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6
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6answers
309 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 ...
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 ...
7
votes
5answers
4k views
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?
7
votes
4answers
426 views
What is the exact definition of Shituf (vis a vis 'Avodah Zarah)?
"Shituf" is the heretical idea of some sort of co-mingling of something with G-d (Has VeShalom). According to many rabbinic opinions, Christianity is Shituf (cf., Is Christianity Avodah Zara?), and ...
1
vote
1answer
296 views
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
?
12
votes
2answers
306 views
Where did “shabat shalom” come from?
What is the source for the greeting "שבת שלום"?
Where is it earliest attested in print?
What does it mean?
4
votes
1answer
463 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
8
votes
3answers
195 views
“Baruch shekivanti…”
There is a phrase of self-compliment people use when they find that they have independently arrived at the same conclusion as someone great. It begins with the words "ברוך שכיוונתי", translated ...
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 ...
7
votes
2answers
126 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 ...
5
votes
4answers
919 views
What does the Bible mean by “those that urinate against the wall” in I Samuel 25:22?
A more precise version of this vague question:
What does the Bible mean by "those that urinate against the wall" in I Samuel 25:22?
There are different translations for the phrase; what is the ...
5
votes
3answers
435 views
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 ...
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 ...
3
votes
3answers
138 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 ...
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
3answers
94 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"?
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 ...
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 ...
0
votes
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 ...
