KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Rabbenu Yonah's Four Kitot 14: Finishing R. Yonah's Flatterers, by Rav Gidon Rothstein The rest of RY"s Flatterers. Four more types of refusing to step up and call out evil, and what's wrong with it. The importance of at least recognizing evil when it occurs.

Bo | Korban Pesach: Personal, Communal, Epochal, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The Korban Pesach is the centerpiece of Chapter 12 in Shemot - but how did Bnei Yisrael understand its significance, the specifics of the ritual and their own role in history in that context? This shiur explores 3 aspects of the Korban Pesach which may have informed the people's awareness at that great time. Source sheet >>

Rabbenu Yonah's Four Kitot 13: The First Five Flatterers, by Rav Gidon Rothstein Chanifa, when we tell evil it is good, in some way or other.

Vaera | The Surprising Genealogy, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Just as Hashem's magnificent promises and ominous threats are about to be broadcast by Moshe, both to B'nei Yisrael as well as to Pharaoh, the text interrupts with a most unusual mini-genealogical list. We are told, all so briefly, about the families of Reuven and Shimon, after which we are given a somewhat detailed presentation of the Levites - with a curiously selective strategy informing the list. Some of the great-great grandsons of Levi are identified, whereas others are elided. We survey a few of the approaches proposed by the traditional commentators, after which, building on Rashbam and Bekhor Shor, suggest a context-driven solution to the conundrum of this odd and somewhat jarring insert into to Exodus narrative. Source sheet >>

Rabbenu Yonah's Four Kitot 12: Fabricating a Quote and Its Challenges, by Rav Gidon Rothstein When might we be allowed to fake a quote to bring people to a truth they would not realize otherwise.

Shemot | Elokei Avikha - The God of Your Father, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom When God first summons Moshe to his great agency, He introduces Himself to his prophet as "the God of your father" - however, during the course of their testy interaction at Horev, it shifts to "the God of their (the Hebrews') fathers" and the direct association with Moshe is left behind. We explore why this sobriquet was the ideal - and why it was lost, only to be recovered at a later stage in Moshe's career. This shiur was given in honor of Ariella Etshalom and her חתן, Yoni Broth, on the occasion of their week of marital celebration - כן ירבו שמחות בישראל. Source sheet >>

Rabbenu Yonah's Four Kitot 11: Lying for Peace and Quoting a More Accepted Authority, by Rav Gidon Rothstein Lies for peace and fabricating a quote!

Sheva Berakhot: Six, Five, Three or One? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom We are all familiar with "Sheva Berakhot", such that we even refer to the festive meals during the week of celebration as "Sheva Berakhot" A closer look at the sources tests our numbering - and may reveal something more fundamental about these Berakhot and their place at the Chuppa, as well as at the festive meals. Given in honor of the forthcoming wedding of Ariella Etshalom to Yoni Broth. We join in wishing a mazal tov, and eagerly anticipate much nachat from them as they build a trustworthy and beautiful home together. Source sheet >>

Rabbenu Yonah's Four Kitot 10: Bending or Breaking the Truth for Peace, by Rav Gidon Rothstein Situations when we may say what is not strictly true, and perhaps even untrue; what justifies it and what consequences does it bring.

A Different Type of Gadol: Hesped for Harav Chaim Meir Druckman zt"l