Every Shabbos, Jews in synagogues of all denominations hear the cantor, rabbi or a layperson chant that week’s Torah portion from an open scroll. But Yiddish scholar Sheva Zucker says you don’t need ...

The analogy to fire is also meant to convey the warmth of the Torah, as it states, “To warm oneself from the ‘fire’ of the sages.” For the ways of the Torah are pleasant and sweet and foster warmth in ...