The sources-mekorot tag has no wiki summary.
4
votes
2answers
129 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?
3
votes
1answer
35 views
Source for meaning of parasha break in Numbers 26:1
Bamidbar 26:1 is written:
וַיְהִי, אַחֲרֵי הַמַּגֵּפָה; {פ}
וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, וְאֶל אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן-אַהֲרֹן הַכֹּהֵן לֵאמֹר
The {פ} indicates a line break - in the middle of the ...
6
votes
2answers
157 views
what are the origins of the requirement for a minyan?
From what is the requirement for ten adult Jewish males for certain prayers derived?
I kind of assumed this may be in some way related to Abraham's struggle to find the righteous males in the cities ...
10
votes
2answers
117 views
Source for kissing an aron
I've seen people kiss an aron kodesh (cabinet holding Torah scrolls) when they approach it and, if they were standing near it, before they leave it. Does this have any written source; or, are there ...
10
votes
3answers
191 views
“Silk-Screened” Sifrei Torah
What are the halachic issues with Silk-screened sifrei torah? I am interested in a summary of concise halakhic rulings of multiple authorities on the prohibition or permissibility of HaRav Yitzchak ...
-3
votes
1answer
103 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) ...
2
votes
2answers
230 views
Abriged Birkat HaMazon - Online?
HaRav Binyamin Kwalwasser from Yeshivat Lev Hatorah taught us that Rabbi Abadi is of the opinion that it is better to say a shorter version of Birkat Hamazon after eating than not to say it at all. ...
6
votes
6answers
253 views
Tikkun Olam source
What is the source for the concept that Jews have to practice Tikkun Olam, and where in the classical Jewish sources is this concept defined? It seems people throw this term around a lot in the ...
4
votes
1answer
121 views
Source for story of Rashi, the King, and the Four Horsemen
There is a story (you can read the details here) about Rashi telling a King that he will conquer Yerushalaim for 3 days and return with 3 horses and 3 riders. The King returned with 4, but as they ...
3
votes
0answers
102 views
Why is wine poured by a non-Jew forbidden?
The S"A 125:1 (YD) states that a non-Jew pouring non-Mevushal wine makes (at least) that wine unfit, but other than citing earlier authorities (maybe, I can't figure that part out) he doesn't give a ...
3
votes
1answer
122 views
A new knife for Rosh Hashanah?
There is a custom to buy a knife for Rosh Hashanah: the qualifier is that the knife not be serrated. What is the source for this custom and what is the significance of the knife not having edges?
3
votes
0answers
58 views
The history behind the composition and inclusion of V'lo N'tato
I'm curious about the composition and inclusion in the shabbat shacharit of the paragraph beginning ולא נתתו (v'lo n'tato). I understand the talmudic basis for the underlying idea, and how it fits in ...
6
votes
1answer
119 views
Jews were on 49th level of Tumah. Says who?
There is a well known idea that when the Jews left Egypt during the Exodus, they were on the "forty-ninth level of tumah". Many explanations are given for this and it is expounded upon at length by a ...
2
votes
1answer
73 views
Source for “Ein Mazal B'Yisroel”
I know that there is a Gemarah (somewhere in Shabbos I think), that discuses birth signs, based on days of the week and month. The Gemarah ends with Ein Mazal B'Yisroel and a few stories that ...
1
vote
1answer
39 views
Learning words from the servants of Rebbi
Where is the gemarah that discusses how the sages didn't know the meaning of certain words until their heard the servants of Rebbi Yehuda HaNasi using those words in everyday conversation?
11
votes
1answer
209 views
Lechem Mishlesh?
(Based on Tosfot Pesachim 116a and Aruch haShulchan 274:5 I assume that the man did not fall on Yom Tov and double fell on Erev Yom Tov, and that this is why we have lechem mishne on Yom Tov.)
When ...
3
votes
1answer
49 views
Splitting up Shacharis between two Chiyuvim
I have Davened in a few Shuls where they have split up Shacharis between two Chiyuvim. (One Davens until Ashrei after Tachanun / One davens from Ashrei until the end.) What is the source for doing so?
...
4
votes
1answer
76 views
Midrash on children and the letter shapes?
I've heard about a midrash that discusses a day when little children took over the study hall and, by interpreting the shapes of the Hebrew letters, articulated many of Judaism's most powerful ...
12
votes
5answers
309 views
Saying “Laberiut” “God bless you” or “Gesundheit”
Is there are source for saying "Laberiut" "God bless you" "Gesundheit" or any other response to a sneeze? In other words, are there posekim who mention it in Halacha?
2
votes
0answers
101 views
Text for birchat habayit
I'd like to write a couple birchos habayis and get them illuminated as gifts. Does anyone know of a good existing text? I'm looking for something five or six lines long, preferably not the usual one ...
12
votes
1answer
178 views
Non-Jews Tending to Abandoned Cemeteries
Those of you who may have read my profile know that I have been reading and transcribing information on tombstones in towns in the Spis Region of Slovakia, in which no Jews remain. My colleague is ...
7
votes
2answers
165 views
The Split Between Sefardim and Ashkenazim
How did this split happen historically and halachically before Shulchan Aruch, and why is not like having two Torahs? Where is the source for the split?
6
votes
0answers
68 views
Decorative food plating on Shabbath
This question asks about using an ice cream scoop on Shabbath, and an internet forum linked in the question has a discussion about the permissibility of decorative plating of food generally. According ...
5
votes
1answer
111 views
Why do we sit in the sukkah in the autumn?
I remember hearing at some point that there's a disagreement between the Ashkenazi and Sefardi rishonim regarding why we sit in the sukkah in the autumn:
Ashkenaz - Because we love God, so we go out ...
1
vote
2answers
66 views
Birchas hatorah from the Torah?
I've heard many times that saying birchas hatorah is most likely from the torah (as apposed to mi-dirabanan). How could we not know? If it's from the torah, then it's from the torah!
6
votes
2answers
213 views
Traditional review of Heschel's “Torah min HaShamayim”
"Torah min Hashamayim B'aspaklariya shel Hadorot" (תורה מן השמים באספקלריה של הדורות) was written by R' Abraham Joshua Heschel and published by Soncino Press and JTS Press in 1962. It was translated ...
5
votes
2answers
173 views
Is there any source for saying the first possuk of Shema quietly?
The Rema in OC 61(26) says the custom is to say the first possuk of the shema aloud. In this question Sh'ma aloud but amida quietly Gershon Gold said that Shema is said aloud in unison and msh210 ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
Ohr HaChaim on Redemption because of Torah
I've heard that the Ohr HaChaim quotes the Zohar Chadash that we will be redeemed because of the merit of Mosheh and learning Torah.
Does such a comment exist in the Ohr HaChaim? If so, can someone ...
2
votes
2answers
106 views
Web sites where I can post divrei Torah
Can anyone suggest a good site where I can post a weekly list of marei mekomos in Ramban on the Parsha?
8
votes
2answers
140 views
6
votes
2answers
161 views
What is the kiss of death?
Chazal tell us (need help with the source) that at least 3 people died "b'neshika" with a 'kiss' from God, Moshe, Aron and Miriam. (Rashi on Bamidbar 20:1, 33:38; Devarim 34:5)
What is exactly does ...
5
votes
1answer
152 views
Does anyone have a proof text that animals *don't* have spirits?
I've heard it said that animals don't possess a רוח
However, Ecclesiastes 3:21 uses the phrase רוּחַ הַבְּהֵמָה.
Is there any text that indicates that animals don't possess a spirit?
Edit: Upon ...
9
votes
3answers
493 views
Wearing clothes backwards or inside out?
As a kid, I was told that if you wear clothing backwards or inside-out then you will forget your Torah learning. What is the source for that claim, and why is that specific outcome tied to that ...
13
votes
3answers
239 views
Halachic Source for Women-Only Mikvaoth?
Some (actually many) Mikvaoth are designated for women's use only, generally for reasons of cleanliness.
Is there Halachic literature supporting (or urging) this?
(This question is not asking for ...
8
votes
2answers
111 views
Source for the Text of the Get (bill of divorce)
Where does the exact text come from? Is there a particular Rishon who writes it in full? The Talmud in Gittin discusses the text at length, but I don't think it lays down the exact text. I've seen the ...
5
votes
1answer
65 views
Was the tana Rebbi Meir blind?
I have heard that the name Meir (lit:enlightening) is actually a "lashon naki" because he was actually blind. Similar to "sagi nahor". Is there any source for this notion that Rebbi Meir was blind?
7
votes
2answers
187 views
What is the source for Pardes?
What is the source for expounding the torah according to remez, derush and sod (along with 'pshat' the group can be referred to by the acronym PaRDeS)?
These forms of hermeneutics are not found in ...
2
votes
0answers
53 views
Midrashim That Contain Elements That are Against Nature [closed]
I a compiling a list of midrashim that contain elements that go against the laws of nature (e.g. Og's picking up a mountain the size of the camping of Bnei Yisrael). Can anyone help me?
3
votes
3answers
52 views
Correct version of pasuk about wisdom
An old teacher of mine is about to turn 90 and I'm trying to locate a pasuk, which, I think, says: "Treasure the words of a wise man for they are..." or "Heed the words of a wise man, for they are ...
4
votes
2answers
126 views
Eruv around towns for the purpose of carrying
I was learning the first few chapters of Eyruvin, and I wondering which of the mishnas are the source (or inspiration more likely) for the idea of a string around an area that allows one to carry ...
5
votes
2answers
222 views
Is there a source that the Messiah can die and return?
Is there a source in Judaism that indicates that Moshiach (Ben David, not Ben Yosef) will die before having fulfilled his role and then return to posthumously achieve it?
6
votes
1answer
173 views
Where is the text of Friday night Kiddush from?
There is a fairly uniform text for Kiddush Friday night. There are some differences between the Ashkenazi and Sfardi versions, but they are mostly very similar.
What is the source for the text? As ...
4
votes
0answers
62 views
Is the idea that there is always at least one illness with an unknown cure - a Jewish idea?
I have heard many times that there will always be at least one illness that is uncurable. Is this a Jewish idea? What is its source?
5
votes
1answer
48 views
What is the source for Mesirath Nefesh being a virtue?
Mesirath Nefesh is widely considered a virtue. It is treated by Musar-givers throughout the world as though it is the most important virtue after fear of Heaven. But what is it based on? There are ...
6
votes
1answer
156 views
Hand movements when lighting shabbat candles
When women light shabbat candles I often see them making hand gestures. These look like two or perhaps three circles around in the air. What is the source for this practice? Is it a law or custom? Is ...
12
votes
2answers
299 views
How do we know that we have free will?
Where in the torah does it state that humans have, and are entitled to in perpetuity, free will?
5
votes
2answers
164 views
Source of shabbat evening kiddush text?
The beginning of the shabbat evening kiddush (vayehi erev, vayehi boker, yom hashishi...) is from Bereshit, 1:31 ff. Where does the second part (khi hu yom tehilah lemikraei kodesh...) come from? Is ...
6
votes
2answers
142 views
Rubbing the Havdalah wine
Is there any source for the practice of not only dipping one's fingers into the Havdalah wine that was used to extinguish the fire and rubbing the eyes with it, but also spreading it around onto other ...
5
votes
1answer
126 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
141 views
Drinking the wine that spills over the cup during Kiddush
There is a widespread custom among the Jewish people to fill up their kiddush cup to the point that it overflows. This overflowing of wine symbolizes Hashems blessing overflowing in our lives. I was ...
