Torah scholars from 1000-1500, roughly.
2
votes
1answer
63 views
A quote of Shlomo ibn Gabirol
A co-worker posted this as her "Quote of the Day" in an e-mail message. It's attributed to Shlomo ibn Gabirol:
The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second listening, the ...
3
votes
3answers
95 views
Saying Rishonim or Achronim were “wrong”
Pepole are very careful (and rightfully so) to say when they don't understand the words of the Achronim or Rishonim to not say they are/were "wrong". But rather to say "I don't understand what he ...
2
votes
1answer
70 views
Can a Rishon argue on a Gaon?
On one hand, I've seen a rule from the Acharonim (I've also seen it in a Shach on Choshen Mishpat also but I can't remember where) that whatever the Gaonim say is "Divrei Kabalah" from the time of the ...
4
votes
0answers
37 views
“Secular” studies in the Rhineland academies of the 11th-13th centuries
This is perhaps a fairly specific question, and I don't know if it belongs here or on the History stack exchange, but I would like to know more about the Rhineland academies that were headed by people ...
2
votes
5answers
115 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 ...
-3
votes
1answer
88 views
Bechor Shor (Ribash) on the Nachash Nechoshet (Copper Snake) of Parshat Chukas [closed]
Does anyone have access to the Mossad HaRav Kook edition of Rabbi Yosef Bechor-Shor's peirush (commentary) on the Torah? Specifically, if anyone is able to scan and upload an image of the section(s) ...
5
votes
1answer
121 views
How do Rishonim argue on Drashos Chazal?
There is a known rule that Rishonim cannot argue on the Gemara when it comes to "Halachic" drashos. For example, a Rishon will never give a different answer to a question which the Gemara already ...
6
votes
2answers
177 views
Preparing to learn daf yomi Yerushalmi
I am planning to start learning daf yomi Yerushalmi. I have never learned Yerushalmi before
Are there websites the provide the text and audio explanation of the daf akin to those that exist for ...
5
votes
1answer
124 views
Did the Terumas haDeshen write a challah recipe?
Reading this article about challah-making, I noticed the following:
Using the starter, I tried the Rich Sourdough Barches recipe from Inside the Jewish Bakery, which the authors say is adapted ...
8
votes
2answers
89 views
Who was the קדוש מרדוש?
Today, in a shiur, I heard someone quote an opinion of the "קדוש מרדוש" (pronounced "Kadosh Meradoosh", I think). The Bet Yosef in E"HE 35 seems to quote the מרדכי who quotes him, so apparently he's a ...
8
votes
1answer
111 views
How was the Shaalos Utshuvos Min Hashamayim allowed to do what he did?
The Shut Min Hashamayim was written by a Rishon in the time of Tosfos. He used to ask questions from Shamayim (Heaven) in a Sheilas Chalom (Dream Question) and write the answers down. Many of those ...
8
votes
0answers
129 views
The size/shape of biblical Israel
Based on this Tosafot in Bava Metzia 28a (D"H Chamisha Asar Yom), Eretz Israel is a square (400 sq. Parsah), and the distance between Jerusalem and the Jordan river is 1/39th the distance between ...
2
votes
1answer
88 views
Mahloket Rishonim on Techelet and no Shulhan Aruch or Bet Yosef
Mahloket Rishonim how many strings should be used in the Techelet.
One string (Raavad)
Two strings (Rashi, Tosafot, Rosh and Tur)
Half string (Rambam)
In a case of an argument like this who would ...
6
votes
1answer
144 views
Did the Sefer Torah written by the Maharam of Rottenberg survive the Holocaust?
There is a famous story of the Maharam copying a Sefer Torah written by Moshe Rabbeinu. Before passing, he threw it in the river by the castle in which he was arrested.
This Sefer Torah reached ...
9
votes
2answers
168 views
Did the Rosh (Rabbeinu Asher) describe the culture clash moving from medieval Germany to Spain?
Rabbi Asher (the "Rosh") moved from medieval Germany to Spain. I know he describes some different halachic practices that were done in Spain (e.g. linen tzitzis); but does he describe the difference ...
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 ...
8
votes
2answers
114 views
Why is 'Rabbenu Tam' called Rabbenu Tam?
Rabbenu Tam's name was יעקב בן מאיר. Why then is he known as Rabbenu Tam?
6
votes
1answer
72 views
Identification of Rishon
Tosafos Rebbeinu Peretz (in Pesachim 38a) refers to הר"ר דיילקרויישא מאורליינש. Does anyone know who this is, or at least how his name is pronounced? (It looks like it could be "R' Delacroix of ...
6
votes
4answers
204 views
Do any Rishonim discuss how to approach Rashi's commentary on gemara?
I heard a quote once how carefully a person needs to analyze every drop of ink in Rashi, but I don't remember who said it. Does any Rishon (medieval scholar) ever discuss their approach to Rashi's ...
5
votes
1answer
117 views
