Ki Teitzei

Embark on a journey of Jewish learning and discovery, exploring the depth of our Ki Teitzei resources, where tagged items including audio, programs, and podcast episodes await your exploration.

Ki Teitzei: Let's Make a Deal

Rabbi Jay Kelman

"All of man's earnings are decreed on Rosh Hashanah, except for expenses regarding Shabbat and Yom Tov and expenses relating to Jewish education" (Beitzah 16a). The more we spend in the latter two areas,…
Article
Aug 28, 2020

Ki Teitzei: On The Way

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Until modern times, travel was viewed as something best avoided. It was slow, uncomfortable, and often quite dangerous. Our rabbis even instituted a special prayer (Brachot 29b-30a) to be said when one has to travel.  Spiritually, travel…
Article
Sep 13, 2019

Ki Teitzei: Demanding More

Rabbi Jay Kelman

When studying Torah we must study not only its content, but also its form; not just what the Torah says, but also how it says it. Proper study requires that we analyze, as best we can, the editorial decisions of the Divine author of the Torah.…
Article
Aug 22, 2018

Ki Teitzei: What a Story!

Rabbi Jay Kelman

A legal brief and a good story are two very different forms of writing. We have even coined a term, legalese, to describe the distinct writing style employed by many a lawyer. The departments of law and that of literature have little to do with…
Article
Sep 1, 2017

Ki Teitzei: Hit 'Em Less

Rabbi Jay Kelman

What is the role of a Rabbi? When this question was asked to Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein, author of the monumental code of law the Aruch Hashulchan, he responded that it is to issue rulings on Jewish law. Such is what one might expect coming…
Article
Sep 5, 2014

Ki Teitzei: Leave G-d Out of It

Rabbi Jay Kelman

For the religion that first brought the message of ethical monotheism to the world, Judaism sure does its best to have us lead much of our daily lives as if there were no G-d, strange and heretical as this may sound. Principles such as "we may…
Article
Sep 4, 2014

Ki Teze: Finders Weepers, Losers Keepers

Rabbi Jay Kelman

It is often hard for us to realize that concepts we take for granted are foreign to others. That helps explain why so many in the Western world are often shocked by events on the other side of the world. Concepts that for us are second nature were (…
Article
Aug 16, 2013

Ki-Teze: On the Road

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Until modern times, travel was viewed as something best avoided. It was slow, uncomfortable, and often quite dangerous. As we learn in Brachot 29b- 30a (which happens to be today’s’ Daf Yomi page), our rabbis instituted a special prayer to be said…
Article
Aug 31, 2012

Ki Teze: The Story Behind the Law

Rabbi Jay Kelman

A legal brief and a good story are two very different forms of writing. We have even coined a term, legalese, to note the distinct writing style employed by many a lawyer. The departments of law and literature usually have little to do with each…
Article
Sep 10, 2011