TMC Torah Blog

The photo captures the pre-1948 facade of Porat Yosef Yeshiva in the Old City of Jerusalem under the leadership of Rabbi Ezra Attiya. Rabbi Attiya was known for his personal involvement with every student. His torah teaching schedule included Reg…

'"Bar Yochai'" (בַּר יוֹחַאי) is a profound kabbalistic piyyut that illuminates the spiritual achievements of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai, the revered author of the kabbalistic masterpiece, the Zohar.  Crafted in the 16th century by Rabbi Shimon Lavi, …

Six Fascinating Facts That make Lag Ba'omer a memorable and more festive day The Shulchan Aruch (493:2) mentions the custom of increasing joy on Lag Ba'omer because it's the day that the students of R' Akiva stopped dying. The Pri Chadash (ibid)…

Hashem instructed Moshe to relay the priestly laws to the Kohanim. The laws included rules on contact with dead bodies, grooming restrictions, marriage guidelines, and sacrificial practices.  Specific sacred occasions, such as Shabbas, Pesach,…

וּמָע֤וּךְ וְכָתוּת֙ וְנָת֣וּק וְכָר֔וּת לֹ֥א תַקְרִ֖יבוּ לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה וּֽבְאַרְצְכֶ֖ם לֹ֥א תַעֲשֽׂוּ׃-(Leviticus.22.24) The 361st prohibition is that we are forbidden from damaging the reproductive organs of any male, including all species of animals and humans. The use of contraception touc…

Advice from our master Rabbi Elozor MenachemMann Shach zt"l as written down by Rav Eliezer Ginsburgconcerning Shidduchim and Marital harmony. I heard concerning the Sabba from Kelm zt"l that on Friday night after Maariv on his way home from the B…

There is a famous dispute over the proper wording while counting the omer. Some have the custom of saying "yamim LA'omer," while others say "yamim BA'omer."  What's behind the two customs? The Shulchan Aruch (489:1) doesn't mention La'omer o…

All the brachos that we say in Birchos Hashachar thanks Hashem for the different abilities that He renews for us daily, such as seeing, having clothes, giving us strength, and providing for all our needs. However, the three brachos of "גוי," "…

God instructed Moshe to relay the priestly laws to the Kohanim. The regulations included prohibitions such as avoiding contact with the deceased, refraining from shaving any parts of their heads or beards, and abstaining from gashing their flesh. Ma…

BeHaB begins this coming Monday, May 13th. BeHaB is a series of three fast days on the Monday, Thursday, and subsequent Monday following the months of Tishrei and Nissan (BeHaB is an acronym for Beis (Monday), Hei (Thursday), Beis (Monday)). A Mi Sh…