Relating to Jewish books.
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
117 views
What are the merits and weaknesses of the various available printed editions of Talmud Bavli?
I have been looking for a good version of Talmud Bavli to start building up a set. A couple of years ago I got Mashechet Bava Kamma from the Shas Vilna Hachadash published by Mesoret HaSHas and Z. ...
5
votes
1answer
114 views
Where can one get the Pri Yitzchak, a text discussing the 613 Mitzvot
Regarding the Chassidic text written in 1840 entiled Pri Yitzchak that details all 613 Mitzvot and the corresponding 248 limbs for positive mitzvot and 365 sinews for negative commandments.
My Rabbi ...
5
votes
2answers
185 views
What's the history of Hekhalot/Heichalot/Heikhalot literature?
There is a field of study, which focuses on the Hekhalot literature. However, the internet gives conflicting information about them.
For example, some state that they were written by the early ...
5
votes
1answer
44 views
Chafez Chayim checked copies of (which) books?
I've heard that the Chafetz Chayim inspected each page of each printed copy of the Mishna B'rura to be sure that it was printed correctly (with no large ink splotches or the like).
Is there a ...
5
votes
2answers
80 views
Can Sforim be used as a shtender?
Is it ok to place the sefer that you're learning from slanted on top of another sefer/sforim - sort of like a shtender or is is this considered to be a zilzul (disrespectful) to the sforim?
5
votes
2answers
204 views
What Jewish References Exist of the Rise of Islam and Muhammad?
The Quran records interactions between Muhammad and Jews, and according to historical accounts, he lived in places with Jewish communities, in addition to conquering some.
The earliest Torah source ...
5
votes
1answer
99 views
What is the typical course for dayanut?
Related to this discussion on semicha (issur v'heter), what is the syllabus usually used for Dayanut? This used to be available on the Montefiore yeshiva website, but I can't find it any longer.
Any ...
5
votes
1answer
70 views
Who is the author of the Pirush on the first four chapters of Rambam's Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah?
The first four chapters of Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah have a lengthy commentary that is titled simply "פירוש". In standard editions of the Rambam, it wraps around the text, facing the "כסף משנה" (see ...
5
votes
1answer
117 views
Which of Moshe Chaim Luzzatto's works influenced Chassidut, Mussar, and Haskalah?
In Dovid Cohen (known as Rav Ha-Nazir)'s Wikipedia page, the following idea is attributed to him:
He saw in Moses Hayyim Luzzatto the harbinger of this redemption, pointing out that the three ...
5
votes
1answer
73 views
Kashrus Book in Hebrew like Shemiras Shabbos k'Hilchasa
Does anyone know of a good book on kashrus (in Hebrew) that accomplishes for kashrus something similar to what Shemiras Shabbos k'hilchasa does for Shabbos?
5
votes
0answers
54 views
On What Subjects Does One Say Birchas HaTorah?
Must one say Birchas Hatorah before learning
Aggadata in the Gemara?
Biographies like Shem Hagedolim (a biography of various Rabbonim written by the Chida)?
Artscroll biographies?
5
votes
0answers
92 views
Selling Seforim to Gentiles Online
The Yalkut Yosef 246:55 says:
וכן אסור למכור לגוי ספרי קודש, כמו תנ''ך וכדומה
Besikum: you can't sell holy books to gentiles.
What about online sales? Must you ask the buyer via email if he is ...
5
votes
0answers
72 views
Dictionary of symbology in Kodshim and Taharot
I'm wondering if anyone has ever put together a book that lists all the different elements that can come up in the realms of Kodshim and Taharot (e.g. bulls, the number seven, water, slaughtering, ...
5
votes
1answer
88 views
All Sifre HaRamhal? (Rabbi Moshe Chayim Lutzato)
Is there a set that has "Kol Sifre HaRamhal"? The have "Kol Sifre HaHida" and other Rabanim, so maybe they'll also have all Sefarim of the Ramhal?
5
votes
3answers
86 views
Sefer about the writing of Neviim and Megillos
What sefer discusses the details pertaining to the writing of Nevi'im and Megillos (i.e., how the paragraphs are broken up, where there are "special letters", etc.)?
4
votes
2answers
260 views
Does anyone know where one can buy a hebrewbooks harddrive?
I am looking to purchase a hebrewbooks hard drive (It may very well come handy here!).
Does anyone know where can I buy it online? (eichlers, etc.)
4
votes
2answers
255 views
English translation of Sefer Machaneh Yisrael
Is there an English translation (preferably online) of the Chofetz Chaim's sefer Machaneh Yisrael (a guide for Jewish army conscripts), or other English works on the same topic?
4
votes
2answers
104 views
Seeking Kaf HaHaim:
Once again on a search for a very important book, Kaf HaHaim, that has bad print and not formatted well with sources. Me and my brother wanted to this but kinda gave up. Are they making a new version ...
4
votes
1answer
328 views
Hashems name on device
Is there any issue regarding deleting electronic files with Hashem's Name, and also is there any issue taking such a device into the bathroom.
4
votes
1answer
39 views
How does one request a haskama (approbation)?
Are there any rules or or general best-practices for requesting an approbation? Can an approbation that was sent based on an incomplete manuscript still be used if changes are made to the work later ...
4
votes
1answer
48 views
Seeking Mevaseret Sion
On Doresh-Tzion.co.il I see Rav Mutzafi Shelit"a quoting his book "Mevaseret Tzion" many times (and I also hear Rav Meir Eliyahu Shelit"a quote it). Does anyone know where I can purchase this book?
4
votes
2answers
151 views
Sefer Torah Lishma **not** from the Ben Ish Hai?
Yabia Omer vol. 9 Orah Haim sim. 96:
גם ראיתי בקובץ "משנת חכמים", (תשרי תש"ס), במאמר מאת הרה"ג עזריאל מנצור (עמוד לה) שכתב, ששאל על זה מאת הרה"ג יעקב מוצפי זצ"ל, ואמר לו, שספר "תורה לשמה" אינו ...
4
votes
1answer
72 views
Holocaust Responsa of Rav Ephraim Oshry
Due to the poor health of Lithuania's last Chief Rabbi, Rav Avraham Shapiro, and due to his death in 1943, many of the residents of Kovno Ghetto addressed their questions to Rav Shapiro's student, Rav ...
4
votes
1answer
71 views
Siddur with lots of white space for notes
I'm interested in making extensive notes on a siddur - for my own use, inspired partially by this recommendation. Are there any editions of the Siddur out there that include a great deal of white ...
4
votes
2answers
231 views
Is the sefer Toldos Yeshu accepted in the yeshiva circles?
Is the sefer Toldos Yeshu quoted by any big rabbanim? Which version is the most accurate (original)?
4
votes
2answers
126 views
Gezeira of Rabbeinu Gershom History
Has the original text of the Gazeira of Rabbeinu Gershom been lost. If so when? Who are the earliest sources stating such?
4
votes
0answers
29 views
Why does Tanya list editions?
Every edition I've seen of Tanya includes a list, in chronological order, of every edition of Tanya ever printed. For each edition, bibliographic information is included: the publisher, the city and ...
4
votes
0answers
51 views
What's a floor?
There are certain laws pertaining to a floor. For example, if a Sefer Torah is dropped on the floor, one is supposed to do some sort of atonement (eg., most famously, fasting for 40 days).
What is ...
4
votes
1answer
143 views
Do you have the right to burn your own books?
There are stories of Rabbis who have composed works only later to burn or otherwise willfully destroy them (Rabbi Nachman and The Kotzker Rebbi come to mind). I would understand if they had these ...
3
votes
2answers
184 views
Is there an English collection of judgements of the prophet David?
Is there an English collection of judgements of the prophet David PBUH? I heard he had wonderful judgements and I am interested to study them. Are they available today?
3
votes
1answer
447 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
2answers
163 views
Seeking “Netiv Binah”
Can anyone find the full 5 volumes of Netiv Binah (a Sefer on Tefillah) online?
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
1answer
72 views
If I want to keep a bentcher in my pocket wrapped, can I use a clear sandwich bag?
I carry a mincha/maariv bentcher in my pocket, and I keep it wrapped in a paper covering in case I walk into the bathroom. (I know that some hold that bathrooms today don't need a double covering, but ...
3
votes
1answer
168 views
Who wrote Tohar HaYichud?
Who wrote the anonymous rationalist debunking of kabbalah entitled Tohar HaYichud?
3
votes
1answer
92 views
English Translation of Rabbi Y. Salanter's Igeret ha-Musar?
Where can I find a decent-quality (but preferably good) and free English translation of Igeret Hamusar on the Internet?
3
votes
1answer
114 views
Skipped Halachot in the Tur/Shulhan Aruch [closed]
It seems to me that there are some missing Halachot in Tur/SA. For example, Hilchot Lashon Hara, WeHalchta Bidravaw, and Tamim Tihye. Feel free to add.
Sources aren't necessary.
Why are they ...
3
votes
1answer
26 views
Who wrote the Piskei Tosfos?
After the section of Gemara in most sefarim, before the Rosh there is a section of the Piskei Tosfos. Who authored this work?
3
votes
2answers
234 views
Sefardic contemporaries for Techelet?
Are there any Sefardic Poskim today that have written a book and discuss the Techelet? If so, can you bring one that is FOR the Techelet?
3
votes
0answers
40 views
Why are rabbonim referred to by the names of their seforim?
Many rabbonim who published important seforim are coloquially referred to by the names of one of the seforim. Why is this? When did it start?
3
votes
2answers
98 views
Rav ovadia Yosef mishna berura
A rabbi recently told me that rav ovadia yosef has a "Mishna Berura" style commentary on the shulchan aruch. (I presume he wasn't referring to his son's work Halacha Berura.) anyone know what this ...
3
votes
0answers
76 views
Good Talmudic Grammar resource for one unfamiliar with grammar in general?
Inspired by: How to say Adonainu Moreinu VeRabeinu in Aramaic
I'd like to understand Talmudic/Aramaic Grammar a little better and am looking for a good resource that will break it down for me.
...
3
votes
0answers
47 views
Is there a sourced edition of Tz'enah Ur'enah?
Tz'enah Ur'enah looks like a worthwhile collection of midrashim -- insightful, accessible, and physically easy to read (this last is why I'm less likely to curl up with my Sefer Ha-Aggadah for an ...
3
votes
0answers
98 views
Young boys returning Chumashim after Torah reading
I often see young boys going around shul after the Shabbos/Yom Tov morning Torah reading to collect Chumashim and return them to their shelves. Is this an actual 'minhag' with a history behind it? If ...
2
votes
5answers
116 views
Sifrei Mussar/Machshava/Avodah from the Rishonim
I'm looking for a list of some of the Seforim written by Rishonim that are in the category of either Mussar, Machshava, or Avodah (or anything else that fit into these categories.) For this question ...
2
votes
1answer
73 views
Where can I find the Rif's commentary on tractate Niddah?
Where inside tractate Nidda can I find R' Isaac Alfasi's commentary on the tractate? I looked in hebrewbooks.org's 685-page tractate-Niddah PDF but couldn't find it.
2
votes
1answer
114 views
Chovos Halevavos vs. Mesilas Yesharim
The three basic texts that R' Yisroel Salanter wanted people to learn were Chovos HaLevavos, Mesilas Yesharim and Cheshbon HaNefesh.
(source: ...
2
votes
1answer
100 views
Can a non-Jew run a Judaica store?
Could a non-Jew run a Judaica store/business? Would this be kosher? What if it's online? Are there any restrictions on converts?
2
votes
1answer
95 views
Is the Magen HaElef Sefaradi or Ashkenazi?
There is a Sefer written by someone named Yaakov Ben Yaakov Moshe called Magen HaElef. Is he Sefaradi or Ashekneazi?
