KMTT - the Torah Podcast

We gathered today to join Am Yisrael in mourning the loss of HaRav Chaim Kanievsky ztl. Hesped by Rav Moshe Taragin.

Parashat Tzav with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - "Tzav es Aharon" - Appreciating the Moment #2 - Modern Commentators - Korban Todah: Acknowledging the Crisis & the Salvation #3 - Midrash - How Can We Make Up for What We Are Missing Without Korbanos? #4 - Sparks of Musar - Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing #5 - Halacha - Special for Pesach - Shabbos Erev Pesach - How, What and When to Eat the Shabbos Meals

Haman: From Mikra to Midrash, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom From the time that we meet Amalek at Refidim to the Midrashic development of Amalek's most infamous scion, Haman, there are (at least) two chasms to bridge - from the genealogical Amalek to the Persian/Medean Haman and from Haman of Esther to the Haman of the Midrashim. We explore the textual basis for both of these spans and demonstrate how the Midrashim breathe life into the personae of Tanakh and reveal their contemporary relevance in every generation. Source sheet >>

Parashat Vayikra with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Why Do We Bring Korbanos? #2 - Modern Commentators - Korban Chatas: Understanding the Role of Shame #3 - Midrash - Hashem's Special Relationship With Moshe and The Jewish People #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Why Do We Need Forgiveness for Accidental Sins? #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - "Nashim Somchos Reshus" - Can Women Perform Mitzvos That They Are Not Obligated In? #6 - Authenticity vs Artificiality in Avodas Hashem: A Lesson from Korbanos

Purim | An Halakhic Overview by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Zakhor | What are We Supposed to Remember, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The commandment to "remember that which Amalek did to you" is the focal point of the reading of "Parashat Zakhor" (Deut. 25:17-19) which is read on the Shabbat before Purim. The oddity of reading a passage which tells you that you must remember it - as opposed to reading the actual story of their attack (Ex. 17:8-16) is odd; odder yet is the self-defeating command to "wipe out the memory of Amalek" while concomitantly "Remember...do not forget". How can we wipe out a memory and then make sure to remember it? We explore what it is we are commanded to remember by using the Mitzvah of Retelling the story of Exodus, which seems to be the paradigm for the celebration of Purim. Along the way, several surprising observations help solve our puzzle. Source sheet >>

Kibud Av V'Eim and Personal Autonomy: When Parents and Children Disagree About Important Life Decisions, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Torah's Approach to Beauty #2 - Modern Commentators - "Seeing" Our Life Mission - An Amazing Insight from R. Moshe Feinstein #3 - Midrash - Betzalel's Wisdom - Practical and Principled #4 - Sparks of Mussar - Do We Really Miss the Mikdash? #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Shabbos Invitations for non-Religious Guests #6 - Can There Be "Too Much of a Good Thing" in Avodas Hashem? A Remarkable Teaching from the Sefas Emes #7 - Contemporary Commentators - Why Did they Suspect Moshe of Stealing? A Powerful Insight from the Oznayim L'Torah

Pekudei | These are the Names - Siyyum on Sefer Shemot, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The conventions we use for naming the books of Humash - as well as the weekly readings - have little or nothing to do with the overall theme of the book (or "Parasha"); they are simply the first significant word in that text. Hazal had other names for the Humashim - e.g. תורת כהנים and משנה תורה. Nonetheless, we may be able to find a subcurrent of the theme of "the names of Bnei Yisrael" that ties together the opening passage with the concluding section and informs the overall theme of חומש שמות. This understanding may also grant additional meaning to the conventional cheer we give when concluding a חומש, taken from יואב's words - חזק ונתחזק! Source sheet >>

Vayakhel | A Defiant Act of Contrition, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The unusually lengthy description of the construction of the Mishkan, which occupies the last 6 chapters of Shemot, has been the subject of inquiry for millenia. By looking at the intensity and zealousness with which Am Yisrael responded to Mosheh's directive to donate and labor for this magnificent Divine abode, we take a view from a different perspective at the seemingly redundant details of the structure and appurtenances of the Mishkan, against the larger threat of God's withholding His immanent presence from among the people; highlighting Moshe Rabbenu's initiative in repairing the relationship between his flock and his Master. Source sheet >>