A Semitic language, it is used occasionally in Tanach, and is the primary language of the Talmud.
12
votes
5answers
259 views
Plural of “Nafka Minah”
(Inspired by HodofHod's commment here: Four Holy Cities)
What is the proper plural for the common Aramaic phrase Nafka Minah נפקא מינה which means something along the line of "practical differences"?
...
5
votes
6answers
2k views
Online glossary of Talmudic terms
Is there an online glossary anywhere that explains important Talmudic terms, with similar scope to the Practical Talmud Dictionary? I'm more interested in an Aramaic-English resource, but ...
7
votes
4answers
872 views
Hard Yeshivish phrases to translate
Does anyone ever have trouble finding good English translations of certain yeshivish phrases, especially when in conversation with someone who would not understand the original?
Post your favorite ...
13
votes
3answers
214 views
Why do we still say sections of davening in aramaic?
I am pretty sure the aramaic sections of davening were written in aramaic because it was considered necessary for people to understand what they were saying. If this is true, why don't we say those ...
10
votes
1answer
126 views
Best way to translate “קא”
In the Aramaic of the Babylonian Talmud, there is a widely used word "קא", like in the sentence והא קא קרי (in Berahot 13:1).
What is the best way to translate it to Hebrew or English? Or maybe just ...
7
votes
2answers
126 views
What does the aramaic “pon” mean?
Once in a while, Onkelos will throw in the word pon (פּוֹן) that doesn't directly translate from the Hebrew.
Avimelech to Yitzchak: k'z'eir pon shachiv d'm'yached b'ama (Toldos 26:10)
Lavan to ...
7
votes
2answers
460 views
Does "Brich Rachamana Malka D'Alma Ma'rei D'Hai Pita' really fullfil the obligation of Birkas Hamazon?
I heard from a friend that, as per the Gemara, saying the following phrase in Aramaic discharges the obligation to recite Bircas Hamazon in its entirety:
Brich rachamana malka d'alma ma'rei d'hai ...
6
votes
1answer
121 views
Magid Mesharim: How is it that the angel knew Aramaic?
There is a book called "magid mesharim" written by Maran Bet Yosef in Aramaic through the exact words of an angel. My issue with this is that we learned from some Gemaras (Shabbat 12b is one) that ...
5
votes
4answers
232 views
Why was the Gemara written in Aramaic?
The Gemara (the Bavli and Yerushalmi) are the fundamental texts that we possess of the Oral law. Why were they written in Aramaic?
At first glance, Ravina and R' Ashi probably knew that this will be ...
5
votes
3answers
434 views
Hebrew for ice - and other “new” words
After reading MB OC 301:17:65 (thanks, YDK!) I am baffled by a nagging question regarding Modern Hebrew and Biblical Hebrew. Eliezer Ben-Yehudah is known to have revitalized Hebrew, in part by taking ...
5
votes
2answers
126 views
Yemenite Sefira
What is the source for the custom that Yemenite Jews people count Sefira in Aramaic? and why do they do it?
2
votes
3answers
136 views
How to say Adonainu Moreinu VeRabeinu in Aramaic
I have heard people translate "Adoneinu Moreinu VeRabeinu" (please don't ask where) into Aramaic as "Adonana Morana Verabana". I assume that the "a" is an aleph at the end. However, I realized that ...
2
votes
1answer
81 views
Explanation of Avos 2:6?
Is there a comprehensive explanation of Avos 2:6?
Why is it in aramaic?
why is this lesson included in Avos (seems out of place)
Who is this skull and how does Hillel know it was drowned due to ...
2
votes
2answers
104 views
Mappik in Kaddish
What is the meaning of mappiks in Kaddish.
...יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ
...כִרְעוּתֵהּ...
...מַלְכוּתֵהּ...
Isn't a mappik in the word שְׁמֵהּ (for example) would mean her name. So who is ...
