TakeTen4Torah Daily Torah Podcast

TT4T#47 - Believe It or Not #4 - 1/3/17

We say it multiple times a day, but what do we really mean when we refer to G-d as "One"? Why is it import that we see G-d as perfect? This Ten answers these questions and more and explains the distinct purpose of all three paragraphs within the all-important prayer of Shema. 

TT4T#46 - Be More Bored - 1/2/17

Before medicine and law, the oldest Jewish profession was shepherding. Our Avot were shepherds as were Moses, David and many others. Why the attraction to this career? This Ten offers multiple reasons and focuses on what we moderns can learn from this ancient calling. Baaah.

TT4T#45 - It's a Miracle! - 12/30/16

In our final Chanuka installment, we discuss the two distinct "miracles" of Chanuka, how they are expressed in very different ways, and why this difference is so important to understand how we see G-d in our world. What really is a miracle? Take Ten to find out.

TT4T#44 - The Answer to Assimilation - 12/29/16

The Chanukah holiday recalls a threat that - at the time - was unique to Jewish history, but might be all-too-common in our day. What does the creation of the holiday teach us about the response to assimilation today? Take Ten to find out. 

TT4T#43 - Believe It or Not #3 - 12/28/16

In this third installment of the "Believe It or Not" series, Rabbi Lerner discusses the teleological argument for G-d's existence. Can we find G-d - as Avraham did - in looking at the world and the orderliness of the universe? What do we mean when we speak of G-d as the one who constantly renews all of creation? These and more questions are answered in this ten minute installment. 

 

TT4T#42 - Why Is This Sight Different From All Other Sights? - 12/27/16

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. 

TT4T#41 - Common Menorah Mess Ups - 12/26/16

This Ten reviews some of the most common things that one needs to know before and after lighting your Chanukah candles. When to light? For how long? What if they go out? What if I need to leave and blow out the candles? These and more in Ten or less. Or slightly more. Chanukah Sameach!!

TT4T#40 - Gift and Gelt Guilt - 12/23/16

In many families, the holiday of Chanukah involves the giving of gifts and Chanuka gelt of the non-chocolate variety. Does this have any real justification other than mimicking other similar holiday practices that go on this time of year? This Ten discusses our gelt-giving goals, being guilted into gifts, and whether this is all gevaldig, or should we all just say "genikt", or for once and for all: "gamarnu!"

TT4T#39 - The Sfashkenaz Chanuka Mixup - 12/22/16

One of the interesting historical anomalies of Chanuka is how one of the basic practices, lighting the candles, is performed differently by Ashkenazim and Sefardim. These differences can usually be attributed to debates that are hundreds of years old. In this case, we have a debate that existed hundreds of years ago, but somehow completely switched sides in practice in our day. This Ten discusses what they debated, and why we flipped.

TT4T#38 - Believe It or Not - 12/21/16

In this second part or the "Believe It or Not" series, R' Lerner discusses the uniqueness of Jewish belief, formulation of the Rambam's belief phrases, and the amazing future foretold that we believe to be unfolding before our eyes.