought in the people's homes/tents in the camp. We explore the textual evidence for each side, first proposing an explanation as to why there was (seemingly) only one Pesach offered during the forty years in the desert and subsequently exploring the possibility that the function of the Mishkan was more "Ohel Moed" ("Tent of Meeting") than the locus of offerings - until we entered the Land and, perhaps, until the Mishkan was established at Shilo (Yehoshua 18:1) - which is the first place that we ever hear of anyone bringing offerings at the Mishkan (1 Shmuel 1). Source sheet >>

Fusing Justice with Mercy: The Secret to Maintaining a Flourishing Society (Avot 1:18), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing Torah of Rav Asher Weiss How can we build a society that is both just and compassionate (hint: it's really hard)?

The Value of Peace and the Virtue of Being a "People Person" (Avot 1:12), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing Torah of Rav Asher Weiss How does peace enable all other berakhot? And how is Ahron HaKohen the ideal role model for educators and parents?

Behaalotekha | Ner Tamid, by Moreinu veRabbeinu Harav Aharon Lichtenstein zt"l Divrei berakha to the talmidot of Beit Midrash leNashim Migdal Oz, June 2008 Take with you the the sense, the identification, with the Torah that you learned as something that is permanent, deeply engrained in your own being, not something that is marginal, peripheral, here and there, but fundamental, basic.

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 3), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Religious Coercion and the Case of Brit Milah; A Chassideshe Story Applied to the Issue of Secular Yeshivot; Calling Jews Post-Zionists; Removing Hashem from the Conversation; Three Core "Modern" Middot

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 1-2), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Should You Love Torah More Than Jews? Do People in Israel Suffer for Sins of Jews Abroad? Israel as the Anchor of Jewish Identity Jewish Identity Without Torah Observance Commitment to Jewish History Three Major Events of Modern Jewish History Should Israel Calibrate Policy Based on Attitudes of Overseas Jews?

Land and Legacy: Redemption in Megillat Ruth, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The notion of "Geula" is prominent throughout Megillat Ruth, reaching a crescendo in the final Rav Yitzchak Etshalom chapter. The redemption is not just about land, but about a person's memory - as exemplified by the curious structural relationship between the 7 uses of "שם" before chapter 4 and the corresponding 7 mentions in chapter 4.

Simcha - An Essential Component of Torah Study (Avot 6:6), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Why is it so important that we find joy in our Torah study? Learning Pirkei Avot with the commentary of Rav Asher Weiss

Bamidbar | The Reasoning Behind The Exchange of the Levi'im for the Firstborn, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Perhaps the most curious item in the entire census (which covers the first 5 chapters of Bamidbar, properly speaking) is the command to exchange the Levi'im for the Bekhorot (firstborn males) and the subsequent directive to redeem the surplus Bekhorot, which became the paradigm for "Pidyon haBen." Why the first born were to be "de-sanctified" at all is never explained in the text, nor why the Levi'im are their "replacements". We examine the "popular" approach which first appears in a relatively late Midrash - that the Bekhorot all (?) sinned in the episode of the Golden Calf and that the Levi'im, contradistinctively, were the religious heroes of that dark moment and note several textual challenges to each of those assumptions. After a brief discussion, a novel suggestion is made that explains both sides of the question - the "redemption" of the Bekhorot as well as the initiation of the Levi'im into the sanctified world of the Mishkan. This shiur was given in memory of שושנה תמר בת הרב אשר אהרן ומרים ז״ל Source sheet >>

Ramban on the Torah | 45 | Bamidbar, by Rav Eli Weber Why are we not allowed to count Am Israel? Why is Levi the smallest tribe?

Yom Yerushalayim 2024 | Hodu LaShem Ki Tov, by Rav Moshe Taragin From the miracles of 1967 to the darkness of 2024, it is important to recognize Hashem's presence in this world

The Conquest of Yerushalayim: The Blind and the Lame, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom In honor of Yom Yerushalayim, we examine the curious presentation in II Shmuel 5 of David's "conquest" of Yerushalayim, with the puzzling mention of the "blind and the lame". Surveying the pre-monarchic history of Yerushalayim in Tanakh reveals numerous anomalies; the earliest reference to "Shalem" helps us unravel these mysteries and address the odd phrases in this story. This shiur was given in memory of Nechama Rivlin ז"ל, the wife of our President Reuven Rivlin, a scion of a notable family that has helped rebuild Yerushalayim in the modern era. יהי זכרה ברוך Source sheet >>

Yom Yerushalayim | The Never Changing, Ever Changing City, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom As we celebrate the reunification, בחסדי שמים, of Yerushalayim, we take a look at a favorite Psalm associated with the day; this Tehilla alludes to the dialectic nature of Tziyon, its stability offset by the dynamic experience of visiting our capitol city. This shiur was given at Congregation Poale Zedeck in Pittsburgh on Yom Yerushalayim 2019 in honor of that celebration. Source sheet >>

Torah Lishmah and "Clothing" our Nakedness (Avot 6:1), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Without these middot we are basically naked .... Learning Pirkei Avot with the commentary of Rav Asher Weiss

Decorating the Shul on Shavuot: Custom and Controversy, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb This shiur was given to the Kehillat HaEla women's group in Ramat Beit Shemesh. Discussing one of the very well-known traditional customs, which it turns out, was a hotly debated minhag.

Midot are the Foundation of Everything (Avot 5:19), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb If midot are important why are they not counted among the 613 mitzvot?? Learning Pirkei Avot with the commentary of Rav Asher Weiss

Bechukotai | Rebuke and Memory, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why is the rebuke (תוכחה) in Vayikra so much softer than its counterpart in Devarim? Just having "gotten up" from Shiv'a for his beloved sister, שושנה תמר ז"ל, Rav Etshalom shares observations about the תוכחה, contrasting it with the much more severe threats in Devarim 28 (Ki Tavo) and commenting on the role of memory in the process of moving forward from mourning. יהא זכרה ברוך Source sheet >>

Ramban on the Torah | 44 | Bechukotai, by Rav Eli Weber What is the meaning of nature in Ramban's philosophy?

Appreciating Our Potential to Sustain or Destroy the World (Avot 5:1), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb How do our actions - for good or otherwise - impact the world?? Learning Pirkei Avot with the commentary of Rav Asher Weiss

Behar | When and Where? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why is the end of Sefer Vayikra identified with Har Sinai? The last three chapters of Vayikra are identified as being given by Hashem to Moshe בהר סיני - which is typically understood to mean, in apposition to מאהל מועד, atop the mountain and, therefore, before the construction of the Mishkan. This presents a challenge to chronological sequencing of the Torah (מוקדם ומאוחר בתורה), since the first (presumably 24) chapters of Vayikra were given in the "Tent of Meeting". We explore the various approaches of the Midrash Halakha and the Rishonim in deciphering the text's identifying these passages as being given at Har Sinai - and then propose a theory which not only responds to their questions but also casts the narrative sequencing issue in a different light. Source sheet >>

Ramban on the Torah | 43 | Behar, by Rav Eli Weber Why is the parasha said on Har Sinai? What is the meaning of Shemitta? How is Yom Kippur like Shabbat?

Having a Good Reputation is the Ultimate "Crown" (Avos 4:13), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Why does the Mishna think that a "good reputation" is more prestigious than Kehuna, Malchut and Torah?? Learning Pirkei Avot with the commentary of Rav Asher Weiss

Pursuing TRUE Wisdom, Wealth, Health and Honor (Avot 4:1), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Most people live lives in pursuit of wisdom and wealth, honor and strength - but do we even know what TRUE wealth, wisdom etc. is? Learning Pirkei Avot with the commentary of Rav Asher Weiss

Why is the "Spirit of the Law" So Important? (Avot 3:11), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Learning Pirkei Avot with the commentary of Rav Asher Weiss

Strategies to Avoid Sin and Temptation (Avot 3:1), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Learning Pirkei Avot with the commentary of Rav Asher Weiss

Ramban on the Torah | 42 | Emor, by Rav Eli Weber Should every mitzva be worthy of kiddush Hashem? What is the difference between Shabbat and Yom Tov? What makes a Yom Tov? What is the meaning of Sefirat Haomer?

Hallel on Yom HaAtzmaut, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom What is the significance of reciting Hallel on Yom haAtzmaut? The often heated discussions about the recitation of Hallel on Yom ha'Atzma'ut are often revealing about deeper divisions in perspective on the modern State of Israel and its religious significance. After an introduction in which several different perspectives are presented, source material arguing in favor of some form of thanksgiving on this day are presented. (The year that this shiur was originally given (2017) was a year in which Yom HaAtzmaut was celebrated a day early, the opposite of this year (2024); the explanation for the "shifting date" at the beginning of the shiur is still germane.) Source sheet >>

Preparing for Yom HaAtzmaut 2024, by Rav Moshe Taragin Balancing Conflicting Emotions; Watching the Deer; The Abnormal "Streets" of Yerushalayim