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.
2
votes
2answers
114 views
Choices before birth
Before we are born do we pick who will be our parents, guides, and rebbaim in life?
5
votes
2answers
178 views
Image of God: Equality and Discrimination
I have heard from many unreliable sources that the Torah's description of mankind as being "in the Image of God" implies some level of equal standing of all humans and therefore the expectation ...
5
votes
2answers
162 views
Jews vs gentiles: disputes
Recently I got a pleasureful reading of the Ramban's dispute.
I think it a great source for "דע מה להשיב" (know what to answer to heretics).
I'm sure there were similar disputes by other great ...
6
votes
1answer
73 views
Why does the 5th verse of “Yigdal”, not mention prayer as does the 5th principle of faith of the Rambam?
The piyyut, “Yigdal”, seems to put the 13 principles of faith of the Rambam in poetic form.
With number 5, the author of Yigdal seems to have made a slightly different point to the Rambam by leaving ...
7
votes
1answer
125 views
Why did Hashem create the world?
Some opinion say that Hashem created the world to bestow goodness on man (and couldn't just place him in the Garden of Eden because it would be "bread of shame" - that man would get things for free).
...
6
votes
1answer
223 views
Should a Jew who doesn't believe in G-d observe the commandments?
In an earlier question, I asked if it was a commandment to believe in G-d. As with so many areas, there were differing opinions. Some of the respondents claimed that there would be no point in being ...
2
votes
0answers
39 views
Sincerely wants to have Emunah? [closed]
What would you tell someone who tells you that they sincerely want to have emunah but is having a hard time believing in things such as Torah miSinai, the special "chosen" status of the Children of ...
9
votes
3answers
239 views
Difference between jewish and zionist?
I was in Israel last summer (Rehovot) visiting a close friend and his wife. In one of our very long conversations with them she said, "I would say I am not jewish, but I am a zionist". ...
7
votes
3answers
125 views
Can you pray something that isn't true or (at least) that the petitioner doesn't believe to be true?
In the Aruch HaShulchan OH 581:4, he writes regarding the selichos we recite before Rosh HaShanah:
האחת: דאלו שאינם מתענים, ובהסליחה מוזכר לשון "תענית" או "צום" – לא יאמרו זה, דלא ליהוי כדובר שקרים. ...
9
votes
7answers
321 views
Any primary sources that all Jewish males should l'chatchila stay in learning forever?
Does anyone know of any specific sources in Chazal or Rishonim (or even earlier achronim) that indicate that l'chatchila all Jewish males should learn full time forever? I know that this is the ...
8
votes
1answer
111 views
How was the Shaalos Utshuvos Min Hashamayim allowed to do what he did?
The Shut Min Hashamayim was written by a Rishon in the time of Tosfos. He used to ask questions from Shamayim (Heaven) in a Sheilas Chalom (Dream Question) and write the answers down. Many of those ...
-1
votes
1answer
79 views
Belittling of the Holocaust? [closed]
Hitler killed six million Jews. Rabbi Meir Kahane, HaShem Yikom Damo, famously said NEVER AGAIN. What is the Torah attitude towards espouse misguided viewpoints such as the one recently portrayed by ...
2
votes
1answer
150 views
Is buying a lottery ticket a lack of faith?
Everybody would like to be rich, and winning the lottery is the easiest (albeit most unlikely) path to sudden wealth.
In terms of Jewish hashkafa (philosophy), I agree that buying more than one ...
1
vote
5answers
80 views
Books on the significance of the months in the Jewish calendar
I am looking for books/sefarim (Hebrew or English) that discuss the different months of the Jewish year, and their overall significance in relation to:
Zodiac Signs
Tribes
Chagim
Animals
...
4
votes
3answers
187 views
Source in Jewish writings for Moshiach?
What is the source in Jewish writings (Pre-Rambam) that there is a concept of a Moshiach, and his nature?
9
votes
2answers
248 views
“bad impression” vs “Judge your friend favorably”
There are two commonly known halachic concepts. "Marit Ayin", a bad impression, and "Dan Lekaf Zechut", "Judging favorably". Here is a nice article on the concept of Marit Ayin and it briefly talks ...
14
votes
1answer
153 views
What Happens to People Who Don't Have a Portion in Olam Haba?
The last perek of Sanhedrin lists some people who have no share in Olam Haba. Other people who forfeit their share are discussed in the answers to this question: No Olam Habah for these?
My question ...
4
votes
1answer
320 views
Why did Rabbis stay away from Amei Haaretz?
The Gemara tells Torah scholars that they should not mix with Amei Haaretz, and shouldn't be around them, eat with them, etc. The reason is that the Torah Scholars would learn from their bad ways.
...
6
votes
4answers
104 views
What is the purpose of t'chias hamasim?
Given the following: (note please feel free to argue with any of these premises, but please also cite a source)
t'chias hamasim will only occur for the righteous
the righteous who are currently dead ...
6
votes
1answer
599 views
Is there any difference between Jewish G-d and Muslim G-d? [closed]
Do Jews and Muslims worship the same G-d? If so, do they understand G-d the same way? As a related point, is there any linguistic or theological connection between "Allah" and "Eloha" (or "Elohim")? ...
4
votes
1answer
225 views
Does God discriminate between Jewish and non-Jewish people?
I often wonder if God has a different attitude towards people who are not Jews. Why Jews are consisdered to be most favored nation? Does that mean that all other people are inferior to Jews? Wouldn't ...
6
votes
3answers
187 views
Is the enemy of my enemy my friend? If so, which one?
I guess this is a two-part question. Are there any sources that support this common maxim? And if so, are there any sources that provide guidance on which enemy we now befriend?
If one enemy ...
10
votes
2answers
161 views
Non-belief in Torah's divinity - Wickedness or Ignorance?
If a Jew breaks halacha because he honestly does not believe that the Torah is G-d's law or that he is obligated it follow it, is his nonconformance with the law considered wickedness or ignorance? ...
1
vote
4answers
155 views
Please clarify Mishlei 24:21 regarding mingling with dualists
Mishlei 24:21 "My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not mingle with dualists" source
(1) please define "dualist" from the perspective of Judaism. If it is "someone who believes/practices dualism" ...
5
votes
6answers
183 views
Resources for learning about the foundations of Judaism
I recently met an intelligent Soviet immigrant interested in learning more about Judaism. He would like to start with understanding the basics. Such as:
How do we understand G-d?
What are the ...
1
vote
2answers
100 views
How much room is there for personal influence given the existence of “free will” and “God's will” and “God's plan”?
Today's interesting question delves deeper into the concept of free will. I understand that Judaism views free will as the freedom to choose between life and death (i.e. choose life and live), but ...
7
votes
3answers
336 views
How do you know what is God's will in a particular situation?
After reading this superb article by the great Rabbi Noah Weinberg I'm left pondering point number 5 "Make your will God's will".
I understand that this does not mean that whatever you personally ...
2
votes
3answers
254 views
What is the orthodox view towards the existence of a progressive denomination? [closed]
How did the progressive and orthodox denominations come about?
What is the orthodox view towards the existence of a progressive denomination?
MODERATOR NOTE: The chatting in the comments on this ...
2
votes
4answers
161 views
“Law of Attraction”?
Are there any Jewish responses to the "Law of Attraction" or analyses of this idea in the context of Jewish thought?
9
votes
1answer
159 views
“Wedding anniversary” in Jewish thought.
Does the concept of "wedding anniversary" specifically enter Jewish thought or is it to be thought of as another of the many occasions for giving thanks to HKB"H?
4
votes
1answer
161 views
All ramifications of “Lo BaShamayim Hi” [closed]
What are all the ramifications of "Lo BaShamayim Hi"?
10
votes
2answers
91 views
Why didn't the Tur discuss traditional Jewish philosophy?
Of all classical works of Halacha, only the Rambam has a section dedicated "Hilchos Deos". For example, he begins with the most fundamental Jewish belief, the belief in one G-d, that G-d is the ...
4
votes
1answer
292 views
Torah Im Derech Eretz and Torah Umada
What exactly is "Torah Im Derech Eretz" and "Torah Umada." I am not looking for a translation but rather an explanation of Yeshiva University's philosophy regarding these things. What are the ...
14
votes
1answer
231 views
Who is Moshiach?
How do I know that someone is Moshiach? Will I just know? Are there requirements? If someone tells me that he is the Moshiach, is he to be believed. It would seem seem strange to say so.
4
votes
1answer
103 views
Stealing one or one Hundred
I wanted to Know any SOURCES and their answers as to if I steal 1 dollar or one hundred dollars is it the same Sin or is it different? Is it one sin of stealing or one Hundred? When you are punished ...
6
votes
2answers
114 views
The original Mesilas Yesharim
Mesilas Yesharim is a digest version of a previous work by the Ramchal. This work is an ongoing conversation between a wise man and a pious man (Thank you chanoch for the correction). I don't recall ...
8
votes
1answer
144 views
Eilu V'Eilu - Until Where?
Many times rabbis disagree on things in both hashkafa and Halacha. Usually, even when disagreeing, they will view the others' opinion as valid, even if they themselves would not rely on it. This is ...
-7
votes
1answer
194 views
If God was never incarnated, how come He sat in front of Abraham's tent and appeared among the oaks of Mamre? [closed]
http://yltbible.com/genesis/18.htm
And Jehovah appeareth unto him among the oaks of Mamre, and he is sitting at the opening of the tent, about the heat of the day; 2 and he lifteth up his eyes and ...
2
votes
5answers
572 views
0
votes
1answer
64 views
Poems on Atticism by Samuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)
Can anyone find poems on Atticism for me by Samuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)?
9
votes
1answer
157 views
Does someone who dies very young have a soulmate?
As discussed in this question, the Talmud tells us that 40 days before someone is born, a heavenly voice calls out "This person is destined for so-and-so".
Not sure if anyone can answer this, but ...
4
votes
2answers
273 views
What's up with the Chafetz Chaim yeshiva guys?
I know they learn a lot slower, dress a little flashier, and learn more mussar than in most mainstream yeshivos, but can someone specify exactly what is the philosophy of the Chafetz Chaim yeshiva ...
-10
votes
2answers
271 views
Jewish belief in GOD and ProphetHood? [closed]
As a Muslim I believe in GOD and the last messenger for humanity Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and in the Christian Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him). Do Jews believe in a GOD or any Messenger?
...
7
votes
4answers
274 views
Dreams in Judaism?
What does Judaism have to say about dreams and do have any legitimacy?
Are they in any way binding, or are they assumed to be just products of an overactive imagination?
5
votes
1answer
119 views
Nothing new under the sun, except for women chasing men?
I noticed that in Yermiyahu 31:21, it says .
עַד-מָתַי תִּתְחַמָּקִין, הַבַּת הַשּׁוֹבֵבָה: כִּי-בָרָא יְהוָה
חֲדָשָׁה בָּאָרֶץ, נְקֵבָה תְּסוֹבֵב גָּבֶר.
"...and Gd will create a new ...
6
votes
3answers
132 views
Good inclination or evil inclination in the womb?
The Posuk says:
ויתרוצצו הבנים בקרבה (בראשית כה, כב)
To which Rashi comments:
כשהיתה עוברת על פתחי תורה של שם ועבר יעקב רץ ומפרכס לצאת, וכשהיתה עוברת על פתחי עבודה זרה עשיו מפרכס לצאת
...
10
votes
4answers
197 views
Reconciling Nature with Continuous Creation
I have always understood that when God created the universe, he subjected it to a natural order and process under which the universe can function. The laws of nature are those that govern the ...
7
votes
2answers
126 views
Talking to objects and Avoda Zara
This question inspired by This question here at programmers.se
There is a concept in some programing circles called "Rubber Ducking", where one expresses a problem to a rubber ducky and through that ...
3
votes
1answer
76 views
Asking From Angels Borchuni Lshalom
Jews usaly do not ask angels for help as per the RAMBAM. He writes (in Sanhedrin, Perek 11) in the fifth Yesod ha'Emunah the prohibition against serving Avodah Zarah -- that not only should a person ...
-3
votes
5answers
316 views
Does G_d get incarnated?
There are 3 religions that says so. The obvious one is Christianity with that being it's central term. The second one is Hindu. Khrisna is said to be a God incarnate.
But in torah I often see stories ...
