A TorahTutors student studying the story of King David learned that the prophet Shmuel needed a lot of guidance to arrive at the son of Yishai he was supposed to anoint. When he first saw Eliav, the oldest, Shmuel felt sure that was the one – until God reminded him that (as some might put…
A TorahTutors student learned about the origins of the bedtime Shema, a Rabbinic enactment distinct from the Shema that is recited as part of the evening service. As Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi states, “Even though one recited Shema in the synagogue, it is a mitzvah to recited it upon his bed” (BT Berachot 4b). Elsewhere,…
We’re back after a brief hiatus, with another Tuesday TorahTutors tidbit! Real Torah, from real TorahTutors sessions. A TorahTutors student learned this beautiful passage in the Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 9:9): Chizkiyah said: Peace is great, for regarding [most] mitzvot, it is written “When you see [your enemy’s donkey struggling]…” (Shemot 23:4), “When you chance upon…