Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast TakeTen4Torah Daily Torah Podcast

Why is the month of Elul associated with reflection and self-improvement? Is it because it's the final month of the year or is it something more? Take Ten to find out.

In the shadow of Yom Yerushalayim, this Ten discusses the millennia-old tension that exists between "forgetting" and "awaiting" when it comes to Yerushalayim and the Beit Hamikdash. 

Why is the book of Bamidbar referred to as "Numbers"? Take Ten to find out. 

The holiday of Shavuot begins late due to the hour of sunset this time of year, but as you might be aware, we delay its start even further than we do for other holidays. Take Ten to learn how this delay came about and how it speaks to our Shavuot "Pursuit of Perfection."

The Torah instructs us that we should be "holy," but what exactly does that mean? Take Ten to find out.

It seems that Magid takes more than ten minutes, so take Ten for Part 2 of our "Ten Minute Seder." 

Can we complete the entirety of Magid—where we retell the story of the Exodus at the Seder—in ten minutes? Unlikely, but take Ten to be sure. 

Five rabbis met for a seder in Bnei Brak in the only story told in the Magid sequence. Why is this story significant? What can we learn from it? Take Ten to find out.

Many of us have the custom to engage in the ransom of the Afikoman on the seder night. Take Ten to learn the origin of this custom and why, to some, we've been doing it all wrong. 

How much is too much when it comes to cleaning for Pesach? This short series discusses some of the well-known controversies relating to Pesach observance and the actual requirements for cleaning. Take Ten to find out why it might be easier than you think!

Part 3 - Where to look for Chametz? How do we "kill" Chametz? What's the difference between cleaning bedrooms and "food" rooms? And some practical tips.

How much is too much when it comes to cleaning for Pesach? This short series discusses some of the well-known controversies relating to Pesach observance and discusses the actual cleaning requirements. Take Ten to find out why it might be easier than you think!

Part 2 - What is Chametz vs. Seor? What are we actually looking for when we search our homes for Chametz?

How much is too much when it comes to cleaning for Pesach? This short series discusses some of the well-known controversies relating to Pesach observance and discusses the actual cleaning requirements. Take Ten to find out why it might be easier than you think!

This week we read of the first Mitzvah, the command to sanctify the months and declare Rosh Chodesh. Take Ten to learn the significance that this Mitzvah has to Pesach and all of the holidays. 

After learning about the extreme way we treat Chametz, why is it that we go to such levels? Take Ten to find out.

This Ten is sponsored by the Ismach family in memory of Michoel ben Yosef on his Yahrtzeit.

Aside from the Torah's strictness regarding the laws of Chametz, we find generations of customs that have added to these difficulties. Take Ten to learn about some of the famous - and not so famous - extremes of Pesach. 

In this first of a series, we discuss the overwhelming stringency applied to Pesach preparations. What is the nature of the stringency? How did it develop? Take Ten to find out.

This Ten is sponsored by the Anfang family in memory of Tzipora bat Menachem Mendel on her Yartzeit.

It is said that "teaching a man to fish" is the greatest type of charity. Take Ten to learn the Jewish origins of this idea. 

Taanit Esther is anomalous from the other fasts we find on the Jewish calendar. How and why is this fast different than all other fast days? Take Ten to find out. 

Of the four mitzvot of Purim, the Rambam teaches that spending on the poor should be where we allocate the most resources. Take Ten to learn about the specific mitzvah of giving on Purim and how it is different than other charitable donations. 

What are the requirements for the mitzvah of Mishloach Manot? Why is this Mitzvah connected to Purim in the first place? Take Ten to find out. 

Moshe's behavior regarding the accounting for the materials donated to the Mishkan teaches us an important lesson about transparency in all of our behavior. Take Ten to learn this lesson.

Is it appropriate to receive an honor or recognition for doing a good thing or for giving a donation? Take Ten to learn the answer.

How important is it to answer cynics' claims? Should they be dismissed out of hand, or should we defend ourselves? Take Ten for a Torah perspective on the damage cynics can cause and the responses they require. 

Why does the Torah list all of the intricate details of the construction and dimension of the Mishkan? Using one example, we explore the thought processes involved. 

Why are there so many references to love and relationship on Shabbat? Take Ten to find out. 

This Ten is sponsored by the Rydzinski family in memory of Edith Weg, Itta bas Shaya and Chana Sara Feuer. 

We learn that there is a "glow" that shines on our faces on Shabbat. What is the nature of this glow, and how can we benefit from it? Take Ten to find out.

The Torah repeats the prohibition of "Don't cook a kid in its mother's milk" three separate times. Why the redundancy? Take Ten to find out. 

When Moshe descended from the mountain with the second set of Luchot, he is described as being aglow. Take Ten to learn the reason for this glow and the various ways it has been misunderstood throughout history.

Our Siddur is full of words and phrases that make up Jewish prayer. Why are these words required? Why are any words required at all? Take Ten to find out. 

This Ten is sponsored by the Lewis family in memory of Fred Lewis, Feivel Yitzchak ben Naftali David z"l

We learn from multiple sources that constructing the Mishkan was forbidden on Shabbos, but why does the construction of the Mishkan define what is forbidden on Shabbat? Take Ten to find out. 

Why do we find the prayer of Aleinu at the close of our Tefilot? Take Ten to find out. 

When there are two months of Adar, the holiday of Purim is observed in the second month, while the 14th and 15th days of the first Adar are known as Purim Katan. What is the nature of that "small" Purim? What are its laws? Take Ten to find out. 

Today's Ten is sponsored by the Brownstein family in memory of Florence Brownstein a"h, Feiga bas Moshe.

While we might know that the laws of keeping Shabbat are learned from constructing the Mishkan, we might not be aware of the deep similarities between the construction and the actual creation of the world. Take Ten to find out more.

Take Ten for a look at the modern-day "Mikdash" that exists in every community and how its construction is of great symbolic and financial importance. 

Is it more logical to make a Beracha before or after we eat? While the Torah explicitly mentions the blessing we should make following our food, does that actually make the most sense? It sure does. Take Ten to learn why.

This Ten is sponsored by Donna and Joseph Hecht in memory of Veronica Hecht, Sarah Gittel bas Mordechai on her first yartzeit, and David Gad, David ben Nissan VaLeah on his yartzeit.

When our nation is facing challenging times far away, it can be difficult to stay properly focused on the suffering of others in our busy and distracted lives. Can the Torah teach us some ways to empathize? Take Ten to find out. 

This Ten is sponsored by the Lewis family in memory of Fred Lewis, Feivel Yitzchak ben Naftali David z"l

Our Parsha describes the level of obligation we have to help redirect a person's lost items. To what extent does this requirement extend to one's "lost" soul? What should be our attitude towards our obligation to inspire those who are not as inspired as we are? Take Ten to find out. 

After receiving the Torah, we read this week of the "mishpatim," the first laws that we received thereafter. But can these laws really be the first and only laws that we received? Take Ten to find out. 

We make blessings before and after we eat food. The Torah mandates the one that follows, but the source for the first blessing is more unclear. How do we know we make these blessings? Take Ten to find out. 

How extremely does the Torah speak of our obligation to ensure that widows, orphans, and the vulnerable are treated well? Take Ten to find out. 

We know that there are mitzvot that are between Man and G-d and those that are between Man and Man. You may have never realized that for some reason, we don't make blessings on those mitzvot between Man and Man like visiting the sick, or tzedaka. Why is this? Take 10 to find out. 

One of the restrictions of Shabbat is that we must remain in our "Techum Shabbat" or "Shabbat Boundary." Take Ten to learn more about the details and meaning of this unique law.

We know all the prohibitions that restrict what a person can do on Shabbat, but what is the best way to spend your Shabbat day? Take Ten to find out. 

We're thousands of miles away from what's going on in Israel, and it is difficult to know how best to react. Take Ten to learn about how we understand G-d's empathy and the the empathy of great Jewish leaders of the past. (Empathy #1)

This Ten is sponsored by the Lewis family in memory of Fred Lewis, Feivel Yitzchak ben Naftali David z"l

What can we do in this challenging moment in Jewish history? This Ten describes a framework of three important things to focus on: 0, 1, and 2.

The Torah speaks of a Mitzvah to blow horns to organize the camp in the desert, but also to mark the happiest occasions and moments of crisis. What s the nature of this commandment? And how do these sounds connect to each other? Take Ten to find out. 

This Ten is sponsored by the Lewis family in memory of Fred Lewis, Feivel Yitzchak ben Naftali David z"l

Today is a very "special" day. Known as "Yom HaMeyuchas," it's a day that we treat as a quasi-holiday. Take Ten to learn why.

This Ten is sponsored by the Lewis family in memory of Fred Lewis, Feivel Yitzchak ben Naftali David z"l

Why is the book of Bamidbar referred to as "Numbers"? Take Ten to find out. 

When the Hagadah mentions that we "blunt" the teeth of the wicked child, what does it actually mean? Take Ten to find out.

This Ten is sponsored by the Lewis family in memory of Fred Lewis, Feivel Yitzchak ben Naftali David z"l

Many of us have the custom of engaging in the ransom of the Afikoman on the seder night. Take Ten to learn the origin of this custom and why, to some, we've been doing it all wrong.