KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Korach | Three Books: Three Perspectives, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

The setting of Parashat Korach raises broader issues about the chronological sequencing of the Torah's narrative; ibn Ezra maintains that Korach's rebellion took place significantly before the "sin of the scouts" story, which precedes it in Bamidbar. We use this observation to explore a larger and broader issue of the Torah's purpose in retelling stories and in the presentation of specific Mitzvot in multiple Sefarim - and conclude that from the middle of Sefer Shemot through the first two thirds of Bamidbar are essentially one narrative, presented from three distinct points of view - which allows us to see the relationship between Hashem and Bnei Yisrael through the different prisms of each side of those interactions.

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From Redemption to Consolation: Between Pesach and 9BeAv. Our Best Strategies for Bi'at Ha-Go'el.

#7 The Active Voice of God in an Ideal Jewish State, by Rav Gidon Rothstein

The prophet's word of God, his right to call for temporary changes to Torah and/or random actions, and the Choshen Mishpat, show us that an ideal Jewish nation has continuing direct contact with Hashem's expressed Will.

Shelach | Of Spies and Scouts, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

The central story in Parashat Shelach is the "Meraglim" - even though they are never called "spies" in the narrative. Their job, to "scout" (לתור) the land, the selection of important people and the representative nature of the mission (one from each "civilian" tribe) indicates that the mission was not intended for military reconnaissance; yet in Moshe's retelling in Devarim (ch. 1) he uses the verb ויחפרו (to spy) and presents the mission quite differently. We explore these differences and the broader context of the beginning of Devarim and suggest a more subtle yet impactful lesson that Moshe is imparting to Yehoshua - which he clearly takes to heart, as evidenced by the "real" spy mission that he directs before entering the Land.

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Parashat Shelach with Rav Dovid Gottlieb

#1 - Classical Commentators - The Sin of the Spies - What Sin?? #2 - Modern Commentators - Kalev and the Virtue of Religious Struggle #3 - Machshava / Jewish Thought - Appreciating the Centrality and Importance of Eretz Yisrael #4 - Sparks of Chasidus - The Essence of Emunah: A Powerful Derasha from the Eish Kodesh #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Uman, Meron, & Me'aras Ha-Machpela: Why Do We Daven at Kivrei Tzaddikim?

From Redemption to Consolation: Between Pesach and 9BeAv. Our Best Strategies for Bi'at Ha-Go'el.

#6 The Role of the Beit HaMikdash in a Jewish Nation, by Rav Gidon Rothstein

In this sixth installment, we will discuss three views of the Beit HaMikdash and its role in a fully realized Jewish nation.

Parashat Behaalotekha with Rav Dovid Gottlieb

#1 - The Jewish People Miss Free Fish?!?! #2 - Contemporary Commentators - The Inverted Nuns: Rabbi Lamm's "Knockout Derasha" #3 - Machshava / Jewish Thought - Ani Maamin: What Made Moshe and His Prophecy Unique? #4 - Sparks of Mussar - For the Love of Mitzvos: An Inspiring Message from R. Moshe Feinstsein #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - The MITZVAH to Speak Lashon Hara

Beha'alotekha | Those Memorable Cornets, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

The command to fashion two silver cornets (Bamidbar 10:1-10) is puzzling - are they to be made for utilitarian goals or for commemorative (זכרון) purposes? We explore the material, fashioning, timely (desert) uses as well as the eternal (in the Land) opportunities for blasting the cornets and propose a connection between the two cornets, the shofar of Rosh haShanah and the beautiful description of Bnei Yisrael's allegiance to God in the desert.

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From Redemption to Consolation: Between Pesach and 9BeAv. Our Best Strategies for Bi'at Ha-Go'el.

#5 Wiping out Amalek or Not? by Rabbi Gidon Rothstein

In this fifth installment, we will discuss why wiping out Amalek should come before building the Beit HaMikdash, why Amalek is so bad, and what they are supposed to mean to us?

The Development of Sefirat HaOmer, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

The Mitzva of "Sefirat ha'Omer" does not appear in Tannaitic literature and only seems to emerge at the end of the Amoraic era (4th generation). Indeed, it isn't at all clear why the command to "reckon" 7 weeks to arrive at Shavuot would have to be done out loud. Based on the research of Prof. David Henshke, we share his observations about the unusual statement of אמימר in מנחות - that he would only count "days" and not weeks, based on the reasoning that זכר למקדש הוא. By assessing the difference between the two passages concerning ספירת העמר - one in ויקרא and the other in דברים - we note that they serve different functions and, therein, may lie the understanding of both the אמימר practice as well as the development of verbalized counting.

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Parashat Naso with Rav Dovid Gottlieb

#1 - Classical Commentators - Judaism's Approach to Physical Pleasure #2 - Contemporary Commentators - The Rewards and Risks of the Birkas Kohanim #3 - Midrash - Unified Diversity - Appreciating the Gifts of the Nesiim #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Separating In Order to Connect: A Profound Insight from the Sefas Emes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Mysterious Minhagim: The Case of the Disappearing Daily Duchening in the Diaspora #6 - Sparks of Musar - The Ideal Way to Serve Hashem - A Part of this World And Not Apart from It