Who knows two hundred forty-eight?

Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point at least twenty-four hours from now, I will:

  • Upvote all answers I consider relevant and interesting.

  • Accept the what I think is the "best" answer.

  • Go on to the next number.

The Race to Ramach starts now.

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5 Answers

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Hashem examined each word of the Tora 248 times before putting it in the Tora (whatever that means), corresponding to the 248 evarim (bones or something) of a person (source), which in turn correspond to the 248 words of sh'ma (source) and mitzvos ase (positive commands).

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"248 evarim (bones or something)" - They are body parts (loosely defined). It's a mishna in Ahalos. – WAF Jun 1 '11 at 15:16
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Yeah. It's usually translated "bones" (or "limbs"), but that's incorrect, so I put "bones or something". :-) – msh210 Jun 1 '11 at 15:20
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אברהם = 248 and is mentioned 175 times in Tanach, which is the amount of years he lived.

248 = במדבר

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Number of sidereal months it takes for the moon to begin its draconic month at the same sidereal time corresponding to 248 positive commandments, while 365 days in a solar sidreal year correspond to the 365 negative commandments. (Source)

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The last three words in Shema are repeated, so as to bring the number up to 248. see here.

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