TakeTen4Torah Daily Torah Podcast

What might be the connection between this time of year of Sefira, and the death of Rebbe Akiva's students? Take ten to find out.  Sponsored by the Jacobowitz family in honor of the Bas Mitzvah of their daughter Chaya Rochel.

The Haggadah requires us to imagine that not only our ancestors, but we ourselves were taken out of Egypt. How are we meant to understand this, and how might we understand it on an even deeper level this year? Take Ten to find out. 

The Torah teaches sensitivity towards animals in various contexts. How important is this obligation, and what are some exceptions? Take Ten to find out. 

Why is false testimony listed as one of the Ten Commandments, and what is so important about not veering from the truth? Take Ten to find out.

While the Ten Commandments might seem pretty basic, controversies about these Ten have existed for generations. Take Ten to learn about these important issues and how they have influenced how - and when - we read them. 

What are we supposed to be thinking about on Tu b'Shvat? Take Ten to focus on the origins of this day and what it has come to mean. 

We often find the Bnei Yisrael compared to the sand, and we even pray that we should be like the dirt. What does this metaphor even mean? Take Ten to find out.

Moshe refuses the task G-d offers him to represent the people before Pharaoh because of a speech problem. Why would this be a reason to refuse the job, and why may it have been exactly the reason he was chosen? Take Ten to find out. 

Of the four fasts that commemorate the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash, the Tenth of Tevet might have the most controversy attached. Take Ten to learn about these issues. 

If you have 10 minutes to take a break from Cyber Monday shopping, you might want to listen to this analysis of the ethics of distracted work. What does our forefather Yaakov teach us in this regard? Take Ten to find out. 

We respond to the beracha of Modim with more than just an Amen, and instead add another paragraph of our own. Why do we do this for only one beracha, and what does our response mean? Take Ten to find out. 

Every bite we take and prayer we say is an opportunity to notice the blessings woven into our day, but most of us rush right past them. How do we turn an ordinary day into 100 touchpoints with G-d? Take Ten to find out. Today's Ten is sponsored in memory of נחמיה שמואל רפאל בן צבי on his yartzeit by Ruthie and Chaim Anfang.    

This week's Torah portion presents the difficult story of Yaakov being less than truthful in his dealings with Yitzchak. Take Ten to learn about the value of Truth vs Falsehood. 

Why do we have a third meal on Shabbat? How important is it to save or make room for this meal? Take Ten to find out.  

How could Yaakov have engaged in deception to "steal" Yitzchak's blessings? Did he truly get away with it? 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. 

How was it permitted for Eliezer to decide on Yitzchak's bride by making use of an omen? Take Ten to find out. 

How does Judaism view the importance of weddings and marriage? Take Ten to find out.  Sponsored in honor of Sherri and Martin Ghodsi and the wedding of their children, Ethan and Jessica.

What does the story of the establishment of Mincha teach us about the nature of the midday prayer itself? Take Ten to find out. 

What does the unique and all-encompassing beracha (blessing) on bread teach us about the nature of all foods? Take Ten to find out. 

The Mitzvah of Bikur Cholim, visiting the sick, is implied in the Torah in this week's parsha, when G-d visits Avraham as he recovers from his circumcision. What is the goal of this important mitzvah, particularly in our era of advanced medical treatment? Take Ten to find out.

It's Election Day! What ancient principles guide us in the process of doing our civic duty? Take Ten to find out. [This episode is a repeat, perhaps from a more innocent time.]

Our tradition places a great deal of importance on one word, a response to another person's blessing. Why is this word so significant? Take Ten to find out. 

We begin to say the special prayers of Selichot even before the ten days of Teshuva. Why so early, and what does this teach us about these final days of the year? Take Ten to find out. 

Every day from Elul through Sukkos, we twice recite Tehillim 27, known as "l'David." Take Ten to understand why the paragraph seems to be describing two different Davids.

On Yom Kippur, we spend a lot of time "confessing" to the mistakes we have made throughout the year. Might there ever be a time to "confess" to a mitzvah? Take Ten to find out.

An old tradition has developed where we find the acronym of Elul in a variety of different Biblical and Rabbinic statements. Why is this specific to this month? What are the messages we are meant to learn? Tale Ten to find out. 

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.