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TMC Torah Blog

Rambam: Mishneh Torah, Foreign Worship and Customs of the Nations The Story of Idolatry and How Our Father Avraham Discovered Hashem
Nov. 6, 2024

Rambam: Mishneh Torah, Foreign Worship and Customs of the Nations The Story of Idolatry and How Our Father Avraham Discovered Hashem

Rambam: Mishneh Torah, Foreign Worship and Customs of the Nations The Story of Idolatry and How Our Father Avraham Discovered Hashem Trans. by Rabbi Eliyahu Touger, Moznaim Publishing Courtesy of: www.sefaria.org/texts   Chapter 1 Law 1 בִ…
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Explore Abraham's impact on monotheism, uniting 4.455 billion followers
Nov. 5, 2024

Explore Abraham's impact on monotheism, uniting 4.455 billion followers

Parshas Lech Lecha states, "And you shall no longer be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I make you the father of a multitude of nations." It is remarkable to note that to this day, Abraham is considered the father of billions of peo…
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Shloshim Yom Kodem Hachag - Elul and Tishrei: An essential guide for preparing for Yom Tov
Nov. 1, 2024

Shloshim Yom Kodem Hachag - Elul and Tishrei: An essential guide for preparing for Yom Tov

1. Source To Learn Halachos Thirty Days Before Rosh Hashanah: Gemara Pesachim (6A) tells us that 30 days before Pesach, we begin learning the halachos of Pesach. Seder Hayom says the obligation applies to Rosh Hashanah, too. Sources: Seder Hayom…
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How should one properly discard a Lulav, Esrog, and the Hadassim bundle? Can they be thrown away in the regular trash, or do they possess Kedusha?
Oct. 29, 2024

How should one properly discard a Lulav, Esrog, and the Hadassim bundle? Can they be thrown away in the regular trash, or do they possess Kedusha?

The best way to discard the Lulav and Esrog is to burn them with the Chametz before Pesach (Mishna Berura). If this is not possible, these items are Tashmishei Mitzva, Holy articles used for a Mitzva, and one should place them out in a field or some…
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Five Strategies for Maximizing the Winter Zman: A Critical Period for Torah Advancement
Oct. 28, 2024

Five Strategies for Maximizing the Winter Zman: A Critical Period for Torah Advancement

Be prepared in advance for the Zman. Gather the necessary holy texts and essential supplies. Cultivate the right mindset, resembling the determination and focus of an Olympic athlete before a marathon. Select your chavrusa wisely. Pairing study p…
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Isru Chag: A Comprehensive Overview of This Additional Day of Holiness
Oct. 26, 2024

Isru Chag: A Comprehensive Overview of This Additional Day of Holiness

Isru Chag (אסרו חג, lit. 'Bind [the] Festival') refers to the day after each of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals. The phrase originates from Psalms 118:27, which states, "Bind the festival offering with cords to the corners of the altar." Accor…
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Laws and Customs of Erev Yom Kippur
Oct. 10, 2024

Laws and Customs of Erev Yom Kippur

An abridged version of Selichos is said on Erev Yom Kippur, and During Shacharis, Mizmor L'sodah, Tachanun, and Lamenatzei'ach are omitted. Avinu Malkeinu is recited this year (as Yom Kippur coincides with Shabbos). The minhag of Kapparos should be…
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Tashlich
Oct. 7, 2024

Tashlich

Rama cites the custom of reciting the Tashlich (lit. "to cast") prayer by a body of water on Rosh Hashanah. This prayer asks God to cast away our sins. The Maharil explains that we recite it near water based on a Medrash that tells how When Avraham …
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Do This 3 DAYS Before Judgement Day
Sept. 30, 2024

Do This 3 DAYS Before Judgement Day

The transcribed speeches of the Chasam Sofer (Volume two, page 356) record that three days before Rosh Hashana, one should boost one's focus on repentance in light of the upcoming Day of Judgment. The Chasam Sofer also cited the Shelah Hakodesh, who…
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Selichos Halachos (2024)
Sept. 26, 2024

Selichos Halachos (2024)

Selichos (for Ashkenazim) begin this Motzaei Shabbos, September 28th.  Selichos are generally recited each morning before davening, although some say it the night before (after chatzos, according to many).  One should say Birchas Hatorah…
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The mitzvah to write a Torah scroll (מצוות כתיבת ספר תורה)
Sept. 25, 2024

The mitzvah to write a Torah scroll (מצוות כתיבת ספר תורה)

The mitzvah to write a Torah scroll (מצוות כתיבת ספר תורה)  Sefer Devarim 31/19:וְעַתָּ֗ה כִּתְב֤וּ לָכֶם֙ אֶת־הַשִּׁירָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את וְלַמְּדָ֥הּ אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל שִׂימָ֣הּ בְּפִיהֶ֑ם לְמַ֨עַן תִּֽהְיֶה־לִּ֜י הַשִּׁירָ֥ה הַזֹּ֛את לְעֵ֖ד בִּבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃  Therefore, write down this poem and teach it to the people…
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Uman Facts
Sept. 25, 2024

Uman Facts

Uman (Ukrainian: Умань, IPA: [ˈumɐnʲ]) is a city in Cherkasy Oblast, central Ukraine. It is located to the east of Vinnytsia. Situated in the east of the historical region of Podolia, the city rests on the banks of the Umanka River. For more than a…
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Mizmor L'Sodah
Sept. 18, 2024

Mizmor L'Sodah

The verse "הוּא עָשָֽׂנוּ וְלוֹ (וְלֹא) אֲנַֽחְנוּ" contained in this chapter of Tehillim can be read in two ways: "וְלוֹ" (He created us, and we are His) or "וְלֹא" (He created us, and we did not create ourselves). The Sfas Emes, quoting his grandfather, the Chidushe…
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Shloshim Yom Kodem Hachag - Elul/Rosh Hashanah
Sept. 18, 2024

Shloshim Yom Kodem Hachag - Elul/Rosh Hashanah

Source To Learn Halachos Thirty Days Before Rosh Hashanah Gemara Pesachim (6A) tells us that 30 days before Pesach, we begin learning the halachos of Pesach. Ben Yehoyada says the obligation applies to Rosh Hashanah too. Sources: Ben Yehoyada: Eruvi…
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Kabbalos to Make this Elul!
Sept. 7, 2024

Kabbalos to Make this Elul!

Focus on making the bracha of "shehakol nihiyah bed'varo" with concentration. For the month of Elul, wash Netilas Yadayim next to your bed in the morning. (The Chofetz Chaim highly encourages this.) Arrange a Mussar study session with a partner …
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Parshas Shoftim Overview
Sept. 4, 2024

Parshas Shoftim Overview

Moshe directed the Israelites to appoint judges (שֹׁפְטִים‎) and officials for their tribes to govern the people with justice, with impartiality, and without bribes. "Justice, justice shalt thou follow," he said. Moshe warned the Israelites against …
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Key dates and events in Jewish History for the month of Elul
Sept. 1, 2024

Key dates and events in Jewish History for the month of Elul

1 Elul (1313 BCE) (Wednesday)Moses ascends Mount Sinai for 3rd set of 40 days [2 Elul]First printing of the Shulchan Aruch, near Tzfat, 1555. [3 Elul]Birthdate of the Meiri, 1240.Yahrzeit of Rav Kook zt”l, 1935. He died 16 years to the day o…
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The Prayer Baruch She'amar
Aug. 20, 2024

The Prayer Baruch She'amar

בָּרוּךְ שֶׁאָמַר וְהָיָה הָעוֹלָם. בָּרוּךְ הוּא. בָּרוּךְ עוֹשֶׂה בְרֵאשִׁית. בָּרוּךְ אוֹמֵר וְעוֹשֶׂה. בָּרוּךְ גּוֹזֵר וּמְקַיֵּם. בָּרוּךְ מְרַחֵם עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ. בָּרוּךְ מְרַחֵם עַל־הַבְּ֒רִיּוֹת. בָּרוּךְ מְשַׁלֵּם שָׂכָר טוֹב לִירֵאָיו. בָּרוּךְ חַי לָעַד וְקַיָּם לָנֶֽצַח. בָּרוּךְ פּוֹדֶה וּמַצִּיל. בָּרוּךְ שְׁמוֹ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הָאֵל הָאָב הָרַחֲמָן הַמְ֒הֻלָּ…
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Torah & Tu B'Av
Aug. 19, 2024

Torah & Tu B'Av

The Gemarah in Tannis (30b-31a) provides six reasons for the joy of Tu B'Av. Among the reasons given is that on Tu B'Av, they ceased chopping wood for the mizbeach. This is because, from that day onward, the sun was no longer strong enough to dry th…
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The Enigmatic Jewish Holiday of Tu B'Av
Aug. 18, 2024

The Enigmatic Jewish Holiday of Tu B'Av

Tu B'Av (ט״ו באב, lit.' fifteenth of Av') is a minor Jewish holiday. It is called Tu B'Av because of the sound of the two Hebrew letters whose combined numerical value corresponds to that of the date (15). The value 15 is obtained by combining th…
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Parshas Vaeschanan
Aug. 17, 2024

Parshas Vaeschanan

Moshe tells the people of Israel how he implored G‑d to allow him to enter the Land of Israel, but G‑d refused, instructing him instead to ascend a mountain and see the Promised Land. Continuing his heavenly monologue, Moshe describes Exodus from E…
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Parshas Vaeschanan Summary
Aug. 15, 2024

Parshas Vaeschanan Summary

Moshe tells the people of Israel how he implored G‑d to allow him to enter the Land of Israel, but G‑d refused, instructing him instead to ascend a mountain and see the Promised Land. Continuing his heavenly monologue, Moshe describes Exodus from E…
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Shabbos Nachamu Haftorah
Aug. 15, 2024

Shabbos Nachamu Haftorah

This Shabbos, the Shabbos following Tishah B'Av, is known as Shabbos Nachamu. It is named after the opening words of the Haftarah, "Nachamu, nachamu ami" ("Comfort, comfort My people"). The Haftarah is the first of seven readings called the "Shiva …
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Making a Siyum During the Nine-days
Aug. 7, 2024

Making a Siyum During the Nine-days

The Shulchan Aruch (551:10) rules that one may not eat meat or drink wine during the nine days unless it's a Seudas Mitzvah.  Included in the list of what's considered a Seudas Mitzvah is making a siyum. What is the source of a siyum being a …
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