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Welcome to Step 4 — a wiki of accessible Torah wisdom, tightly bound to identifiable sources in TaNaCh, Gemara, and Mesorah.

✦ Today's Featured Article Tisha B'Av: We Only Go Up in Kedusha Note: This summary was generated by AI based on the transcript of the shiur. It was not written or reviewed by Rabbi Gershenfeld. Read full article... Published: July 23, 2026 ? Did You Know... ...that the word tirosh (wine) contains tirash (poverty), and this duality is the key to understanding Kiddush? (source) ...that Shabbos candles are not merely about light, but about establishing seder — an ordered, purposeful framework for Shabbos? ...that the phrase Av Hamon Goyim — "father of a multitude of nations" — encodes a transformation in Avraham's very identity? ...that true leadership begins with recognizing that Hashem is the Elokei HaRuchos — the G-d of all spirits? ...that Kiddush Hashem is not only about martyrdom but about how we live every ordinary moment?

📖 This Week's Parsha Parashat Shoftim 2 Elul 5786 · August 15, 2026 · Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9 Laws of judges and officers, kings, Kohanim, and Levites. The cities of refuge. Laws of war — including the exemptions from battle. The eglah arufah (broken-necked heifer) for an unsolved murder. Haftarah (Ashkenaz): Isaiah 51:12-52:12 Read on Sefaria → 🗓 Upcoming Holidays Holiday Date Rosh Hashana LaBehemot — New Year for Animals August 14, 2026 Leil Selichot — Night of Selichot — penitential prayers begin September 5, 2026 Erev Rosh Hashana — Eve of Rosh Hashana September 11, 2026 Rosh Hashana 5787 — Jewish New Year (5787) September 12, 2026 Rosh Hashana II — Second day of Rosh Hashana September 13, 2026 Tzom Gedaliah September 14, 2026 Erev Yom Kippur — Eve of Yom Kippur September 20, 2026 All dates begin at sundown of the evening prior. Times are for Diaspora.

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Shabbos & Kiddush Tirosh or Tirash: Wine and Daas Wine as Sod in Kiddush Bridging Zohar and Maharal Distinguishing Shabbos with Wine and Word The Framework of Oneg and Kedusha Illumination, Seder, and Oneg

Leadership & Character Leadership and Elokei HaRuchos Leadership (overview) Making Kiddush Hashem Teaching the World

Torah Sources & Study Key Gur Aryeh Sources Learning Chumash with Gur Aryeh Calling beshem Hashem Av Hamon Goyim Bamidbar 27:16 — Elokei HaRuchos

About Step 4: This wiki preserves Torah wisdom learned from Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld — tightly bound to identifiable sources in TaNaCh, Gemara, and Mesorah; deep; and relevant. Learn more →