KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Parashat Vayetze with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Did Yaakov Really Place a Condition on His Commitment to Hashem? #2 - Contemporary Commentators - Torah Study as the Foundation of our Professional Lives #3 - Sparks of Musar - Yaakov's Dream and The Limitless Capacity for Human Greatness #4 - Midrash - Appreciating Greatness

Chesed - The Gift of Giving, the first 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

Vayetze | The "Duda'im" Story: A Janus Narrative? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom In the midst of the "birth narrative" of Yaakov's family in Haran, the Torah interjects a brief story about Reuven's collecting דודאים (mandrakes) and bringing them to Leah, his mother. Rachel desires them and agrees to give up her night of intimacy with Yaakov in order to get these valuable (?) flowers. The narrative is odd on the face of it, and there are several textual nuances that catch our attention - and redirect that attention back to an earlier narrative in Yaakov's life in which he plays an active role - and a later event in Rachel's life which proves to be fateful for her and for the family. The brief story of the דודאים reflects back and forward, providing added insight into two other narratives in the story of Yaakov's family. Source sheet >>

Parashat Toldot with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Why Did Yitzchok Want to Bless Esav and not Yaakov? #2 - Contemporary Commentators - Yaakov's Moral Dilemma #3 - Sparks of Musar - How We Spend Our "Free Time" Defines Us #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - The Greatest Gift is a Relationship With Hashem #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Is a Blind Person Obligated in Mitzvos?

Birkat HaMazon - Why, What, Where and When Part 2, given as part of the weekly women's shiur in Kehilat Ha'Ela, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Toldot | Your Curse, My Son, Be Upon Me, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom What did Rivka mean? When Yaakov expressed concern over his being caught by his father when trying to gain Esav's blessing, he said והבאתי עלי קללה ולא ברכה - "I may bring upon myself a curse instead of a blessing". Rivka's response to assuage his concern: עלי קללתך בני is a mysterious phrase, with a wide range of exegetical approaches taken by the Rishonim. After surveying the most well-known interpretations, we suggest a different take, anchored in a comment in Bereishit Rabbah, based on understanding Rivka's vested interest in the success of the ruse. Source sheet >>

Birkat HaMazon - Why, What, Where and When Part 1, given as part of the weekly women's shiur in Kehilat Ha'Ela, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Shabbat Candles, Why, Who, What and When Part 2, given as part of the weekly women's shiur in Kehilat Ha'Ela, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Parashat Chayei Sara 5782 with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Avraham's Marriage Advice: Bad Midos Are Worse Than Avodah Zara #2 - Contemporary Commentators - "Ger ve'Toshav": The Dual Identity of the Jew #3 - Sparks of Chassidus - What's Truly Important in Life? A Powerful Insight from the Tolna Rebbe #4 - Sparks of Mussar - Calm Under Fire: Learning From Avraham's Inspiring Example #5 - Midrash - Who Was Eliezer? The Midrash Paints a Complex Portrait

Chayei Sara | Place your Hand under my Thigh - Solving a Bereishit Riddle, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom When Avraham prepares to send his slave to find a wife for Yitzhak, he makes a curious demand of him: "Put your hand under my thigh" either as a prefatory act to an oath or as part of the oath itself. This request/demand appears in only one other place in Tanakh - when Yaakov has Yosef put his hand under his father's thigh before committing to bury his dying father in Canaan. What is the meaning of this odd practice? Is it rooted in near eastern oath customs? Connected to the Halakhic requirement of holding a sanctified item while swearing? Is it a sign of servitude? We survey the approaches of the Rishonim - including some surprising observations - and then offer a new wrinkle to solve this age-old conundrum.