BDJ Daily Torah

Rabbi Stein looks at how the Israeli government and contemporary halachic authorities navigate the apparent prohibition against conducting a direct census.

Rabbi Kanefsky suggests that the Levites' reaction to their exclusion from the original census may have set the stage for their special role in the Temple.

Rabbi Stein examines the views of contemporary halachic authorities regarding the conducting of a direct census of the Jewish people.

When King David conducted a census of the Jewish people, a plague ensued immediately afterward. Rabbi Stein examines the reasons why.

Rabbi Kanefsky explains how the command to count the Jewish people contains both a link to the past and an eye to the future.

Rabbi Stein begins a discussion of the proper, and improper ways to conduct a census of the Jewish people.

Rabbi Kanefsky looks at the end of Parshat Bechukotai where an attempt is made to assess a financial value to individual people.

Rabbi Stein derives a profound lesson about life balance from the story of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai.

Rabbi Kanefsky points out an odd phrase found in the collection of blessings listed in Parshat Bechukotai.

Rabbi Stein continues the story of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai and the years he and his son spent in a cave, hiding from the Roman authorities.

As we near the completion of the Book of Vayikra, Rabbi Kanefsky looks at the relatively recent custom of chanting "Chazak, Chazak, V'Nitchazek" when the Reader finishes the final verses.

Rabbi Kanefsky discusses the prohibition of harmful speech as mentioned in Parshat Behar and explains why it is immediately followed by the phrase, "And you shall fear your G-d"

As L'ag BaOmer begins, Rabbi Stein looks at the dispute over exactly when the rules of mourning end.

Rabbi Stein begins a discussion of the story of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, author of the Zohar, who evaded capture by the Romans by hiding in a cave for 13 years. His yarzheit is on L'ag BaOmer, which occurs this week.

Rabbi Stein explains how the fight depicted at the end of Parshat Emor offers moral lessons about the proper and improper way to engage in community disputes.

Continuing his discussion of the way the weekly Parsha is divided, Rabbi Kanefsky looks at the ramifications of the rule that one may not start or end an Aliya in the middle of "bad news."

Continuing his discussion of the way each Parsha is divided, Rabbi Kanefsky examines the rules that determine where breaks should or should not be made.

Sarah Pincus explores Rashi's treatment of the unnamed individual who gets into a fight, curses using G-d's name, is taken into custody, and, after Moshe consults with G-d, the individual is executed.  Source sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11pNciyxvqyXB5yUuxvUrataZ0W6tqcT8LN4w5k8xXqU/edit?tab=t.tao9akhglx73

Rabbi Kanefsky begins a discussion of the different viewpoints regarding how the weekly Torah portion is divided into specific Aliyot, and whether other methods are possible or even preferable.

Rabbi Stein examines the different opinions regarding women's obligation to count the Omer.

Continuing his discussion of the rules for counting the Omer, Rabbi Stein examines the remedies when a counting mistake is made.

Rabbi Stein demonstrates how the Torah's guidance to the Jewish people following the traumatic loss of Aharon's sons, holds a lesson for our own troubled times.

Rabbi Stein begins a discussion of the laws regarding the counting of the Omer and the different views on reciting the blessing if you forgot to count.

Concluding his shiur on the bracha recited when seeing trees in bloom, Rabbi Kanefsky examines the passages that suggest the correct time for the blessing is limited.

Continuing his shiur on the blessing made over trees in bloom, Rabbi Kanefsky examines the dispute over the nature of the bracha, which trees are included, and when must the blessing be recited.

Continuing his examination of the lifecycle and life-and-death elements of Parshat Shmini, Rabbi Stein examines the spiritual meaning behind the prohibition of Lashon Hara - speaking ill of people.

Celebrating the 100th episode of BDJ DAILY TORAH, Rabbi Stein examines the rules of childbirth as outlined in Parshat Shmini.

As Spring takes hold, Rabbi Kanefsky begins a shiur on the laws regarding the special blessing that is recited upon seeing trees in bloom.

With help from BDJ member Abe Mezrich, Rabbi Stein shows how Parshat Shmini, and especially the loss of Aharon's sons, is a pivot point for the Torah, transitioning from the national to the personal.

Rabbi Stein explains how the sons of Aharon, Nadav and Avihu, were punished not only for what they did, but for what they failed to do.

Starting with a moving personal story, Guest Contributor Mark Rothman explains the double lesson of Pesach Sheni -  the second opportunity for everyone to fulfill an important commandment and be one with the larger community.

Rabbi Stein examines the origins of Pesach Sheni, and the lesson it teaches about commitment to G-d and HaShem's response.

Rabbi Stein examines the rules of Pesach's "Intermediate Days"  --  Chol HaMoed.

Guest Contributor Rabbi Adam Rosenthal elaborates on the lesson of inclusiveness found in the Pesach ceremonies.

Rabbi Kanefsky discusses the rules regarding the Counting of the Omer in the evenings, and whether it is a Biblical or Rabbinic requirement.

Guest Contributor Dr. Rena Selya Cohen examines the contrasts in the Pesach Torah readings, and derives the lessons drawn from combining the story of the Exodus with the agricultural offerings brought on the holiday.

Rabbi Kanefsky, quoting Seforno, shows how the collective work and contributions of the Jewish people in building the Mishkan helped bring about the presence of G-d in their midst.

Rabbi Stein elaborates on the three elements of Chametz removal: Search, Nullification and Destruction.

Rabbi Kanefsky explains why Moshe emphasizes that Aharon, who was at the center of the Golden Calf episode, nevertheless will serve as the Kohen Gadol.

Rabbi Stein brings different views of what the ceremonial Search for Chametz is designed to achieve.

Sarah Pincus discusses the significance of the use of matzah as part of the Korban Todah - the thanksgiving offering. Source sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pNZzhdjsyvc7JCDIaTe-kgDgVpEEl4IS45VU3d_N7Ic/edit?tab=t.tao9akhglx73

Rabbi Stein examines the true nature of the animal sacrifices brought in the Mishkan.

Is it necessary to wait 24 hours before using the highest setting to kasher an oven for Passover? Rabbi Kanefsky examines the laws and the customs.

Sarah Pincus explores Rashi's depiction of G-d as a "third partner" in several person-to-person transactions.   Source Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OvOK79T5zcIwGEx1xWzlloi_7VcOAwSifVyEmAgWr7c/edit?tab=t.tao9akhglx73

Rabbi Kanefsky delves into the details of the view that kashering an oven simply by turning on the highest setting is similar to boiling a vessel or utensil.

Rabbi Stein demonstrates how removing just one letter from the word "Vayikra" fundamentally redefines G-d's relationship with Man.

Rabbi Kanefsky presents the dispute between contemporary halachic experts on kashering an oven ... and whether a waiting period is necessary at the start.

Rabbi Stein expands on Rashi's explanation of why G-d first "called to" Moshe - "Vayikra" - before speaking to him.

Rabbi Kanefsky begins an examination of the process of "libun" -  making an oven kosher through use of extreme heat.

Suddenly, the Mishkan has a new name. Rabbi Kanefsky looks at the significance of the title, "Tabernacle of Testimony" and how it informs the Jewish People's relationship with G-d.