KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Bechukotai | Avraham's Path, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The first 11 verses of Parashat Behukotai comprise the "berakha", the promised reward for the people's obeisance of the covenant at Sinai. The opening phrase אם בחקתי תלכו is puzzling and has led to a range of interpretation; building from this notion of "walking" as a description of a way of life and charting the history and development of this semantic meaning in Humash demonstrates that it is an Avrahamic term, appropriately fitting Avraham's constantly journeying, from the first command לך לך to the crescendo לך לך on the way to הר המוריה. We follow the terms of the blessing and identify each of them with a significant factor in the Avraham story. Our conclusions from this clear case of intertextuality make up the core of the shiur. Source sheet >>

From Rabbi Akiva's Students to Contemporary Israel, Why Can't We All Just Get Along, shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Understanding Anti-Semitism - The Jews are the Sand Barrier of Humanity, by Rav Moshe Taragin Special shiur given in London at Mizrachi Day of Inspiration May 15, 2022

Mapping Modern Redemption through Past Miracles, by Rav Moshe Taragin Special shiur given in London at Mizrachi Day of Inspiration May 15, 2022

Rabbi Sacks and the Four Jewish Lessons for Modern Society, by Rav Moshe Taragin. Special shiur given in London at Mizrachi Day of Inspiration May 15, 2022 Source sheet >>

Appreciating the Religious Impact of Eretz Yisrael on ALL Mitzvot, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela If there wouldn't be a State of Israel, we ourselves wouldn't be living here. Given that we are here, what impact does being here have on our lives? Regarding actual mitzvot that are not in and of themselves "land" related.

From Redemption to Consolation: Between Pesach and 9BeAv. Our Best Strategies for Bi'at Ha-Go'el. #2 What Are We Counting, Where Are We Going, by Rabbi Gidon Rothstein In this second installment, we will discuss the counting of the Omer: Is it connected to the Omer sacrifice, to the Giving of the Torah, or to something else entirely? One act or many acts together? What does that mean for how it should shape/change us? An alumnus of Har Etzion (1982), Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein has served in the community rabbinate and in educational roles at the high school and adult level. He is an author of Jewish fiction and non-fiction, most recently "We're Missing the Point: What's Wrong with the Orthodox Jewish Community and How to Fix It."

Behar | Fear My Mikdash - Which Mikdash? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The short Parasha of Behar Sinai is, as alluded to in its heading, out of sequence and was given by Hashem at an earlier point during the Stand at Sinai. We explore several options of what "Behar Sinai" may mean here and conclude that the reference is to the revelation given to Moshe when he was at the foot of the mountain, inside the cloud. We explore where this entire passage may have been given and then pose the question - what is the "Mikdash" referenced at the end - if this is before the notion of the Mishkan was introduced? By addressing this question, we come to a new understanding of the impact of the entire Parashah and of the significant and telling impact of the institution of Shemitah - Shabbat of the Land. Sourcesheet >>

New Series: From Redemption to Consolation: Between Pesach and 9BeAv. Our Best Strategies for Bi'at Ha-Go'el, by Rabbi Gidon Rothstein We will progress from the heights of Pesach to the seeds of hurban, to the road to restoration, finding ways halakha guides us towards the key pieces of a life well lived. By spotting where our predecessors went wrong--from the start, in the middle, and to the end--we can hope to learn from their missteps, and stride more successfully to the redemption and rebuilding we all want. In this first installment, we will discuss the Beitusim, the date of Shavuot, and a fundamental weakness Jews have in engaging with God's commands. An alumnus of Har Etzion (1982), Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein has served in the community rabbinate and in educational roles at the high school and adult level. He is an author of Jewish fiction and non-fiction, most recently "We're Missing the Point: What's Wrong with the Orthodox Jewish Community and How to Fix It."

Parashat Emor with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Sefiras HaOmer - The Deeper Reason Why We Count #2 - Modern Commentators - Why Do We Celebrate Holidays? The Remarkable - and Surprising - Insight of the Netziv #3 - MIdrash - What do the Arba Minim Symbolize? 3 Approaches from the Midrash #4 - Sparks of Musar - The Destructive Power of Negative Speech #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Are Women Obligated in Sefiras HaOmer?