KMTT - the Torah Podcast

The Weekly Mitzva - Beshalach, The Mitzva of Hallel, by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur begins with the argument between the Rambam and Ramban, whether hallel is a Torah obligation or a rabbinic one. In the course of the discussion, there is an attempt to clarify the criterion that generate the obligation to recite hallel and to define the precise definition of that obligation   

Topics in Practical Halakha #8 Gezeirot Akum, by Rav Mordechai Friedman

Parshat   Bo - Confrontation of Moshe and Paro, written by Rav Ezra Bick   The first seven plagues occur in  Parashat Va'era , while the last three occur this week in  Parashat Bo . What is the reason for this division, and what does it tell us about the nature of Moshe's series of dramatic meetings with Par'o?

Am Levadad Yishkon #12 – “Mamlechet Kohanim V’Goy Kadosh – Part Two,” by Rav Asher Haber With its mitzvot, Torah addresses every single aspect of human life – not only for the individual but also for the nation as a whole.  Among other things, the Torah tells us how to run a political system and government, an economy, a system of legal and criminal law with a judiciary and a police force, an educ...

  The Weekly Mitzva - Bo, Exemption of Tefillin at Night, by Rav Yair Kahn    Both night and Shabbat are times that the mitzva of tefillin doesn't apply. The shiur will explore the basic difference between these two exemptions.

Topics in Practical Halakha #7, Ma'aseh Akum, by Rav Mordechai Friedman

Parshat Vaera - Liberating the Spirit of the Israelites, written by Rav Ezra Bick Moshe, the man of "impeded speech," was not your typical inspirational leader. What, then, is the key to Moshe's success in liberating the people of Israel, both from the land of Egypt and from their own slave mentality?

Am Levadad Yishkon #11 – “Mamlechet Kohanim v’Goy Kadosh – Part One” by Rav Asher Haber What does it mean that we are meant to be a “Kingdom of Kohanim”?   What’s a Kohen, and how are we to fill this role?  And what does it mean specifically to be a “Kingdom”?  The answer involves new insights into the role of Am Yisrael in the world, and a new understanding of what the Torah is.

The Weekly Mitzva - Vaera,  The Four Cups of the Seder Night , by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur discusses the specific halakha of the four cups as well as the laws of the seder night in general.  

Parshat Shemot - From Egyptian Prince to Israelite Redeemer, written by Rav Ezra Bick In the early part of his life, Moshe undergoes a series of dramatic personal transformations. By examining the incidents recounted in this week's parasha, and with a special focus on the language the Torah uses, we will see how these transformations turn a member of Paro's household into the leader of the Jewish...

Am Levadad Yishkon #10, “Sinai: The Foundational Moment,” by Rav Asher Haber After a lengthy period of slavery and suffering in Egypt, the moment had finally arrived: Am Yisrael was redeemed from bondage, and headed for the Promised Land.  However, even before the process began, Moshe Rabbeinu was informed that there was a more immediate destination, something they would need to do before entering...

The Weekly Mitzva - Shemot, The Laws of Adoption, by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur will deal with various laws connected with adoption and consider the extent to which an adopted child is compared to a biological one.

Parshat Vayechi, From Egypt to Canaan Ya'akov's extreme distaste for the land of Egypt expresses itself in his insistence that Yosef not bury him there. But what is at the root of this attitude, and how is this reflected in his choice of words to Yosef?

Am Levadad Yishkon #9 – “A Pre-ordained Exile” by Rav Asher Haber Having been charged with the mission – and the promise – of founding the Chosen People, Avraham Avinu and his descendants Yitzchak and Yaakov faced many obstacles.  Ultimately, Yaakov Avinu found himself on the way down to Egypt for what would be several generations of exile, slavery and suffering.  Why was this necessary?

The Weekly Mitzva - Vayechi, Reciting Baruch Shem Kvod Malchuto Quietly, by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur will discuss various aspects related to reciting Baruch Shem Kvod Malchuto, and show how this relates to the mitzva of Kriat Shema.

The Weekly Mitzva - Vayigash, Greetings in the Midst of Kriat Shema, by Rav Yair Kahn This shiur will discuss the halakhic parameters regarding the issue of greeting a friend in the middle of kriat shema and analyze the core idea at the root of this halakha.

Parshat Vayigash, The Twilight Years, written by Rav Ezra Bick Surprisingly, Ya'akov is still frequently referred to by his old name even after he becomes Yisrael. What is the significance of the Torah's choice of one name over the other, particularly during the final years of Ya'akov's life?

Parshat Miketz, Yaakov and Yehuda, written by Rav Ezra Bick

Topics in Practical Halakha #6, Chanuka Part 2, by Rav Mordechai Friedman

Am Levadad Yishkon #8 – “Avraham Avinu: The Man, The Mission, The Challenge” by Rav Asher Haber We’ve reached the point in our series where we can begin to understand the reasons for the strange and almost incomprehensible entity known as “Am Yisrael”.  After the events described in Parshiot Bereishit and Noach, the need for a Chosen Nation becomes clear, and Avram was picked to be the one to foun...

Topics in Practical Halakha #5, Chanuka, by Rav Mordechai Friedman

The Weekly Mitzva - Miketz, Birkat Hagomel, by Rav Yair Kahn A discussion of the halakhot regarding birkat hagomel. What are the conditions that obligate reciting the berakha and how is this connected to the nature of the berakha.  

Parshat Vayeshev - Toldot Yaakov, written by Rav Yair Kahn What does Ya'akov's reaction to the news of Yosef's death teach us about the value of unity in  Am Yisrael ?

Am Levadad Yishkon #7: "From Noach to Avraham," by Rav Asher Haber In this week's podcast, we trace the developments described in Parshat Noach - from a world on the brink of destruction to a world that will never be destroyed, and from one man to seventy nations in need of someone to lead them.

The Weekly Mitzva - Vayeshev, Fasting in the Wake of a Bad Dream , by Rav Yair Kahn The shiur deals with the unique halacha of a "taanit chalom" and discusses how this fast circumvents the standard requirement of accepting a personal fast on one's self the previous day and why it is permitted to fast a "taanit chalom" on Shabbat.