TMC Torah Blog

The fast of Shiva Asar B'Tamuz is on Tuesday, July 23rd, and marks the beginning of the Y'mei Bein Hametzarim, the Three Weeks. The Y'mei Bein Hametzarim, between the 17th of Tamuz and the 9th of Av, is a national mourning period over the destructi…

What's the proper way to daven? Eyes open, closed, or looking in a siddur? The Gemara Yevamos (105b) teaches that one should face his eyes downward while davening, based on a verse in Melachim (1- 9:3).  The Tur and Shulchan Aruch (95:2) also…

The days between Shiva Aser B'tamuz and Tisha B'av are referred to as "Ben Hametzarim" (the dire straits) based on the verse in Eichah (1:3). Shibbolei Haleket (263) references the verse in Daniel (10:2), which says, "Daniel mourned for three weeks…

The passing of Rav Yaakov ben Asher (the Tur) (1348) Rav Yaakov ben Asher, son of Rav Asher ben Yechiel (the Rosh), was one of the most prominent Torah scholars in medieval Europe.  His classic work on Jewish law, named the Tur, also known as…

The first printed edition of Sefer HaChinuch, 1523, is published.  The Sefer HaChinuch was composed in the Middle-Age Spain,  c.1255  – c.1285 CE. The Sefer HaChinuch ("Book of Education") is an anonymous work written in thirte…

Balak, the king of Moav, was concerned about the Israelites' victories and asked the prophet Bilam to curse them. God told Bilam not to curse the blessed Israelites. Despite Balak's offers of wealth, Bilam initially refused to act against God's com…

Parshas Balak, Or HaChaim (23/8) Exploring the mechanics of curses and unraveling the intentions behind Bilam's actions. To understand the matter properly, we must first discuss the condition of the person or people subjected to a curse.  If…

Pesukei Dezimra, or "Verses of praise," are a group of prayers recited during Shacharis. They consist of various blessings, psalms, and sequences of other Torah verses. Two sources mention the obligation of saying Pesukei D'Zimra every day.&nbs…

The Haftarah for Parshas Chukas, sourced from Shoftim (11:1-33), is deeply connected to our parsha as elucidated by the Levush (549:1).  Our parashah concludes with Moshe's triumphant battle against the people of Amori. The Jews emerged victor…

1. First Bobover Rebbe/Reb Yonah Minsker2. Mike Tress3. Lubavitcher Rebbe/Rav Shneur Kotler4. Rabbeinu Tam/Baal Haflaah5. Maaseh Merkavah6. Yonatan Netanyahu/Sreifas HaTalmud7. Rav Gedalia Schorr/Lev Simcha8. Imrei Noam9. Klausenberger Rebbe10. ⁠Reb…