KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Special Shiur: Insights in the Nature of Birkat Hagomel, by alumnus Rabbi Nati Helfgot. Shiurim in memory of Harav Aharon Lichtenstein given on Sunday morning, May 8, 2016 at Cong. Netivot Shalom based on the Torah legacy of Rav Lichtenstein zt"l

Parshat Emor, The Law of the Blasphemer, by Rav Amnon Bazak Why does the story of the blasphemer appear at this seemingly inexplicable juncture in Sefer Vayikra , and what is the connection to the concept of nationality in the Torah?  

Hesped for Harav Aharon Lichtenstein zt"l on his First Yahrzeit, by his talmid Rav Moshe Taragin, given at the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, Sunday May 8th, 2016

Parshat Kedoshim - The Repeated List of Forbidden Sexual Relations, written by Rav Amnon Bazak Why does the Torah devote two separate chapters to repeating a virtually identical list of prohibited sexual relations, and what is the fundamental connection between these laws and the land of Israel?

Parshat Metzora - The Purification Process, written by Rav Yair Kahn What is the thematic connection between Tazria and Metzora, and how does this connection manifest itself in the specific types of tum'a discussed in these parshiyot?

Parshat Tazria, The Lessons of Tum'a, written by Rav Yair Kahn The laws of tum'a detailed in Parashat Tazria and Metzora are strategically placed in the book of Vayikra between the episode of Nadav and Avihu and the commandment of the Yom Kippur service. What can this unusual placement teach us about the proper balance of emotions that a person must display when approaching God?

Parshat Shemini - For On This Day Hashem Will Appear Before You, written by Rav Yair Kahn What is the connection between Aharon's pivotal role in the sin of the golden calf and his appointment by God to the position of Kohen Gadol?

Parshat Tzav, The Law of Piggul, The Plain Meaning and the Halakhic Midrash, written by Rav Amnon Bazak

Parshat Vayikra, Not Leviticus, written by Rav Yair Kahn It is difficult to understand how the book of Vayikra, known as Torat Kohanim, fits into the broader context of the Torah's narrative. What purpose does Vayikra serve at this juncture in the Torah, and how do its lessons apply to Kohanim and non-Kohanim alike?

Parashat Pekudei - Let Us Sanctify His Name in the World, written by Rav Yair Kahn In light of this year's division of Vayakhel-Pekudei, read together as a double parasha on non-leap years, what is the relationship between the Mishkan and the priestly garments?

Parshat Vayakhel, More Than Repetition, written by Rav Yair Kahn Aside from a few subtle distinctions, much of the Torah's description of the Mishkan's construction in Parashat Vayakhel seems to constitute an exact repetition of Parashat Teruma. What is the reason for this apparent repetition, and what can the two parallel accounts tell us about different ways of relating to religious life?

Parshat Ki Tisa - From the Egel to the Second Luchot, written by Rav Yair Kahn Unlike the sin of the spies, the sin of the golden calf was largely forgiven. What was the reason for this change in God's approach to our sins, and how can we apply this dichotomy to other points in the history of the people of Israel?

Parshat Tetzaveh - The Korban Tamid: A Continuous Beginning, shiur written by Rav Yair Kahn What is the dual symbolism of the korban tamid, and what can this teach us about man's continuous daily encounter with God?

Parshat Teruma - The Mishkan and the Tent, written by Harav Yaakov Medan What can examining the respective roles of the Mishkan and the tent covering it teach us about the dual nature of the people of Israel's relationship with God?.

Parshat Mishpatim - Murdering with Guile, written by Harav Yaakov Medan What is the meaning of the unique fate the Torah assigns to the person who murders with guile, and how does the Tanakh's account of Yoav and his punishment fit this model?

Mizrachi UK in conjunction with British Friends of Yeshivat Har Etzion and The Midrasha held a discussion with two of the leading thinkers of our time, Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein and Rav David Stav. The discussion, on ‘The Emerging Role of Women in Orthodox Judaism’, was led by Rebbetzon Lauren Levin and took place on Motzei Shabbat Yitro 30 January at a NW London venue.  A video of the event can b...

Parshat Yitro, written by Harav Yaakov Medan What was the precise nature of Yitro's involvement with the people of Israel's nascent legal system, and what role did his advice actually play in guiding Moshe's judicial policy?

Modern Orthodox Education in 21st Century Israel & America, by Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg. A panel discussion held on January 15th 2016 at Heichal Shlomo, together with YU Pres. Richard Joel and Rav Dr. Meir Soloveitchik; Moderated by Rav Assaf Bednarsh To listen to the entire discussion, click here . To see in video, click here .

Parshat Beshalach - The Wanderings of Benei Yisrael in the Desert, written by Harav Yaakov Medan

Parshat Bo - This Month Shall Be for You, written by Harav Yaakov Medan The Jewish dating system in common use today bears little resemblance to the system used in the Tanakh , whose roots can be found in this week's parasha . What is the history behind this discrepancy, and how should this inform our choice of dating system today?

Parshat Va'era - I Shall Harden Pharaoh's Heart, written by Harav Yaakov Medan What does it mean when God "hardens the heart" of a sinner in the Tanakh - as He did to Pharaoh in Egypt - and how can a person be held accountable for his sins in such a case?

Parshat Shemot - They Were Fruitful and Multiplied, written by Harav Yaakov Medan The number of years that the people of Israel were enslaved in Egypt is subject to debate among the commentators. What can the answer to this question tell us about the incredible growth of the nation in Egypt from seventy souls to a vast multitude?

Parshat Vayechi - Rachel's Death and Burial, by Harav Yaakov Medan What is the reason for Rachel's unique, eternal role in our tradition, and how does this connect to the perennial dispute over the location of her burial site?

Asara BeTevet, by Rav Binyamin Tabory

Parshat Vayigash - Yosef and Yehuda, written by Harav Yaakov Medan The respective narratives of Yehuda and Yosef contain several clear parallels. What does the Torah's attitude toward these two brothers teach us about the quality of leadership throughout the history of the nation of Israel?