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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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
2answers
72 views
Why do Teshuvah for an accidental חטא (sin)?
Why am I obligated to do Teshuvah if I do a חטא (sin) accidentally, according to Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva 1:1)? What am I doing Teshuvah for?
3
votes
1answer
446 views
English translation of Rambam's Moreh Nevuchim (Maimonides' Guide for the Perplexed) on the Internet?
Is there an English translation on the Internet of Rambam's philosophic treatise on Jewish philosophy, Moreh Nevuchim?
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
200 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 ...
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?
3
votes
2answers
85 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?
3
votes
2answers
107 views
Guaranteed olam haba?
Certain practices such as learning halachot daily or reciting ashrei three times a day are supposed to guarantee a person a place in olam haba. How exactly does this work? Can a person be an evil ...
3
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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
1answer
147 views
Does G-d approve or merely permit human consumption of meat?
Many vegetarians and vegans argue that G-d gave humans permission to eat meat only because of a human failing in abstaining anyway. My takeaway from that argument is that, in light of a more ...
3
votes
1answer
100 views
Importance of learning grammar
What are the traditional Jewish opinions about the importance of learning and speaking Hebrew with proper grammar (dikduk)?
3
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3answers
98 views
Will there be free will and a purpose to doing good in the messianic era?
I recently saw this question in the new Christianity stack exchange site, and it reminded me of a question I meant to ask as a follow-up to this question.
With the assumption that evil exists so that ...
3
votes
1answer
146 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 ...
3
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2answers
153 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 ...
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5answers
573 views
2
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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?
2
votes
3answers
92 views
“Think about love for fellow Jews before praying” - source?
At the risk of being a guessing-game, I thought I'd read that before starting prayers (the beginning? The Amida?), one should take a minute to think about love for fellow Jews.
Any source for this?
2
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4answers
292 views
What is the source of hatred perceived by Jews in different parts of the world?
I don't know if this is off topic but a similar question is here at Christianity SE and I thought it would be interesting to ask the corresponding one here.
It intrigues me how people from other ...
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
2answers
60 views
When can we daven for a neis? [closed]
Riddle version of the question: When can we daven for a neis
Hashkafic version of the question: Why does it seem that we can daven for a neis, when this is explicitly forbidden in masechet Brachot?
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votes
3answers
205 views
How do we make sure that we are on the rightful religion/path?
I borrowed (with permission) a question from Ahmed Han, which is:
People of every religion claim that they are the ones in the right
path. Even the people of sects in these religions think that ...
2
votes
1answer
62 views
How can the prohibition against murder be reconciled with capital punishment in the Torah (mitath beth din)?
How can the prohibition on murder be reconciled with capital punishment in the Torah, i.e., mitath beth din? I understand that the death penalty was effectively abolished by the Sanhedrin in 30 CE. ...
2
votes
2answers
132 views
How much of this world is really ordained by Heaven?
On another website, someone quoted the Rambam:
I do not believe that it is through the interference of Divine Providence that a certain leaf drops [from a tree], nor do I hold that when a certain ...
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
39 views
What is the connection between joy and divine love in Rambam's mitzva #3?
Ramba"m lists love of God as the third positive commandment in his Book of Commandments. It includes the following line, which somehow relates the comprehension of God with joy and the ultimate ...
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?
2
votes
2answers
119 views
Is it true that Jews believed in sheol before the belief in hereafter entered into Judaism?
I have heard claimed that Jews first believed in Sheol which was considered as a place below the ground and it meant to be a place of eternal rest, free of any reward and punishment. However in later ...
2
votes
1answer
54 views
The purpose of Rosh Hashana
What should a person try to accomplish on Rosh hashana?
I know yom kipur is about teshuva. but what is the goal of Rosh hashana?
They say that it is the "Head" of the year, which means the root of ...
2
votes
1answer
61 views
Reconciling the Torah and history regarding the Jews' response to reward and punishment
How do we reconcile the Torah's viewpoint that punishments make Jews better with what we see that punishments push Jews away (and rewards make Jews better)?
The Gemara says that Mashiach will come ...
2
votes
1answer
105 views
Why is an oppressor's wife/children punished?
In parashas mishpatim (22:21-23) the pesukim read
כא כָּל-אַלְמָנָה וְיָתוֹם, לֹא תְעַנּוּן. כב אִם-עַנֵּה תְעַנֶּה אֹתוֹ--כִּי אִם-צָעֹק יִצְעַק אֵלַי, שָׁמֹעַ אֶשְׁמַע צַעֲקָתוֹ. כג וְחָרָה ...
2
votes
1answer
56 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
40 views
How did the Gedolim achieve fear of Yom HaDin when the Gemoro says day tzarah beshatah?
The Gemoro says (Brachot 9b) dayah letzarah beshaatah. The way I understand this and I think Rashi learns like this as well, is that there is no point worrying about an upcoming Tzarah. If you can do ...
2
votes
2answers
70 views
Why is Aseret Yemei Teshuva a time when Teshuvah will be accepted immediately?
The Rambam in the Laws of Teshuvah, Chapter 2 Law 6 states:
אע"פ שהתשובה והצעקה יפה לעולם, בעשרה
הימים שבין ראש השנה ויום הכפורים היא
יפה ביותר ומתקבלת היא מיד שנאמר
(ישעיהו נה:ו) דרשו ה' ...
2
votes
2answers
79 views
VeNiShmartem - Positive or Negative?
VeNiShmartem Meod LeNafshotheichem (Devarim 4:15), the Mitzvah of self-preservation - requiring that we guard our health - sounds rather proactive. However, it is written with the word ShMR, to ...
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votes
2answers
165 views
How do you understand the Rambam on Free choice in Teshuvah 5:5?
What is the Rambam really bothered by in Teshuvah 5:5?
רמב"ם הלכות תשובה פרק ה הלכה ה
שמא תאמר והלא הקב"ה יודע כל מה שיהיה וקודם שיהיה ידע שזה יהיה צדיק או רשע או לא ידע, אם ידע שהוא יהיה צדיק אי ...
2
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2answers
129 views
2
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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 ...
2
votes
1answer
78 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
60 views
A persons potential
It says that a persons potential keeps rising as his spiritual level rises. If so, how does a person reach his potential?
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?
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 ...
2
votes
0answers
35 views
What does it mean to make up for prayers unavoidably missed - Tashlumin?
The laws of Tashlumin (making up for prayers unavoidably missed) are delineated in Halachipedia
“If one forgot to say Shacharit one should say Mincha twice, the first
for Mincha and the second ...
2
votes
0answers
112 views
Must one go according to his/her opinion (leshitato)?
Imagine that a Halakhic Decisor (decider?) maintains a certain Halakhic position or Hashkafic belief. [I am assuming that such thing as a Hashkafic Decisor exists.] Anyway, is it imperative that s/he ...
2
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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 ...
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vote
4answers
156 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" ...
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
...
1
vote
4answers
300 views
Why do we count years from the date of Creation?
Why do we count years from the date of Creation? I intend two sub-questions here, of which the second is far more interesting, so please answer it:
Whence did this tradition originate?
Why do we ...
1
vote
3answers
133 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
73 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
2answers
167 views
Is it permitted to be upset after your favourite soccer team lost an important match?
I have a friend who is extremely into international sports games. When the team that he supports loses an important game, he gets really upset. When his team recently got kicked out of the ...
