IN A REGULAR year this Shabbos we would read Parashas  Zachor, the second of the four special readings before and after Purim. It’s when we recall Amalek’s first attack against the Jewish people on their way to Mt. Sinai and the receiving of Torah.

The Ba’al HaTurim points out that the word terumah is the word Torah with a Mem, which equals 40. This teaches us that only those who learn Torah given in 40 days can eat terumah.

One day a gentile came to Shammai and asked him how many Torahs the Jewish people have.

When Eliezer brought Rivkah home to meet Yitzchak, he was out in the field dovening Minchah. The Torah says:

The question had bothered me for years, but I finally had an answer that worked for me. I haven’t found it mentioned elsewhere…