The historical-figures tag has no wiki summary.
6
votes
1answer
414 views
How did the Ten Martyrs actually die?
On Yom Kippur and Tisha B'av we read about the Ten Martyrs who were gathered and killed by Emperor Hadrian to atone for the Sale of Yosef HaTzadik.
In addition to the idea that the Ten Martyrs didn't ...
6
votes
2answers
118 views
Changing someone else's name
In parshas Shlach Moshe changes Yehoshua's name.
Does this mean his name really changed? IE was he called up to the torah as Yehoshua? Were his kids "ben Yehoshua"?
Are there any other examples in ...
5
votes
5answers
423 views
Mordechai - Religious Leader or Political figure?
I'm looking to gather some more background, context, sources and opinions, regarding Mordechai's religiousness, or lack thereof.
This was the topic of a recent comment thread on Was Darius ...
13
votes
4answers
396 views
Was Darius Jewish?
Darius the Second (the son of Queen Ester and Achashveirosh) was at first glance Jewish, as he was the son of a Jew. On the other hand,the Gemara Rosh Hashana implies that he wasn't Jewish.
What was ...
7
votes
3answers
185 views
Bimei Matisyahu ben Yochanan Kohen Godol
In "Al Hanisim" we say "Bimei Matisyahu ben Yochanan Kohen Godol", "in the days of Matisyahu the son of Yochanan the Kohen Gadol (=high priest)".
Who was the Kohen Godol: Matisyahu or Yochnan?
3
votes
2answers
410 views
How many Maccabees were there and what were their names?
How many Maccabees were there and what were their names?
10
votes
2answers
183 views
Could someone who has committed a heinous crime convert to Judaism?
Is there any reason that someone who has committed horrible sins in the past (for example, mass murder) could not become a Jew? Assume, of course, that the sinner/criminal is willing to do teshuvah ...
8
votes
1answer
180 views
Eldad HaDani's Lasting Influence - Is there any?
Eldad HaDani is (apparently) considered today to have been a fraud. According to this Wikipedia article, he was a traveler who told stories of his place of origin, which he claimed was a sovereign ...
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, ...
1
vote
1answer
143 views
How many prophets were there and who were they?
How many prophets are recognized by Judaism, and what were their names?
I found a website that claims the number of prophets is 124000. Is this true?
Are all of their speeches or writings ...
11
votes
1answer
143 views
Understanding “The Bruriah Incident”
Masecheth 'Avodah Zarah (18b) cryptically mentions "מעשה דברוריה" - "The Beruriah Incident" - as a reason R' Meir fled to Bavel. Rashi (ad loc) explains that R' Meir was teasing his wife (the noted ...
6
votes
2answers
91 views
What financial arrangement did Rambam have with his jeweler brother?
I was taught in yeshiva that as a young man, Rambam just studied Torah and was supported by his brother, who was a jewel merchant. Then his brother died at sea, so Rambam became a physician.
Recently ...
4
votes
0answers
169 views
Naming after the Patriarchs/Matriarchs and Biblical heroes
Nowadays it is very common for Jews to name their children after the Patriarchs, Matriarchs, and Biblical heroes.
But it doesn't seem (to me) as though this was very common until well into the period ...
4
votes
1answer
64 views
Is Pinchas of Balak/Pinchas same Pinchas as Shoftim?
Is the Pinchas from the generation that left Egypt the same as the Pinchas mentioned in Shoftim 20?
Pinchas's zealotry earns him an eternal priesthood because of going above the letter of the law ...
3
votes
1answer
222 views
Source of appellation “Shimshon HaGibor”
I've heard it claimed that the expression "Shimshon HaGibor" (Samson the Mighty) [as a descriptive of Shimshon in Tanach] was invented by the Zionists, to promote their "strong Jew" narrative. Is this ...
2
votes
2answers
135 views
Is IshBoshet, Saul's son, his real original name?
Boshet means shameful or abomination.
Did his parents name him that?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ish-bosheth
In short, the question is whether that's his original name.
2
votes
2answers
128 views
Achashverosh — was he or wasn't he?
I'm looking to gather some more background, context, sources and opinions, regarding Achashverosh's Jewishness, or lack thereof.
This was inspired by a recent similar question, and, in fact, much of ...
1
vote
3answers
144 views
Did Mordechai have children?
Megillas Esther ends by saying: וְדֹבֵר שָׁלוֹם לְכָל־זַרְעוֹ - and speaking peace to all his seed.
I realize Rashi applies this to the previous clause, of all the nation, but perhaps there are ...
1
vote
0answers
69 views
Where can I find family history of Shalom Shachna Altshuler? [closed]
I'm looking for history about Shalom Shachna Altshuler, the father of the tzemach tzedek (Menachem Mendel Schneerson), and his family afterwards till now.
Your help would be greatly appreciated in ...
1
vote
1answer
88 views
Where do chazal refer to rus and naomi as birds?
Where is the chazal that refers to Rus and Naomi (na'ama?) as shnei preidos tovos - two good birds?
0
votes
0answers
67 views
Landau at Rabbi Kluger Yeshiva [closed]
Am trying to determine any involvement the "Landau" family may have had with the Rabbi Kluger Yeshiva in the early 20's. Any information would be appreciated.
