KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Akedat Yitzchak (2), by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom How ought the Akedah be viewed from the larger perspective of the Avraham story? In this four-part series, we examine one of the most mysterious and troubling stories in all of Tanakh - the story of Akeidat Yitzchak (Bereishit 22:1-19). We discuss the selection of this narrative as the קריאת התורה for (2nd day) Rosh Hashana (#1), the larger narrative contexts within which this story operates (#2), some classical approaches to unraveling the mystery of this "test" (#3) and some suggestions for a new approach to understanding this startling story (#4) Source sheet >>

Akedat Yitzchak (1), by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom How did Akedat Yitzchak become selected as the preferred Keriat haTorah for 2nd day Rosh Hashana? Source sheet >>

Ramban On The Torah | 10 | Ki Tetze, by Rav Eli Weber

Ramban On The Torah | 09 | Shoftim, by Rav Eli Weber

Shoftim | You Shall Cleanse the Innocent Blood, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Who is the audience of Devarim 21:9? Source sheet >>

Re'eh | Banim Atem - Why Here, Why Now? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The turning point in Parashat Re'eh is at the beginning of Chapter 14. Having completed the presentation of Mitzvot related to idolatry and the special place where "Hashem will choose to cause His Name to reside," Mosheh's speech turns to issues of ritual sanctity, including a prohibition against cutting oneself as a funerary act. This prohibition is introduced with a declaration that "You are children of Hashem, your God." The connection between this powerful statement and the prohibitions which ensure is explored. Five different approaches suggested by the Rishonim are presented, followed by a sixth... What is the immediate implication of the address "You are children of Hashem your God" (בנים אתם לה' אלקיכם) which bisects Parashat Re'eh? Source sheet >>

Ekev | 40 Days and 40 Nights, Revisiting Moshe's Speech About the Egel, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Moshe's teaching the audience of Sefer Devarim - an orphaned generation that was, by and large, born into freedom in the desert - has curious twists and turns when contrasted with the narratives of Shemot and Bamidbar. In the middle of Parashat Ekev, Moshe retells the story of the sin of the Egel, but Aharon's role is overlooked, yet he is identified as a target of God's anger. The two motifs of "40 days and 40 nights" along with the tablets are repeated far more frequently than in the narrative of Shemot, raising the larger question of what Moshe's purpose in this speech may be. Exploring the contexts of where "40 days and 40 nights" appear in Tanakh helps us formulate an approach that explains the rhetorical strategy/aim taken by Moshe. Source sheet >>

Ramban On The Torah | 08 | Vaetchanan, by Rav Eli Weber

Vaetchanan | Revisiting the Wise Son's Question, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The mitzva - how to teach your child - is really about the transmission of Moshe's shelichut within each family. Your children should be turning to you with this question, because they want to know what is the secret to our successful long-life in Eretz Yisrael! Source sheet >>

Thoughts for Tisha BeAv 5783, in Light of Current Events here in Israel, by Rav Moshe Taragin