The torah-study tag has no wiki summary.
10
votes
2answers
164 views
+100
Satmar Derech Halimud
I was curious as to what the Derech Halimud (learning style) is for Satmar Chassidim. I understand that the general Chassidish Derech (Chassidic style) is one that moves at a quicker pace with not as ...
2
votes
1answer
101 views
Why is semicha specifically to ordain a Rabbi to give psak?
Was the original process of semicha merely intended to provide reliable decisors of halacha only?
Nowadays can a Rav get semicha in Tanach or Talmud (for example)? Since, perhaps, these days the ...
3
votes
1answer
59 views
What is the importance of Chiddush?
I have long taken for granted that it is important to be m'chadesh chiddush (compose new and novel torah insights). However, I realize I have no source for that notion. Is there any source which ...
6
votes
2answers
115 views
Source for the concept of learning 1 hour on Shabbat is like 1000 during the week?
There is a Benayahu on Taanit 11a I think that may hint to this, but not clear enough. Is there an actual source for "1 hour learning on shabbat is like 1000 hours during the week"?
10
votes
3answers
175 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.)
-1
votes
0answers
17 views
People learning during חזרת השץ? [duplicate]
If the whole purpose of repeating shemonah Esrei is for the people who don't Daven so they can say amen and be yotzei through the Chazan, so then how come so many people and even rebbeim will pull out ...
3
votes
2answers
48 views
Why were there no Jewish philosophy tracts until the Rasag?
Jews had their first bump into philosophy when Alexander the Great conquered Israel (in the early Tanaic period). Since then, we lived under the Greeks and Romans for a few hundred years. Both of ...
2
votes
0answers
26 views
What lesson do we learn from Abraham paying money for the Cave of Machpelah?
In Genesis, we see that Abraham makes Ephron accept money for the Cave of Machpelah in order to bury Sarah. He is offered the cave for free, but insists on paying the full price. This sort of story ...
0
votes
2answers
188 views
How do we reconcile the order of creating animals betweeen Genesis and science?
http://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/6932/does-the-torah-encoded-age-of-the-universe-match-science#comment53788_6932
The Genesis 1 creation account conflicts with the order of events that ...
2
votes
1answer
60 views
learning non-jewish topics as a creative process
Is 'learning' non-Jewish topics a prohibited creative process on Shabbat? If so, on what grounds is learning Tanakh exempted? I read that the study non-Jewish subjects is banned or frowned upon, and I ...
5
votes
1answer
92 views
Does torah study refine one's character?
I have met some torah scholars who appear to be learning quite a bit, yet their character traits appear to be in the lacking.
Is torah study supposed to refine one's character? If so, how can we ...
13
votes
4answers
823 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 ...
9
votes
0answers
79 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 ...
12
votes
4answers
624 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?
5
votes
2answers
183 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 ...
8
votes
3answers
141 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 ...
16
votes
6answers
627 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
100 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 ...
4
votes
5answers
192 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 ...
2
votes
0answers
38 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
2answers
57 views
Why don't merchants have torah, according to R. Yochanan?
The g'mara on Eiruvin 55a, expounding "it is not in heaven...nor across the sea" (D'varim 30:12-13), says (Soncinco translation):
Raba expounded, It is not in heaven, it is not to be found with ...
3
votes
5answers
116 views
References for learning Aggada
I often run into aggadic passages in the Talmud, and would like to get a list of references beyond the standard 4 (Ein Yaakov, Maharsha, Benayahu/Ben Yehoyada and the Chiddushei Aggados of the ...
5
votes
4answers
348 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 ...
11
votes
1answer
193 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 ...
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?
2
votes
5answers
749 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)?
0
votes
0answers
14 views
Numbered breakdown of Mishnayos? [duplicate]
I'm setting up a daily learning schedule of Mishnayos. I need to find a summary of all masechtos, and how many mishnayos are in each chapter. A simple Google failed to yield any such listing.
...
5
votes
1answer
126 views
“Rabbi, teach me something new”
Throughout the Talmud* there are launch-pad stories of sages being asked by their students and even their peers to teach them something they've never been taught before or else something that was ...
4
votes
2answers
131 views
Exercises to prevent eyes tiring
It often happens to me that after learning the whole day and reading lots of text especially with small letters I feel my eyes very tired. Who knows good set of exercises that don't takes lot of time, ...
6
votes
3answers
125 views
Sources discussing paying for Torah education
I am looking for sources that discuss the idea of paying tuition money ("schar limud") towards obtaining a Torah education. Topics of interest include: The importance of paying tuition for Torah; ...
2
votes
1answer
81 views
What is the reason that you are not allowed to learn Torah shebictav at night?
I saw in some books (Rav Belsky, Arizal) that you are not allowed to learn torah Shebictav at night without mefarshim. Why is that?
2
votes
1answer
88 views
Learning Torah without understanding
The Magen Avraham in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim Siman 50 Sif-Katan 2 writes that learning (Torah) is only called "learning" if one understands what they learn (see there for the context in which he ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Does a Rov have to answer a question?
In the past I asked what responsibility does a person have to look up and investigate an answer to a question that he wasn't able to answer.
I'd now like to ask a similar question with a few points.
...
1
vote
1answer
115 views
Listening to Music during learning
Is there any "chisaran" (is there something "lacking") in one's fulfillment of the Mitzvah of Talmud Torah if they listen to soft, slow paced, instrumental music (no vocals or lyrics) while learning ...
3
votes
0answers
73 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
3answers
95 views
Saying Rishonim or Achronim were “wrong”
Pepole are very careful (and rightfully so) to say when they don't understand the words of the Achronim or Rishonim to not say they are/were "wrong". But rather to say "I don't understand what he ...
3
votes
0answers
23 views
Proof from Mishneh that Hilchos Chol HaMoed is M'd'rabbanan
If one looks into the Tur and Beis Yosef at the beginning of Hilchos Chol HaMoed in Simana 630 you will find a big maklokes rishonim if malacha on Chol HaMoed is an issur d'oraisa, d'rabbanan, or ...
4
votes
1answer
64 views
Hebrew of the Mishneh Torah
In what type of Hebrew did Rambam write the Mishneh Torah?
I just started to learn Biblical Hebrew and when I have learned basics I will start to read Pentateuch in Hebrew with some help The next ...
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
127 views
Did the Jews in the Midbar know the entire Torah?
The G'mara in Y'vamos (ד) and B'rachos (כא) records a dispute over whether laws can be deduced from the fact of two p'sukim appearing adjacent to one another in the Torah.
The Mahara"tz Chayos ...
7
votes
1answer
106 views
Up part of the night on Shavuos
As described by Stephanie Hegarty for the BBC, Roger Ekirch, an historian, has evidence — and is convinced — that people used to have
a first sleep which began about two hours after dusk, followed ...
2
votes
2answers
74 views
Source for starting one limmud after finishing another
What is the source for starting a new limmud (learning) immediately after finishing the previous one? For example After finishing one mesechta I have seen people immediately start the next one, even ...
0
votes
2answers
80 views
What are the earliest sources of Oral Law irrespective of Jewish denomination like Kariate Samaritan etc
I read Oral laws were forbidden to be written down by MOses and then due to a threat people started to write it down , Hence curious to know which is the first manuscript on Oral law , most probably ...
-6
votes
2answers
276 views
How is it possible for Muslims to be classified as Gentiles even if they Don't deem Torah to be corrupt and have Abrahimic Lineage?
Muslims don't believe Torah to be corrupt nor do they deny the Torah and it is considered in the six articles of faith to believe in all revealed scriptures like Torah, Psalms etc . Also Muslim share ...
8
votes
2answers
117 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 ...
9
votes
3answers
300 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 ...
-5
votes
1answer
58 views
What is the meaning of Adultery in this verse
God uses the word 'Adultery' for indulging in idolatry in the verse below Jeremiah 3:8-9:,
emphasis added to show Adultery with Idols
8 And I saw, when, forasmuch as backsliding Israel had ...
8
votes
2answers
114 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
36 views
What is the origin of learning Talmud daf yomi?
These days, it is the practice of many to learn a folio of the Vilna printing of the Talmud each day. Where did this custom come from? When?
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 ...
