KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Balak | Mah Tovu Ohalekha Yaakov, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom What motivated Bil'am to bless as he did? Following the progression of Bilam's blessings. The lyrical, uplifting blessings with which Bil'am blessed Bnei Yisrael are among the most elegant and moving series of passages in Tanakh. What motivated Bil'am to bless as he did - was he simply a mouthpiece of Hashem, or did he, at some point, identify with the mission to bless God's people? A careful look at the text of his blessings, along with the passages that stitch those blessings together, reveals a more complex reality and a more profound answer.

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 33 | Chukat, by Rav Eli Weber What was the sin of Moshe and Aharon?

Sefer Bamidbar | Chukat | 5785 | Taking Initiative, by Rav Ezra Bick What's the difference between the first generation in the midbar and the second? Three short incidents in the middle of the Parasha define the change in the Jewish people after thirty years.

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 32 | Korach, by Rav Eli Weber Why is HaShem offended by Korach? What is Bnei Yisrael's challenge to Moshe?

Sefer Bamidbar | Korach | 5785 | The Holiness of Am Yisrael, by Rav Ezra Bick How does the flowering of Aaron's staff answer the complaint of the Jews? More importantly, is not the argument of Korach, "all Jews are holy", correct?

Korach | Korach, Datan and Aviram: When and Why? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom What were Datan and Aviram challenging - as opposed to Korach? The story of the rebellion(s) against Moshe is confusing; why are the rebels taking the stand against Moshe? What is their claim? When is this claim being presented? How do they die? A close analysis reveals two different stories being told. Source sheet >>

Sefer Bamidbar | Shelach | 5785 | The Meaning of Ascent, by Rav Ezra Bick

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 31 | Shelach , by Rav Eli Weber Did Moshe think sending the spies was a good idea?

Shelach | Bamidbar 15: Why Now, Why Here? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why are the mitzvot of Nesakhim, Challa, Tzitzit and more presented in the aftermath of the story of the "Meraglim"?

Erev Shabbat Behaalotekha 5785 | Thoughts over the Last 12 Hours, by Rav Moshe Taragin Thoughts about the war in Israel and parashat Behaalotekha Invoking the zechut of Jewish history and unity They are Hashem's enemies This time the two pesukim should end suffering