KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Topics in Practical Halakha #14, Erev Pesach, by Rav Mordechai Friedman

Topics in Practical Halakha #13, Kitniyot on Pesach Part 2, by Rav Mordechai Friedman

The Weekly Mitzva - Vayikra, The Prohibition of Leaven and Honey , by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur deals with the general parameters of this prohibition as well as the specific case of adding leaven and honey to the ketoret.   

Parshat Vayakhel-Pekudei,  Mishkan and Shabbat, written by Rav Ezra Bick What is the commandment to observe Shabbat doing at the beginning of a parasha that is all about the construction of the mishkan, and what can this teach us about the character of Shabbat as a holy day?

Am Levadad Yishkon #18 – “Messianic Era Part One,” by Rav Asher Haber  What is the “Messianic Era”?  How does it connect to everything we’ve been speaking about in this series?  We’ll begin to address that question by looking at what the Torah itself tells us about the End of History.

The Weekly Mitzva - Vayakhel-Pekudei,  Engraving Letters , by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur distinguishes between writing words directly and causing words to appear indirectly.

Topics in Practical Halakha #11 Benching and Zimmun Part 1

The Weekly Mitzva - Ki Tisa,  Pitum Haketoret,  by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur deals with the issur of leaving out one of the ingredients of the ketoret

Parshat Ki Tisa, written by Rav Ezra Bick The series of interactions between God and Moshe in the aftermath of the sin of the golden calf can be difficult to follow and understand. By examining these interactions, we arrive at a fascinating insight into Moshe's ability to achieve forgiveness from God on behalf of the people of Israel.

Parshat Tetzaveh - Tamid, written by Rav Ezra Bick The tamid , the continual, twice-daily burnt offering, is described in two separate sections in the Torah. How can the subtle differences between these two series of verses help us understand two aspects of the relationship between man and God?

Am Levadad Yishkon #17 – “Story of Bilaam Part Four – Pinhas and the War of Midian” The story of Bilaam appears to end with his failure, on all three attempts, to curse the Jewish People. However, a closer reading of the text shows that the narratives that follow, involving the sin of Baal Peor, the act of Pinhas and the war of Midian, are an integral part of the story.  These events form a tragic...

Topics in Practical Halakha #10 Shabbat Zachor and Purim, by Rav Mordechai Friedman

The Weekly Mitzva - Tetzaveh, The Ner Tamid of the Mikdash , by Rav Yair Kahn   To what extent can the menora be described as a 'ner tamid'? After all, the mitzva is to light it only till the morning.

The Weekly Mitzva - Teruma, The Halakha of "Nediv Lev", by Rav Yair Kahn Under what conditions can one create a binding obligation through unverbalized thought.

Parshat Teruma - The Kaporet, written by Rav Ezra Bick The kaporet is described in the Torah not only as the golden cover for the aron, but in many ways as an independent vessel with its own unique identity. What can the kaporet's dual role tell us about the confluence between the physical and the spiritual in the Holy of Holies?

Topics in Practical Halakha #9 Tu Bishvat, by Rav Mordechai Friedman We apologize for the late posting.

Am Levadad Yishkon #16 – “Story of Bilaam Part Three – Curses Turned to Blessings,” by Rav Asher Haber Three times Bilaam attempted to curse the Jewish People, and instead pronounced blessings instead of curses.  These short poetic passages contain some of the most eloquent praises of Am Yisrael ever uttered.  We can learn a lot about ourselves by listening to them.

Am Levadad Yishkon #15 – “Story of Bilaam Part Two – Bilaam’s Stubborn Insistence,” by Rav Asher Haber Why does Hashem seemingly change His mind – after telling Bilaam the first time not to go, the second time, He tells him to go.   And once He allowed him to go, why does He then get angry at Bilaam for going?  And what’s the whole incident with the talking donkey about?

The Weekly Mitzva - Mishpatim, The Source of Judicial Authority, by Rav Yair Kahn  An analysis of contradictory sugyot regarding the requirement that judges have semikha.

Parshat Mishpatim - God, the Angel and the Jews, written by Rav Ezra Bick Throughout the Torah, angels serve as agents of God, carrying out His will in a variety of ways. But why would God choose to act through the agency of an angel, and what can this teach us about the relationship between God and man in general?

Parshat Yitro, Epilogue, written by Rav Ezra Bick The revelation at Sinai is immediately followed by a series of commandments that seem to bear little connection to this momentous event. But is there truly no connection between the Ten Commandments and their epilogue?

Am Levadad Yishkon #14 –  “Story of Bilaam Part One – Balak’s Unnecessary Fear,”    by Rav Asher Haber We begin an analysis of the parsha containing the verse “Am Levadad Yishkon.”  Balak, King of Moav, was terrified of Am Yisrael, even though a careful reading of the Biblical text makes clear he had nothing to worry about.  Why was he led to believe he was in danger?   

The Weekly Mitzva - Yitro, The Mechanics of Kriat Hatorah, by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur will analyze the relationship between the role of the person who gets an aliya and that of the ba'al koreh.

Am Levadad Yishkon #13 – “A Roadmap for Jewish History,” by Rav Asher Haber   The Jewish People are required to follow the Torah; nothing less than the destiny of the entire world depends on it.  But what if they don’t?  The Torah answers that question with a descriptive narrative that predicts the entire course of Jewish history in advance.

Parshat   Beshalach - What is it? written by Rav Ezra Bick The very meaning of the word " man" implies curiosity and bemusement. What is it about the manna that makes it so fascinating - in some ways the focal point of the people of Israel's experience in the wilderness?