KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Loving our Fellow Jews: The Obligations and Limits of Kiruv, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb

First in a series on our relationship with fellow Jews distant from yiddishkeit. What we are fortunate enough to experience, we forget is only relevant to a painful minority, even here in Israel.

A shiur in practical halakha given at Kehillat Haela, Ramat Beit Shemesh, on March 27th, 2024

Tzav | What is Torat Ha-Olah? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

Why doesn't the opening section of Parashat Tzav actually talk about the korban ha-olah - even though it's titled zot torat ha-olah?

The first seven chapters of Vayikra are devoted to detailed instructions regarding the various קרבנות; the first five, which make up פרשת ויקרא, present nearly all of the offerings from the perspective of the donor, whereas the next two, which make up over half of פרשת צו, address the same range of קרבנות from the vantage point of the כהנים - the officiants. The opening פרשה in צו is titled "תורת העולה" yet it doesn't provide any further details about the קרבן העולה - but the subsequent פרשות all do present numerous details about the מנחה, about the חטאת etc. We explore the unique role of the קרבן עולה and its vital role in the ongoing sanctification of the altar as well as the continuous presence of השם in the משכן.

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Ramban on the Torah | 39 | Tzav, by Rav Eli Weber

How is Tzav different from Vayikra? Is Derekh Eretz a requirement or a suggestion? In what order did these parashot happen? And more...

Ramban on the Torah | 37 | Pekudei, by Rav Eli Weber

Why does the Torah repeat the fact that the Mishkan was built as Moshe was commanded? Why does the Torah tell us how the golden thread was made? What is the meaning of the means of a mitzva?

Ramban on the Torah | 38 | Vayikra, by Rav Eli Weber

What is the purpose of Chumash Vayikra? What is the meaning of the Korbanot? Why does the mitzvah of Zachor exist?

Zakhor | Who Is Responsible For Eradicating Amalek? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

אמחה or תמחה?

Upon the successful completion of the war against Amalek, led by Yehoshua and directed by Moshe, Hashem commands Moshe to "write this for a memorial in the (a?) scroll and place it in the ears of Yehoshua, for I will utterly wipe out the memory of Amalek..." These two odd phrases - "כתב זאת זכרון בספר" and the unmatched "שים באזני יהושע" themselves beg for clarification; yet the clear contradiction between the declaration "I will utterly wipe out the memory of Amalek" _ מחה אמחה את זכר עמלק - and the command in Devarim 25: "You shall utterly wipe out the memory of Amalek" - תמחה את זכר עמלק - requires resolution. We examine both the contradiction, as well as the two odd phrases - and our exploration leads us to observing a development in the relationship between Bnei Yisrael and Hashem during the years in the desert.

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Pekudei | On the First Day: The Commemorative Function of the Mishkan, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

Why was the Mishkan's inauguration commanded to take place on Rosh Chodesh of the first month (Nissan)?

As Sefer Shemot moves towards its festive conclusion, Moshe is commanded to raise up the Mishkan on the "First day of the first month" - language reminiscent of the beginning of this long journey, back in Egypt, when Bnei Yisrael were given their first communal command - "החדש הזה לכם ראש חדשים, ראשון הוא לכם". We explore the various assumed and explicitly stated purposes of the Mishkan and raise an additional possibility, based on a careful read of the first series of verses in the last chapter of Shemot.

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Purim | Hiding in Plain Sight, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb

The magic and miracle of Purim.

A shiur in practical halakha given at Kehillat Haela, Ramat Beit Shemesh, on March 6th, 2024.

Israel at War: Faith in War Time. Episode 4 in Conversations with Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg and Dr. Tovah Lichtenstein

Swords of Iron Day 153 | In this episode, Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg and her mother Dr. Tovah Lichtenstein discuss what it means to have faith in God in times of crisis, and they don't shy away from big questions: Is it reasonable to ask what God wants from us? Do we have the right to be angry with God, whose ways are always just? They consider the ways in which Israel may have contributed to the current crisis, and how we can grow through confronting difficulties. They note how different generations grapple differently with faith challenges. Dr. Lichtenstein explains Rav Soloveitchik's approach to evil, and they conclude with the importance of blessing God even during hard times.

*This podcast was created thanks to the Arev Fund's generous support.

Ramban On The Torah | 36 | Vayakhel, by Rav Eli Weber

Why does Moshe gather all of Am Israel? What is the relationship between the Mishkan and Shabbat? What is the difference between "נשאו ליבו" and "נדבה רוחו" ? Why is it important that Bnei Yisrael brought more than was needed for the Mishkan?