KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Tetzaveh | The Strange Placement of the Golden Altar, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why is the מזבח הקטורת commanded separately - and much later - than all of the other כלים of the משכן? After the detailed prescriptions for the construction of the Mishkan and its appurtenances, the Torah describes a lengthy and step-by-step inauguration ceremony for the Kohanim. Only after that is completed, the Torah identifies, describes and locates the final vessel - the golden altar, exclusively to be used for incense, which is to be placed between the Shulchan and the Menorah inside the Kodesh. We echo the question of numerous commentators - why weren't these prescriptions, including material, dimensions and location presented along with the other 'inner-vessels" at the beginning of the Mishkan-commands? Taking a panoramic look at the entire series of commands relating to the Mishkan, we identify several key phrases that may help us understand not only the "delayed command" but also some of its nuances as well as the commands that follow it in completing the Mitzvot of the construction of the Mishkan. Source sheet >>

Ramban On The Torah | 34 | Tetzaveh, by Rav Eli Weber What is the meaning of the mishkan? How does God dwell among us? What is the meaning of Mizbeiach Haketoret? 

On the Importance of Friendship, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Torah sources supporting the "secular" roles of friendship, as well as the "religious" benefits. Bookended by two mishnayot in Pirkei Avot. A shiur in practical halakha given at Kehillat Haela, Ramat Beit Shemesh. 

Teruma | Just a Vav: Rashi and Textual Criticism, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why is Rashi explaining a "Vav" that isn't there? (Shemot 25:22).  Rashi's comment on Shemot 25:22, explaining the letter "vav" in the word ואת as being superfluous, has raised eyebrows over the centuries...since in our Sifrei Torah, the word is את, without a Vav. We identify other Rishonim who apparently had that reading in their text of the Torah and then review those supercommentaries of Rashi who addressed this unusual note. This leads us to a discussion of the phenomenon of textual variants in Tanakh and the fact that it is not an isolated phenomenon; we see examples of this in the manner in which Biblical texts are quoted in Chazal as well as the well-known story of the three Sifrei Torah found in the Azara, each of which had one unique feature relative to the other two, leading the Chakhamim to favor the two over the one. The unexpected result was that each of these scrolls was ultimately judged to be invalid.  Source sheet >>

Ramban On The Torah | 33 | Teruma, by Rav Eli Weber How can we explain the order of the parashot? What is the purpose of the Mishkan?

Mishpatim | A Thought on the Parasha, by Rabbi Aharon Lopiansky, followed by Q+A with the overseas talmidim Rabbi Aharon Lopiansky is the Rosh HaYeshiva of the Yeshiva of Greater Washington – Tiferes Gedaliah, accepting the position in July of 2014. He studied and received rabbinic ordination from the Mir Yeshiva of Jerusalem. In Israel, Rabbi Lopiansky taught at Aish HaTorah from 1983-1990, and then taught at the Mir for five years before assuming the post of Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva Gedolah of YGW in 1995.  Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with our overseas talmidim.

Mishpatim | The Hebrew Maidservant and Marital Obligations, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why does האמה העבריה serve as the source for a husband's obligations towards his wife?  The second entry into the Law Code (Parashat Mishpatim) is the law of the Hebrew maid - האמה העבריה. In a surprising twist, the rules governing her proper treatment serve as the basis for the Torah's mandated obligations of husband to wife. We explore the text and attendant Midrash Halakha, in both Mekhiltot and both Talmudim, continuing with a survey of the Rishonim. After a brief tangential excursus about the methodology of P'shat study of legal passages, we revisit the five verses that make up this Parasha and propose a novel reading of the text with several surprising results. Source sheet >>

Ramban On The Torah | 32 | Mishpatim, by Rav Eli Weber Why are the judges called "Elohim"? What is the meaning of "An eye for an eye"? Why does the Torah protect the Gerim specifically?

Ramban On The Torah | 31 | Yitro, by Rav Eli Weber Is there "mukdam and meuchar" in the Torah? What is the mitzva in the pasuk "Anochi Hashem E-lokecha"? Did God tell us all ten commandments or only the first two?

Israel at War: New Identities, Equilibriums and Dynamics In this episode, Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg continues her conversation with her mother Dr. Tovah Lichtenstein. Their discussion is centered around the hostages and how we as a people can best connect to the pain of their families and help secure their release. They address the question of what it means to be a religious Israeli today and how the different parts of our identity inform our connections. Finally, they close with thoughts on what it will mean to establish new equilibriums and dynamics within a family structure and setting as soldiers begin to come home after months away on the front. *This podcast was created thanks to the Arev Fund's generous support.