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49 views
How do we translate חַטָּאִים?
Isaiah 1 (28): And destruction shall come over rebels and sinners
together, and those who forsake the Lord shall perish. כח.
וְשֶׁבֶר פֹּשְׁעִים וְחַטָּאִים יַחְדָּו וְעֹזְבֵי יְהֹוָה ...
5
votes
1answer
92 views
Is the term Cushite used to refer to people of African descent?
While reading the book of Numbers (I am a Christian, I don't know if it is referred to something else in Judaism), I came across the passage (Numbers 12:1-15) where Miriam and Aaron were speaking ...
2
votes
3answers
98 views
Translation of the word “nimshal”
Rabbinic writings (e.g. * Rabbah and other midrash) use the words "mashal" (noun) and "nimshal" (verb). What do these terms mean in English? I've heard "parable" or "allegory" for the noun but I am ...
3
votes
1answer
46 views
What does ריש חזית mean?
I'm reading(/trying to read) the introduction to the Vilna Gaon's איל משולש (his geometry textbook). The first two words are ריש חזית.
What does ריש חזית mean?
If it helps, the phrase is immediately ...
3
votes
0answers
61 views
On what basis do we understand references to Orion and the Pleiades in Iyov?
Iyov 38:31-32 reads:
הַתְקַשֵּׁר מַעֲדַנּוֹת כִּימָה אוֹ מוֹשְׁכוֹת כְּסִיל תְּפַתֵּחַ:
. הֲתֹצִיא מַזָּרוֹת בְּעִתּוֹ וְעַיִשׁ עַל בָּנֶיהָ תַנְחֵם:
Can you tie the chains of the Pleiades ...
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3answers
125 views
What differentiates the Artscroll Talmud compared to other translations?
The Artscroll Talmud, translated with copious notes into both English and Modern Hebrew, has received wide approval from all sectors of the orthodox world. In fact, I am not aware of any opposition, ...
4
votes
0answers
52 views
Why does Onkelos translate “לֹֽא יוּכַל” as “לָא יִכּוֹל” rather than “לֵית לֵיהּ רְשׁוּ”
The verse in Shemos 19:23 says "וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־יי לֹֽא־יוּכַל הָעָם לַֽעֲלֹת אֶל־הַר סִינָי." Rashi says that although it uses the words "לֹֽא־יוּכַל" it means they're not allowed. Onkelos ...
2
votes
3answers
107 views
Definition of Baal Nefesh
I have seen "Baal Nefesh" used frequently in various contexts: sometimes as one who is scrupulous in halacha, other times as someone who is a quality person.
What is its simple translation/meaning?
6
votes
2answers
103 views
Ibn Ezra's Arabic-based explanation of the vav heading some clauses
Sh'mos 9:21:
וַאֲשֶׁר לֹא שָׂם לִבּוֹ אֶל דְּבַר יהוה וַיַּעֲזֹב אֶת עֲבָדָיו וְאֶת מִקְנֵהוּ בַּשָּׂדֶה
And 13:17:
וַיְהִי בְּשַׁלַּח פַּרְעֹה אֶת הָעָם וְלֹא נָחָם אֱלֹהִים דֶּרֶךְ אֶרֶץ ...
0
votes
1answer
115 views
Translation of פתחו לי שערי צדק
What is the most accurate English translation of the famous verse from Tehillim (Psalms)
פתחו לי שערי צדק
?
1
vote
2answers
128 views
Translating Hebrew works into English
I hope this is not a stupid question. But, I've seen countless Hebrew works that have yet to be translated into English (I don't know about other languages, like German, French, etc. because I'm not ...
3
votes
1answer
60 views
The “ben neichar” who is banned from eating the Korbon Pesach
Exodus 12:43 says that a "ben neichar" would not be able to eat the Korbon Pesach (the Passover offering) when the Temple is rebuilt, placing this category of persons in the same category as non-Jews. ...
5
votes
2answers
169 views
What's the meaning of “Hashmal” (electricity in modern Hebrew) in the bible? (Ezekiel 1:4)
Ezekiel 1:4:
I saw, and behold, there was a stormy wind coming from the north, a great cloud with flashing fire and a brilliance surrounding it; and from its midst, like the color of the Hashmal ...
3
votes
2answers
85 views
Question regarding ונביא גדול הוא קרוב ממשה רבנו in Rambam's Hilkhos Teshuva
Here is some text from Rambam's Hilkhos Teshuva:
לפי שבאותן הימים תרבה הדעה והחכמה והאמת...מפני שאותו המלך שיעמוד מזרע דויד בעל חכמה יהיה יתר משלמה ונביא גדול הוא קרוב ממשה רבנו ולפיכך ילמד כל העם ...
1
vote
3answers
197 views
What does R' Feinstein say about eating kosher food in a non-kosher restaurant?
The last paragraph of Igros Moshe O.C. 2:40 discusses when you may order kosher food [such as a banana] in a non-kosher restaurant.
R' Moshe Feinstein begins:
ובדבר אם מותר לאכול ברעסטאראנט ...
2
votes
1answer
60 views
A good translation of “bimah”
What is a good translation of the word "bimah" (as in both the "stage" generally and the "table" specifically in a synagogue whence the Torah is read) to use with a non-Jew? Altar and stage both seem ...
2
votes
0answers
126 views
Does the name Daniel really mean: 'G-d is my judge'?
Most people pronounce the Hebrew name דניאל as Dani-el.
Surprisingly enough, when the name Daniel is mentioned in Tanach (in the book of Daniel) it is written with a Tzeirei under the Yud with no ...
2
votes
2answers
73 views
Is there a translation of the words of Ben Sira?
Is there an authoritative translation into English of the works of Ben Sira (his wisdom, his alphabet)?
6
votes
3answers
234 views
Why the emphasis on Hebrew in Judaism?
Why does Judaism have such an emphasis on Hebrew phrases in their religion and seems reluctant to translate them to English or another language?
6
votes
1answer
85 views
What does מִלְמַעְלָה in Gen 7:20 mean?
Genesis 7:20, describing the flood, says:
חֲמֵשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה אַמָּה מִלְמַעְלָה, גָּבְרוּ הַמָּיִם; וַיְכֻסּוּ, הֶהָרִים.
Almost everybody translates the first clause as some approximation of ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
Translation of Kuntres Tiferes Adam
Is there a English translation version of Kuntres Tiferes Adam by the Chofetz Chaim?
Is there an online version as well?
2
votes
2answers
154 views
Is there a problem with JPS?
JPS is the 1917 translation of Tanakh from the Jewish Publication Society, NJPS (New JPS) is the 1985 renewed edition to "reflect contemporary scholarship."
The NJPS has the best English translation ...
9
votes
2answers
181 views
Translation to Greek
I just read in parashat ki tavo that the torah was translated into 70 languages and written on giant stones, yet the talmud says the translation of the torah to Greek many years later was considered a ...
3
votes
1answer
77 views
What is “הער״ט איר ניט”?
נטעי גבריאל, in הלכות נשואין, volume 2, chapter 118, section 8, footnote 11, cites the מהרי״ל (biographical information):
שכשהיה קורא לאשתו אמר בלשון אשכנז הער״ט איר ניט כדרך העולם שהזיווגים ...
5
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1answer
113 views
Can one make a siyum mesechta if it was learned in English?
If someone has some trouble with Aramaic and learned parts of a mesechta in English (for example with an Artscroll Gemara), can he still make a siyum?
3
votes
1answer
112 views
Why don't translations of Tehilim 119 translate נשף like the Gemara?
The Gemara on Berachos 3b asserts that נשף can mean either "dawn" or "evening", and cites Tehilim 119:147 as an instance of "evening".
However, every translation I have seen of this verse - the ...
2
votes
1answer
192 views
How do the English translations of the Mishnah vary?
I am aware of three (!) English translations of the Mishnah, there is the Philip Blackman translation, the Danby translation and the Jacob Neusner translation.
How do these three translations differ?
...
2
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0answers
62 views
Onkelos on Deut. 4:19
In Devarim 4:19, Onkelos translates ונדחת as ותטעי and והשתחוית as ותסגוד.
First, what exactly is he trying to convey with ותטעי? I think of טעות as "whoops", and hopefully there's no serious damage, ...
3
votes
1answer
63 views
etymology of “Bnei Blial”
The term "בְּנֵי בְלִיָּעַל" appears several times in Shmuel (e.g., 1Sam 2:12). It is usually translated along the lines of "dishonorable people". Where does בְלִיָּעַל come from? Are there other ...
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1answer
217 views
What are the possible reasonable meanings of “Love thy neighbor”?
What are the original Hebrew words for "love", "thy", "neighbor", "as", "you", "love", "yourself" in "love thy neighbor as you love your self"?
What's the transliteration of those words in English ...
1
vote
1answer
72 views
English translation of Sefer Machaneh Ephrayim
Is there an English translation on the Internet or in print of the book of the chiddushei harav efraim navon?
As of Tammuz 5772, I have encountered no evidence that such translation exists.
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vote
0answers
45 views
Leaving the King's road?
We say in Bemidbar 20:17 to Edom:
Let us now pass through your land: We won't pass through the fields
and vineyards and we won't drink well-water; on the road of the king
we will go, we won't ...
7
votes
1answer
136 views
Published Ladino version of Meam Lo'ez?
The Me'am Lo'ez (מעם לועז), begun by Rabbi Yaakov Culi in 1730, is a commentary to Tanakh written in Ladino. It was subsequently translated to Hebrew and translated from the Hebrew to English in a ...
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2answers
321 views
How to write “Isaiah 41,10” in Hebrew? [closed]
I've already seen that someone wanted to know how to write Isaiah in Hebrew, but my question is mainly about the numbers, because I found just a few numbers, which can be written in Hebrew. I've ...
1
vote
1answer
204 views
English Translation of Rabbi Chaim Volozhin's Nefesh ha-Chaim?
I need to find an English translation of Nefesh Hachaim. Preferably one that is gratis on the World Wide Web. Thanks!
3
votes
1answer
92 views
English Translation of Rabbi Y. Salanter's Igeret ha-Musar?
Where can I find a decent-quality (but preferably good) and free English translation of Igeret Hamusar on the Internet?
8
votes
3answers
263 views
All you need is love?
I once had a Hebrew professor state with absolute determination that "Ahavah" (the Hebrew word for "love") does not, in fact, mean love. His proof was twofold:
1. G-d could not have commanded us to ...
6
votes
0answers
83 views
Seeking Ramchal's Hoker u'MeKubal in English
Is the Ramchal's Hoker u'MeKubal available in English? I have already read Derech HaShem, Daas Tevunos, Mesillas Yesharim, and Ma'amar HaGeulas, so I would be interested in other of his works in ...
9
votes
1answer
164 views
Traditionalist evaluation of the “New American Haggadah”?
One of the hot new offerings in the Haggada market this year is the New American Haggadah by novelists Jonathan Safran Foer and Nathan Englander. It features a new translation by Englander as well as ...
6
votes
3answers
189 views
Difficult phrases in the “Sale of Chametz” document
I am currently working on a clarification of the document which is usually used by rabbis to sell chametz to a non-Jew. The version I am working with is that of Harav hagGaon Avraham Aharon Yudelewitz ...
6
votes
2answers
87 views
Need some good Russian Purim/kiruv links
I was totally shocked today, talking with one of my Russian colleagues. He had absolutely no idea what Purim was about. Not Mordechai, not Ester, not Achashverosh, not Haman - he didn't even know ...
9
votes
1answer
172 views
Is there a rule for Rashi's French transliterations (Laaz)?
Rashi frequently uses French words in his explanation to Chumash or the Gemara. However, he doesn't write it in the original language, but he writes it in a "transliteration" of French in Hebrew ...
4
votes
1answer
68 views
Timche Es Zeicher / Zecher Amalek
In Zeicher vs Zecher it discusses the reasons we say both, however I was wondering what is the difference in translation between Zeicher & Zecher?
13
votes
2answers
197 views
Why don't we use a translator during Torah reading?
Outside of the Teimanim I am not aware of any other segments of Judaism that still employ a meturgamen (translator) during kriat ha'torah. Why has this practice fallen into disuse?
2
votes
1answer
173 views
Translation of haggadah section titles
What are the litteral translations of the different section titles of the haggadah? (i.e. What exactly do kadesh, urchatz, etc. mean)
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
60 views
What does “Comp.” at the end of a posuk's translation mean?
I.e. 201 results for Comp. here: http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Guide_for_the_Perplexed_(Friedlander)/Part_III/Chapters#CHAPTER_XLVI
I assume it means "end of verse" or something?
11
votes
2answers
216 views
What was the Arov?
The fourth plague is Arov commonly translated as wild beasts.
The word I think most literally translates to "a collection" or in this case, maybe along the lines of "a swarm" (consider the word ...
1
vote
2answers
193 views
Hebrew to English Translations of Daniel 9:23-27
I'm kind of falling on a last resort here. I'm trying to get as close to a literal translation of the most original form of Daniel 9/I:23-27 as possible. I haven't been able to find anything in ...
7
votes
1answer
101 views
Can the chazzan use the vernacular quietly?
When saying a private portion of the service, such as pesukei de-zimra, may the shaliach tzibur (aka chazzan, or the person leading services) use English, and switch to Hebrew for the portions said ...
