Adam's Torah

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #41, which is to honor one's father and mother. Thanks for listening! Please subscribe to the podcast and the YouTube channel for more content: https://www.youtube.com/@adamstorah 

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #40, which is to deal with cases of nullifying vows or oaths. Thanks for listening! Please subscribe to the podcast and the YouTube channel for more content: https://www.youtube.com/@adamstorah 

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #39, which is to fulfill your vows or oaths. This mitzvah is to keep your promises.  We have the ability to create other mitzvot, simply by promising to do something. This applies to both vows ("nedarim") and oaths ("shevuot"): Vows are typically on an item or object Oaths are typically related to an action that the person will do This...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #38, which is to give charity to the poor. This mitzvah to give charity is known as giving "tzedaka." The Rambam (Maimonides, or Moshe ben Maimon) (born approx. 1135 CE / died 1204 CE) compiled a list of the eight levels of charity, starting with the highest and most ideal form of charity, working his way down the list in descending order. In th...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #37, which is to rest from work on the holiday of Shemini Atzeret. This mitzvah applies to the 22nd day of Tishrei (the seventh month of the year). This is the day immediately after the last and seventh day of Sukkot. Outside of Israel, it also applies to 23rd day of Tishrei. It is called the "eighth day," because it is the day after the seventh...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #36, which is to take the four species during the holiday of Sukkot. What are the four species? Citron / etrog Palm tree branch / lulav Myrtle branches / hadasim Willow branches / aravot When does this mitzvah apply? This mitzvah applies during daytime only, not at night. In the Beit Hamikdash , it applies to all seven days of Sukkot.  Elsewhere, the Bibl...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #35, which is to dwell in a s ukkah during the holiday of Sukkot. What is a sukkah ? It is a hut or a booth, with a minimum of three walls and a roof of sechach , made of branches. In the podcast, we discuss additional details.  When is the holiday of Sukkot? Beginning on the 15th day of Tishrei, lasting for seven days, through the end of the 21st day of...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #34, which is rest from work on the first day of Sukkot. This mitzvah applies to the 15th day of Tishrei (the seventh month of the year). Outside of Israel, it also applies to the second day of Sukkot, or the 16th day of Tishrei. This holiday is 5 days after Yom Kippur. Other than the date, this mitzvah is identical to positive mitzvah #25, which is to re...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #33, which is to repent and to confess one's sins. When a man or a woman commits a sin, when they want to repent or do what's called teshuva , they should verbally confess their sin. The confession doesn't have to be in public, but it can be in private, between the person and God alone. In the podcast, we discussed a sample text of confessi...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #32, which is to fast on the holiday of Yom Kippur. This mitzvah applies to the 10th day of Tishrei (the seventh month of the year).  The Torah states that we should "afflict" our souls on Yom Kippur. Our Sages interpret that to mean that we should fast, that is no food or drink. There are four additional afflictions:  No marital relations are f...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #31, which is to rest from work on the holiday of Yom Kippur. This mitzvah applies to the 10th day of Tishrei (the seventh month of the year).  Similar to Shabbat, the mitzvah is to rest from all melachot (work activities). The podcast on positive mitzvah #20 delves deeper into this topic and defines the prohibited melachot . Yom Kippur is a day of atonem...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #30, which is to hear the sound of the Shofar on Rosh Hashana. This mitzvah applies to the 1st day of Tishrei (the seventh month of the year), beginning at sunrise.  Both inside and outside of Israel, the Sages extended this holiday for a second day, so it is observed on the 1st and 2nd days of Tishrei. A shofar is a ram's horn. In the podcast, we de...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #29, which is rest from work on the holiday of Rosh Hashana. This mitzvah applies to the 1st day of Tishrei (the seventh month of the year).  Both inside and outside of Israel, the Sages extended this holiday for a second day, so it is observed on the 1st and 2nd days of Tishrei Similar to other yamim tovim , food related melachot (work activities) are pe...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #28, which is rest from work on the holiday of Shavuot. This mitzvah applies to the 6th day of Sivan (the third month of the year). Outside of Israel, it also applies to the 7th day of Sivan. Other than the date, this mitzvah is identical to positive mitzvah #25, which is to rest from work on the first day of Passover.  Similar to the first day of Pesach,...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #27, which is rest from work on the Seventh Day of Passover. This mitzvah applies to the 21st day of Nissan, which is the seventh day of Passover. Outside of Israel, it also applies to the 22nd day of Nissan. Other than the date, this mitzvah is identical to positive mitzvah #25, which is to rest from work on the first day of Passover.  Similar to the fir...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #26, which is count the 49 days, or the seven weeks, of the Sefirat Ha'Omer .  The mitzvah is to count both the days and the weeks. For example, on the 20th day of the Sefirat Ha'Omer , one would say: "Today is the 20th day of the Omer, which is 2 weeks and 6 days." This is because there are two verses in the Torah: one to count weeks...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #25, which is rest from work on the First Day of Passover. This mitzvah applies to the 15th day of Nissan, which is the first day of Passover. Outside of Israel, it also applies to the second day of Passover. This mitzvah is similar to positive mitzvah #20, which is to rest from work on Shabbat. However, there is one very important difference - food relat...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #24, which is to tell about the Exodus from Egypt on the first night of Passover, which is the evening of the 15th of Nissan . The mitzvah is to tell over the story of Exodus from Egypt, from beginning to end, with as many details as possible. This mitzvah applies even to people who already know the story. The more, the better! This mitzvah applies on the...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #23, which is to eat matzah on the first night of Passover, which is the evening of the 15th of Nissan . Matzah is unleavened bread, which is when one of the five grains (wheat, barley, spelt, oats, rye) are mixed with water and baked in less than 18 minutes. The matzah is not given enough time to rise. This mitzvah applies on the evening of 15th day of N...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #22, which is to remove chametz from your possession on the 14th day of Nissan . Chametz is when one of the five grains (wheat, barley, oat, spelt, rye) are mixed with water and left to rise for at least 18 minutes. One can remove chametz by eating, destroying it, throwing it out, or declaring it as ownerless. The deadline for this mitzva is the 14th day...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #21, which is to be happy during the Holidays of Pesach (Passover), Shavuot , and Sukkut . During the times of the Beit HaMikdash , one would offer an additional sacrifice, which would mostly be eaten by its owners. This was a way of partaking in an enjoyable meals. Nowadays, in the absence of the  Beit HaMikdash , one fulfills this mitzva by eating enjoy...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #20, which is rest from work on Shabbat. This positive mitzva  has a corresponding negative mitzva of "not to work on Shabbat." Work is referred to as melacha , or melachot in plural. At a high level, a melacha is defined as an activity performed in the construction of the Mishkan , or the traveling Temple that the Jewish people had in the deser...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #19, which is declare Shabbat as holy with words. We verbally declare Shabbat as holy (1) at its beginning, through kiddush , and (2) at its end, through havdala . The Prophet & Sages added two rabbinic ways of fulfilling this mitzva, by (3) preparing for Shabbat and (4) enjoying it. Kiddush (beginning of Shabbat) At the beginning of Shabbat, we decla...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #18, which is respect or to fear the Beit HaMikdash , or the Temple. This mitzva applies to the portable Temple in the desert, known as the Mishkan , as well as to the Temple built in Jerusalem, known as the Beit HaMikdash . Examples of how to fear the Temple include: Not entering with shoes or dirty feet Not using it as a shortcut Certain areas were off...

In this episode, we learn positive mitzvah #17, which is to stand before elders and Torah scholars, or talmideh chachamim . Elderly are defined as a 70-year-old. A Torah Scholar ( talmid chacham ) is one who is knowledgeable in Torah. One should stand when the elder or talmid chacham walks within 6 feet of the person, and he or she  can sit back down once they pass by. For a "Rav Muvhak"...