KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Abarbanel on the Parasha | Shemini | 5785 | Why Couldn't David Build the Mikdash? by Rav Elyakim Krumbein The haftara for Shemini is particularly dramatic. A glimpse of the commentary of Abarbanel on Neviim Rishonim.

Shemini | The Sound of Silence: Vayidom Aharon, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom How are we to understand Aharon's silence? Aharon's reaction to the death of his sons, Nadav and Avihu, is summarized in two words: וידם אהרן. Translation, meaning and implications of these two words are the fodder for much exegetic and homiletic analysis. A survey of the uses of the word דום and דמם throughout Tanakh allows...

Pesach | Birkat HaShir (2), by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why is "Nishmat Kol Chai" the appropriate hymn with which to finish Leil haSeder?  As we discussed  in the previous shiur , the liturgical poem "Nishmat Kol Chai" is quite ancient and predates the era of the פייטנים. It is mentioned by R. Yochanan as the "Birkat haShir" which is to accompany the fourth (or fifth?) cup at the Seder. After reviewi...

Abarbanel on the Parasha | Tzav | 5785 | Fire on the Mizbe'ach, by Rav Elyakim Krumbein What does this mean? Join us for this exciting new series in the commentary of the Abarbanel.

Abarbanel on the Parasha | Vayikra | 5785, by Rav Elyakim Krumbein On the purpose of korbanot. Join us for this exciting new series in the commentary of the Abarbanel.

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 23 | Vayikra, by Rav Eli Weber Excited to begin a new sefer, with a distinct theme for each. On the korbanot and our limitations.

Pesach | Birkat HaShir (1), by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why do we almost finish the Berakhah after Hallel at the Seder - then abruptly switch to Hallel haGadol and Nishmat? Our common practice is to read the Hallel over the fourth cup of wine, after which we nearly finish the blessing customarily recited after Hallel - but without a "signature" (חתימה). We then recite Psalm 136 and נשמת כל חי which w...

Pekudei-HaChodesh | The Multiple Crowns of Rosh Chodesh Nissan, by Rav Yair Kahn What exactly happened on that day?

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 22 | Pekudei, by Rav Eli Weber What is the second half of Sefer Shemot about? Was Moshe wrong about the order of building the Mishkan? Why do we need to devote ourselves to building the Mishkan?

Finding Faith During Crisis: 5 Lessons from HaRav Amital, by Rav Moshe Taragin Re-recording of a Shiur given during Yeshivat Har Etzion Dinner, March 2025

Pesach | Introduction to Midrash Arami Oved Avi, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why was Devarim 26:5-8 selected to be the base text for the retelling of the Exodus at the Seder?  As the Mishna (Pesachim 10:4) codifies, the core text to be used in telling the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim is Devarim 26:5-8 - "Arami Oved Avi" which, in 4 short verses, retells the story of the exile, servitude, pleas for deli...

Vayakhel | Teruma and Vayakhel: Repetition or Complement, by Rav Yair Kahn Vayakhel is almost a word for word repetition of parashat Teruma. However, Chazal noted a discrepancy regarding the order. What idea is being expressed by this sequential shift and how can it be reconciled with the order of parashat Teruma?

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 21 | Vayakhel, by Rav Eli Weber How did the artisans who built the mishkan know what to do? Why did the women give first for the Mishkan?

Pesach |  From Disgrace to Praise: A Reassessment, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom What is the purpose of the texts between "Avadim Hayyinu" until "Arami Oved Avi"?  The "Maggid" section of our Haggada has two central components - the first of which is the Midrash on "Arami Oved Avi" and the other is Rabban Gamliel's explanation of the foods. However, our Haggadot have quite a bit of text between the "qu...

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 20 | Ki Tisa, by Rav Eli Weber What did the Egel come to replace?

Ki Tisa- Purim | Kabbalat HaTorah: From Sinai to Shushan, by Rav Yair Kahn The journey of Kabbalat haTorah: from Sinai to Shushan

Purim | Mordekhai Would Not Bow...Why Not? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The critical catalyst for the story of Purim is Mordekhai's refusal, as a member of Ahashverosh's court, to show obeisance to Haman. The text never explicates the rationale behind this decision, in spite of its centrality to the plot. We survey some common answers given and suggest possible challenges to each - and then propose a...

Tetzaveh - Likrat Purim | The Garments of the High Priest and Queen Esther, by Rav Yair Kahn

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 19 | Tetzaveh, by Rav Eli Weber What is the meaning of the clothes of the Cohanim? What are the Urim and Tumim? Why does HaShem want to be among us?

Teruma | From the Mishkan, by Rav Yair Kahn To the Beit HaMikdash

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 18 | Teruma, by Rav Eli Weber Is there an order to the Torah? What would me the meaning of the Mishkan without the Egel? Why is the order of building the Mishkan the way it is?

Conflicted and Confused, Horrified and Happy: Reflecting on the Return of Living and Murdered Hostages, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb The height of strength or the expression of weakness, courage or desperation?

Mishpatim | Rejoice While Trembling, by Rav Yair Kahn The complexity of the divine encounter

Yitro | Yitro and Moshe, by Rav Yair Kahn Before the burning bush and after

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 17 | Mishpatim, by Rav Eli Weber Why is Eved Ivri the first law? Why does HaShem help the poor? Why did Benei Israel celebrate?