The torah-study tag has no wiki summary.
7
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1answer
163 views
Sh'kalim, Kinim, Midos in daf yomi
Why are Sh'kalim (Y'rushalmi) and Kinim and Midos (mishnayos) learned as part of the standard daf yomi cycle for Talmud Bavli?
And if the answer relies on some fact of publication, then (a) why ...
16
votes
6answers
622 views
First steps for someone considering conversion
I am 25 years old and I am truly interested in converting. I too also only believe in G-d. I live my life to certain rules that others I see aren't strong enough to live by. I want to know what I ...
8
votes
3answers
176 views
Making a Siyum on major sections of learning but not a codified unit
If someone completes a major section of Talmud Torah that is not a formal unit (eg., Basar BeḤalav), may/should one make a Siyum?
2
votes
2answers
164 views
Upper limits of “kovea itim”
It is known from the gemara (Shabbos 31a and cited in maamar Toras HaBayis ch. 1, among other places) that when a person dies, he is asked if he had set times for learning. I know that these times can ...
14
votes
1answer
197 views
Can you learn from seforim written by someone who believed in Shabbetai Tzvi?
During the times of false messiah Shabbetai Tzvi, and for several decades afterwards, many well established rabbanim [1] believed him to be Moshiach. Some even maintained this belief after his ...
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4answers
470 views
7
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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 ...
43
votes
2answers
508 views
Does “reputation scoring” make “the Torah a crown to magnify yourself with”?
I apologise in advance if this is not the place to ask this question.
Is "reputation scoring" against the spirit of Pirkei Ovos 4 (5) "Rabbi Tzaddok would say: Do not make the Torah a crown to ...
12
votes
4answers
605 views
What is the machlokes between the Gra and Ba'al HaTanya?
What is the famous argument between the Vilna Gaon and the Ba'al HaTanya in understanding the Sod HaTzimtzum? And what are some ma'areh mekomos in their works where this Machlokes is seen?
9
votes
7answers
321 views
Any primary sources that all Jewish males should l'chatchila stay in learning forever?
Does anyone know of any specific sources in Chazal or Rishonim (or even earlier achronim) that indicate that l'chatchila all Jewish males should learn full time forever? I know that this is the ...
10
votes
6answers
525 views
Am I liable to be stoned for my devotion to Hashem and the Jewish people?
I have spent over 2 years to this day praying for the Jewish people from the Koren Siddur and Machzorim. I have with my Rebbe's help tried to follow Jewish customs and laws, to my best ability. ...
9
votes
2answers
202 views
Is the material permitted to learn on Tisha B'av available online?
From Aish.com:
Other prohibitions include...Learning Torah, since this is a joyful activity. It is permitted to learn texts relevant to Tisha B'Av and mourning -- e.g. the Book of Lamentations, ...
4
votes
2answers
159 views
Are there unnecessary words in torah?
I've been taught, often enough that I thought it was universal, that there are no unnecessary words in torah (chumash) — every word is there to teach us something. I've seen plenty of discussions in ...
9
votes
3answers
294 views
Why are some words in Tanach read differently than they are written?
From here:
The MT [Masoretic Text] includes the kere and ketiv system, in which marginal notes indicate that certain words are to be read differently than they are spelled in the text, or that ...
7
votes
3answers
119 views
Staying up all night on Shavu'ot
Every year, when I stay up learning Torah through the first night of Shavu'ot, I invariably fall asleep during the subsequent morning prayers. Last year, I tried something new: Learn all night, but ...
3
votes
1answer
93 views
6 chapters of Avos in 7 weeks
Some study pirke Avos weekly through the summer, from Pesach to Rosh Hashana. Others do so only for the six Shabasos between Pesach and Shavuos, one chapter a week. I've heard the latter custom ...
11
votes
8answers
961 views
Talmud Study, Where to start
I would like to start to study Talmud, BUT do not know how, where to start.
My Jewish training is basicall non-existant. I learnt how to read the Hebrew words in the Siddur, Machzor, and Chumash - - - ...
8
votes
2answers
188 views
Is the way of the torah pleasant or painful?
In Avot (6:4) we read - כך היא דרכה של תורה, פת במלח תאכל ומים במשורה תשתה ועל הארץ תישן וחיי צער תחיה
This is the way of torah... and a life of pain you shall live.
contrast this with Mishlei ...
8
votes
2answers
227 views
Moreh Nevuchim: To learn or not to learn?
I have come across many people who believe that it is inappropriate to learn Moreh Nevuchim especially at a younger inexperienced age. However, it seems that many important issues are discussed in the ...
17
votes
5answers
403 views
After chumashim with notes and Rashi, what's the next torah commentary I should acquire and study?
When I read the torah text (parsha or otherwise) I currently use a couple of chumashim with notes, and Rashi. I know some Hebrew but am not fluent. I'm ready to stretch beyond what I'm reading now ...
7
votes
1answer
129 views
When I wake up before Alot Hshachar and won't go back to sleep, what can/can't I do?
If I wake up early in the morning, like any time from 2am to 6am, before Alot Hashachar, and I'm pretty sure I'll start my day and not go back to sleep, at least not before a possible afternoon nap, ...
6
votes
6answers
219 views
Saying words of prayer or Torah while an immodest photo or drawing is in your field of vision?
The halachah is clear (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 75) that one may not recite Shema, or any other words of Torah or prayer, while in the presence of parts of the human body that should be covered.
...
5
votes
4answers
345 views
Proper Way of Learning Jewish Mysticism
I have been very much interested in learning the core teachings of mysticism since I was a young boy. I didn't know that it was called Jewish mysticism but nonetheless I was attracted to its beliefs ...
15
votes
1answer
159 views
Saying Hashem's name when studying
I learned somewhere that when you are learning, if you are going to read an entire pasuk without interruption you can say Hashem's name, however if you are going to only say part of the pasuk (for ...
13
votes
4answers
815 views
Which passages comprise the classic Tikkun Leil Shavuot?
As we count down to Shavuot, I find myself wondering:
[First, some background for those who don't know what a Tikkun Leil Shavuot is]
According to tradition, we overslept the morning of Matan Torah ...
11
votes
1answer
176 views
Where did the sing-song chant that Jews often use while contrasting points come from?
I am having a very hard time coming up with a good way to describe the phenomenon that I am thinking of, but many people will recognize it. I am talking about the kind of singing rhythm that people ...
10
votes
5answers
180 views
Meaning of ודו"ק
It is fairly common to find the abbreviation ודו"ק at the end of a complex explanation of a Torah thought (Maharsha, for example, famously does this very often). Roughly, it means: "I didn't explain ...
9
votes
2answers
93 views
Why doesn't saying the sh'ma satisfy torah-reading requirements?
According to this answer to a related question, the g'mara on Bava Kamma 82a requires reading torah at least every three days because we should never go longer than that without words of torah.
But ...
8
votes
3answers
127 views
How does Hillel's answer summarize the whole Torah?
In Shabbos 31a, Hillel addresses a potential convert who asks him to summarize the whole Torah, and he says, "What is hateful to you, do not do to others."
This is a nice d'var Torah, but it seems to ...
8
votes
2answers
142 views
Can you learn during chazarat hashatz?
Are you allowed to learn Torah silently during the chazzan's repetition of Shmonah Esrei?
(This is a case where you are davening with that minyan.)
8
votes
3answers
194 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 ...
8
votes
2answers
330 views
Starting a Jewish Library
What Jewish Religious books should one consider when starting a Jewish Library in their home? A set of Shas (Talmud)and the Shulchan Orech (Code of Jewish Law) are the obvious ones, What else should ...
7
votes
5answers
162 views
Meforashim and Poskim on Mas. 'Avodah Zarah and forming a curriculum
A friend and I have decided to start learning Mas. 'Avodah Zarah. Our goal, however, is not to just pick a random Masechta of Gemara and learn it with the commentaries on the Daf. Our actual goal is ...
7
votes
1answer
67 views
Getting a late start on being Maavir Sedra for the year
I remember hearing when I was younger that ואלה שמות - is Roshei Teivos V'Chayav A'dam L'haavir H'sedra S'htayim M'ikra V'echod T'argum.
If someone who has not been Maavir Sedra so far this year is ...
6
votes
2answers
161 views
Is Listening to a Torah Tape considered Talmud Torah?
It says in the Baal HaTanya's Hilchos Talmud Torah that one fulfills his obligation to learn Torah only if he says the words. Moreover, a Chavrusa fulfills his obligation only because Shomeya Keoneh.
...
5
votes
2answers
164 views
Is it permitted to learn in kollel without earning a living?
Based on this post which states in part:
Ramoh in Yoreh Deah, 246:21
“A person should hire himself out for alien work rather than requiring assistance from others”; “The man who is ...
5
votes
2answers
80 views
Can Sforim be used as a shtender?
Is it ok to place the sefer that you're learning from slanted on top of another sefer/sforim - sort of like a shtender or is is this considered to be a zilzul (disrespectful) to the sforim?
5
votes
3answers
106 views
Does attending a regular shiur take precedence over leading the prayers on a Yahrzeit?
It is a widespread custom to lead the prayers (daven from the amud) on the anniversary of a parent’s death (yahrzeit).
Suppose that if I do this for a service on the yahrzeit of a parent it will ...
5
votes
1answer
166 views
Learning Kabbalah from other students of the Arizal?
It says in Sforim that one shouldn't learn Kabbalah from any of the students of the Arizal except for R' Chaim Vital (as they didn't understand the Arizal properly).
I have never seen such a worry ...
5
votes
2answers
139 views
Science of the Rishonim on “celestial spheres”
In the writings of the Rishonim, it is not uncommon to see explanations of pesukim or of aggadic concepts using the "celestial spheres" model of the universe. The Rambam in particular uses the idea ...
5
votes
2answers
201 views
What Mikraos Gedolos has the most meforshim?
What sefer (prob Mikraos Gedolos) has the most meforshim in it?
5
votes
2answers
101 views
Is Mi Yodeya helpful?
Does anyone here feel that this site is helpful? I do, but is it Bitul Torah? Because you could always go look up the answer in a sefer and get more schar.
4
votes
5answers
188 views
If you can only choose one which way should you learn, bekiyus or beiyun?
If you can only choose one, which way should you learn, bekiyus (learning quickly on a more superficial level to cover ground) or beiyun (slower, more in depth study)?
As a reminder, answers on ...
4
votes
0answers
78 views
Kevias Ittim Vs. the General Mitzva of Talmud Torah
The basic mitzva of learning Torah can be fulfilled minimally with Kerias Shema. This comes from a Gemara in Menachos (99b) which goes through several conflicting interpretations of the verse in ...
4
votes
2answers
139 views
Divrei torah written by a heretic
What is the status of divrei Torah written by someone who does not believe in the oral Torah? Does it retain any sanctity? Should it be burt or buried?
3
votes
0answers
70 views
Answering someone's questions
It says in Kedushin Daf 30:
תנו רבנן ושננתם שיהו דברי תורה מחודדים בפיך שאם ישאל לך אדם דבר אל
תגמגם ותאמר לו אלא אמור לו מיד שנאמר אמור אמור לחכמה אחותי את וגו
Chazal are telling us that one ...
3
votes
2answers
97 views
Difference between Yegiah and Hipus
The Gemara in Megila 6b says that if someone tells you that they understood a piece of Torah and they didn't work hard for it you shouldn't believe them.
The Ramha"l says in the Hakdama to his magnum ...
3
votes
3answers
152 views
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0answers
36 views
Why does 'sharpening' depend on effort, and memorization on divine assistance?
The Bavli, M'gila 6 amud 2:
ואמר ר׳ יצחק אם יאמר לך אדם יגעתי ולא מצאתי אל תאמן לא יגעתי ומצאתי אל תאמן יגעתי ומצאתי תאמן הני מילי בדברי תורה אבל במשא ומתן סייעתא הוא מן שמיא ולדברי תורה לא אמרן ...
2
votes
5answers
646 views
List of Number of Mishnayos by chapter / masechta
I'm looking for a list that enumerates the number of Mishnayos in each perek, as well as totals by masechta. Does anyone here know of such a list (or have the ability to quickly produce one)?
