KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Parashat Lekh Lekha with Rav Dovid Gottlieb

#1 - Classical Commentators - Did Avraham Sin By Leaving Eretz Yisroel and Putting Sarah in Danger? #2 - Sparks of Chassidus - Why Was Avraham Chosen? An Inspiring Insight from the Sefas Emes #3 - Sparks of Mussar - Overcoming Life's Challenges #4 - Contemporary Commentators - What Does it Mean to be "Tamim"? A Fascinating Explanation from the Beis HaLevi #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Is Conversion a Mitzvah?

Lekh Lekha | Who is Avraham's Future, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

When we are first introduced to Avra(ha)m, he is married to Sara(i)h - and the first thing we learn about her is that she is barren. Yet, Hashem commands Avraham to go to K'naan where He will make him into a great nation. The apparent incongruity of the command and the reality shape one of the two journeys in Avraham's life - and the entire Parashat Lekh Lekha is the road map of those two journeys. While Avraham continues to seek out "the land that I will show you", he also continues to attempt various solutions to the progeny problem - until Hashem informs him of how it will all play out. But there are numerous surprises along the way...

Source sheet >>

Shabbat Candles, Why, Who, What and When Part 1, given as part of the weekly women's shiur in Kehilat Ha'Ela, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Noach | Avraham and Terach: A Midrashic Take

When Hashem charged Avraham with his mission, He directed him to leave his father's house. This could easily be seen as an obstacle to his mission - for how could he demonstrate "the way of Hashem, doing justice and righteousness" if he abandoned his father for the last 60 years of his life. We explore several Midrashic (and proto-Midrashic) traditions about their relationship and find that these traditions do not speak in one voice. We also explore the textual basis for these traditions and note the nuances which allow for these exegetical approaches to develop.

Source Sheet

Tidbits for VeZot HaBerakha and Sukkot

Appreciating Eretz Yisrael - Important Mussar from Rav Yerucham

Understanding the Deeper Message of Sukkos Through Prism of Koheles

Chag sameach!

Parsha Tidbits with Rav Dovid Gottlieb, Vayelech-Ha'azinu-Special Yom Kippur Vort

Vayelech #1 - Sparks of Chassidus - An Inspiring Teaching from R. Tzadok Hakohen - Connecting the Parsha to the Yamim Noraim Haazinu #1 - Contemporary Commentators - R. Soloveitchik's Approach to Reward and Punishment #2 - Sparks of Chassidus - Historical Sensitivity as a Catalyst for Teshuva - The Remarkable Insight of the Shem MiShmuel #3 - Sparks of Mussar - Is Success in Torah Study a Gift or a Result of Hard Work? Special Yom Kippur: The Culmination of 40 Days of Transformation

R. Yosef Babad_Minchat Chinuch__23 Elul 5634, by Rav Binyamin Tabory, originally given for Parshat Nitzavim 5767

With this installment we conclude this series. Ketiva vechatima tova.

Rosh Hashana as "Yom HaDin": Understanding Our Responsibilities, weekly women's shiur in Kehilat Ha'Ela, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Parashat Nitzavim with Rav Dovid Gottlieb

#1 - The Gift and Responsibility of Teshuva: An Awesome Insight of the Meshech Chochma #2 - Midrash - "Lo Bashamayim Hi" - The Amazing Interpretation of Chazal #3 - Sparks of Musar - Breaking Free from the Shackles of Habit and Routine #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Appreciating the Unity of the Jewish People: A Remarkable Teaching from the Lubavitcher Rebbe #5 - Machshava / Jewish Thought - Is Teshuva Based on Fairness or Compassion, Din or Rachamim?

Parashat Ki Tavo with Rav Dovid Gottlieb

#1 - Classical Commentators - Accepting the Validity of Torah - Even More Important than Observance #2 - Contemporary Commentators - Appreciating the Kedusha of Eretz Yisrael: A Beautiful Though from Rav Schwab #3 - Sparks of Chassidus - Bikkurim and Eretz Yisroel: The Lubavitcher Rebbe's Beautiful Explanation #4 - Sparks of Mussar - Appreciating the Bigness of Small Things: The Key to Avodat Hashem #5 - Machshava / Jewish Thought - Happiness as a Religious Value