It’s Tuesday and almost Shavuot, which means it’s a great time for a #TuesdayTorahTutorsTidbit about Megillat Rut.Real Torah, from real TorahTutors sessions. A preteen TorahTutors student has been delving into Megillat Rut with her tutor.They noticed many examples of chesed (kindness), a central theme in the Megillah that is one of the reasons offered for…
A TorahTutors student learned a timely passage at the end of the first chapter of Mishna Brachot. After discussing the timing and manner of reciting Shema morning and night, as well as the various blessings the surround its recitation, the Mishna (1:5) states that the Exodus from Egypt should be mentioned at night (and not…
A TorahTutors student working on Hebrew language learned that the word ???? (mimenu) can have different meanings. First, the prefix might mean “from” or it could be comparative, implying “more than” or “less than.” To further complicate matters, the suffix might be singular third person masculine (him/it) or it could be first person plural! For…
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…
This week’s Torah reading (Parshat Mishpatim) includes the commandment of bikkurim: “The choice first fruits of your land you shall bring to the house of Hashem, your God” (Shemot 23:19). A TorahTutors student read the Sefer Hachinuch’s explanation of the “roots” of this commandment: So that even as we rejoice in our bounty, we will…
In honor of Tu B’Shevat and, in America, Martin Luther King Junior Day, we’ll make this a pre-Tuesday TorahTutors tidbit: real Torah, from real TorahTutors sessions. A TorahTutors student learned about the mitzvot of ma’aser: separating portions of produce for Leviim, poor people, and/or simply to eat oneself in Jerusalem. Different types of ma’aser are…
A time-traveling Tuesday TorahTutors Tidbit: Real Torah, from real TorahTutors sessions. A TorahTutors student studied some the Gemara’s many suggested Scriptural sources for the concept of the resurrection of the dead, and one of the texts cited is in this week’s Torah reading. The Gemara in Sanhedrin 91b quotes a baraita that states: Rabbi Meir…
A #TuesdayTorahTutorsTidbit for the beginning of 2022, about goals and what we need to achieve them; real Torah, from real TorahTutors sessions. According to Rambam (in his Introduction to Perek Chelek), the ultimate good to which a human’s soul might aspire transcends this world and consists in full knowledge of, and thereby unity with, God.…