Torah 948 articles

There is no tractate, or even chapter, in the Mishna devoted to Chanuka. The mitzva of the Chanuka lights is mentioned principally in the second chapter of tractate Shabbat, which discusses...

The last two weeks we have been studying the blessing “the wise One of secrets”, CHACHAM HARAZIM, blessing God Who knows the secret thoughts and views of each individual. We make...

Last week we discussed the blessing “The wise one of secrets” (CHACHAM HARAZIM), recited on seeing a multitude of Jews. The simple understanding of the wording is that God alone possesses...

Praising God’s wisdom specifically when we see a multitude emphasizes the wonder and importance of the astonishing variety of people. In many places the Sages teach us that we perceive Godliness...

Last week (read that as “Two weeks ago”) we gave Rav Natan of Breslav’s explanation of the Torah prohibition to move objects from public to private domain or the opposite. The...

LOCAL CUSTOM A primary principle of Torah jurisprudence is that agreements are presumed to be according to local custom. This is learned from the mishna in Bava Metzia which states that...

The Torah forbids carrying between a public domain and a private domain. On the one hand, this seems like the most insignificant of all the thirty-nine forbidden labors; it is hard...

Our parsha contains the very first revelation experienced by Moshe Rabbeinu, the greatest of all prophets: “Don’t approach here; remove your shoes from your feet, for the place where you are...

The Coming Week’s Daf Yomi by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz This essay is based upon the insights and chidushim (original ideas) of Talmudic scholar Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, as published in the Hebrew...

Part One Our parsha marks the beginning of the miraculous exodus of our nation from Egyptian bondage, but ends in a grave and somber mood. The hopes and aspirations for freedom...