TMC Torah Blog

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…

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 …

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 …

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 …