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TMC Torah Blog

Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Laws and Customs
July 4, 2024

Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Laws and Customs

Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Laws and Customs Sources: Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein Halacha Shiur (Daily Halacha) Shulchan Aruch Harav - Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi (https://shulchanaruchharav.com/shabbos-rosh-chodesh-laws-and-customs/#_ftn4) When Rosh Chodesh f…
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Parshas Korach Summary
July 1, 2024

Parshas Korach Summary

Parshas Korach recounts Korach's failed rebellion against Moshe, detailed in Korach 16:1–18:32. Korach, a Levite, conspired with his mob and 250 Israelite chieftains to challenge Moshe's authority. Despite warnings, they defied Moshe's instruc…
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How do tzitzis remind us of the mitzvos, and can a woman wear Tzitzis?
June 26, 2024

How do tzitzis remind us of the mitzvos, and can a woman wear Tzitzis?

When a Jew sees his tzitzis, he is to remember all of Hashem's commandments and should be encouraged to keep them.  How do tzitzis remind us of the mitzvos? Rashi bases his explanation on a gematria: the word tzitzis (in its Mishnaic spelling…
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The Commemoration of Tragedies: Understanding the Significance of the 20th of Sivan in Jewish Tradition
June 25, 2024

The Commemoration of Tragedies: Understanding the Significance of the 20th of Sivan in Jewish Tradition

The 20th of Sivan is a longstanding Jewish fast day, initially established by Rabbeinu Tam in 1171 to commemorate various tragedies in Jewish history.  It originally memorialized the Martyrs of Blois, the first victims of blood libel in contin…
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Kippah Wearing
June 25, 2024

Kippah Wearing

The Shulchan Aruch (2:6) rules that walking four amos with an uncovered head is forbidden. This is the source for the yarmulka (an acronym of the words yurei malka- fear the king) or kippah. However, why do all males above the age of three wear one?…
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Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz
June 24, 2024

Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz

Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz, known as The Mashgiach, was a renowned mashgiach ruchani and baal mussar at the prestigious Mir Yeshiva in Belarus. Born in 1873 (5633 in the Jewish calendar) in Lyuban, Minsk Voblast, Belarus, he showed early promise in his…
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Parshas Shelach (שְׁלַח‎)
June 23, 2024

Parshas Shelach (שְׁלַח‎)

Parshas Shelach (שְׁלַח‎) The parashah tells the story of the twelve spies sent to assess the promised Land, commandments about offerings, the story of the Sabbath violator, and the commandment of the fringes (צִיצִת‎, tzitzis). It comprises 5,8…
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The False Messiah Who Betrayed Judaism - Shabbetai Tzvi
June 23, 2024

The False Messiah Who Betrayed Judaism - Shabbetai Tzvi

The False Messiah Who Betrayed Judaism  Shabbetai Tzvi, an Ottoman Jewish mystic and rabbi from Smyrna, proclaimed himself the long-anticipated Jewish Messiah on Sivan 17 in 1648.  He amassed followers across the Ottoman Empire, claiming…
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Should one who fasts or recites Selichos on Behab after Sukkos and Pesach also do so after Shavuos?
June 20, 2024

Should one who fasts or recites Selichos on Behab after Sukkos and Pesach also do so after Shavuos?

Should one who fasts or recites Selichos on Behab after Sukkos and Pesach also do so after the third Yom Tov, Shavuos? This ancient custom dates back to the era of Tosafos (Kiddushin 81a), who mentions it only on Sukkos and Pesach. Let's explore so…
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The Life and legacy of Rav Chaim of Volozhin
June 19, 2024

The Life and legacy of Rav Chaim of Volozhin

Rav Chaim of Volozhin (21 January 1749 – 14 June 1821), also known as "Reb Chaim Volozhiner" or "Reb Chaim," was born in Volozhin, a part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Reb Chaim and his elder brother Reb Simcha received educatio…
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The Laws of Birchos Hashachar (15)
June 17, 2024

The Laws of Birchos Hashachar (15)

In the times of Chazal, each morning blessings were recited when the particular benefit for which it was written occurred. Nowadays, it is customary to recite all these blessings at one time only after one has washed his hands. (SA 46.2) Men, wom…
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Parshas Beha'aloscha
June 16, 2024

Parshas Beha'aloscha

God commands Moshe to instruct Aaron to light the Menorah in the Mishkan. Levites are purified and consecrated to serve in place of the firstborn Israelites. God sets an age limit for Levite service in the Tent of Meeting, retiring them at 50. The P…
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Mr. Kalonymus Ze'ev Wissotzky
June 16, 2024

Mr. Kalonymus Ze'ev Wissotzky

Today commemorates the Yahrtzeit of the esteemed Mr. Kalonymus Ze'ev Wissotzky (1824–1904), a distinguished businessman and philanthropist.  Hailing from a lineage of merchants near Kovno, Wissotzky embarked on his journey when he marrie…
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Parshas Nasso Podcast Notes
June 14, 2024

Parshas Nasso Podcast Notes

וְזֹ֥את תּוֹרַ֖ת הַנָּזִ֑יר בְּי֗וֹם מְלֹאת֙ יְמֵ֣י נִזְר֔וֹ יָבִ֣יא אֹת֔וֹ אֶל־פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד׃  This is the ritual for the Nazirite: On the day that the term Nazirite is completed, the person shall be brought to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. Rashi: יביא אתו. יָבִיא אֶת עַ…
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Kaf Hakhaim
June 14, 2024

Kaf Hakhaim

Rabbi Yaakov Chaim Sofer (1870-1939) was a distinguished Sephardic Rabbi, Kabbalist, Talmudist, and author of the renowned work Kaf Hakhaim on Halakha.  His magnum Opus, "Kaf Hachaim," spans ten volumes and is a significant work discussing Hal…
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Calendar for the Month of Sivan with significant events in Jewish History (8th - 30th)
June 14, 2024

Calendar for the Month of Sivan with significant events in Jewish History (8th - 30th)

Calendar for the Month of Sivan with significant events in Jewish History (8th - 30th) Sivan 8 (June 15, 2024)Rabbeinu Tam was Attaked Sivan 10 (June 17, 2024)Klonimus Zev Wissotzky (Kelm) Yahrtzeit (Klonimus Wolf Wissotzky, the son of poor pare…
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Staying up Shavuos Night Learning Torah
June 11, 2024

Staying up Shavuos Night Learning Torah

Klal Yisroel has the custom of staying up Shavuos night learning Torah. Many sources support this custom, the earliest of which is the Zohar, Parshas Emor (97b).  Magen Avraham (494) provides a reason for the custom based on the Midrash in Shi…
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The Holy Hymn: Akdamus Milin
June 10, 2024

The Holy Hymn: Akdamus Milin

Akdamus or Akdamut Milin ("In Introduction to the Words," i.e., to the Ten Commandments) is a prominent piyyut ("liturgical poem") written in Aramaic recited annually on the Jewish holiday of Shavuos by Ashkenazi Jews. Rabbi Meir bar Yitzchak penned…
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What is the source for eating dairy on Shavous, and what are the reasons for it?
June 6, 2024

What is the source for eating dairy on Shavous, and what are the reasons for it?

What is the source for eating dairy on Shavous, and what are the reasons for it? Earlier authorities (Kol Bo: 52, Seder Hayom: Shavous) mention the custom of eating dairy on Shavous, but they say one should eat it along with honey based on the vers…
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Rabbi Yeshaya Halevi Horowitz - The Shelah HaKadosh (השל
June 5, 2024

Rabbi Yeshaya Halevi Horowitz - The Shelah HaKadosh (השל"ה הקדוש‎) & His Timeless Prayer

Early Life Rabbi Yeshaya Halevi Horowitz (also known as the Shelah HaKaddosh (השל" ה הקדוש‎ "the holy Shelah") was born in the well-known city of Prague in 1558.  His father, Rabbi Abraham bar Rabbi Shabse Sheftel Halevi, was a praised ge…
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Sefer Bamidbar Summary
June 4, 2024

Sefer Bamidbar Summary

Sefer Bamidbar delves into the initial census and priestly responsibilities. At the same time, Nasso further explores priestly duties, the Jewish encampment, matters of unfaithfulness, the Nazirite vows, and the consecration of the Tabernacle. Behaa…
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Parshas Bamidbar Overview
June 4, 2024

Parshas Bamidbar Overview

The Parsha consists of 7,393 Hebrew letters, 1,823 words, 159 verses, and 263 lines in a Torah Scroll. The Parsha emphasizes the meticulous organization and precision required while executing divine activities. It commences with the census of Israel…
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Sefer Vayikra Summary
June 4, 2024

Sefer Vayikra Summary

The sefer begins with the detailed laws and regulations regarding Karbanos, priestly ordination, the consecration of the Mishkan, Kosher laws, impurity resulting from childbirth, and certain skin diseases that emerge upon one's clothing, houses, and…
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Parshas Behar Overview
June 2, 2024

Parshas Behar Overview

Parshas Behar is the shortest parsha in the Book of Vayikra, containing 2,817 Hebrew letters, 737 words, 57 verses, and 99 lines in a Torah Scroll. It commences with God instructing Moshe on the laws of the Sabbatical year for the land at Mount Sina…
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