KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Vaetchanan | The Second "Version" of the Decalogue, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The dibrot are repeated in Devarim, but with some significant (and some subtle) variations. The Decalogue is repeated in Devarim, but with some significant (and some subtle) variations. An approach to understanding all of these variations - large and small - is proposed, in light of the significantly different station of the generation born in the desert. Source sheet >>

KMTT - Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 30-31), 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: Torah Wisdom of HaRav Amital #30: Two Ways To Understand the "Eternity of Torah"; Torah Isn't Meant to Be Heavy; Focus on Chumra Saps Religious Energy for Internalism #31: Naturalist Religion: Avodas Hashem of Volition or of Compulsion?; The Maharal's Calibration ;Holiness Isn't Esoteric or Detached from Daily Routine; Can "Values" Become Mitzvot?

Tisha BeAv | Why Were the Keruvim Hugging at the Time of the Churban? by Rav Dovid Gottlieb The Romans couldn't understand why they found the keruvim in a loving embrace when they destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. As a result they ridiculed us for this seemingly base display of affection. How do WE understand this phenomenon? What should we know that they were missing? A number of new approaches to understand the symbolism of the keruvim's embrace at the time of the churban: Hashem's enduring love of the Jewish people, Hashem comforting us - and us comforting Him, advice about the need to be active, mindful and serious about Yiddishkeit in galut.

Eicha | "Cheit Chat'a Yerushalayim" by Rav Dovid Gottlieb On the power and potential of our actions Chazal seem to emphasize that we - the Jewish people - are uniquely responsible for our actions and their impact on the events of history - how do we understand this and why is it fair?

Ramban on the Torah | 54 | Devarim, by Rav Eli Weber Why are some mitzvot only written down in Sefer Devarim? What do the Meraglim have to do with Moshe not entering Eretz Israel? Why does Hashem make the goyim fear Am Israel?

Amos | The Opening Oracles Against the Nations, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Many of our literary prophets issued rebukes, warnings and dire threats against the nations surrounding Israel and Amos's opening chapters are often cited as the paradigm for this genre of prophetic oratory. Yet, a closer look at these prophecies and their setting reveals that Amos, who indeed coined a significant number of prophetic stylings and nuances, had a different agenda in presenting these oracles to his Israelite audience. This shiur was given as part of Michlelet Herzog's ימי עיון בתנ"ך. Source sheet >>

9 BeAv | Text Study of Psalm 137 - על נהרות בבלת, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom When and why was על נהרות בבל composed? Psalm 137, the dirge of the Levi'im "at the waters of Babylon" is an intricate and multi-layered psalm that evokes a surprisingly hopeful and defiant message. (This session was held in Ramat Beit Shemesh; thank you to the Reichs for their hospitality.)

The "Sin of the Spies" and Tish'a BeAv, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom By analyzing the accounts in both Shelach and Devarim, we will assess the connection between these two events? Chazal, in a famous Aggada (at the end of Masekhet Ta'anit) generate a calendar in order to "time" the arrival of the scouts at the camp on the afternoon of the 8th of Av so that the weeping "that night" coincides with Tish'a BeAv. The connection between these two events, along with the commands (mentioned at the beginning of Devarim) that we are not to conquer "the land of the children of Lot" is assessed. Source sheet >>

KMTT - Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 29), 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: Torah Wisdom of HaRav Amital #29: Building Religion Upon a Human 'Frame"; Accepting Human weakness and Emotional Fluctuations; The Karliner Chasid Who Shouted Too Loud During Davening and the Response of the Gerer Rebbe

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 28), 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: Torah Wisdom of HaRav Amital #28: Individualism Can Lead to Lack of Collectivism and Societal Responsibility; Individual Passion Can Become Too Chaotic and Disorganized; Too "Excited" to Arrange the Seder Plate Properly

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 26-27), 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: Torah Wisdom of HaRav Amital #26: Should Religion Make You Tense Or Relaxed?; Why Is A Sense of Humor Helpful for Avodas Hashem; In Europe the Word "Frum" Was an Insult! Torah Wisdom of HaRav Amital #27: Individualism Isn't The Enemy of Religion, It is Crucial for Religion; Listening to Moral Conscience In Making Decisions; Violating Menshlichkeit for Personal Piety; Inconveniencing Others With Chumrot

Matot-Masei | The Detailed Tax on the Spoils of Midian, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why were the spoils of the war with Midian divided in such an unusual manner? In Bamidbar 31, the Torah presents, in exact (and seemingly superfluous) detail, the spoils of the war against Midian, along with an exact accounting of the Divinely mandated levy placed upon the nation (2%) and the warriors (.2%) for their respective halves of the Midianite spoils. This detailed accounting, including some simple division, would seem to be unneeded and strains our general assumption of the Torah's avoidance of verbosity. Exploring the nature of this war, along with the double-edged vengeance - on behalf of God as well as on behalf of the people - we suggest an approach to understanding this "wordy" presentation that is instructive for generations. Source sheet >>

Ramban on the Torah | 53 | Matot-Masei, by Rav Eli Weber What is the place of Nedarim in Jewish life? What were Shevet Gad and Shevet Reuven asking for? What is the meaning of Yishuv Eretz Israel?

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 25), 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 Five Pillars of How We Treat Non-Jews; Kiddush Hashem and Calibrating National Policies Based on the Response of Non-Jews; Redemption Depends on The Little Things

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 23-24), 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: Applying Rav Kook to A Changed Modern World: Land Isn't the Only Value; Jewish Nationalism Can Intensify Particularism; The"Ugliness" of Imperfect Sovereignty; After the Holocaust We Had No Choice Religious Militantism; Subliminal Fear of Our Return to Yerushalayim and the Kingdom of G-d; Christian Evangelism; Drawing a Red Line at Returning Har Habayit

Is Torah Compatible With Material Indulgence? (Avot 6:4), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing the Torah of Rav Asher Weiss Do you have to be poor to become a talmid chakham?

Ramban on the Torah | 52 | Pinchas, by Rav Eli Weber How were the nachalot decided? What was Zelophchad's sin? Why does Moshe not die at the end of the parasha?

Pinchas | "And Their Libations", by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why are the libations and grain offerings (נסכים ומנחות) repeated with each korban in our parasha? Parashat Pinchas is known for its presentation of the "Mikdash-Calendar", i.e. the listing of Korbanot to be brought daily, every Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh and on Moadim in the Mikdash. However, in spite of the already presented laws of the grain+oil offerings (מנחות) and wine libations (נסכים) that are to accompany most Korbanot, these are spelled out and repeated in each section in our presentation. We explore the dual nature of these Parashot - one standard and one unique - and suggest that the "surprising" perspective may hold the key to these seemingly needless repetitions. This shiur was given on the occasion of Rav Etshalom's father's 25th yahrzeit: לע"נ אבי מורי הרב אשר אהרן בן אברהם בנימין ז"ל - may his memory always be an inspiration. Source sheet >>

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 21-22), 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: Rav Amital's Holocaust Infused "Grounded" Zionism; A Country for the Jews; Response to the Partition Plan The Value of Imperfect Jewish Sovereignty; Yitzchak's "Failed" Gamble For Jewish History; The Evolution of Political Systems; The Dashed Expectations of 1948

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 20), 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: Tefillah is Existential not Philosophical; Tefillah After the Holocaust; Changing Hashem's Will; Man is Defined By His "Dependency"

Special | A Communal Reassessment of our Relationship to America and Israel, by Rabbi Michael Rosensweig Rabbi Rosensweig, Har Etzion alumnus '73, is Rosh Yeshiva at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University and the Rosh Kollel of the Beren Kollel Elyon.

Ramban on the Torah | 51 | Balak, by Rav Eli Weber Who, and what, was Bil'am?

Ramban on the Torah | 50 | Chukat, by Rav Eli Weber What is so strange about Para Aduma? What's the sin of Moshe and Aharon? Was there kiddush Hashem in Mei Meriva?

What's the Right Way to Disagree? (Avot 5:17), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing the Torah of Rav Asher Weiss What is a "machloket l'shem shamayim" and why does it endure?

Balak | The Book of Bil'am, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why do Chazal credit Moshe with writing "his book (Torah) and Parashat Bil'am". What is "Parashat Bil'am"? The story of Bil'am has always inspired consternation. Amongst the mysteries unique to this narrative is one of setting - it is the only story in the Torah since the end of Sefer Bereishit where Am Yisrael is not front and center - in fact, during this entire narrative, Am Yisrael isn't even in the background; they are the target and focus of discussion and attempted spiritual ambush - but we never see or hear them. This oddity likely led Chazal to ascribe "Parashat Bil'am" to Moshe Rabbenu - even though they already credited him with writing most/all of the Torah. There is, however, another way to understand that unusual statement. A Ritb"a suggests, there was a separate book, known as "the book of Bil'am", that Chazal were able to reference - and this is somewhat substantiated by an odd conversation between R. Hanina and a sectarian (BT Sanhedrin 100). where the latter refers to something he read "in Bil'am's log book". These mysterious statements gained more traction with a remarkable find in Tel Dir-'Alah (Biblical Sukkot, on the East Bank of the Jordan) in February 1967 - the mysterious "Book of Bil'am bar B'eor". Enjoy! Source sheet >>

Why Does Hashem Test Us (Avot 5:3), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing the Torah of Rav Asher Weiss What was accomplished by Avraham "passing" 10 tests? What's the point of it all?

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 19), 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: Tefilla as a Barometer of Authenticity and Spirituality; The Ba'al Shem Tov's Assurance to his Talmidim; Focusing on the "Little Things"

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 18), 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: Honesty, Humility and Integrity; The Search for "Emmet"; Avoiding Exhibitionist Frumkeit; Deluxe "Marror"; Don't Become an Onion; Children Can Discern Authenticity

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 17), 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: Was Da'as Torah Popular in Europe in the Non-Chasidic World?; Empowering Talmidim with Independence; What Happened in Volozin if a Talmid Spoke "Like Rav Chaim"

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 16), 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: Symptoms of Religion Becoming Abnormal: Dismissiveness Toward "Ba'alei Batim", Not Singing Zemirot, Detachment From Family, Obsession With Chumrot; In Hungary The Word "Frum" Was an Insult

The Power of Habits - for Good or for Bad (Avot 4:2), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing the Torah of Rav Asher Weiss Why are habits (good or bad) so powerful?

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 15), 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: Calibrating Aspiration With Emotional Health; Interrupting His Son's Bar Mitzvah; Objecting to The Term "Iluy"; Demanding That His Daughter Fail The Test; The Polarity Between Rav Amital and Rav Lichtenstein

Thoughts about the Lubavitcher Rebbe and Chabad, by Rav Moshe Taragin Upon the rebbe's 30th yahrzeit, 3 Tammuz, 5784

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?