TakeTen4Torah Daily Torah Podcast

By Rabbi Shmuel Ismach

What's TakeTen4Torah Daily Torah Podcast about?

Take 10 minutes of your busy day for Torah. Spend one 1/100th of your day as meaningfully as you can! Different topics each weekday. Produced by Rabbi Shmuel Ismach of the Young Israel of Great Neck

Download our free app to listen on your phone

TakeTen4Torah Daily Torah Podcast episodes:

05.06.2024
TT4T#961 - Holy! - 5/6/24
The Torah instructs us that we should be "holy," but what exactly does that mean? Take Ten to find out.
04.18.2024
TT4T#960 - A Ten Minute Seder #2 - 4/18/24
It seems that Magid takes more than ten minutes, so take Ten for Part 2 of our "Ten Minute Seder."
04.17.2024
TT4T#959 - A Ten Minute Seder - 4/17/24
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.
04.15.2024
TT4T#958 - A Seder in Bnei Brak - 4/15/24
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.
04.11.2024
TT4T#957 - Afikoman Theft - 4/11/24
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.
04.10.2024
TT4T#956 - How To Clean for Pesach #3 - 4/10/24
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...
04.09.2024
TT4T#955 - How to Clean for Pesach #2 - 4/9/24
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...
04.08.2024
TT4T#954 - How to Clean for Pesach #1 - 4/8/24
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!
04.04.2024
TT4T#953 - Calendar Power - 4/4/24
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.
04.03.2024
TT4T#952 - Why the Extremes? - 4/3/24
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.
04.02.2024
TT4T#951 - The Extremes of Pesach - 4/2/24
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.
03.28.2024
TT4T#950 - The Stringencies of Pesach - 3/28/24
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...
03.27.2024
TT4T#949 - Teach a Man to Fish - 3/27/24
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.
03.20.2024
TT4T#948 - Esther's "Different" Fast - 3/20/24
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.
03.19.2024
TT4T#947 - Matanot L'Evyonim - 3/19/24
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...
03.18.2024
TT4T#946 - Mishloach Manot - 3/18/24
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.
03.15.2024
TT4T#945 - Transparency - 3/15/24
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.
03.12.2024
TT4T#944 - Getting for Giving - 3/12/24
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.
03.11.2024
TT4T#943 - Responding to Cynics - 3/11/24
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.
03.05.2024
TT4T#942 - Poles of Interperetation - 3/5/24
Why does the Torah list all of the intricate details of the construction and dimension of the Mishkan? Using one example, we explore the thought processes involved.
03.03.2024
TT4T#941 - The Shabbos Romance - 3/4/24
Why are there so many references to love and relationship on Shabbat? Take Ten to find out. This Ten is sponsored by the Rydzinski family in memory of Edith Weg, Itta bas Shaya and Chana Sara Feuer.
02.29.2024
TT4T#940 - Your Shabbat Glow - 2/29/24
We learn that there is a "glow" that shines on our faces on Shabbat. What is the nature of this glow, and how can we benefit from it? Take Ten to find out.
02.28.2024
TT4T#939 - Milk and Meat - 2/28/24
The Torah repeats the prohibition of "Don't cook a kid in its mother's milk" three separate times. Why the redundancy? Take Ten to find out.
02.27.2024
TT4T#937 - Moshe's Glow-Up - 2/27/24
When Moshe descended from the mountain with the second set of Luchot, he is described as being aglow. Take Ten to learn the reason for this glow and the various ways it has been misunderstood throughout history.
02.26.2024
TT4T#937 - Why is there a Siddur? - 2/26/24
Our Siddur is full of words and phrases that make up Jewish prayer. Why are these words required? Why are any words required at all? Take Ten to find out. This Ten is sponsored by the Lewis family in memory of Fred Lewis, Feivel Yitzchak ben Naftali David...
02.22.2024
TT4T#936 - What is Work? - 2/22/24
We learn from multiple sources that constructing the Mishkan was forbidden on Shabbos, but why does the construction of the Mishkan define what is forbidden on Shabbat? Take Ten to find out.
02.21.2024
TT4T#935 - Aleinu, the Exit Plan - 2/21/24
Why do we find the prayer of Aleinu at the close of our Tefilot? Take Ten to find out.
02.20.2024
TT4T#934 - Purim Katan - 2/20/24
When there are two months of Adar, the holiday of Purim is observed in the second month, while the 14th and 15th days of the first Adar are known as Purim Katan. What is the nature of that "small" Purim? What are its laws? Take Ten to...
02.15.2024
TT4T#933 - Universal Mishkan - 2/15/24
While we might know that the laws of keeping Shabbat are learned from constructing the Mishkan, we might not be aware of the deep similarities between the construction and the actual creation of the world. Take Ten to find out more.
02.14.2024
TT4T#932 - Building a Shul - 2/14/24
Take Ten for a look at the modern-day "Mikdash" that exists in every community and how its construction is of great symbolic and financial importance.
02.13.2024
TT4T#931 - Why Bless When We are Done? - 2/13/24
Is it more logical to make a Beracha before or after we eat? While the Torah explicitly mentions the blessing we should make following our food, does that actually make the most sense? It sure does. Take Ten to learn...
02.12.2024
TT4T#930 - Extreme Empathy - 2/12/24
When our nation is facing challenging times far away, it can be difficult to stay properly focused on the suffering of others in our busy and distracted lives. Can the Torah teach us some ways to empathize? Take Ten to...
02.08.2024
TT4T#929 - Redirecting the Lost - 2/8/24
Our Parsha describes the level of obligation we have to help redirect a person's lost items. To what extent does this requirement extend to one's "lost" soul? What should be our attitude towards our obligation to inspire those who are...
02.07.2024
TT4T#928 - The First Laws? - 2/7/24
After receiving the Torah, we read this week of the "mishpatim," the first laws that we received thereafter. But can these laws really be the first and only laws that we received? Take Ten to find out.
02.06.2024
TT4T#927 - First Blessings - 2/6/24
We make blessings before and after we eat food. The Torah mandates the one that follows, but the source for the first blessing is more unclear. How do we know we make these blessings? Take Ten to find out.
02.05.2024
TT4T#926 - The Vulnerable - 2/5/24
How extremely does the Torah speak of our obligation to ensure that widows, orphans, and the vulnerable are treated well? Take Ten to find out.
02.01.2024
TT4T#925 - Interpersonal Blessings - 2/1/24
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...
01.31.2024
TT4T#924 - Your Shabbat Place - 1/31/3024
One of the restrictions of Shabbat is that we must remain in our "Techum Shabbat" or "Shabbat Boundary." Take Ten to learn more about the details and meaning of this unique law.
01.30.2024
TT4T#923 - A Shabbat Delight - 1/30/24
We know all the prohibitions that restrict what a person can do on Shabbat, but what is the best way to spend your Shabbat day? Take Ten to find out.
01.29.2024
TT4T#922 - Your Stone Chair - 1/29/24
We're thousands of miles away from what's going on in Israel, and it is difficult to know how best to react. Take Ten to learn about how we understand G-d's empathy and the the empathy of great Jewish leaders of...
10.17.2023
TT4T#921 -0,1,&2 - 10/23/23
What can we do in this challenging moment in Jewish history? This Ten describes a framework of three important things to focus on: 0, 1, and 2.
10.11.2023
TT4T#920 - The Dual Horns
The Torah speaks of a Mitzvah to blow horns to organize the camp in the desert, but also to mark the happiest occasions and moments of crisis. What s the nature of this commandment? And how do these sounds connect...
05.22.2023
TT4T#919 - The Day Between - 5/22/23
Today is a very "special" day. Known as "Yom HaMeyuchas," it's a day that we treat as a quasi-holiday. Take Ten to learn why. This Ten is sponsored by the Lewis family in memory of Fred Lewis, Feivel Yitzchak ben Naftali David z"l
05.15.2023
TT4T#918 - Numbers - 5/15/23
Why is the book of Bamidbar referred to as "Numbers"? Take Ten to find out.
03.30.2023
TT4T#917 - The Wicked Son - 3/30/23
When the Hagadah mentions that we "blunt" the teeth of the wicked child, what does it actually mean? 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
03.29.2023
TT4T#916 - Snatching the Matzah - 3/29/23
Many of us have the custom of engaging 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.
03.28.2023
TT4t#915 - What is Chametz (Part 3) - 3/28/23
Continuing the discussion of what Chametz we need to be concerned for, this class moves into the kitchen and areas where eating is involved.
03.27.2023
TT4T#914 - What is Chametz? Part 2 - 3/27/23
Continuing the discussion regarding Chametz, this Ten covers more on what is defined as Chametz and what we are looking for as we search.
03.23.2023
TT4T#913 - What is Chametz? - 3/23/23
The Torah prohibits Chametz again and again. How do we define this prohibited material? Take Ten to find out.
02.27.2023
TT4T#912 - Purim Connectivity - 2/27/23
The story of Purim is about the unification of Jews amidst a terrible threat. How are the mitzvah commemorations of the day constructed to reinforce the lessons we learned back then? Take Ten to find out. This Ten is sponsored by...

What's TakeTen4Torah Daily Torah Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

TakeTen4Torah Daily Torah Podcast episodes:

TT4T#961 - Holy! - 5/6/24

TT4T#960 - A Ten Minute Seder #2 - 4/18/24

TT4T#959 - A Ten Minute Seder - 4/17/24

TT4T#958 - A Seder in Bnei Brak - 4/15/24

TT4T#957 - Afikoman Theft - 4/11/24

TT4T#956 - How To Clean for Pesach #3 - 4/10/24

TT4T#955 - How to Clean for Pesach #2 - 4/9/24

TT4T#954 - How to Clean for Pesach #1 - 4/8/24

TT4T#953 - Calendar Power - 4/4/24

TT4T#952 - Why the Extremes? - 4/3/24

TT4T#951 - The Extremes of Pesach - 4/2/24

TT4T#950 - The Stringencies of Pesach - 3/28/24

TT4T#949 - Teach a Man to Fish - 3/27/24

TT4T#948 - Esther's "Different" Fast - 3/20/24

TT4T#947 - Matanot L'Evyonim - 3/19/24

TT4T#946 - Mishloach Manot - 3/18/24

TT4T#945 - Transparency - 3/15/24

TT4T#944 - Getting for Giving - 3/12/24

TT4T#943 - Responding to Cynics - 3/11/24

TT4T#942 - Poles of Interperetation - 3/5/24

TT4T#941 - The Shabbos Romance - 3/4/24

TT4T#940 - Your Shabbat Glow - 2/29/24

TT4T#939 - Milk and Meat - 2/28/24

TT4T#937 - Moshe's Glow-Up - 2/27/24

TT4T#937 - Why is there a Siddur? - 2/26/24

TT4T#936 - What is Work? - 2/22/24

TT4T#935 - Aleinu, the Exit Plan - 2/21/24

TT4T#934 - Purim Katan - 2/20/24

TT4T#933 - Universal Mishkan - 2/15/24

TT4T#932 - Building a Shul - 2/14/24

TT4T#931 - Why Bless When We are Done? - 2/13/24

TT4T#930 - Extreme Empathy - 2/12/24

TT4T#929 - Redirecting the Lost - 2/8/24

TT4T#928 - The First Laws? - 2/7/24

TT4T#927 - First Blessings - 2/6/24

TT4T#926 - The Vulnerable - 2/5/24

TT4T#925 - Interpersonal Blessings - 2/1/24

TT4T#924 - Your Shabbat Place - 1/31/3024

TT4T#923 - A Shabbat Delight - 1/30/24

TT4T#922 - Your Stone Chair - 1/29/24

TT4T#921 -0,1,&2 - 10/23/23

TT4T#920 - The Dual Horns

TT4T#919 - The Day Between - 5/22/23

TT4T#918 - Numbers - 5/15/23

TT4T#917 - The Wicked Son - 3/30/23

TT4T#916 - Snatching the Matzah - 3/29/23

TT4t#915 - What is Chametz (Part 3) - 3/28/23

TT4T#914 - What is Chametz? Part 2 - 3/27/23

TT4T#913 - What is Chametz? - 3/23/23

TT4T#912 - Purim Connectivity - 2/27/23