Jewish philosophy as well as Jewish perspectives - i.e. not only formal philosophy. NOT for questions about Jewish practice unless there's a philosophical component.
3
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2answers
138 views
Was Rambam affected by Islam?
Was Rambam's philosophy affected in any way by Islamic culture or religion? If so, could that influence have influenced his interpretation of halacha?
This question is inspired by an ongoing ...
-1
votes
1answer
92 views
why was technology withheld for so long from man
Why did God withhold the discovery of modern technology from man until recently?
what is the reason for this and why does this reason not apply in our era?
(according to the shaar bitachon ch.3 God ...
3
votes
2answers
197 views
How can I know a rav has daas Torah
I have been privileged to know rabbis of great wisdom and knowledge who could address my issues with unique and helpful insights through the prism of Torah. I always understood them to have "daas ...
1
vote
0answers
34 views
Why do some Jewish groups wear a uniform?
My impression of male Chareidi Jews is that they only ever wear a white shirt with a black suit shoes and hat, no tie. I also get the impression that particular other (possibly Chassidic) groups have ...
4
votes
0answers
45 views
The silence of the Rabbis — Should they have defended Bar Kamtza?
In Gittin 55b-56a, we read that a fellow named Bar Kamtza was humiliated by a host of a party in public view of all, including the rabbis. Bar Kamtza received an invitation to the party by mistake, ...
4
votes
3answers
112 views
Do a mitzva for mashiach?
I recently saw in The Moshiach Times, a popular Chabad-Lubavitch publication for children, an exhortation to "do a mitzvah for moshiach": to do a mitzva with the specific purpose of hastening the ...
0
votes
2answers
113 views
What if someone is unable to believe in God?
Suppose someone really truly wants to believe in Hashem, but is simply unable to. Even after much trying and learning Torah, he still is simply unable to believe in God. Would that person be ...
4
votes
1answer
65 views
simple faith versus blind faith
There is a view that it is better to avoid studying philosophical works such as the Rambam's guide for the perplexed or the Shaar Yichud from Duties of the Heart. This is based on the idea that Emunah ...
1
vote
0answers
50 views
Is there a concept of time in Gan Eden and the world to come?
Does Time exist in Gan Eden and the world to come. I heard that you cant get bored of these places since there's no time there. Also heard midrash that Yitchak Aviinu went to Gan Eden for 2 years ...
1
vote
1answer
149 views
What is a non-Jew's purpose in life?
What does a non-Jew have to do in life? Why did God create non-Jews?
A Jews purpose in life is to learn Torah and do Mitzvos. What should a non-jew be spending his time doing?
2
votes
0answers
55 views
Is free will limited to humans?
Do other beings besides humans have free will? Perhaps animals have free will? What about angels?
Does the status of other types of beings' freedom of will affect us in any way?
0
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0answers
35 views
Does the mitzvah of Tzedek require poverty and inequality in society?
If we accept that giving to the poor and an emphasis on Tzedek are Mitzvot that is repeatedly noted within Tanakh - for example some Midrashic commentary suggests that the sin of Sodom was actually a ...
1
vote
2answers
186 views
Does Judaism permit sexual relationships outside of marriage?
I am eager to know more about different religions from Islam to Judaism. Furthermore, how different religions look at women and comparing their kinds of approaches to the matter of gender and ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
What is the spiritual value of counting the omer?
I understand that it is a mitzvah to count the 49 days of the omer from the second night of Pesach through erev Shavuos. But what is the spiritual value of counting s'fira? I.e. what does G-d want ...
2
votes
1answer
46 views
Purpose of Suffering
The Talmud in Berachos 5a says: "Rava said: If a man sees suffering coming on him, let him examine his ways..."
does this mean the suffering is to atone for his sin or does it mean the suffering is ...
4
votes
1answer
89 views
What about the Kohen?
It is a given that the Kohen blesses the people, but who blesses the Kohen? Is the Kohen excluded from the Brakha or is he included in the one he makes on the kehillah's behalf?
1
vote
1answer
72 views
How did Chazal know they were right about “who is a Jew”?
My question is predicated on the assumption that Jews were created by God as fundamentally different from non-Jews. (I am referring, for example, to the idea that Jews have a special type of soul. And ...
1
vote
1answer
72 views
Updating of holy books
I am curious if such thing is possible, e.g. if some new evidence is found (archeological or other scientific or other). So the next generation will have more accurate interpretation, because we all ...
5
votes
1answer
131 views
What attitudes toward Jesus are acceptable for a Jew?
What attitudes toward Jesus are acceptable for a Jew? I understand that idolatry, or embracing the mainstream Christian perception of Jesus as divine, is absolutely out of the question. Furthermore, ...
0
votes
6answers
352 views
Can God destroy Himself?
I was thinking about it lately.
If God can do everything, can He destroy Himself?
Is there something about this possibility in any of the holy books?
1
vote
0answers
54 views
Attending networking events under false pretenses
I've recently seen some events advertised for specific groups or for people who fit a certain description, and it got me wondering, would it be alright, from a Jewish perspective (Halachic, Hashkafic, ...
3
votes
2answers
116 views
Why is there no description of Olam Haba in the Torah?
According to the beginning of the Mesilas Yesharim, the entire purpose of creation is for man to merit Olam Haba (the bliss of the next world).
If so, why is there no mention nor description of Olam ...
3
votes
2answers
292 views
Are the Jews today still waiting for the Messiah to come?
Are the Jews still today waiting for the promised Messiah to come? If so, then what kind of Messiah are they expecting right now? When do they expect him to come?
14
votes
8answers
371 views
How do I get myself to yearn for moshiach if I'm comfortable in the diaspora?
Intellectually I know that we're supposed to yearn for the coming of the mashiach and the in-gathering in Eretz Yisrael. I know that one of the Rambam's 13 principles calls for this. We pray for ...
-5
votes
1answer
73 views
What's the word Avraham used for his religion?
What was the biblical name of the religion or faith Avraham belonged to? the word he used to distinguish his faith from other, pagan belief systems?
-1
votes
1answer
41 views
Commandments on emotions [duplicate]
I can understand if the Torah commands one to wear tefilin or put on a mezuza.
But to command a person not to hate anyone, not to covet anything of anyone, not to bear a grudge, love your fellow as ...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Is the Torah called a tzarah?
It was quoted to me once that the Torah is called a tzarah to a wife. In other words, just like the Torah calls a second wife to a man a "tzarah" (to the first wife) so too the Torah is a tzarah to a ...
3
votes
3answers
175 views
Does God benefit from our keeping of the Mitzvos?
Does Hashem benefit from mankind doing the commandments of the Torah?
3
votes
1answer
61 views
What are the most important writings of Rav Kook for Emunah and Hashkafah?
I would like to return to learn some of the writings of Rav Kook in order to improve my Hashkafah and Emunah. In the past I attended an Israeli "dati leumi" yeshiva where i learnt a bit of them, but ...
4
votes
3answers
151 views
May we genetically engineer stuff?
The possibilities of genetic engineering continue to grow. May a Jewish scientist genetically engineer things?
3
votes
1answer
61 views
Mamzer honoring his father - why wouldn't he?
The Shulhan 'Aruch (240:18) writes that a Mamzer has an obligation to honor his father.
Why might I think otherwise?
2
votes
0answers
45 views
Honoring a wicked father who has repented - How is he still considered wicked?
The Shulhan 'Aruch (Y"D 240:18) writes that one is obligated to honor his father even if the father is wicked (actually, it says that a Mamzer is obligated, but I believe that the implication is that ...
0
votes
1answer
117 views
How does Judaism prove the existence of the life of the world to come?
I have three questions:
What is the basis for the Jewish belief in the World to Come?
What human traits does Judaism consider reflect the possession of an eternal soul?
What purpose(s) is/are served ...
4
votes
1answer
129 views
If someone doesn't believe in the Gemara, is he a heretic?
If someone says "I believe that the Mishnayos/Braisos/Toseftas are accurate, but I think that the Gemara made mistakes and has no holiness.
Is such philosophy heresy?
What about someone who argues ...
-1
votes
2answers
91 views
Why was this world created?
As I've researched, G-d has many creations, trillions of worlds before this world, and will create many after this world.
Why did G-d create this world?
4
votes
2answers
97 views
How can I make my Judaism more enjoyable?
I really enjoy being Jewish, most of the time, but let's be honest, sometimes it can be difficult to enjoy Judaism. Sometimes it's the little things, like having to wait those extra minutes to eat ...
4
votes
1answer
56 views
How did the trees deviate from God's command?
In Bereshis 1:11 God commands עֵץ פְּרִי עֹשֶׂה פְּרִי לְמִינוֹ however in the next pasuk where it happens we find וְעֵץ עֹשֶׂה-פְּרִי אֲשֶׁר זַרְעוֹ-בוֹ, לְמִינֵהוּ. This discrepancy is explained by ...
7
votes
3answers
227 views
Why did God create the mentally ill/ severely handicapped?
Why did God create people who are mentally ill or severely handicapped? They are not able to serve him in the same capacity and their lives seem to be full of difficulty and anguish. Why would God do ...
2
votes
1answer
77 views
If the Oral Torah is Divine, why are there arguments? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Why don’t we just follow the shittah of Moshe Rabeinu?
If the Oral Torah is Divine, how are there arguments in the Mishnah and Gemara?
(I have heard this question asked ...
3
votes
2answers
84 views
What are the three impure klippot?
Kabbalah and Chassidus discuss the "three impure klippot" and Klippos Noga.
What is the difference between each of these three klippos?
4
votes
3answers
140 views
Does Judaism endorse guilt?
I am not a Jew. In a few TV series, I saw/heard that Jews experience self-repression due to their belief. I heard that being Jewish means enduring a lot of guilt, or becoming aware of things to feel ...
4
votes
4answers
113 views
No More Zechuth Avoth?
The Gemara (Bab. Shab. 55a) discusses when Zechuth Avoth ceased. I am aware of several opinions in Tosafoth that it ended for wicked people, or it ended for everyone but the very righteous or it ended ...
4
votes
2answers
108 views
Is there a p'sak when dealing with de'os?
I was wondering if the idea of paskening applies to the de'os area of Torah.
As an example there is a machlokes rishonim how to view Chazal's relationship with the science they relied on to pasken ...
1
vote
3answers
131 views
Has a gadol be'Torah ever drastically changed his type of avodas Hashem?
I know that my question is a bit broad and maybe abstract but I'm not sure how to phrase it better. I'm looking for any change in avodah. It can be a change in which group of Jews he associated with ...
5
votes
3answers
262 views
Why a human Messiah?
I understand that Mashiach is going to be a human. What is the source for this, and are there any explanations why it must be so? Can't G-d Himself redeem us?
5
votes
2answers
92 views
How is knowledge of G-d different from any other knowledge?
The Rambam, in his Morei Nevuchim, says that when it comes to knowledge about G-d, we can only know what G-d is not. I.e. He is not limited in space, or time, He does not have property A, nor does he ...
3
votes
1answer
145 views
why did avraham pray for sodom
Sodom was one of the most morally corrupted societies that ever existed.
wouldn't their disappearance be good for everyone (including themselves).
keeping those who are thoroughly wicked alive is ...
5
votes
2answers
182 views
Does the president of the USA have free will?
I don't remember where but I saw a chazal that states something to the effect of "the (non-Jewish) leaders of the world do not have free will".
I would appreciate someone editing to source this.
So I ...
0
votes
1answer
34 views
Is הפעולה בשמות or “theurgy” similar to prayer in the Ramchal’s Derekh HaShem?
Ramchal in Derekh HaShem III 2 (7) speaks about using the names of G-d to achieve effects not achievable using physical agencies. He says,
א׳ הוא הזכרת שמו ית׳ כמי שקורא אותו שיענהו, וימשיך על ידי ...
6
votes
0answers
51 views
What is the correct kavanah when going to war?
I am specifically talking about going to war that is a mitzvah such as the wars fought while conquering Eretz Yisroel in the beginning of the Neviim and the mitzvah we have and will fulfill of ...
