The torah-study tag has no wiki summary.
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 ...
17
votes
5answers
400 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
14
votes
8answers
2k views
Is there a short Daf Yomi shiur online in English?
There is a short, 10-minute daf yomi shiur in Hebrew here: http://www.sinai.org.il/ and I was wondering if there is anything comparable in English. I'm looking for a Daf Yomi shiur online that is ...
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 ...
13
votes
4answers
813 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 ...
13
votes
1answer
192 views
Why are these tractates, “Yeshivish Mesechtos”?
There is a cycle of tractates in the Talmud that are learned in Yeshiva each year. This is an exclusive list, where only a small number of volumes are covered in the curriculum.
There must be some ...
13
votes
1answer
96 views
Is the hadran a shevua?
When you say the hadran after finishing a mesechta are you making a promise to do so? Should you omit the hadran if you have no plans of ever returning to study that gemara again?
13
votes
2answers
148 views
What happened to the Yeshivas Shem v'Aiver?
What happened to the Yeshiva of Shem v'Aiver and all who learnt there?
12
votes
6answers
861 views
Is it muttar to whistle?
Is it allowed for a Jew to whistle? If yes, is it even allowed on Shabbos? If no, why not? Has anyone ever heard that if one whistles at night, that it attracts sheidim and mazikin?
And what are the ...
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?
11
votes
8answers
957 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 - - - ...
11
votes
1answer
119 views
By using judaism.stackexchange am I fulfilling the mitzvoh of learning Torah?
To what extent can using judaism.stackexchange in the following ways be considered fulfilling the mitzvoh of learning Torah?
Reading posts
Posing questions
Researching answers
Other
11
votes
1answer
175 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
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. ...
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 ...
10
votes
3answers
250 views
Why in judaism - when discussing the Torah - do I see a lot of answers referring to writings of different Rabbis?
Sorry for the simpleness of this question. I've been trying to study the Torah as much as possible. I do not know Hebrew (though I'd truly like to and would appreciate any advice on how to get ...
10
votes
2answers
80 views
How do we understand the idea of something missing from the mishnah חסורי מיחסרא והכי קתני?
The gemoro often reconciles the argument of a mishnah with other evidence by saying
חסורי מיחסרא והכי קתני - there is something missing from the mishnah and this is how you must learn it. See for ...
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 ...
9
votes
3answers
290 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 ...
9
votes
4answers
166 views
Getting a head start on Shnayim Mikra
(Inspired by this question)
Can one get a head start on Shnayim Mikra? Would it count if someone either started early (perhaps during the weeks with no Sedra in Tishrei), or just had some spare time ...
9
votes
2answers
200 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, ...
9
votes
3answers
473 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 ...
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 ...
9
votes
1answer
129 views
How does Judaism regard homeschooling?
The title quite says it. I'm specifically more interested in unschooling....
It is said in Ktubot, 50:b, that:
אמר רב יצחק באושא התקינו שיהא אדם מתגלגל עם בנו עד שתים עשרה שנה מכאן
ואילך יורד ...
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 ...
8
votes
3answers
158 views
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
3answers
267 views
Are women forbidden from Teaching Gemara\Talmud?
Assuming that women are allowed to learn Gemara\Talmud\Torah she-Ba'al Peh, are they still forbidden from teaching it to others (either men or women)?
Textual sources for (either references or links) ...
8
votes
3answers
175 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?
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
1answer
72 views
The midos by which the Torah is expounded. Rabbi Eliezer the son of Rabbi Yosi haGelili's are not in the siddur. Rabbi Yishmoel's are. Why?
Rashi on Braishis 2(8) refers to the 32 midos of Rabbi Eliezer the son of Rabbi Yosi haGelili by which the Torah is expounded. These are less familiar than the 13 of Rabbi Yishmoel that we say every ...
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 ...
8
votes
2answers
70 views
Why 30 days of preparation for a חג
Why exactly 30 days to review the laws of the upcoming holidays? Is there anything about the number 30 that makes it significant?
8
votes
3answers
193 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
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
105 views
How were girls educated during the Talmudic era?
According to the Encyclopedia of Children and Childhood in History and Society's article on Judaism:
Owing to the primacy of ritual in traditional Judaism, instruction of children focused on the ...
8
votes
2answers
116 views
Obligation of community to support those who study Torah?
Is the community obligated to support financially those who study Torah all day long? Is one allowed to request such support from the community based on his choice to study full-day and not make a ...
8
votes
2answers
104 views
What are some good resources for finding the meaning of unfamiliar Hebrew and Aramaic words in Acharonim?
I have no trouble using Jastrow for Tanach and Shas but I find it difficult to apply to Acharonim. How might I use it more effectively? Are there peculiarities of grammar I'm missing?
For a few ...
8
votes
2answers
150 views
If two separate studies intersect, is it a good sign?
There is an expression that I have always heard, which is that when two separate Torah studies one is learning happen to reference each other, it is a good sign. A variant of this that I've heard is ...
8
votes
2answers
112 views
What was the attitude of Rabbonim regarding Purim Torah?
Purim Torah seems to be a two sided concept. On one hand, many people do it for many years (for example, Maseches Purim was published in 1871).
On the other hand, it seems to be a Bizayon HaTorah ...
8
votes
0answers
68 views
Non-Ashkenazic Talmud-learning tune
I am very familiar with a particular Ashkenazi yeshivish tune for Talmud learning. This is well-described in the linked question as:
[T]he kind of singing rhythm that people use when contrasting ...
7
votes
6answers
197 views
What do people mean when they say “Kaballah”?
I recently spoke to someone who said she was interested in learning Kabbala but could not find any classes. I mentioned to her she may want to try learning Tanya because there is a lot of Kabbala in ...
7
votes
10answers
273 views
Best Site for Reading/Listening to Great Divrei Torah
What are some good sites for Divrei Torah, and what are the strengths of each?
7
votes
7answers
192 views
Beginner on Rav Soloveitchik
I am looking to delve into the teachings of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik (1903-1993). Any recommendations on a good starting point?
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
2answers
126 views
Talking to objects and Avoda Zara
This question inspired by This question here at programmers.se
There is a concept in some programing circles called "Rubber Ducking", where one expresses a problem to a rubber ducky and through that ...
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 ...
7
votes
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 ...
