KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Kibud Av V'em: What, Why, and How, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Ki Tisa | The Luchot of...Testimony? Covenant? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The most vital component of the Mishkan is, without a doubt, the Aron - and the Aron's sanctity is underscored by the placement of the לוחות inside - but what are these לוחות? What is written on them? A careful read of the various passages concerning the לוחות - both the originals and the second set - reveal that much more than we typically assume was written there. In the shiur, we also discuss why the לוחות are called לוחות העדות - the "Tablets of Testimony" in ספר שמות, yet in ספר דברים they are called לוחות הברית - the "Tablets of the Covenant." Souce sheet >>

Parshat Ki Tisa with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - "The Sin of the Golden Calf" - How Could They Do It? #2 - Contemporary Commentators - Appreciating the Gift of Shabbos #3 - Midrash - "Moshe's Face Radiated" - What Was the Source of HIs Light? #4 - Sparks of Chassidus & Mussar - The Essence of Teaching and the Key to Leading: Remarkable Insights from R. Gifter and the Sefas Emes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Waiting in Between Meat and Milk

Tetzaveh | B'nei Yisrael's Presence in the Mishkan, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The first two pesukim in Parashat Tetzaveh - the last two in chapter 27 of Shemot - seem to be out of place and are repeated, nearly verbatim, in Vayikra 24. A reexamination of what is stated and what is NOT stated in this passage sheds light on the symbolism of the contribution of Bnei Yisrael to the light and the association with Maamad Har Sinai. Soucesheet >>

Parshat Tetzaveh + Purim with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Moshe's Missing Name: A Powerful Explanation from the Alshich #2 - Modern Commentators - Moshe Lives on Through All of Us: An Inspiring Teaching from the Kesav Sofer #3 - Midrash - The Symbolism of the Menorah: Learn Torah, Live Torah, and Share Torah #4 - Sparks of Mussar - "It's the Clothes that Make the Man": The Dual Focus of the Bigdei Kehunah #5 - SPECIAL FOR PURIM - Purim Seudah on Erev Shabbos - What's The Best Time?

Mordechai and Esther, by Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein What makes Purim a special yom tov and why is it a day of festivity and celebration? Why is Purim unique as opposed to other days of Jewish salvation? Why is the megilla called Megillat Esther and not Megillat Mordechai? A close examination of the Purim story within its historical context provides answers to these questions, by understanding Purim as a celebration of the renewal of the covenant between Israel and God.

Why Isn't It Almost Purim? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom A shiur in advance of Purim Katan.

Teruma | Mishpat and Mishkan, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The Divine commands concerning the construction of a Mishkan are curiously juxtaposed and intertwined with the corpus of Law broadly referred to as "Mishpatim." We explore that association by tracing the chronology of The Stand at Sinai and the unique nature of the Mishkan which was the focal point of the commands given atop the mountain - and thereby identify the core telos of the Mishkan and the vital spirit which will ensure Hashem's presence among the people.

Anger - Avoid at All Costs, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela Companion shiur to last week's installment on Anava.

Parshat Teruma with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Symbolism of Mishkan: What's The Deeper Message? #2 - Modern Commentators - Torah Study: For All People and for All Times #3 - Midrash - What is the Purpose of the Mishkan? #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - "It's the Thought that Counts" - A Profound Insight into Religious Observance from the Sefas Emes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Tearing Kriyah at the Kotel #6 - Sparks of Musar - The Blessing and Challenge of Giving Charity: Insights from the Beis HaLevi and the Alter of Kelm