TakeTen4Torah Daily Torah Podcast

TT4T#817 - Candle (and Other) Failure - 12/2/21

If your Chanukah candles go out before the minimum amount of time, the halacha teaches that you do not need to relight the candles. Take Ten to learn a reason for this unique law. (Chanuka 5782 - 7/8)

TT4T#816 - Bless on Sight - 12/1/21

We find some very unique laws relating to the lighting of the Menorah. This Ten discusses the - mostly unknown - beracha made while walking down a street and simply witnessing the lights of someone else's Menorah. Why would we make a beracha on this mitzvah "sighting" and not on witnessing other mitzvot? The answer to this and more in Ten or less.  (Chanukah 5782 - 6/8)

TT4T#815 - Descending Lights - 11/30/21

The opinion of Beit Shamai is that we light eight candles on the first night and subtract one each night. While usually Beit Shamai's opinion is rejected in favor of Beit Hillel's, this Ten discusses how in this situation, it is quite possible that one can light their candles backwards. How? Take Ten to find out. (Chanukah 5782 - 5/8)

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

TT4T#814 - The Chanukah-Sukkot Connection - 11/29/21

Beit Shamai is famous for holding that the proper way to light the menorah is to light eight candles on the first night and then descend each night so that we light only one on the final night. This Ten explores the reason for their position, particularly in how it references a Chanukah-Sukkot connection. (Chanukah 5782 - 4/8)

TT4T#813 - Hallel vs. Hodaah - 11/25/21

There are two miracles that are associated with the holiday of Chanukah and each is expressed differently in our commemoration. The reason for this difference can teach us an important lesson for the holiday of Chanukah and for today's holiday of Thanksgiving. What is this lesson? Take Ten to find out. (Chanukah 5782 - 3/8)

TT4T#812 - Bypass the Basic - 11/24/21

In this Ten, we learn the source for the Mitzvah of lighting the candles of Chanukah. You'll be surprised to find out the origin of this law, how it was constructed, and the various opinions surrounding it. But what will shock you most is that you have been doing way more than you ever needed to.. and that that is exactly the point. (Chanukah 5782 - 2/8)

Today's Ten is sponsored by the Brownstein family in memory of Shmuel Zeesa ben Chunan Yehuda for his Yahrtzeit on the 21st of Kislev.

TT4T#811 - Chanukah‘s Character - 11/23/21

One of the two rabbinically mandated holidays, Chanukah is distinct from Purim in how it is observed in practice. Why is this? Take Ten to find out. (Chanukah 5782 - 1/8)

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

TT4T#810 - Weaponized Shame - 11/22/2021

We are familiar with the three cardinal sins about which the Torah teaches that one must give up their life before transgressing. In the story with Yehuda and Tamar, there is a moment that seems to teach that there might be a fourth cardinal sin - embarrassing others publicly. How can this be considered such a powerful weapon? Take Ten to find out. 

TT4T#809 - Double Named - 11/16/21

Unlike what we find in the Torah, nowadays we find people with more than one Jewish name. Why is that? 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

TT4T#613 - Taryag - 11/15/21

This Ten discusses the well-known idea that there are a total of 613 mitzvot throughout the Torah. Are there really only 613 things that we are required to do? Listen and learn of the true nature of this number and the significant importance of knowing what these 613 are.