KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Special sicha with Rav Aharon Lopiansky, a dvar Torah for Parashat Vayechi as well as a Question & Answer session with the Overseas Talmidim. Dec 13, 2021. Rabbi Lopiansky is the Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Greater Washington. Rav Lopiansky has written a number of seforim in both Hebrew and English as well as a Siddur mefurash. We thank him for taking the time to address our students.

Vayigash | Of Farmers and Ranchers, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom In the Egyptian narratives, there are several references to תועבת מצרים For Egyptians to break bread with Hebrews is considered an "abomination", as well as the status of shepherds - and the sheep themselves are called that by Moshe. What is the "abomination" here and what is behind it? We survey the approaches of the Rishonim and, building on the proposals of ibn Ezra and Radak, propose a novel explanation.

Miketz | Dreams and Interpretations, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom An inquiry into the development of Yosef's dreams. There are three dream-sets in the Yosef narrative; two that he dreams, two that he interprets while in prison and the two dreams of Pharaoh. While we assume that Yosef's awareness of the meaning of his dreams was a constant, it is possible that each dream-experience enhanced his art as a dream-interpreter. We explore this approach, noting that his full acceptance of the responsibility of his own two dreams only takes place after all three dream-sets. Source sheet >>

Parashat Vayeshev with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentaries - Who Sold Yosef? It's Not As Simple As You Might Think #2 - Contemporary Commentaries - What Can We Learn from Esav's Children? An Amazing Teaching from the Oznayim Le'Torah #3 - Sparks of Chassidus - Being True To Yourself - A Beautiful Teaching from the Sefas Emes #4 - Sparks of Musar - The Hardest Thing in Life: Admitting Mistakes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - The Prohibition to Embarrass Another Person

Vayeshev | Yosef's Dreams by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Yosef's Dreams begin the narrative cycle we refer to as "the Yosef Story" - and these dreams impact through his life and career. What are we to make of these dreams? Are they prophetic (as he seems to believe) or are they psychologically propelled (as his brothers and, perhaps, father apparently think)? What are the "stars" as opposed to the "sheaves"? And what are we to make of the sun and moon and their obeisance to Yosef? Source sheet >>

Vayishlach | Revisiting Shkhem, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The "rape of Dina" and the bloody aftermath, which comprise all of chapter 34 and the middle of Parashat Vayishlach, is replete with difficulties which make the conventional understanding of Dina's rape and abduction and of Yaakov's silence as well as his response to Shimon and Levi difficult to explain. By analyzing the terms used to describe the encounter between Shkhem and Dina, we propose a novel understanding of the events, of Yaakov's broader plan in moving to Shalem, east of Shkhem and of the meaning behind Yaakov's dying words to Shimon and Levi. Source sheet >>

The Inner Beauty of Chanukah, shiur by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, part 1 of a 2-part series on Chanukah, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Parashat Vayishlach with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentaries - Shimon and Levi Slaughter Shechem: Righteous Justice or Unethical Vengeance? #2 - Contemporary Commentaries - The Greatness of Yaakov: Rav Kook's Fascinating Interpretation #3 - Sparks of Chassidus - Yaakov and the True Source of Humility: The Incredible Insight of the Sefas Emes #4 - Sparks of Musar - Harnessing the Potent Power of Prayer #5 - Midrash - Who Was Yaakov Fighting and Why Were They Fighting? A Midrashic Interpretation

Vayishlach: ויאבק איש עמו - The Mysterious Wrestling Match, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Yaakov's encounter with the mysterious "man" which lasts until dawn, is "a mystery, wrapped in an enigma, folded into a conundrum" - we survey four of the classic Rishonim with their widely divergent takes on this momentous episode and discuss the vantage points from which they started and which led to each unique and illuminating interpretation. Source sheet >>

Empathy: Learning About Ourselves By Connecting With Others, the second of a 2-part series on Mitzvot and Middot Bein Adam LeChaveiro, given as part of the weekly women's shiur in Kehilat Ha'Ela, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb