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Curated Torah sources across every topic, from classical texts to contemporary responsa.
Divine Judgment on Rosh Hashanah
Sources explore what is determined on Rosh Hashanah, describing a day of divine judgment in which all creatures pass before God for evaluation. The texts discuss the categories of the righteous, wicked, and intermediate, the role of repentance during the Ten Days, and the connection between judgment, remembrance, and the shofar.
בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה כׇּל בָּאֵי הָעוֹלָם עוֹבְרִין לְפָנָיו
The Dispute Over Creation's Month: Nisan or Tishrei
Talmudic sources present a fundamental disagreement between Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua regarding whether the world was created in Tishrei or Nisan, with supporting arguments grounded in natural cycles and the significance of each month in Israel's calendar and history.
בְּתִשְׁרִי נִבְרָא הָעוֹלָם
Rosh Hashanah on Shabbat: Shofar Laws
Rabbinic and later authorities address the halakhic framework governing the sounding of the shofar when Rosh Hashanah coincides with Shabbat, including the distinction between Temple practice and provincial practice, the enactments instituted after the Temple's destruction, and the practical prohibitions in contemporary observance.
יוֹם טוֹב שֶׁל רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה שֶׁחָל לִהְיוֹת בְּשַׁבָּת — בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ הָיוּ תּוֹקְעִין, אֲבָל לֹא בַּמְּדִינָה
Ramban on Yom HaZikaron of Rosh Hashanah
The Ramban explains the biblical designation of Rosh Hashanah as "a day of remembrance" (Yom HaZikaron) in connection with divine remembrance and judgment. His interpretation links the day's remembrance to the shofar and to the theological concept of being remembered before God.
זִכְרוֹן תְּרוּעָה יִהְיֶה לָנוּ לְזִכָּרוֹן לִפְנֵי הַשֵּׁם
The Gra on Divine Blessing and Generative Power
These sources explore how blessing (berachah) functions as a divine transmission of creative potential and life-force. The Gra's commentary on Genesis emphasizes blessing as God's grant of capacity—to multiply, generate, and fulfill purpose—rather than as external benefit alone.
ברכה מתן כח ההולדה והשגחה על הנמצאים
The Gra's Key Teachings on Proverbs
These sources present the Gra's interpretations of and teachings derived from the Book of Proverbs, addressing themes of humility in learning, the relationship between fear of sin and wisdom, personal spiritual discipline according one's nature, and the nature of blessing.
ואת צנועים חכמה
Asking a Non-Jew to Turn On an Oven on Yom Tov
Jewish law distinguishes between permitted and prohibited uses of non-Jewish labor on Yom Tov, with specific rules governing requests related to food preparation. The sources address when asking a non-Jew to perform work—such as lighting a fire or operating an oven—is permitted for immediate Yom Tov needs versus prohibited for other purposes.
אסור להוציא בשביל אינו יהודי שום דבר
Asking a Non-Jew to Light the Oven on Yom Tov
The halakhic principles governing whether a non-Jew may be asked to perform melakhot on Yom Tov, particularly for food preparation. Sources distinguish between the first and second days of Yom Tov and establish the conditions under which such requests are permitted.
אָסוּר לוֹמַר לְנָכְרִי לַעֲשׂוֹת לָנוּ מְלָאכָה בְּשַׁבָּת
Asking a Non-Jew to Turn On an Oven on Yom Tov
Jewish law addresses whether a non-Jew may perform prohibited labor on behalf of a Jew during Yom Tov, with particular attention to fire-related activities and food preparation. The sources examine the distinction between melakhah that serves food preparation and other prohibited work, and clarify the practical limits of delegating such tasks to non-Jews.
לא אמרינן מתוך שהותרה הוצאה לצורך אכילה הותרה שלא לצורך
The Dispute Over New Year: Nisan and Tishrei
Jewish sources preserve a classical dispute between Rabbi Elazar and Rabbi Yehoshua regarding whether the year begins in Nisan (associated with redemption and the Exodus) or Tishrei (associated with creation). Tannaitic, Talmudic, and later authorities explore this tension across legal, calendrical, and spiritual dimensions.
בְּאֶחָד בֶּאֱלוּל — רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה לְמַעְשַׂר בְּהֵמָה
Wings of Insects in Jewish Sources
These sources address references to the wings of bees, hornets, wasps, and other flying insects across biblical commentary, rabbinic literature, and halakhic discussion. They examine how wings are discussed in scriptural interpretation, their role in legal classifications, and their significance in narrative and legal contexts.
כָּל כָּנָף, אֲפִלּוּ הָעוֹף
Chanukah Menorah Placement in Modern Homes
Sources address the proper location for lighting the Chanukah menorah in contemporary apartment buildings and multi-room dwellings, balancing the classical requirement to place it near an entrance with practical considerations of modern living spaces.
בזמן הזה שהדלקת החנוכה היא בפנים ואין היכר לרבים