Relating to Jewish books.
18
votes
2answers
201 views
Why the custom to switch around negative-sounding numbers, such as שד?
Often in sefarim we find that if the number of the siman spells out something negative, such as siman 304 which has a letter value of שד, we switch it around so it no longer reads as a "bad" word. ...
8
votes
1answer
128 views
Interrupting in the middle of Shmona esrei
Am I allowed to interrupt in the middle of Shmona esrei in order to pick up a Siddur (or any other holy book) that has fallen to the floor? Same question, if I have to make some steps in order to pick ...
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?
6
votes
1answer
78 views
Where can I find the booklet “Structure of Debate”?
I was in a different shul this past Shabbos when I saw a very interesting booklet of more than 200 pages called "Structure of Debate" by Jonathan Bailey. It's a primer to learning gemara. I tried ...
2
votes
1answer
80 views
How does the content of the JPS English translation of Miqra'ot Gedolot differ from that of the Hebrew version?
Because I am not yet fluent in Hebrew I am excited to learn that JPS is publishing an English translation of Miqra'ot Gedolot. (So far they've done Sh'mot, Vayikra, and Bamidbar.) As noted in one of ...
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 ...
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?
6
votes
1answer
113 views
Who invented the Mikraot Gedolot?
Whose idea was the Mikraot Gedolot and when was it first published? Mikraot Gedolot is a Humash with a collection of commentaries very popular in Jewish circles today.
6
votes
2answers
166 views
Dibur HaMatchil: Where did it come from
When reading Rashi, each comment on the pasukkim is split up by DiBur Hamatchil (quotes from the pasuk to let you know what Rashi is commenting on).
Are these original to Rashi, or were they added?
On ...
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, ...
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
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 ...
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?
7
votes
4answers
149 views
Where can I find Prenumeraten/Prenumeranten?
A few years back I found an on-line source for "prenumeraten." Just to enlighten those who don't know, before a sefer was published years ago, it would seem that feelers were sent out to find out who ...
2
votes
1answer
38 views
seeking the book Sedei Hemed:
All the versions that I see of Sede Hemed or Sdei Chemed are very old and unclear. Does anyone see a nice square print one available for sale? Thank you
9
votes
2answers
85 views
What is the provenance of Maseches Sofrim
Who wrote Maseches Sofrim and when did he live. Is it accepted by everyone?
The Rashba in Brachos 34a writes that is one of the minor masechtes that were authored by the early sages. He reiterates in ...
0
votes
1answer
173 views
Best Sefarim sites [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Good Place Online For Cheap Seforim
I am looking for some good Sefarim sites. Sites that sell books. If possible, a large variety. Halacha, Mussar, and Tanach Sefarim ...
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?
17
votes
5answers
405 views
After chumashim with notes and Rashi, what's the next torah commentary I should acquire and study?
When I read the torah text (parsha or otherwise) I currently use a couple of chumashim with notes, and Rashi. I know some Hebrew but am not fluent. I'm ready to stretch beyond what I'm reading now ...
6
votes
1answer
121 views
Magid Mesharim: How is it that the angel knew Aramaic?
There is a book called "magid mesharim" written by Maran Bet Yosef in Aramaic through the exact words of an angel. My issue with this is that we learned from some Gemaras (Shabbat 12b is one) that ...
1
vote
2answers
57 views
seeking: Ketavim Hadashim from Rabbi Haim Vital
Does anyone know where I could get all the Ketavim Hadashim from Rabbi Haim Vital? I am looking for all of the newly published writings in one book. I remember seeing somewhere that it was all in one ...
22
votes
5answers
553 views
How Is It That Rabbis Have Copies of Their Own Responsa?
(I could use some help with tagging.)
There are many seforim out there that are the compiled letters or teshuvos of this or that Rabbi. Those that come to mind are "Igros Moshe", from R' Moshe ...
15
votes
2answers
244 views
Halachot of Shul Mechitzas
What are some good books, articles, websites, or seforim for learning about the Halachot of constructing and maintaining a Shul Mechitza (the barrier between the men and women sections)?
Issues ...
9
votes
1answer
111 views
layout of the Gemara
When was the current pagination of the Gemara finalized? It seems that it was before the Vilna print, though it seems from different Acharonim (the Rama, etc.) quoting the Mordechai that the Mordechai ...
9
votes
3answers
202 views
Halachic authority of books
To what extent do books on Halachah have authority? I was taught that the Gemara was "closed" and may no longer be challenged in terms of its Halachic authority. To what extent is this authority ...
10
votes
5answers
216 views
Is there a good visual companion to Tanach?
I'm looking for a visual companion to Tanach, i.e. maps, charts, and timelines. So when I'm learning Sefer Yehoshua, for example, I can see maps that chart the various battles and such.
Are there any ...
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
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?
1
vote
1answer
102 views
Books/Seforim Similar to Ezra Zion Malamed's “Mefarshei Ha'Mikra”
Does anyone know any books/seforim similar to Ezra Zion Malamed's "Mefarshei Ha'Mikra, which is a book that goes through the methodology of many meforshim and also examples of pasukim and their ...
3
votes
2answers
163 views
Seeking “Netiv Binah”
Can anyone find the full 5 volumes of Netiv Binah (a Sefer on Tefillah) online?
6
votes
1answer
152 views
14
votes
4answers
302 views
Why is Sha'ar Ha'Yichud of Chovos Ha'Levavos so “controversial”?
I have heard that Sha'ar Ha'Yichud of Chovos Ha'Levavos is controversial, and that one needs a rebbe in order to learn it. What does the author say that is so difficult to understand?
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?
6
votes
3answers
226 views
5
votes
2answers
124 views
Where can I find a good index for Rashi? Either online (preferably) or a sefer
Where can I find a good index for Rashi? Either online (preferably) or a sefer....
5
votes
4answers
208 views
Dealing with anger
What is a good sefer or even book that helps people with a problem with getting angry?
5
votes
2answers
389 views
Pronunciation of משנה הלכות
Are R' Menashe Klein's volumes of responsa pronounced "Mishna Halachos" or "Mishaneh Halachos"? Can someone provide the grammatical explanation please?
28
votes
7answers
530 views
Did any Achronim comment on the American Revolutionary or Civil Wars?
I've heard that for instance, in the 1800s, the American rabbis in the South were pro-slavery, and the American rabbis in the North opposed to it. But what were the views towards America of the ...
-1
votes
1answer
101 views
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.
8
votes
2answers
330 views
Starting a Jewish Library
What Jewish Religious books should one consider when starting a Jewish Library in their home? A set of Shas (Talmud)and the Shulchan Orech (Code of Jewish Law) are the obvious ones, What else should ...
