KMTT - the Torah Podcast

From Redemption to Consolation: Between Pesach and 9BeAv. Our Best Strategies for Bi'at Ha-Go'el. #13 Mourning Jerusalem Beyond Tisha B'Av, by Rav Gidon Rothstein The lasting ways we are supposed to mourn Jerusalem, in our ordinary lives, as ways to merit redemption and consolation.

Dena in Shekhem: A Reevaluation, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The tragic events of Bereishit 34, conventionally understood as a case of Shekhem's rape and abduction of Dena, is a narrative replete with internal and broader difficulties. Along with introducing and demonstrating a methodology which encourages the reader to be a "fly on the wall" in the story, we propose, based on both contextual and textual clues, that Shekhem's behavior was far less vile than presumed and that Yaakov may have felt quite differently about the events - until his sons took things into their own hands and forever altered the course of our history. Ahh...what could have been...This shiur was given at the Herzog College Yemei Iyyun in Tanakh 5782. Source sheet >>

Masei | What Did Tzelofhad's Daughters Really Want? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The request of Tzelofhad's daughters is generally seen as a desire to maintain their deceased father's name by having his land stay within the family. However, a closer look at the 2 main stories in Bamidbar - and their odd "split" into two separate sections - along with the relevant passage in Yehoshua 17, leaves us with a number of questions about their real motivation. The shiur suggests a different approach to their initiative. Source sheet >>

Thoughts on Mori veRabbi Harav Amital zt"l upon his 12th Yahrzeit, by Rav Moshe Taragin

Megillat Eikha 5 - Chapter 4, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Chapter 4: Apparently unsuccessful in his attempt to inspire reflection and a glimmer of hope through his autobiographic sketch, the mekonen pulls out all the stops and describes, in devastating and graphic detail, the tragedy of the loss of independence, sovereignty, "favored nation" status and...life. Presenting the apposition of the formerly royally garbed princes of Jerusalem with the starving youth of the streets of the besieged city seems to finally pull some of the desired emotion from the city. By the time this painful chapter comes to a conclusion, the cry for vengeance - at least the beginning of hope - and the promise of eventual victory and solace is heard. Even if it is the voice of the mekonen, the people can finally hear and internalize this message, the beginning of hope, the engine of return.

From Redemption to Consolation: Between Pesach and 9BeAv. Our Best Strategies for Bi'at Ha-Go'el. #12 The Lessons in Finding the Reason for Jerusalem's Destruction, by Rav Gidon Rothstein A plethora of reasons for Jerusalem's destruction, and their lessons for finding our way to consolation.

Matot | "Do Not Bring Us Across the Jordan" - When Did Bnei Yisrael Learn of Moshe's Fate? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Examining several of the interactions between Bnei Yisrael and Moshe after the decree (Bamidbar 20) that he was not to lead them into the Land gives us the impression that Bnei Yisrael were unaware of that Divine fiat - which leads us to inquire: When did Bnei Yisrael learn that their leader, who had led them out of Egypt and through the desert, brought them to Sinai and was the focal point of revelation - would not lead or even accompany them across the Jordan. We explore several key passages in Sefer Devarim and propose a surprising answer which allows for an even more surprising possibility as to the immutability of that Divine punishment. Given in memory of Rav Etshalom's father הרב אשר אהרן בן אברהם בנימין ז"ל Source sheet >>

Megillat Eikha 4 - Chapter 3, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Frustrated in his attempts to get the city to turn inwards, to find solace in God's everlasting kindness and to have the courage to look inwards, repair her ways and commit to turn back to God's ways, the mekonen shares his own painful story of abandonment, desolation and darkness - and his realization that turning his fortunes around was up to him. Having shared this, he then turns to the bereft populace and encourages them to look inwards and upwards; combining self-reflection with heartfelt prayer. Does it work?

From Redemption to Consolation: Between Pesach and 9BeAv. Our Best Strategies for Bi'at Ha-Go'el. #11 The Trumpet Call and Lessons to Learn, by Rav Gidon Rothstein Blowing the chatzotzerot - why are they one mitzva for both good and sad occasions, and what is that meant to teach us?

Pinchas | כצאן אשר אין להם רעה Moshe's Demand that Hashem Appoint a Successor, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The most popular verse in the entire canon - וידבר ה' אל משה לאמר - is inverted one time, in the middle of פרשת פנחס. After the census and the assignation of the Land division, Hashem tells Moshe to prepare to "be gathered to his people" but Moshe resists and "commands" Hashem to appoint a successor so that the nation should not be like "a flock without a shepherd". This leaves us wondering what God's original plan was - why wouldn't a ready successor be in place for Moshe to publicly hand over the mantle of leadership, just as Aharon did with Elazar, his son? By looking at this interaction in the larger context of these final chapters of Bamidbar, we discover a surprising "alternate" future that was, perhaps, reshaped by Moshe's demand. Source sheet >>