Today is Tuesday, Adar 7, 5786 · February 24, 2026
Today's Laws & Customs
• Burial Society Day
The Chevrah Kadisha (Jewish Burial Societies) hold their annual get-together and feast on Adar 7th. This is based on the tradition that G-d Himself buried Moses on this day -- granting them a respite from their labors.
• Sanctification of the Moon
Once a month, as the moon waxes in the sky, we recite a special blessing called Kiddush Levanah, "the sanctification of the moon," praising the Creator for His wondrous work we call astronomy.
Kiddush Levanah is recited after nightfall, usually on Saturday night. The blessing is concluded with songs and dancing, because our nation is likened to the moon—as it waxes and wanes, so have we throughout history. When we say this blessing, we renew our trust that very soon, the light of G‑d's presence will fill all the earth and our people will be redeemed from exile.
Though Kiddush Levanah can be recited as early as three days after the moon's rebirth, the kabbalah tells us it is best to wait a full week, till the seventh of the month. Once 15 days have passed, the moon begins to wane once more and the season for saying the blessing has passed.
Links:
Kiddush Levana: Sanctification of the Moon
Brief Guide to Kiddush Levanah: Thank G‑d for the Moon!
Today in Jewish History
• Moses' Birth & Passing (1393 and 1273 BCE)
Moses was born in Egypt on the 7th of Adar of the year
2368 from creation (1393 BCE) and passed away on his 120th birthday -- Adar 7, 2488 (1273 BCE)
Links:
A brief biography
The Birth of a Leader
The Head
Moses Disappears
More on Moses
• The Spanish Inquisition (1481)
The Inquisition was created in the twelfth century to find "Christian heretics" who would be punished or killed. Eventually, Jews too were open to such charges of heresy, simply for being Jewish; and torture was routinely used to extract "confessions." Over the years, the inquisition, which operated with Papal consent, spread to many countries.
In 1481 the Inquisition began to function in Spain to expose the secret Jews, known as the Anusim or Marranos. This Inquisition was anti-Jewish more than in any previous countries. The first public sentencing and burning alive of six Jewish men and one woman by the Spanish Inquisition was held on this date in Seville in Southern Spain.
Following the start of the Spanish Inquisition many Jews fled Spain (see "Today in Jewish History" for Sivan 4).
• Passing of Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim of Luntschitz, “Kli Yakar” (1619)
Born in the year 1550 in Luntschitz, Poland, with
just the name Ephraim, the name Sholomo was added later during a
life-threatening illness (a common practice in Judaism).
Rabbi Sholomo Efraim was a disciple of the famed
Talmudist, Rabbi Sholomo Luria, author
of the Yam Shel Sholomo, as well as the great Jewish kabalist and philosopher, Rabbi Judah Lowe, known as the “Maharal
of Prague.”
In the year 1604, after having first headed the yeshivah
in Levov, he was appointed rabbi of Prague, replacing Rabbi Lowe, who was then
quite elderly. He held the position until his passing.
He is the author of a number of works, but is
perhaps best known for his work Kli Yakar (a commentary on the Torah) and Olelot
Ephraim (a collection of sermons).
While most say he passed away on 7 Adar II, some records have 7 Iyar as the correct date.
Among his prominent students was Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman Heller,
author of a classic commentary on the Mishnah called Tosfot Yom Tov.
• Sinking of Struma (1942)
On December 12, 1941, the Struma ship set off from the port of Constanta, Romania, carrying
800 Jewish Romanian refugees headed for British Mandatory Palestine. The ship
was detained at Istanbul, where British authorities refused to allow the ship
to continue to its destination. On February 23, 1942, Turkish authorities towed
the ship out to the Black Sea, where it drifted aimlessly due to a failed
engine. The next day, the ship was sunk by a Soviet submarine. Only one
passenger survived the horrific disaster.
Daily Quote
Rabbi Elazar of Bartosa would say: Give Him what is His, for you, and whatever is yours, are His. As David says (I Chronicles 29:14): "For everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we give to You..."
— Ethics of the Fathers 3:7
Daily Torah Study
Chumash: Tetzaveh, 3rd Portion Shemot (Exodus) 28:31-28:43 with Rashi
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English / Hebrew Linear Translation
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Video Class
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Daily Wisdom (short insight)
Tehillim: Chapters 39 - 43
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Hebrew text
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English text
Tanya: Likutei Amarim, middle of Chapter 31
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English Text (Lessons in Tanya)
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Hebrew Text
• Audio Class:
Listen |
Download
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Video Class
Rambam:
• Sefer Hamitzvot:
• 1 Chapter A Day: Yesodei haTorah Yesodei haTorah - Chapter 10
• 3 Chapters A Day: Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim - Chapter 2, Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim - Chapter 3, Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim - Chapter 4
Hayom Yom:
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English Text |
Video Class
Audio: 
