TMC Torah Blog

June 15, 2025

What is the Twentieth of Sivan?

Question: What is the Twentieth of Sivan? Answer: The Twentieth of Sivan is a historic Jewish fast day established by Rabbeinu Tam in 1171 to commemorate the Blois massacre in France, the first blood libel in continental Europe. It later symb…

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May 30, 2025

What Should You Learn On Shavuos Night?

What to Learn on Shavuos Night? It is customary across Klal Yisroel to stay awake on Shavuos night and learn Torah. Many recite Tikun Leil Shavuos, a set text including selections from Torah, Nevi’im, Kesuvim, Mishnayos, and Zohar. T…

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May 30, 2025

What is the Bracha on Cheesecake?

On Shavuos, the Rema (494:3) writes that one should eat dairy foods, and over time, cheesecake has become a beloved and iconic dish associated with the chag. When it comes to the proper brachos to recite before and after eating cheesecake, on…

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May 27, 2025

What is the Torah's definition of a true friend?

The definition of a friend can be explored through two perspectives from the Torah. Rabbi Dov Schwartzman suggests that to understand the meaning of a word in the Torah, one should examine its first occurrence. He notes that the first mention…

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May 6, 2025

Why Do We Go on Chol Hamoed Trips?

Why Do We Go on Chol Hamoed Trips? Twice a year, during Chol Hamoed, families head out on trips. But have you ever wondered why we do this—and where this enjoyable tradition comes from? The Rambam says that during all the days of Chag, inclu…

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March 10, 2025

Navigating the Transition: The Afternoon Purim Seudah into Shabbas and the Halachic Principle of Poreis Mapah U'Mekadeish

Part 1: The Shulchan Aruch (249:2) rules that on Friday, one is prohibited from eating a large meal that is not typically consumed on a weekday. The Rama adds that a seudah [mitzvah] that falls on Friday, such as a bris or pidyon haben, is permitte…

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March 4, 2025

Who Is Amalek?

Amalek (עֲמָלֵק‎) is the enemy nation of the Israelites. The name "Amalek" can refer to the descendants of Amalek, the grandson of Esav, anyone who lived in their territories in Canaan, or North African descendants of Cham, the son of Noach. Regar…

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Feb. 20, 2025

Ramban on this week's Parsha, Parshas Mishpatim:

The following is an assemblage of critical essays and remarks by Ramban on this week's Parsha, Parshas Mishpatim: In Chapter 21, verse 1, Ramban elucidates the meaning of "placing the laws before Israel." In Chapter 22, verse 20, he explores the Jew…

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Feb. 11, 2025

10 Facts About TuBishvat

Tu BiShvat, or the "New Year of the Trees," is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 15th of Shevat in the Hebrew calendar. Tu BiShvat is named after its occurrence on the fifteenth day of Shevat in the Hebrew calendar. "Tu" represents the Hebrew lett…

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Feb. 10, 2025

Feeding the Birds on Shabbos Shirah

Some observe a custom of feeding birds on Shabbos Shirah. Two reasons are given for this custom. The Aruch HaShulchan (324:3) explains that since the birds sang along with the Jewish people at the splitting of the sea, we honor them by providing foo…

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Feb. 10, 2025

Yisro's Goosebumps

Yisro's Goosebumps וַיִּ֣חַדְּ יִתְר֔וֹ עַ֚ל כׇּל־הַטּוֹבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִצִּיל֖וֹ מִיַּ֥ד מִצְרָֽיִם׃ And Jethro rejoiced over all the kindness that Hashem had shown Israel when delivering them from the Egyptians. Rashi:ויחד יתרו AND JETHRO REJOICED — Th…

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Feb. 5, 2025

What is the proper Bracha to make on the common wheat wrap?

Question: What is the proper bracha to make on the common wheat wrap? Answer:To answer this question, we first need to understand some basic concepts regarding foods made from the five primary grains: wheat, rye, spelt, oats, and barley. These…

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Jan. 30, 2025

Discover the Secrets to Igniting Your Inner Fire and Elevate Your Service to Hashem with Joy! (Sefer Hachinuch, Rambam, Mesilas Yesharim)

Uncover the secrets to igniting your inner fire and enhancing your service to Hashem with joy. Delve into these three remarkable sources that explore and reveal the truth about kindling your internal spiritual flame. Sefer Hachinuch: Mitzvah 16 שֶׁלֹּ…

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Jan. 5, 2025

Important Information to Know About Fulfilling the Mitzvah of Shnayim Mikra Ve-echad Targum

Question: Shnayim mikra ve-echad targum is a Halacha that commands that a person, in addition to listening to the Torah portion being read in the synagogue, read it themselves twice during the week, along with a translation. Can I read the Parsha in…

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Jan. 5, 2025

Question: Should one stand or sit when making kiddush on Friday night?

Question: Should one stand or sit when making kiddush on Friday night? Answer: The Rambam (Shabbos 29:1) says there is a mitzvah d’Oraisa to sanctify Shabbos with a verbal statement. Later (Shabbos 29:6), he says the Sages instituted that the…

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Jan. 5, 2025

Why We Eat Donuts on Chanukah

There is a longstanding custom in Klal Yisrael to eat donuts on Chanukah, which dates back to the time of the Rambam’s father, Rabbi Maimon ben Yosef. Sefer Sarid Upalit (p. 8) cites his words: "One should not be lenient with any custom, even…

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Dec. 23, 2024

What is the background on spending money on the menorah? Isn't the mitzvah about the candle and oil? If I purchase a menorah, is it better to buy silver than another material?

Question: What is the background on spending money on the menorah? Isn't the mitzvah about the candle and oil? If I purchase a menorah, is it better to buy silver than another material? Answer: This is no small question as the Mishna Berura (671:1)…

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Dec. 18, 2024

The Halachos of Mayim Achronim

Question: What's the truth about Mayim Achronim? I've noticed that some people only put a few drops of water on their fingers, but what amount is needed? Is it necessary to perform Mayin Achronim after eating a meal during the week? Answer: There a…

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Dec. 8, 2024

Question: Are Jewish magazines considered Shaimos? Should I dispose of them respectfully since they contain Torah articles?

Question: Are Jewish magazines considered Shaimos? Should I dispose of them respectfully since they contain Torah articles? Answer: The Gemara in Makkos (22a) teaches, based on the verse in Parshas Re'eh (12:4), that it is forbidden to erase or des…

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Nov. 25, 2024

Exploring the Laws and Customs of Seudah Shlishis: The Third Shabbas Meal

The Gemara in Shabbos (117b) teaches that eating three meals on Shabbos is an obligation. In Shabbos (118a), the Gemara further states that as a reward, one who fulfills this mitzvah will be saved from three significant calamities: 1) the suffering …

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Nov. 20, 2024

Parshas Chayei Sarah Summary

Sarah dies at age 127 and is buried in the Machpelah Cave in Chevron, purchased by Avraham for four hundred shekels of silver. Avraham sends his servant Eliezer to find a wife for Yitzchak. At a well, Eliezer prays for a sign: the woman who offers w…

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Nov. 18, 2024

Yahrtzeit Observances for the Month of Cheshvan

Cheshvan Yahrtzeits Include: 1. Bluzhever Rebbe/Reb Shmuel Kunda/Rav Shlomo Lorincz2. Rav Simcha Wasserman3. Rav Itzeleh Volozhiner/Rav Yisroel of Ruzhin/Rav Eliezer of Dzikov/Rav Ovadia Yosef4. Piaseczner Rebbe5. Maayanah shel Torah/Rav Avrohom Er…

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Nov. 17, 2024

Davening an Early Maariv

The Question: I see many shuls have a minyan for Maariv right after Mincha, but isn't that too early to daven since it's not the time when three stars come out? The Answer: Hi, thank you for your submission and feedback! To clarify, we need to de…

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Nov. 7, 2024

Haftorah Highlights: Parshas Lech Lecha: Yeshayahu 40:27-41:16-ישעיהו מ:כז-מא:טז

The Levush (669:1) explains this week's selected Haftorah’s connection to Parshas Lech Lecha in pasuk 41:2: “Who inspired [the one] from the East, who would proclaim His righteousness and at [every] footstep?" The verse concludes, "May h…

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