KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Special - Hashem Ori veYish'i - Psalm 27, shiur given by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom, Sept 18, 2022 There is a relatively recent custom to recite Psalm 27 ה' אורי וישעי, twice a day (either שחרית/מנחה or שחרית/ערבית) from the beginning of אלול through סוכות. This is, in and of itself, an anomaly, as there are no other practices which stretch through the penitential period of Elul through the festive season of Sukkot. A closer look at the psalm reveals an internal contradiction as well and the nature, message and tone of the psalm seems to be at odds with itself. We study the text, propose a structure and then suggest a message which resonates with both the deep reflection of Elul as well as the overwhelming rejoicing of Sukkot. This shiur was given at the Kingsway Jewish Center. Source sheet >>

Nitzavim | Sos Asis - The Seventh Stage of Consolation, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why does this final Haftara in the series of שבעה דנחמתא frequently utilize the first person, reflecting an autobiographical bent? Source sheet >>

Pre-Selichot Sicha Elul 5782, by Rav Eli Weber, given to the Overseas Talmidim Motzaei Shabbat Parashat Ki Tavo 5782. With a few minutes of nigunim both prior to and following the sicha.

The Roots of Teshuva: The hidden depths of return and renewal in the thought of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein zt"l A Mishnat HaRAL Program in memory of David Landes z"l upon his third Yahrzeit. Sunday, Sept 11, 2022 at Cong. Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck NJ. A discussion with Rosh Yeshiva Rav Mosheh Lichtenstein and Rabbi Dr. Benjamin Samuels '92, Rabbi, Cong. Shaarei Tefillah, Newton, MA. Moderated by Rabbi Chaim Strauchler '95, Senior Rabbi, Cong. Rinat Yisrael. With remarks by Dr. Tovah Lichtenstein Dr. David J. Landes z"l learned in Yeshivat Har Etzion over the course of three years during the 1970's. He remained a loyal talmid and committed alumnus of Yeshivat Har Etzion throughout his life, serving as the Chairman of the Board of the Etzion Foundation, and was a parent of Yeshivat Har Etzion and Migdal Oz alumni. An independent scholar, his penetrating studies of contemporary Orthodox Judaism, deeply informed by anthropology, broke new ground in the study of Jewish life.

Ki Tavo | Kumi Ori - The Sixth Stage of Consolation, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom What do we imagine will attract the nations of the world to Yerushalayim at the "end of history"? Source sheet >>

Ki Tetze | Roni Akara - The Fifth Stage of Consolation, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why is the theme of consolation - and the word נחם - missing from this Haftara (the first of the series in which it is gone)?

Shoftim | Anochi Anochi Hu Menachemkhem - The Fourth Stage of Consolation, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why does the נביא use the introductory אנכי twice - and again a few פסוקים later? What is his audience missing here? The seven Shabbatot between Tish'a b'Av and Rosh Hashana are marked by a universally practiced custom of reading consolation passages from the latter half of the book of Yeshaya. Why were these passages selected and why in the order in which they are read? Who is the prophetic voice behind these messages and what was his goal? We explore these questions in this 7-part series, as we study the text of each of these haftarot of נחמה. Source sheet >>

Re'eh | Aniya So'ara - The Third Stage of Consolation, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The seven Shabbatot between Tish'a b'Av and Rosh Hashana are marked by a universally practiced custom of reading consolation passages from the latter half of the book of Yeshaya. Why were these passages selected and why in the order in which they are read? Who is the prophetic voice behind these messages and what was his goal? We explore these questions in this 7-part series, as we study the text of each of these haftarot of נחמה. Sourcesheet >>

Ekev | VaTomer Tzion Azavani Hashem: The Second Stage of Consolation, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why do we skip from Yeshaya 40 to ch. 49 for this second Haftara of consolation? The seven Shabbatot between Tish'a b'Av and Rosh Hashana are marked by a universally practiced custom of reading consolation passages from the latter half of the book of Yeshaya. Why were these passages selected and why in the order in which they are read? Who is the prophetic voice behind these messages and what was his goal? We explore these questions in this 7-part series, as we study the text of each of these haftarot of נחמה. Source sheet >>

Vaetchanan - Nachamu Nachamu Ami, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The seven Shabbatot between Tish'a b'Av and Rosh Hashana are marked by a universally practiced custom of reading consolation passages from the latter half of the book of Yeshaya. Why were these passages selected and why in the order in which they are read? Who is the prophetic voice behind these messages and what was his goal? We explore these questions in this 7-part series, as we study the text of each of these haftarot of נחמה. Source sheet >>