KMTT - the Torah Podcast

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A 30-40 shiur on a Torah topic, every working day, from Yeshivat Har Etzion and the VBM.

Ezra Bick


    • Jun 5, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 34m AVG DURATION
    • 2,507 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from KMTT - the Torah Podcast

    Naso | The Sotah Mystery Revisited

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025 29:27


    Naso | The Sotah Mystery Revisited, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom What do we anticipate will happen to the Sotah if she is guilty? The Sotah ritual has alternatively been called an ordeal, a deterrent, a mollifier, a Divine judgement and much more. Following the lead of some recent research (cited on the source sheet), a new approach to understanding Sotah is proposed - with an interesting implication for a fresh understanding of Yehuda's judgment of Tamar (Bereishit 38) Source sheet >>

    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 29 | Naso

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025 30:00


    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 29 | Naso, by Rav Eli Weber Why does Hashem make a miracle to bring peace between a couple? When was Birkat Kohanim given? Why are the korbanot of the chieftains repeated?

    Sefer Bamidbar | Naso | Religious Individualism and the Machaneh

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025 24:48


    Sefer Bamidbar | Naso | Religious Individualism and the Machaneh, by Rav Ezra Bick Why are the Sota and the Nazir in the middle of parashat Naso?

    Sefer Bamidbar | Bamidbar | A Lot of Names and A Lot of Numbers, Why?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 23:35


    Sefer Bamidbar | Bamidbar | A Lot of Names and A Lot of Numbers, Why? by Rav Ezra Bick Does the population census eliminate individuality in service of creating the national unity, or does it enoble and distinguish the individual? Why are the Jews counted twice in the beginning of Sefer Bemidbar?

    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 28 | Bamidbar

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 29:48


    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 28 | Bamidbar, by Rav Eli Weber Why does Hashem count Israel? Why does Hashem talk to Moshe from Ohel Moed? Why is Levi the smallest tribe?

    Shavuot | The Claims of the Heretics

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 30:10


    Shavuot | The Claims of the Heretics, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The public reading of Aseret HaDibrot (the Decalogue) was practiced on a daily basis in the Mikdash. This practice was banned elsewhere, due to the "Claims of the Heretics" - (תרעומת המינים). Why would there have been an interest in reading the Dibrot publicly every day - and why was it banned? Who are these "heretics" - and what was their position that made the reading an unfavorable thing?

    Tehillim 132: קומה ה' למנוחתך (conclusion)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 34:01


    Tehillim 132: קומה ה' למנוחתך (conclusion), by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom When was Psalm 132 composed - and why? In this conclusion of a two-part shiur, we examine the longest of the שירי המעלה - Psalm 132. This psalm, evidently devoted to the city of Yerushalayim and the Divine choice of both the place and the Davidic line, is especially appropriate as we prepare to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the reunification of Yerushalayim under Jewish sovereignty. Noting that the psalm speaks in different voices, we note numerous related texts in Tanakh that may have either been inspired by, or been the inspiration for our psalm. קומה ה' למנוחתך, אתה וארון עוזך. And, indeed, may we soon see a fulfillment of the promise ואויביו אלביש בשת, ועליו יציץ נזרו.

    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 27 | Behar-Bechukotai

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 29:23


    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 27 | Behar-Bechukotai, by Rav Eli Weber What's the Ramban's view on chronology in the Torah? What is the religious meaning of work? Will there be wild animals in the days of the mashiach?

    Behar-Bechukotai | 5785 | Abarbanel as Philosopher

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 23:31


    Behar-Bechukotai | 5785 | Abarbanel as Philosopher, by Rav Elyakim Krumbein Reward on earth or in the afterlife?

    Kaddish and the Idea of Jewish Nationalism

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 40:44


    Kaddish and the Idea of Jewish Nationalism, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom What is the meaning of Kaddish and why does it require a quorum? How does the impetus for a public declaration shed light on the idea of לאומיות ישראלית - Jewish Nationalism? This talk was given at the annual Karen and Ariel Avrech z"l Memorial Lecture at Young Israel of Century City. יהי זכרם ברוך. Source sheet >>

    Tehillim 132: קומה ה' למנוחתך

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 34:32


    Tehillim 132: קומה ה' למנוחתך, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom What was the occasion that motivated the composition of Psalm 132? A special shiur as we prepare for Yom Yerushalayim. In this first part of a two-part shiur, we examine the longest of the שירי המעלה - Psalm 132. This psalm, evidently devoted to the city of Yerushalayim and the Divine choice of both the place and the Davidic line, is especially appropriate as we prepare to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the reunification of Yerushalayim under Jewish sovereignty. Noting that the psalm speaks in different voices, we note numerous related texts in Tanakh that may have either been inspired by, or been the inspiration for our psalm. קומה ה' למנוחתך, אתה וארון עוזך. And, indeed, may we soon see a fulfillment of the promise ואויביו אלביש בשת, ועליו יציץ נזרו. Source sheet >>

    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 26 | Emor

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 29:33


    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 26 | Emor, by Rav Eli Weber Why do we bring Chametz to the Mikdash on Shavuot? When is Shavuot? What is Sefirat HaOmer?

    Emor | 5785 | Abarbanel on the Holidays

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 22:13


    Emor | 5785 | Abarbanel on the Holidays by Rav Elyakim Krumbein How does the Torah use disrupted patterns to create meaning? 

    Unraveling the Mystery of Lag BaOmer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 37:58


    Unraveling the Mystery of Lag BaOmer, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why is there a celebratory air to the 33rd day of the Omer-count? By far the most mysterious of our festive days is ל"ג בעמר, where the cessation from weddings (etc.) turns the day into a joyous outburst of celebration, replete with bonfires, outings and more. What is the story behind this unexplained day? With the help of an ancient manuscript, a Geniza find, a typesetter's mistake, a letter written by a 4th century Christian Bishop, a rabbi mourning for his son and another rabbi speaking up 14 centuries after his death...we may have the mystery unraveled. This shiur is based on the research of R. Avraham Kosman of Yerushalayim. Source sheet >>

    Achari Mot - Kedoshim | 5785 | Why Be Holy?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 20:30


    Achari Mot - Kedoshim | 5785 | Why Be Holy? by Rav Elyakim Krumbein Abarbanel solves the riddle of Parashat Kedoshim. 

    Tazria Metzora | 5785 | The Concept of Tum'a

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 20:10


    Tazria Metzora | 5785 | The Concept of Tum'a by Rav Elyakim Krumbein Why is ritual purity so central in Sefer Vayikra?

    Acharei Mot - Kedoshim | Maaseh Eretz Cenaan

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 34:41


    Acharei Mot - Kedoshim | Maaseh Eretz Cenaan, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why is the list of forbidden intimate relations introduced with the broad statement prohibiting us from engaging in the ways of the Egyptians and the Canaanites? Source sheet >>

    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 25 | Acharei Mot - Kedoshim

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 29:15


    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 25 | Acharei Mot - Kedoshim, by Rav Eli Weber Everyone knows that the Ramban (like all Jews), loves Eretz Yisrael. But why so much. At the end of Acharei Mot the Ramban explains his philosophy. How is sin different in Eretz Israel than outside of it?

    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 24 | Metzora

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 22:39


    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 24 | Metzora, by Rav Eli Weber What is tzara'at and its connection to Yom HaAtzmaut? What is the meaning of the promised land? How is tzaraat a miracle?

    MiTalmidav shel Aharon

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 64:07


    MiTalmidav shel Aharon | Commemorating the 10th Yahrzeit of Harav Aharon zt"l at Yeshiva University, with two of his talmidim, Rabbi Michael Taubes '77 and Rabbi Mordechai Willig. Divrei peticha: Rabbi Neal Turk. An oved Hashem, of purity of heart.

    Yom HaAtzmaut | Psalm 126: BeShuv Hashem et Shivat Tzion

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 39:18


    Yom HaAtzmaut | Psalm 126: BeShuv Hashem et Shivat Tzion, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why are we described as "like dreamers" upon the return to ציון?  Since those miraculous days of 1948, there have been several proposals to amend the National Anthem with the recitation of Psalm 126 - בשוב ה' את שיבת ציון; famously, Menachem Begin read the entire Psalm in the Rose Garden before signing the Camp David Accords in 1979. The sense of seeing ancient prophecies fulfilled in our day and before our eyes is a powerful one, and this psalm uniquely captures that feeling of הגדיל ה' לעשות עמנו. We examine the psalm, first discussing the issue of authorship and period of the composition of Tehillim and then the method used to study Biblical poetry, specifically Tehillim. Barukh Hashem, in our day, we are experiencing the רינה of the harvesters, sadly mixed with the דמעה of the sowers. Source sheet >>

    Shemini | 5785 | Why Couldn't David Build the Mikdash?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 16:50


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 38:10


    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 us a glimpse to a possible holistic meaning that fits Aharon's reaction as well as the sun's stopping for Yehoshua and the קול דממה דקה heard by Eliyahu. Source sheet >>

    Pesach | Birkat HaShir (2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 35:16


    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 reviewing some of the Halakhic considerations regarding its recitation - including a quick survey of the main approaches among the ראשונים regarding what is said over the fourth cup and if there is a fifth cup, we turn to the text itself and analyze it, line by line, seeing its development from a hymn about personal thanksgiving to a national-historic song of praise to an eschatological vision of universal acknowledgement of God's glory. I then suggest why this was an appropriate poem to be added to the Seder and, from there, to be instituted as the culmination of Psukei d'Zimra - what Chazal referred to as "the daily Hallel" (הלל שבכל יום). Source sheet >>

    Abarbanel on the Parasha | Tzav | 5785 | Fire on the Mizbe'ach

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 15:51


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 19:28


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 27:26


    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)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 38:22


    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 we read to its conclusion - "מלך א-ל חי העולמים". This odd mix of a double-conclusion to Hallel is the result of several confusing sugyot. We assess the sources, including the key rulings of the Geonim and Rishonim and follow them through to today's common practice.

    Pekudei-HaChodesh | The Multiple Crowns of Rosh Chodesh Nissan

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 14:53


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 23:54


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 34:13


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 32:37


    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 deliverance and miraculous Exodus. We examine the earliest sources of the Midrash and demonstrate how our traditional Haggada-text of this Midrash is a combination of several Midrashic strains - all brought together in a powerful and evocative style to help all participants to (potentially) reexperience Yetziat Mitzrayim, as it occurs בכל דור ודור - in every generation. Source sheet >>

    Vayakhel | Teruma and Vayakhel: Repetition or Complement

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 12:34


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 26:26


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 28:53


    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 "quick answer" given in response to "Mah Nishtanah" - and these passages don't seem to conform to the aims of the evening. We reassess the rabbinic dictum מתחיל בגנות ומסיים בשבח - "begin with disgrace and end with praise" and propose an understanding of these four words and their location within the Mishna to offer a reassessment of these opening sections of Maggid. Source sheet >>

    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 20 | Ki Tisa

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 20:15


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 11:15


    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?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 31:15


    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 new answer which impacts on our reading of the entire story, up to and including the climactic war that takes place 11 months after Haman's decree is formulated. Source sheet >>

    Tetzaveh - Likrat Purim | The Garments of the High Priest and Queen Esther

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 11:55


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

    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 19 | Tetzaveh

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 29:47


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 13:37


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

    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 18 | Teruma

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 28:39


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 24:26


    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

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2025 16:48


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

    Yitro | Yitro and Moshe

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2025 12:19


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

    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 17 | Mishpatim

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2025 25:26


    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?

    Amos | On the Development of Prophecy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 52:54


    Amos | On the Development of Prophecy, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom In this brief introduction, I discuss the development of prophecy in Israel, the evolving definition of "Navi" and the development of "literary prophets". We then study the first set of prophecies found in the book of Amos, with an ear towards the oratorial genius of Amos and the many tools he harnesses to effect a suasive presentation to his Samarian audience. This shiur was given at the YU Seforim Sale to introduce my new volume "Amos: The Genius of Prophetic Rhetoric". The book is available at https://theseforimsale.com/collections/english-tanach-1/products/koren_0199  Source sheet >>

    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 16 | Yitro

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 30:20


    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 16 | Yitro, by Rav Eli Weber What's the point of Ma'amad Har Sinai? Who did Benei Israel hear the commandments from? What is the relationship between Zachor and Shamor?

    Beshalach | Shirat HaYam

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 11:58


    Beshalach | Shirat HaYam, by Rav Yair Kahn A great moment or a momentary greatness?

    Bo | The Dual Symbolism of Matza

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 14:20


    Bo | The Dual Symbolism of Matza, by Rav Yair Kahn

    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 15 | Beshalach

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 11:58


    Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 15 | Beshalach, by Rav Eli Weber How did Bnei Israel leave Egypt? What did HaShem give them in Mara? What is the meaning of the rules of the Manna?

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