Questions tagged [parshanut-torah-comment]

interpretation of parts of Tanach by close reading, not derivation

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Did Korach and friends sin in the Golden Calf?

There is a tradition in קבלה that קרח was secretly righteous and will come back in the end times and rise up. (They are not clear exactly about what he will do). I am wondering if part of what ...
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Why is the mizbeach hazahav not mentioned in parshas terumah with the rest of the keilim? [duplicate]

Do any of the meforshim comment on why the mizbeach hazahav (the golden altar) is mentioned in parshas tetzaveh which largely deals with the bigdei kehunah (the clothing of the kohanim) and not in the ...
Dov's user avatar
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The Propriety of Ralbag's Benefits: Pshat v. Drash?

The Ralbag famously includes lists of lessons/benefits after sections of Tanach. FE, at the beginning of his Esther benefits: התועלה הראשון הוא במדות. והוא שראוי לשמוח בטוב בהימצאו, כאומרו "ביום ...
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Are there any sources that disagree with Yitro's advice?

Are there any sources that disagree with Yitro's advice? Any sources that say it was detrimental to separate the community from their rebbe? In a way the Rebbe was handing out dollars very day until ...
Yoseph Feivel's user avatar
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Why did Yonatan start up with the Plishtim?

In 1 Shmuel 13 Yonatan seemingly unprovoked, attacks the Plishtim triggering a war. The text does not indicate that Yonatan was told to do this by Shaul, Shmuel or Hashem. Further on in the chapter we ...
rikitikitembo's user avatar
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Gemoro says contents of a verse must be reversed to understand it. So why did the Torah write it 'backwards'?

The Gemoro quotes Devorim 12 (17) לֹֽא־תוּכַ֞ל לֶאֱכֹ֣ל בִּשְׁעָרֶ֗יךָ מַעְשַׂ֤ר דְּגָֽנְךָ֙ וְתִירֹֽשְׁךָ֣ וְיִצְהָרֶ֔ךָ וּבְכֹרֹ֥ת בְּקָרְךָ֖ וְצֹאנֶ֑ךָ וְכׇל־נְדָרֶ֙יךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּדֹּ֔ר ...
Avrohom Yitzchok's user avatar
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East wind brought the Locusts, West wind drove them

Shemoth 10:13 - "So Moses held out his rod over the land of Egypt, and יהוה drove an east wind over the land all that day and all night; and when morning came, the east wind had brought the ...
Gembali Noach's user avatar
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Understanding Moshe's use of his staff

When Moshe came to Pharaoh and Pharaoh asked for an os (a sign), Moshe told Aaron to throw down the staff and it became a snake - Shemos 7:10. There is an apparent machlokes meforshim as to whose ...
Dov's user avatar
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It would almost seem as though Hashem was tricking Ya'akov into going down to Egypt?

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אָנֹכִ֥י הָאֵ֖ל אֱלֹהֵ֣י אָבִ֑יךָ אַל־תִּירָא֙ מֵרְדָ֣ה מִצְרַ֔יְמָה כִּֽי־לְג֥וֹי גָּד֖וֹל אֲשִֽׂימְךָ֥ שָֽׁם׃ “I am God, the God of your father’s [house]. Fear not to go down to Egypt, ...
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כִּי יִקַּח אִישׁ אִשָּׁה—what does it mean (kiddushin or nisuin)?

Jewish marriage occurs in two distinct stages, each with its own halachic implication. Chazal term the first kiddushin and the latter nisuin. Biblically they're termed eirusin and likuchin, ...
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Bikkurim offerings quality

The Passuk commanding Bikkurim (Exodus 23:19) commands the “choicest” fruits. Were any bikkurim offerings (from the last prescribed species) ineligible for offering because of being too ripe, not ripe ...
Kirk's user avatar
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Why was Yaakov always fearful?

He may have just had a lot going on to be afraid about however almost every time we encounter Yaakov he is either nervous or concerned that something bad may happen. By the berachos with getting ...
Nahum's user avatar
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What is up with Yosef calling Yaakov אבי in the singular when talking to his brothers

After revealing himself to his brothers Yosef consistently refers to Yaakov as "my father"—not "our father" (Bereishis 45:3,9,13). Is he doing it consciously to rub it in their ...
Nahum's user avatar
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How did Benjamin know what was going on with Yosef in Egypt

In Genesis 46:21 are written all the names of the sons of Benjamin: ובני בנימן בלע ובכר ואשבל גרא ונעמן אחי וראש מפים וחפים וארד. The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, ...
Avi's user avatar
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Why did Gabriel interfere with Joseph’s cloak?

In Ginzberg’s Legends of the Jews, a legend is quoted which says that Joseph was eventually found not-guilty of assaulting Mrs Potiphar because, when the Egyptians examined the tear pattern on the ...
Zarka's user avatar
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Taking a non-Aggadic view of Biblical characters?

Are there classic Commentators who took a non-Aggadic view of Biblical characters? There are certain people mentioned in Tanach who look one way according to a simple reading of the "Biblical ...
shmu's user avatar
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Charan: A Place or Avraham's Brother (Or Both)?

Is there any significance to the fact that the city Charan is closely related to the name of Avraham's brother, Haran?
Menachem's user avatar
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How did Judah commit to Jacob?

In Parashat Miketz (Genesis 43:9) it is written: I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him; if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever....
Avi's user avatar
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3 answers
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Star coming from Jacob?

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh; There shall step forth a star out of Jacob, And a scepter shall rise out of Israel, And shall smite through the corners of Moab, And break down all ...
Kirk's user avatar
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Why did Yehuda/Shelah need Yibum with Tamar? She had a Chazaka

Why did Yehuda/Shelah have to Yibum, after all Tamar already has 2 of her husbands die, and even though we pasken chazakah happens after three times we pasken you only need 2 times for a danger?
Sam Kramer's user avatar
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Why was Yoseph sold to Ishmaelites and then Midianites, rather than Midianites and then Ishmaelites?

The following question and translations are courtesy of Studies in Bereshit by Nechama Leibowitz. In Parshat Vayeshev, some pesukim suggest that Yoseph was sold by his brothers to Midianites, and ...
Benyamin's user avatar
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Halacha on being attentive to someone when they're speaking to you

BH Does Halacha or any teaching in the Torah address the following scenarios: A) When someone is talking to you, must you be attentive to show them respect that you're listening to what they're saying?...
David 's user avatar
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Having a Chassidishe Gaiva

BH One of my teachers said once that a student of the Alter Rebbe was in a city filled with so much materialism and sin that he was later asked how he was able to overcome the tests and so he said &...
David 's user avatar
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What is the source of not to speak dvarim betelim

BH What’s the source and meaning of not speaking dvarim Beteilim purposeless words?
David 's user avatar
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What is the Correct Translation of Leviticus 19:18?

I realize there are debates about whether how this commandment should be interpreted. My question is about how it should be translated. My Hebrew is far from fluent, so can someone help me understand ...
Dan Fefferman's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
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Question about Binyamin being named "Ben Oni" in Vayishlach

Vayishlach (35:18) says that Rachel named Binyamin "Ben-Oni" (according to Rashi "son of my pain"). Is this meant to be suggestive of a double meaning in that Binyamin was actually ...
Menachem's user avatar
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Why does Rashi say that Lavan covered 7 days worth of distance in one day?

In Parshas Vayeitze, Rashi comments on the words דרך שבעת ימים, quoting a midrash, saying כל אותן ג' ימים שהלך המגיד להגיד ללבן הלך יעקב לדרכו, נמצא יעקב רחוק מלבן ששה ימים, ובשביעי השיגו לבן. למדנו ...
Daniel's user avatar
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Rivkah not giving water to the men traveling with Eliezer?

In Parshat Chayei Sarah, we all are familiar with the episode of Rivkah imenu offering water to Eliezer first then to the camels. However, the Torah doesn't record Rivkah giving water to the men ...
Eli83's user avatar
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Is there any special mitzvah connected with the upcoming “March for Israel” rally on November 14 at the National Mall in Washington DC?

Upon reflection, the last time there was a potentially world altering convergence of Jews in the United States was for the Freedom Sunday for Soviet Jewry Rally on December 6, 1987. It was estimated ...
Yaacov Deane's user avatar
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6 votes
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Number 350 in Parashat Noach

It says in Parashat Noach that the ark should be 300 Amot long and 50 Amot width. And it says that Noach lived 300 years and 50 years after the flood. What is the connection between them ? Anything in ...
Vyacheslav Yosef Dobrovych's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
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Textual parallel between Eve and Cain, why?

In Bereishit 3:16, Eve is cursed: אֶֽל־הָאִשָּׁ֣ה אָמַ֗ר הַרְבָּ֤ה אַרְבֶּה֙ עִצְּבוֹנֵ֣ךְ וְהֵֽרֹנֵ֔ךְ בְּעֶ֖צֶב תֵּֽלְדִ֣י בָנִ֑ים וְאֶל־אִישֵׁךְ֙ תְּשׁ֣וּקָתֵ֔ךְ וְה֖וּא יִמְשׇׁל־בָּֽךְ׃ And to ...
bondonk's user avatar
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New Mikraot Gedolot - Chorev Publishers [closed]

I am looking for reviews on the somewhat new Mikraot Gedolot from Chorev Publishers How is the quality of the print? Is it clear and easy to read for most people? There is a lot of information packed ...
Bs234570's user avatar
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The relationship of Adam and Chavah and what does it mean?

In Parshat B'reishis ch. 3 p. 20 Adam names Chavah. Here Rashi points out that Adam names her earlier and the reason for bringing up the name in this location. What I'm wondering though is about the ...
Dude's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
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List of "most important" Rashis on the Torah

There is a list of the most fundamental Ramban al ha Torah commentaries which someone has compiled (I uploaded it here), sorted by parasha, with a short index on the last page. Does something similar ...
mbloch's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
124 views

Translating Genesis 1:1 "בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית" to "in the beginning"

Apologies if this is a stupid question (or belongs in a different group). Since I'm not Jewish & only beginning to learn Hebrew I lack the background to pose an intelligent question. English uses ...
StevePoling's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
50 views

"... and the cities are fortified and very large" - how would ex-Egyptians see Canaanean cities?

Tel Hevron (the ancient settlement in Hebron) features a fragment of a Middle Bronze Age city wall. The sign cites the verse "However, the people who inhabit the country are powerful, and the ...
Al Berko's user avatar
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Why was Avshalom riding a donkey into battle?

In the battle between Avshalom's army and David's forces Avshalom is riding a donkey which runs away when Avshalom is caught by his hair in a tree. וַיִּקָּרֵא אַבְשָׁלוֹם לִפְנֵי עַבְדֵי דָוִד ...
rikitikitembo's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
217 views

What are the peculiarities of a school or company of the prophets לַהֲקַ֚ת הַנְּבִיאִים֙ (1 Samuel 19:20)?

What are the peculiarities of a school or company of the prophets לַהֲקַ֚ת הַנְּבִיאִים֙ (I Samuel 19:20)? What did one learn in a school of the prophets? How did one become a student in a school of ...
ninamag's user avatar
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Declaration of First-Fruits

When a person offers the bikkurim for the first time of that year, they come to the Kohen of those days and declare to him the declaration of Deuteronomy 26:3: ובאת אל־הכהן אשר יהיה בימים ההם ואמרת ...
Jewish Context's user avatar
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The Watchers in Judaism [duplicate]

My wife asked me if there were any opinions that the B'nei Elohim that slept with the daughters of men were actually angels. In one of her Torah commentaries it said there was no such opinion. I ...
Aaron's user avatar
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Who is the Stranger that rises above?

In the list of curses that could befall the Jewish nation, Deuteronomy 28:43 reads: The stranger who is among you will arise above you, higher and higher, while you will descend lower and lower. I ...
Jewish Context's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
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Prostration during offerings?

While the first-fruits were being offered, it is stated in Deuteronomy 26:10 that after the declaration of the person offering, they would "prostrate themselves before Hashem." Where would ...
Jewish Context's user avatar
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2 answers
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When did God select Israel?

In Parsha Ki Tavo, Deuteronomy 26:17-18 reads: (17) You have selected the Lord this day, to be your God, and to walk in His ways, and to observe His statutes, His commandments and His ordinances, and ...
Jewish Context's user avatar
-2 votes
1 answer
111 views

Who actually rested on the seventh day? Was it Memra or G-d, blessed be He?

Targum Neofiti states the following: “On the seventh day, the Memra of the LORD completed his work which he had created, and there was Sabbath.” (Genesis 2:3; Targum Neofiti) Memra is what "...
setszu's user avatar
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2 answers
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Why would some people "return" to Gehinnom?

Rashi on Psalms 9:18 states: לשאולה: אמר רבי נחמי' כל תיבה הצריכה למ"ד בתחלתה הטיל לה ה"א בסופה כגון (בראשית יב) מצרימה מדברה התיבון לי' והכתיב ישובו רשעים לשאולה א"ר אבא בר זבדי ...
ninamag's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
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Did Benjamin know what happen to Yosef in real time? [duplicate]

It is mentioned in the sources that Benjamin named his sons after what Joseph went through when he was separated from his family: And the sons of Benjamin, Bela and Becher and Ashbel, Gera and Naaman, ...
Avi's user avatar
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6 votes
4 answers
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Why did Goliat fall on his face?

In 1 Shmuel 17:49 we read וַיִּשְׁלַח דָּוִד אֶת־יָדוֹ אֶל־הַכֶּלִי וַיִּקַּח מִשָּׁם אֶבֶן וַיְקַלַּע וַיַּךְ אֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אֶל־מִצְחוֹ וַתִּטְבַּע הָאֶבֶן בְּמִצְחוֹ וַיִּפֹּל עַל־פָּנָיו ...
rikitikitembo's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
121 views

Tzafnat Panei’ach

I’m looking for some help with Tzafnat Panei’ach’s commentary to Genesis 17:23 (pages 137-138 of this PDF). Specifically: The author queries whether Abraham circumcised himself before his household, ...
Zarka's user avatar
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-1 votes
1 answer
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Do Zachariah 14 and Ezekiel 37 claim that the state of Israel will exist before the arrival of the Messiah?

I heard someone say that the task of the Messiah will be to establish Israel as a theocratic monarchy. However, this person claimed that Zachariah 14 and Ezekiel 37 claim that Israel will exist ...
setszu's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
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Do any commentators equate 2 אֲחִיָּהs?

In 1 Shmuel 14:3 a Kohen named אֲחִיָּה carries the ephod and is a descendant of Eli who lived in Shiloh. In 1 Melachim 11 there is a similarly named person who is a prophet and is also from Shiloh. ...
rikitikitembo's user avatar

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