KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Ramban On The Torah | 29 | Bo, by Rav Eli Weber What really happened in Makkat Choshekh? What is the mitzva of "החודש הזה לכם ראש חודשים"?

Women and Kaddish, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb "Why can't I say kaddish like my brother?" Or can she??

Kiddush: Principles and Practical Applications | 2, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb 3rd part in a series on The Sanctity of Shabbat, combining questions of both philosophy and halakha. Shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela. Topics discussed include: grape juice vs wine, whisky, who has to drink, plastic cups and more

Special | Thoughts about the "Trial of Israel" in The Hague, by Rav Moshe Taragin As we stand "on trial" in The Hague we are literally living through a prophecy. Fortunately, we know how it ends.

Vaera | The Makkot In Narrative and in Song, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why are only 7 of the Makkot mentioned in Tehillim 78? Why are a different 7 or 8 listed in Tehillim 105? Although we are all instinctively familiar with "10 Makkot", we have a wide range of approaches to read the story of God's punishment/education of the Egyptians; indeed, in the famous Midrash which appears in the Haggada, as many as 50 Makkot are suggested. Yet in two of the Psalms, the Makkot are adumbrated yet only 7 of them are listed - and not the same 7. In Tehillim 78, כנים (lice), שחין (boils) and חשך (darkness) are omitted. In Psalm 105, the cattle plague (דבר) and boils (שחין) are left out - and the "swarm" (ערוב) may also be omitted. We explore each of these lists, the order of their presentation and the rhetoric of their description to suggest that the author of each of these psalms utilized those Makkot and particular features of each of them to drive home the particular message of his psalm. To that end, we explore the overall theme of each psalm and then suggest how the selected Makkot and their particular order and descriptions fit each of those themes. Source sheet >>

Ramban On The Torah | 28 | Vaera, by Rav Eli Weber How can God suspend Paroh's free will? It seems unfair. The Pasuk וידבר ה' אל משה לאמור is the most repeated Pasuk in the Torah. But what does it really mean? That and more in this week's Ramban al HaParsha!

Kiddush: Principles and Practical Applications, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb 2nd part in a series on The Sanctity of Shabbat, combining questions of both philosophy and halakha. Shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela.

Archaeology, Epistemology and Orthodoxy, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom How far can we, as traditional Jews, dig below the earth to discover meaning in Tanakh? This lecture was given at Century Village, Boca Raton FL as part of a Scholar-In-Residence weekend. Although the central topic was the positive role of archaeology and related disciplines in aiding our understanding of Tanakh, broader issues such as the reliability of sources, the breadth of informational sources we are willing to gain from in our study of Torah and other related topics. Source sheet >>

Shemot | The Mystery Behind Moshe's Name, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Is "Moshe" a Hebrew name or an Egyptian name? We explore the first 10 verses of Shemot 2, detailing the birth of the baby who would prove to be the agent of salvation - his being hidden in the reeds of the Nile, the role of his sister and the princess in saving him and his naming. We review the passage carefully, noting each unusual twist in the text, including unexpected additions and surprising omissions from the story. Along with numerous methodological parenthetic observations, we analyze the Egyptian and/or Hebrew meaning of the name of this baby who ultimately leads Bnei Yisrael from Egypt to Sinai to the east banks of the Jordan. This shiur was given in memory of החבר יחיאל at the Young Israel of Hollywood. Source sheet >>

Q+A with Rav Asher Weiss 2nd half of a special shiur with Rav Asher Weiss, given to the Bnei Chul, following the Old City Shabbaton, motzaei Shabbat Parashat Shemot 5784

Swords of Iron | Divrei Chizuk, by Rav Asher Weiss Motzaei Shabbat Parashat Shemot 5784, given to Bnei Chul following the Old City Shabbaton

The Magic and Meaning of Shabbat, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb First part in a series on The Sanctity of Shabbat, combining questions of both philosophy and halakha. Shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela.

Shemot | "The Midwives of the Hebrews - And Their Houses?" by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Who built houses for the midwives? And why? In the opening chapter of Sefer Shemot, we are informed about Pharaoh's plan to have the newborn Hebrew male children killed - or are they newborns? This is to be carried out by two Hebrew midwives - or are they Egyptian midwives of the Hebrews? These two, due to their fear of God, refuse Pharaoh's orders and God rewards them by having the nation increase in size. We are then told that since they feared God, "he made houses for them" - ויעש להם בתים. Who made houses? What type of houses? For whom? And to what end? The opinions about each of these unspecified words range broadly among the classic commentators - and we survey that range, explaining the methodological approach of each, with a brief interlude regarding the broader issue of the approach to a text and its impact on its understanding. We then propose a slightly nuanced explanation, based on a combination of insights of several Rishonim as well as the literary structure of the pericope. Source sheet >>

Ramban On The Torah | 27 | Shemot, by Rav Eli Weber An introduction to Sefer Shemot and the beginning of Moshe's journey to become a prophet

All It Takes to Change History Are Men and Women of Moral Courage, by Rav Moshe Taragin Sichat Mussar for Shemot

Vayechi | "My Father's Blessings Increased": Birkat Yosef and Birkat Yehuda, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom What did Yaakov mean when he said "The blessings of your father surged higher than the blessings of my parents..." (49:15 - if that's what הורי means...) The penultimate scene in Sefer Bereishit, undoubtedly one of the most dramatic and impactful to the future nation is the gathering of Yaakov's sons around his bed as he blesses each of them and alerts them as to what will befall them "at the end of days". Notably, nearly all of the brothers are given short (1-2 verse) blessings which are singular in focus. Yehuda and Yosef, however, are given much lengthier (5 verses each) blessings, each oriented to a range of blessings and roles. A careful look at these two heptads, which at first blush seem to be of different aims, proves that they not only share significant focal points, but that both of them seem to be anchored in the blessings that Yaakov himself received from Yitzchak. We explore the entire "blessing-scene" with an eye towards linking these two brothers' ברכות to the ברכות that Yaakov himself was granted. Source sheet >>

Ramban On The Torah | 26 | Vayechi, by Rav Eli Weber

Vayigash | "Seventy Souls" - Reconsidering the Count, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Q. Who is #70 in the count? Q: Where are all the girls? Q: How did the LXX get to LXXV? Parashat Vayigash includes the detailed list of Bnei Yisrael who descended to Egypt, detailed by son, clan and then a total. This list raises three questions - one internal, one intrinsic and one external. The number "70" does not fit the itemized count, which reaches 69 (or, arguably, 68). The lopsided amount of males (67/69) in the list is a statistical improbability which is also challenged by the text. In addition, the LXX (Septuagint) lists five additional descendants of Yaakov and presents a total of 75 (as it does at the beginning of Shemot). We explore all three of these anomalies, beginning with traditional exegetical answers and then proposing an explanation for all three omissions and/or additions. This shiur was given in memory of Rebbetzin Miriam Wise z"l, מרים בת יצחק ורבקה, whose yahrzeit is on ט' בטבת. She was a true inspiration of a student and devotee of Tanakh. יהי זכרה ברוך. Source sheet >>

Ramban On The Torah | 25 | Vayigash, by Rav Eli Weber

Miketz | Haftara: Mishpat Shlomo - Solomon's Famous Judgment, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom How did Shlomo figure out which was the "real" mother? The rarest Haftara chanted is read when Parashat Miketz is not on Chanuka - as is the case this year for the first time in two decades. The Haftara read in this unusual year is the story of Shlomo's brilliant solution to the dispute between two "zonot" over a single baby. We explore the text of the story carefully to discern what Shlomo heard - and understood - that led him to his great bluff and which exposed the treachery of the "faux-mere". Source sheet >>

Chanuka | On the Desecration of the Temple by the Greeks, by Rav Moshe Taragin Shiur given to Bnei Chul alumni during a special Chanuka Day of Learning, Wed Dec 13, 2023, the sixth day of Chanuka. Source sheet >>

Ramban On The Torah | 23 | Vayeshev, by Rav Eli Weber The Ramban thinks that "stealing" the Berakhot doesn't guarantee anything. One has to accept the bad (Avdut Mitzrayim) to get the good (Eretz Yisrael). And that's what Esav refused but Yaakov agreed to do. That and more in this week's Ramban al HaParsha.

Chanuka | Ner Chanuka and the Enumeration of the 613 Mitzvot, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom How did the Geonim justify including the Mitzva of Ner Chanuka in their enumeration of the 613 Mitzvot? Following the famous homily of R. Samlai (BT Makkot 23b) that Moshe received and conveyed 613 Mitzvot, interest was only sparked in the post-Talmudic era as to the makeup of that list. The earliest proposals, including that of R. Shimon Kaeira (Halakhot Gedolot), included a number of Mitzvot that we commonly view as Rabbinic in provenance, notably (for purposes of our shiur), lighting Ner Chanuka. The inclusion of these Mitzvot in a number of lists from the Geonic era motivated Rambam to define, in no uncertain terms, his approach that only Mitzvot that are explicit in the Torah ought to be reckoned on this list. We explore several formulations that include Ner Chanuka (and, inter alii, Mikra Megilla) and, with the help of several lesser known passages authored by R. Saadia Gaon, come to a new understanding of the source and significance of Ner Chanuka (and Mikra Megilla) within the larger rubric of the Mitzvot. Source sheet >>

Chanuka | Lighting up the Night, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Shiur given at Kehillat Haela, Ramat Beit Shemesh on November 29, 2023

War and Religion #7: Is Revenge a Mitzva? by Rav Moshe Taragin What form of revenge is valid?

War and Religion #6: Thoughts about Freeing Hostages, by Rav Moshe Taragin

War and Religion #5: Protecting "Innocent" Civilians During War, by Rav Moshe Taragin On allowing escape routes and preserving human dignity

War and Religion #4: Unifying Three 'Sectors' for War, by Rav Moshe Taragin Gidon's success and Devorah's frustration

War and Religion #3: Believing that Hashem Directs War, by Rav Moshe Taragin While also celebrating the heroism of our soldiers.

War and Religion #2: When Evil Cultures Hold Back Humanity, by Rav Moshe Taragin Looking at Tanakh figures as warriors

War and Religion #1: War and the Cleansing of Cultural Evil, by Rav Moshe Taragin

Vayishlach | An Embrace, A Kiss and Those Mysterious Masoretic Dots, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Yaakov's long-awaited and long-feared reunion with his brother, Esav, proves to be joyous, welcoming and ultimately, Yaakov's trepidation was proved to be baseless. When the two formerly competitive siblings finally see each other after decades of separation, Esav "falls on his neck, kisses him and they weep." The word וישקהו ("he kisses him") is directed by the Masorah to be dotted and every Sefer Torah has a dot over each of those six letters. We explore the phenomenon of "dotted words", surveying the literature and the various explanations for the seemingly random dotted words. We then look at the particular use of the dots in this instance and suggest a far-reaching implication that the dots may carry, one which gives us a fresh and more charitable perspective on Esav's feelings towards his brother during these long years of separation. Source sheet >>

Ramban On The Torah | 22 | Vayishlach, by Rav Eli Weber

Swords of Iron | The Overlap between Halakha, Machshava and Emuna, by Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman, Rosh Yeshiva, RIETS Shiur given to the Overseas Talmidim, Nov 27, 2023

Swords of Iron | On Pidyon Shvuyim, by Rav Moshe Taragin Religious perspectives upon releasing hostages from Azza; feeling gratitude even under imperfect conditions.

Swords of Iron | Happiness and Horror: Reflections on the Hostage Deal, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb On the belief in the value of every individual. We pray for the safe return of all the hostages.

Female Wartime Leadership: Devora HaNevia and Her Message Why was a woman chosen to lead Bnei Yisrael at a time of war? Devora Hanevia (and the other women in the story) bring a message that is very relevant to us right now. To uncover this message, though, we need to read the story carefully and pay attention to the geography of Eretz Yisrael. Shiur given to GPATS students at Stern College, Nov 16, 2023, during Swords of Iron. May we hear besorot tovot.

Swords of Iron | Maintaining Unity after the War, by Rav Alan Haber '86 Discussion on the challenge of maintaining our blessed newly-found unity after the war is over. Given at the Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center in Livingston, NJ, Nov 14, 2023

Nichum Aveilim: What - and What Not - to Do at a Shiva Visit, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb An halakhic shiur given on Nov 22, 2023 at Kehillat HaEla (Ramat Beit Shemesh). In addition to the dedications mentioned by Rav Gottlieb, we add Alon Shevut's latest tragedy, may this be for an iluy neshama for Eitan Dov Rosensweig, ben Uzi veChagit, HY"D.

Vayetze | Who Knew What and When - Revisited, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Was Rachel aware that she was Yaakov's promised bride? Continuing our inquiry from last year's shiur, we explore the description of Lavan's "deception" of Yaakov regarding his marriage to (Rahel) Leah then Rahel and explore what each of the players in this dramatic sequence may have known or believed about the dramatic and meta-historically significant wedding night. We contrast the straightforward read of the text with the Midrashic approach and explain the role that each plays in our study of this scene and of the complex relationship between Yaakov and Lavan. Source sheet >>

Ramban On The Torah | 21 | Vayetze, by Rav Eli Weber

Lessons Learned from 6 Weeks at War, by Rav Dovid Gottlie "I am in love with the Jewish people." A sicha given Motzaei Shabbat Parashat Toldot 5784, Nov 18, 2023, at Beit Midrash Torani Leumi Melavah Malka in Beit Shemesh

Aging and the Aging Parent (3): Kibbud Av vaEim Dilemmas (2), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb An halakhic shiur given on Nov 12, 2023 at Kehillat HaEla (Ramat Beit Shemesh). Taking care of a parent and what halakhot are entailed in that role reversal situation. Part 2. What are the child's financial responsibilities. Are there things a child may not physically do for their aging parents. Source sheet >>

Aging and the Aging Parent (2): Kibbud Av vaEim Dilemmas (1), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb An halakhic shiur given on Oct 26, 2023 at Kehillat HaEla (Ramat Beit Shemesh). Taking care of a parent and what halakhot are entailed in that role reversal situation. Part 1. To what extent are we allowed to delegate those responsibilities? Source sheet >>

Aging and the Aging Parent (1): The Challenges and Blessings of Old Age, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb An hashkafic shiur given on Oct 26, 2023 at Kehillat HaEla (Ramat Beit Shemesh). People get older. It beats the alternative. Source sheet >>

Toldot | The Riddle of Esav's Wives, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom In Parashat Toldot, we are told about Esav's first two wives - Yehudit and Basemat, both Hittites. We learn that his parents are embittered by these wives - but not why. At the end of the story, after Yaakov flees, Esav, realizing that his father doesn't approve of his wives, takes a third wife, a daughter of Yishmael. Two oddities provoke our curiosity here - why didn't Yitzchak and Rivka like Esav's wives - and how would adding a third wife to his already troubling marriages make his parents feel any better? The problems become exacerbated when we see the genealogical listing of Esav (Bereishit 36) which identifies three wives - with different, or switched names. We explore the issue of polygamy, both in Bereishit and from the later perspective of the end of the prophetic era (Malakhi) and, after sharing several approaches taken by the Rishonim to solve the puzzle of their names, suggest, based on Ramban's explanation, an approach that solves both the mystery of the changed names as well as the source of Rivka and Yitzchak's bitter feelings towards Esav's first wives. This shiur was given in memory of ליבא ביילע בת משה ז"ל Source sheet >>

Ramban On The Torah | 20 | Toldot, by Rav Eli Weber Was Yitzchak rich or poor? Did the ancestors keep all the Torah? And did Yitzchak really want to give the blessing to Esav?

Ramban On The Torah | 19 | Chayei Sara, by Rav Eli Weber

Chayei Sara | The Abrahamic Dialogues, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom What are we to make of the last words we hear from Avraham - his oath administered to his slave? After sharing several methodologic observations about the way that we ought to read Tanakh narratives, we explore every dialogue in which Avraham took part - whether with Hashem, with family members, with kings, with the landed gentry of his adopted hometown - or even his slave. We note a curious pattern emerge and a development in Avraham's character in stature which realizes its climax in his final dialogue - with his loyal slave. This shiur was given in memory of Mrs. Lois Bergman z"l, Rav Etshalom's mother-in-law, who passed away this week. יהא זכרה ברוך Source sheet >>

On Kiddush Hashem | Are people killed defending, or in attacks against Jews, considered Kedoshim, by Rabbi Michael Taubes '77, Rosh Yeshiva at The Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy/Yeshiva University High School for Boys in New York, and also the spiritual leader of Congregation Zichron Mordechai in Teaneck, New Jersey, delivering regular Shiurim and lectures both there and at the Beis Medrash of Bergen County, housed in Teaneck's Congregation Bnai Yeshurun. This shiur was given on Motzaei Shabbat Vayera, Nov 4, 2023, at Congregation Zichron Mordechai. Source sheet >>