KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Eicha | "Cheit Chat'a Yerushalayim" by Rav Dovid Gottlieb On the power and potential of our actions Chazal seem to emphasize that we - the Jewish people - are uniquely responsible for our actions and their impact on the events of history - how do we understand this and why is it fair?

Ramban on the Torah | 54 | Devarim, by Rav Eli Weber Why are some mitzvot only written down in Sefer Devarim? What do the Meraglim have to do with Moshe not entering Eretz Israel? Why does Hashem make the goyim fear Am Israel?

 Amos | The Opening Oracles Against the Nations, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Many of our literary prophets issued rebukes, warnings and dire threats against the nations surrounding Israel and Amos's opening chapters are often cited as the paradigm for this genre of prophetic oratory. Yet, a closer look at these prophecies and their setting reveals that Amos, who indeed coined a significant number of prophetic stylings and nuances, had a different agenda in presenting these oracles to his Israelite audience. This shiur was given as part of Michlelet Herzog's ימי עיון בתנ"ך. Source sheet >>

9 BeAv | Text Study of Psalm 137 - על נהרות בבלת, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom When and why was על נהרות בבל composed? Psalm 137, the dirge of the Levi'im "at the waters of Babylon" is an intricate and multi-layered psalm that evokes a surprisingly hopeful and defiant message. (This session was held in Ramat Beit Shemesh; thank you to the Reichs for their hospitality.)

The "Sin of the Spies" and Tish'a BeAv, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom By analyzing the accounts in both Shelach and Devarim, we will assess the connection between these two events? Chazal, in a famous Aggada (at the end of Masekhet Ta'anit) generate a calendar in order to "time" the arrival of the scouts at the camp on the afternoon of the 8th of Av so that the weeping "that night" coincides with Tish'a BeAv. The connection between these two events, along with the commands (mentioned at the beginning of Devarim) that we are not to conquer "the land of the children of Lot" is assessed. Source sheet >>   

KMTT - Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 29), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Torah Wisdom of HaRav Amital #29: Building Religion Upon a Human 'Frame"; Accepting Human weakness and Emotional Fluctuations; The Karliner Chasid Who Shouted Too Loud During Davening and the Response of the Gerer Rebbe

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 28), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Torah Wisdom of HaRav Amital #28: Individualism Can Lead to Lack of Collectivism and Societal Responsibility; Individual Passion Can Become Too Chaotic and Disorganized; Too "Excited" to Arrange the Seder Plate Properly

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 26-27), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Torah Wisdom of HaRav Amital #26: Should Religion Make You Tense Or Relaxed?; Why Is A Sense of Humor Helpful for Avodas Hashem; In Europe the Word "Frum" Was an Insult! Torah Wisdom of HaRav Amital #27: Individualism Isn't The Enemy of Religion, It is Crucial for Religion; Listening to Moral Conscience In Making Decisions; Violating Menshlichkeit for Personal Piety; Inconveniencing Others With Chumrot

Matot-Masei | The Detailed Tax on the Spoils of Midian, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why were the spoils of the war with Midian divided in such an unusual manner?  In Bamidbar 31, the Torah presents, in exact (and seemingly superfluous) detail, the spoils of the war against Midian, along with an exact accounting of the Divinely mandated levy placed upon the nation (2%) and the warriors (.2%) for their respective halves of the Midianite spoils. This detailed accounting, including some simple division, would seem to be unneeded and strains our general assumption of the Torah's avoidance of verbosity. Exploring the nature of this war, along with the double-edged vengeance - on behalf of God as well as on behalf of the people - we suggest an approach to understanding this "wordy" presentation that is instructive for generations. Source sheet >>

Ramban on the Torah | 53 | Matot-Masei, by Rav Eli Weber What is the place of Nedarim in Jewish life? What were Shevet Gad and Shevet Reuven asking for? What is the meaning of Yishuv Eretz Israel?