questions about numbers
15
votes
6answers
449 views
Why the vast difference of opinion about the age of the Universe?
5770 and 13,000,000,000 is a big difference!
I am looking for a good explanation to the difference opinion of the age of the universe. Please help me out!
10
votes
43answers
549 views
Meya - mi yodeya?
Who knows one hundred?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point in the future, subject to holiday and user activity delay, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best ...
14
votes
4answers
716 views
Is there a list of Mitzvot and their corresponding body parts?
The Talmud (Makkot 23B)and the Zohar (1:170B - unverified English translation here) say that the 248 positive commandments correspond to the 248 limbs of the human body. (The Mishna (Ohalot 1:8) lists ...
11
votes
3answers
427 views
How many of the 613 Mitzvos are we able to do currently?
There are many Mitzvos we can not do in today's generation. For example there are no Korbonos, no slaves, etc.
Per the Chofetz Chaim, there are 77 positive Mitzvos and 194 negative Mitzvos which can ...
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
2answers
144 views
How could the numerals יה and יו be used irreverently?
I was told that in the sequence of numerals with Hebrew letters, the numbers 15 and 16 are rendered with טו and טז instead of יה and יו to prevent the tetragrammaton from being formed irreverently.
...
8
votes
1answer
145 views
Halachic significance of the plurality of Jews living in Israel
I once heard that if Israel has the largest Jewish population, it has a significant effect on certain Halachot.
What are the criteria for this, and what halachot are affected? (Shmita is the one most ...
6
votes
2answers
194 views
Why when washing for bread do we splash twice?
Is there any particular reason the procedure for washing hands for bread includes pouring the water twice on each hand? Isn't once enough?
13
votes
17answers
364 views
Shelosh Meyot - mi yodeya?
Who knows three hundred?
?שלוש מאות - מי יודע
In the spirit of the song "Echad - mi yodeya", please post interesting and significant Jewish facts about the number 300.
Check out mi-yodeya-series ...
13
votes
2answers
279 views
Which mitzvah is repeated the most times in the Chumash?
I have learned that not mixing milk and meat is mentioned 3 times in the chumash, and because of this we learn 3 different laws.
I also found out today that the law "not to follow the ways of the ...
7
votes
0answers
151 views
Criteria for the list of Nashim Kesheiros (Medrash Breishis Rabsi)
The Medrash Breishis Rabsi Parshas Chaya Sara 23:1 lists 22* Nashim Kesheiros.
כ"ב נשים כשרות היו בעולם ואלו הן שרה, רבקה, רחל, לאה, סרח בת אשר, יוכבד, מרים, בתיה בת פרעה, דבורה, צללפונית אשת מנוח, ...
7
votes
29answers
364 views
Shiv'im - mi yodeya?
Who knows seventy?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point in the next few days, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the next number.
3
votes
3answers
47 views
Shemona Ushmonim Umatayim - mi yodeya?
Who knows two hundred eighty-eight?
?שמונה ושמונים ומאתים - מי יודע
In the spirit of the song "Echad - mi yodeya", please post interesting and significant Jewish facts about the number 288.
This ...
3
votes
5answers
98 views
Shemona Ve'arba'im Umatayim - mi yodeya?
Who knows two hundred forty-eight?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point at least twenty-four hours from now, I will:
Upvote all answers I consider relevant and interesting.
...
2
votes
5answers
547 views
A natural explanation for the significance of the numbers 7 and 40
In the Jewish religious texts the numbers 7 and 40 seem to appear quite often and carry special significance. Some examples among many:
God's creation lasts 7 days
The Great Flood was from rain ...
1
vote
0answers
99 views
Pidyon HaBen rate
About how many pidyon haben ceremonies are required to be performed per 1000 Jewish births in the past few decades?
The requirements for a pidyon haben are:
Both parents are Israel, not Kohen or ...
1
vote
3answers
101 views
Shnayim Veshishim Umatayim - mi yodeya?
Who knows two hundred sixty-two (262)?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible.
At some point between twenty-four hours and a few days from now, I will:
Vote up all interesting, relevant ...
13
votes
2answers
169 views
Lechem Mishneh by the Third Shabbos Meal
Is one required to have Lechem Mishneh by the Third Shabbos Meal?
12
votes
3answers
199 views
the aggadic concept of a finite number of words to speak
Is there any truth to the common claim that each person has a predetermined number of words that he can speak in his life? Source, please.
If so, then how does it work? In particular (with sources or ...
6
votes
2answers
97 views
Why is one permutation of the name of God backwards?
If you spell out each letter that makes up the name of God, then add up the gematria (numerical value) of each letter of each fully spelled out letter you get various values. The value depends on how ...
4
votes
14answers
105 views
Arba'a Ve'esrim - mi yodeya?
Who knows twenty-four?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. After about one business day, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the next number.
1
vote
1answer
144 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 ...
9
votes
2answers
280 views
What happened to the bechorim?
In the begining of sefer bamidbar, the males between 20 and 60 are counted and it says that there are over 600,000 of them. Theoretically each, or most, of these people should have had a first-born ...
9
votes
3answers
152 views
How did Avrohom learn that nine doesn't work?
The Midrash says (Bereshis Rabbah 49:13 quoted in Rashi Genesis 18:32) that Abraham stopped asking HaShem to save Sodom in the merit of less than 10 people because Noah and his family who were 8 ...
7
votes
2answers
204 views
Saying 100 Berachoth in a day
What is the source for the idea that one should say 100 Berachoth in a day, and how serious of an obligation is this? Is it mandatory, is it laudatory, or is it merely a nice idea?
7
votes
18answers
310 views
Shiv'a - mi yodeya?
Who knows seven?
(I mean really, who doesn't?)
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. In about one business day, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the ...
6
votes
6answers
145 views
Number of Candles at Lighting
How many candles should one light on Erev Shabbos and Yom Tov? And why that number?
6
votes
6answers
371 views
Bedikas Chometz - 10 pieces of bread
In Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 432:2 the Rama says that the Minhag is to place bread in such a place that the searcher can find it. Both the Be'er Hataiv and the Mishna Berura say that according to the ...
6
votes
9answers
119 views
Chamisha - mi yodeya?
Who knows five?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. In about a day, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the next number.
6
votes
19answers
268 views
Shelosha - mi yodeya?
Who knows three?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. In about a day, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the next number.
5
votes
2answers
168 views
How many T'fachim make up an Ama?
Is it possible to convert between Torah measurements?
Specifically, T'fachim & Amot, (cubits) so I can figure out the size of the luchot (tablets) within the Aron Hakodesh (ark). (The Luchot are ...
5
votes
3answers
225 views
Why do some pairs of Tzitzit have one hole on each corner and some have two?
There are Tzitzis that have one hole and some have two. What is the significance and why and who have the custom to have one and who has the custom to have two?
4
votes
3answers
75 views
Shemona Vetish'im Umatayim - mi yodeya?
Who knows two hundred ninety-eight?
?שמונה ותשעים ומאתים - מי יודע
In the spirit of the song "Echad - mi yodeya", please post interesting and significant Jewish facts about the number 298.
I wash ...
4
votes
3answers
86 views
Shnayim Umeya Va-elef - mi yodeya?
Who knows eleven hundred two?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point at least twenty-four hours from now, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to ...
4
votes
4answers
212 views
Echad - mi yodeya?
Who knows one?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. In about a day, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the next number.
3
votes
4answers
71 views
Shiv'a Ushlosh Meyot - mi yodeya?
Who knows three hundred and seven?
?שבעה ושלוש מאות - מי יודע
In the spirit of the song "Echad - mi yodeya", please post interesting and significant Jewish facts about the number 307.
Check out ...
3
votes
3answers
56 views
Chamisha Ushlosh Meyot - mi yodeya?
Who knows three hundred and five?
?חמישה ושלוש מאות - מי יודע
In the spirit of the song "Echad - mi yodeya", please post interesting and significant Jewish facts about the number 305.
Don't be led ...
3
votes
5answers
61 views
Shiv'a Ushmonim Umatayim - mi yodeya?
Who knows two hundred eighty-seven?
?שבעה ושמונים ומאתים - מי יודע
In the spirit of the song "Echad - mi yodeya", please post interesting and significant Jewish facts about the number 287.
There ...
3
votes
7answers
99 views
Sheloshim - mi yodeya?
Who knows thirty?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. After about one business day, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the next number.
2
votes
0answers
74 views
What do Chazal mean when they say that when Moshiach comes there will be another note added to the octave making a total of 8 notes?
Related: What were Chazal referring to when they said there were 7 notes in a musical octave?
There is a well known Medrash (anyone help with the source?) [I think on the Posuk 'Lamnatzeich Al ...
2
votes
0answers
86 views
What were Chazal referring to when they said there were 7 notes in a musical octave?
Related: What do Chazal mean when they say that when Moshiach comes there will be another note added to the octave making a total of 8 notes?
There is a well known Medrash (anyone help with the ...
2
votes
1answer
43 views
Shiv'a Vetish'im Umatayim - mi yodeya?
Who knows two hundred ninety-seven?
?שבעה ותשעים ומאתים - מי יודע
In the spirit of the song "Echad - mi yodeya", please post interesting and significant Jewish facts about the number 297.
I'm ...
2
votes
3answers
57 views
Chamisha Ushmonim Umatayim - mi yodeya?
Who knows two hundred eighty-five?
?חמישה ושמונים ומאתים - מי יודע
In the spirit of the song "Echad - mi yodeya", please post interesting and significant Jewish facts about the number 285.
The best ...
2
votes
3answers
57 views
Arba'a Ushmonim Umatayim - mi yodeya?
Who knows two hundred eighty-four?
?ארבעה ושמונים ומאתים - מי יודע
In the spirit of the song "Echad - mi yodeya", please post interesting and significant Jewish facts about the number 284.
I don't ...
2
votes
5answers
157 views
Shisha Ve'arba'im Umatayim - mi yodeya?
Who knows two hundred forty-six?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point at least twenty-four hours from now, I will:
Upvote all answers I consider relevant and interesting.
...
2
votes
4answers
62 views
Arba'a Ve'arba'im Umatayim - mi yodeya?
Who knows two hundred forty-four?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point at least twenty-four hours from now, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go ...
2
votes
7answers
76 views
Esrim Umeya - mi yodeya?
Who knows one hundred twenty?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point at least twenty-four hours from now, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to ...
2
votes
5answers
54 views
Shiv'a Asar Umeya - mi yodeya?
Who knows one hundred seventeen?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point at least twenty-four hours from now, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on ...
2
votes
4answers
49 views
Shisha Ushmonim - mi yodeya?
Who knows eighty-six?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point in the next few days, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the next number.
2
votes
8answers
88 views
Shnayim Ve'arba'im - mi yodeya?
Who knows forty-two?
Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point in the next few days, I will:
Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the next number.
