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Thursday, June 4, 2026

Halachic Times (Zmanim)
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Jewish History

R. Yehuda ibn Attar (1655–1733), who served as rabbi in Fez, is regarded as one of the greatest leaders among Moroccan Jewry. A saintly and pious man, he was known as a miracle worker and was revered by the local Jews and Muslims alike. He refused to accept a salary from the community, working as a goldsmith instead.

It is related that he was once thrown into a lion’s den and miraculously survived unharmed (Shem Hagedolim). This protagonist of this story is often said to be—apparently in error—R. Yehuda’s kinsman, R. Chaim ibn Attar (see link below).

Link: Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar

Daily Thought

We don’t learn Torah to gain knowledge—not even divine knowledge. At the time you are learning Torah, your mind itself is divine.

Your mind wraps itself in divine modalities. Your soul twirls and rises in a divine dance. As you wrestle with divine words, pathways and wisdom, you merge with them, so that your entire being becomes Torah.

We learn Torah because it is a mitzvah—the mitzvah of merging your mind with the mind of G‑d.

Tanya, Chapter 5.