The targum-translation tag has no wiki summary.
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Nefesh, neshama and ruach as words for “soul”
All three words can mean something like "soul", e.g., neshama in גלגול נשמות, and ruach in וַתְּחִי רוּחַ יַעֲקֹב אֲבִיהֶם (Bereshit 45:27). So, what is the difference?
8
votes
3answers
265 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
152 views
What is the best online English translation of Tanach?
I am aware of a number of partial or complete English translations of Tana"ch online, but I am wondering if there are any I am unaware of, especially that fulfill the following criteria:
Precision ...
3
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1answer
105 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?
4
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3answers
160 views
How to do Shnayim Mikra when the Aramaic Targum has multiple alternate wordings?
What should one do when saying שנים מקרא ואחד תרגום if one comes upon a verse where the Targum (Aramaic translation) has two alternative wordings? I would just say the verse in Targum twice (or four ...
6
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0answers
85 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 ...
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2answers
126 views
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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 ...
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3answers
191 views
What does the term “sons of G-d” mean?
The term "sons of G-d" בני האלהים is found 3 times in the Hebrew Bible, once in Genesis (6:2), and twice in Job (1:6 and 2:1). What does it mean? Does it have the same meaning in both instances? What ...
6
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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
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2answers
88 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
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1answer
177 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
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1answer
70 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?
14
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2answers
200 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?
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1answer
175 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)
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2answers
130 views
What does the aramaic “pon” mean?
Once in a while, Onkelos will throw in the word pon (פּוֹן) that doesn't directly translate from the Hebrew.
Avimelech to Yitzchak: k'z'eir pon shachiv d'm'yached b'ama (Toldos 26:10)
Lavan to ...
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?
2
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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 ...
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2answers
222 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 ...
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 ...
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2answers
117 views
What does adukin (אדוקין) mean?
Rashi, in Mesechta Gitin on דף טז עמוד א says שנים אדוקין. What does adukin (אדוקין) mean?
3
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1answer
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Why are a couple words in Ma'oz Tzur different in some sidduriim?
The Text I am referring to is:
רָעוֹת שָׂבְעָה נַפְשִׁי, בְּיָגוֹן כֹּחִי כָּלָה
חַיַּי מֵרְרוּ בְקֹשִׁי, בְּשִׁעְבּוּד מַלְכוּת עֶגְלָה
וּבְיָדוֹ הַגְּדוֹלָה הוֹצִיא אֶת הַסְּגֻלָּה
חֵיל ...
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1answer
700 views
Davka, Mamash, and B'Emet
When speaking in primarily English but using the words Davka, Mamash, or B'Emet:
How do you define them into English?
What is the difference between them?
How do you use each one properly?
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3answers
96 views
What is the meaning of the words כהיום הזה in the prayer על הניסים ?
What is the meaning of the words כהיום הזה in the prayer על הניסים ? Are there options other than the Artscroll interpretation, "unquestionable clarity"?
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1answer
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If God was never incarnated, how come He sat in front of Abraham's tent and appeared among the oaks of Mamre? [closed]
http://yltbible.com/genesis/18.htm
And Jehovah appeareth unto him among the oaks of Mamre, and he is sitting at the opening of the tent, about the heat of the day; 2 and he lifteth up his eyes and ...
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3answers
141 views
What are the major ancient literature on Judaic mysticism and spiritual development?
What are the major ancient literature on Judaic mysticism and spiritual development? By ancient I mean B.C.E.
I also would appreciate if you can also provide links to online English translations if ...
5
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2answers
90 views
Why did Yosef's brothers speak freely in the presence of the interpreter?
In Parashat Miketz, Yosef's brothers encounter him disguised as the viceroy of Egypt, and he accuses them of espionage, jails them for three days, and makes a demand that they know their father would ...
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4answers
335 views
Looking for a good English-to-Hebrew translation software
I'm looking for a translation software, or website, that accurately translates entire sentences and paragraphs from English to Hebrew, without grammar mistakes or funny language usage. Anyone know of ...
4
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1answer
499 views
Is there a site where I can see several different jewish translations at the same time?
The christians have that
http://bible.cc/psalms/82-6.htm
Is there something like that for jews?
If there isn't, then perhaps lists of several good online jewish translation would be nice too. It ...
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1answer
75 views
What is חית ראמים?
In the Shabas table song "M'nucha v'simcha", God is credited as having created
חַיַּת רְאֵמִים
What does this mean?
It would seem to translate literally as "animal of ראםs". Now, we do find a ...
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2answers
131 views
Translation Issue, Exodus 21
Exodus 21:22 - This verse deals with two men fighting, and injuring a pregnant woman causing her to [miscarry] | [give birth prematurely]. The bracketed terms are in dispute due to different ...
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Meaning of ח-ל-צ
Words of the root חלצ seem to have contradictory meanings. On the one hand it is used in the sense of "removing," as in בית חלוץ הנעל and כי חלצת נפשי ממות. On the other hand, warriors are called ...
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2answers
315 views
What does “prohibited l’chatchila” mean?
To me the phrase prohibited l’chatchila seems a bit confusing. Can someone explain what this means in plain and simple english?
(context: someone says "action X is prohibited l’chatchila")
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3answers
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Please translate “Shem Yinone mechoilol maichovim” in a selicho for Tzom Gedaliah
Please could someone offer a translation of the phrase “Shem Yinone mechoilol maichovim” in the Selicho for Tzom Gedaliah that begins “Oz Terem Nimtochu” (near the beginning of the selichos)?
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1answer
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On Deuteronomy 28:23, Rashi says copper is “mazi'a”. What does this mean?
I have this question on Rashi every year in Ki Savo. Deuteronomy 28:23 says: "And the heavens above your head will be like copper and the earth that is beneath you, iron."
Rashi says that the heavens ...
3
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1answer
119 views
How do Jews understand this idiom in Psalm 40:7
Inspired by http://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/1294/hebrew-ot-translation-to-greek-nt, I wonder what Jews interpret this idiom, "אָזְנַיִם כָּרִיתָ לִּי," to mean.
The English Standard ...
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4answers
136 views
What is the English translation of the Yiddish word באווארן?
I'm trying to figure out a good way to say the Yiddish word באווארן in English. We used this a lot in Yeshiva, usually in the context of "to באווארן a question".
To explain:
A statement would be ...
2
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1answer
39 views
What is the connection between joy and divine love in Rambam's mitzva #3?
Ramba"m lists love of God as the third positive commandment in his Book of Commandments. It includes the following line, which somehow relates the comprehension of God with joy and the ultimate ...
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6answers
311 views
Why is the word for G-d in Genesis plural?
The word for G-d in Genesis 1:1 is plural in all the manuscripts, there's no debating that it's plural. So really it should read "In the Beginning Gods created the heavens and the earth". Why is this ...
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1answer
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Hebrew for ice - and other “new” words
After reading MB OC 301:17:65 (thanks, YDK!) I am baffled by a nagging question regarding Modern Hebrew and Biblical Hebrew. Eliezer Ben-Yehudah is known to have revitalized Hebrew, in part by taking ...
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3answers
447 views
Judeo-Arabic Translation of Bible
Anyone know of any Judeo-Arabic translations of the Bible (i.e. Arabic in Hebrew characters)? It would be great if you could link me to them as well.
2
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1answer
90 views
Is the term/idea “inviolate” used in the old testament?
I was discussing the idea of privacy with my ethics professor, and he mentioned the concept of "inviolate personality". When it came up he was pretty sure the word inviolate either comes from or is ...
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1answer
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What's the difference in Biblical Hebrew between “zahav” and “paz”?
Artscroll calls one "gold", the other "fine gold." Any other distinctions?
