KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Teruma | And I will dwell among the children of Israel, by Rav Eli Weber Melakhim I 5: 26-32 - 6: 1-13 Between the Mishkan and the Mikdash.

Megillat Esther | Esther's Brilliant Plan, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why do we need to hear so many details of the Persian court in Esther 1 and 2 - when the plot only begins in chapter 3? The first two chapters of Esther seem superfluous to the critical part of the plot - the decree to kill Mordekhai's nation and the successful stratagem that defeated it. Why does the reader need to hear about the Persian Emperor's "glory" and extended coronation party, and about the excessive preening and primping involved in getting the young maidens ready for their "night with the king"? We explore the psychological profiles that each chapter gives us about Achashverosh and Esther, respectively, and then the profile that chapter 3 and 5 give us about Haman; without which we wouldn't be able to understand Esther's brilliant strategy that outfoxed our two enemies and opened the door to national salvation.

Mishpatim | The Beloved Wife of the "Nirtza", by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Parashat Mishpatim opens up with legislation regarding the "Hebrew slave", who is really more of an indentured servant. In this passage, the master may "assign" a woman to the servant, but when his six-year term of servitude is complete, he leaves her when he goes free. If he chooses to stay due to his love for his master - and his wife and their children - he may refuse to leave, have his ear publicly pierced and remain a slave "forever". The Halakha understands that "forever" means until the Yovel - but where does that leave the wife and children that the slave loves so dearly? Inspired by Rashbam's broad approach to exegesis, we examine all three passages about the עבד עברי - here, in ויקרא and in דברים - and identify the distinct circumstances that inform them and propose a distinction between the passage in our Parasha and that in דברים to help resolve some of the difficulties in these פרשיות. Source sheet >>

Yitro | Reliving Sinai, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom In his farewell speech, Moshe continually refers to the day of Matan Torah as יום הקהל, and even recalls Hashem's command הקהל לי את העם - to gather all of the people. This historic experience and the obligation to always remember it and to transmit it to the next generation seems to be the impetus for the Mitzva of Hakhel - to gather everyone for a public reading of the Torah "that they will learn to fear Hashem..." (Devarim 31). But this practice, although modestly revived about 140 years ago, was not activated for hundreds of years - yet, it seems that there was a more local and regular practice which was, at least partially, formulated in order to maintain the memory of the Stand at Sinai. We explore the Eretz Yisrael tradition of completing the Torah over 3 and a half years - or twice in a seven-year span, and explore its relationship to Hakhel and, ultimately, to a weekly (at least) reexperiencing of Sinai.

Beshalach | Miriam's Role in the Song at the Sea, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The introductory line to the Song at the Sea (Shemot 15:1) is enigmatic on several counts. First of all, why is Moshe listed separately - and the verb ישיר is in the singular - if all of the people sang? Furthermore, how would they all know what to say/sing? We review the various Tannaitic opinions addressing these questions and Moshe's role in the paean. Furthermore, we explore the purpose and added praise which Miriam's actions brought about - if the women had already "sung" with all of Bnei Yisrael, what did they accomplish by singing again by themselves?

Va'era | And all the inhabitants of Miżrayim shall know that I am God, by Rav Eli Weber Yechezkel 28:25 - 29:21 Why do we need 10 makkot?

Shemot | And In that Day a Great Shofar Shall be Sounded, by Rav Eli Weber Yeshayahu 27:6-28:13. On geula and materialism.

Thoughts for Asara B'Tevet 5786, by Rav Moshe Taragin Was the Translation of Torah Tragic? Was the Holocaust a Historical Shift? When the Narrative Changes. Preserving Halakha and Masorah. The Dangers of Hyper-Preservationism in Charedi Culture