TMC Torah Blog

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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)…