The torah-study tag has no wiki summary.
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 ...
7
votes
1answer
133 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, ...
4
votes
1answer
344 views
Does anyone know any information about Mifal Hashas?
Does anyone here have any information about Mifal Hashas or Dirshu?
What is the learning material?
When and where are tests?
How much do they give?
What kinds of tests are they (multiple choice, ...
3
votes
1answer
96 views
Sharpening Shechita Knife on Chol HaMoaed
May one that is learning Hilchos Shechita sharpen the knife that he uses for shechitah on chol hamoed for the purpose of practicing how to sharpen it and make sure it's kosher for shechitah (and not ...
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 ...
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 ...
6
votes
0answers
81 views
Chatzi LaHashem
I've been having this discussion with my friends and family about the Halacha of dividing Yom Tov into Chatzi LaHashem (half of the day devoted to prayer and learning) and Chatzi Lachem (half of the ...
5
votes
0answers
72 views
Thinking about Purim Torah in the bathroom
It is not permitted to think about Torah in the bathroom regularly, but what about Purim Torah, which is certainly not real Torah study, but still often refers to actual Torah?
One might think that ...
5
votes
0answers
89 views
Was the Chasam Sofer known for having an interesting way of learning?
I have a lot of experience learning Gemara and find myself oft dealing with the views of the Achronim to understand the Pshat in Rishonim. Unfortunately, I have inside me a slight aversion to the ...
5
votes
0answers
50 views
How does a recent bar mitzva “complete the weekly portion with the community”
When a person becomes bar mitva during the year, 98% of the time the community has already read 1 or even 50 weekly portions.
Does the bar mitzva need to make up those portions?
Would it matter if ...
4
votes
0answers
55 views
Source for mid winter vacation
I have heard that there is a Sefer published 300-400 years ago which indicates that the (Melamdim) Torah teachers would be off on Chamisha Asar B'Shevat in order to rejuvenate. Anyone know where this ...
4
votes
0answers
87 views
Learning b'iyun vs. b'qius
When I was in yeshiva, I heard a story that I wouldn't mind having verified. Apparantly, two individuals once argued over whether b'iyun (בעיון; "in-depth", commentary-focused) learning or b'qius ...
4
votes
0answers
96 views
using this website on tisha b'av?
It is known that one's not allowed to learn on tisha b'av; what is the halachic status of using this site on tisha b'av?
4
votes
0answers
80 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 ...
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
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 ...
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 ...
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
0answers
52 views
Bringing merit to the public
Have seen contradictory information regarding the reward for someone who brings merit to the public.
On one hand, I've heard Rabbis say that one who causes another to learn torah also gets the reward ...
2
votes
0answers
67 views
Saying Divrei Torah by a Seudah — also for Women?
There is a mitzvah of saying Divrei Torah at a Seudah (meal). The rule says that any table that didn't have Divrei Torah said on it is as if someone ate from "Zivchei Masim" ("sacrifices to the ...
1
vote
0answers
77 views
Learning Gittin a segulah for a good marriage?
I have heard that there is a segulah to learn the halachos of gittin or gemarah gittin to ensure shalom bayis and a good marriage. Has anyone heard of such a thing? Do you have a source for this ...
1
vote
0answers
81 views
Has anyone since Rashbi been considered so regularly involved in Torah study so as to be exempt from prayer?
In SA OC Siman 106 Sif 2, the Machaber says that someone that for whom "Toraso Umanaso" ("his torah is his occupation", ie a person that is constantly engaged in Torah study) like Rebbe Shimon Bar ...
1
vote
0answers
92 views
What was the earliest use of the Rambam's language in Shmita V'Yovel in support of kollel study?
Here's the Rambam, waxing poetic at the end of Laws of Shmita and Yovel (and his entire volume of Zeraim):
ולא שבט לוי בלבד, אלא כל איש ואיש מכל באי העולם אשר נדבה רוחו אותו והבינו מדעו להיבדל ...
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.
...
0
votes
0answers
45 views
Who is greater than whom?
From the fact that Levi was in Bavel, Rav derived that R' Efes passed away.
He derived it like this:
After Rebbi passed away, R' Efes took over Rebbi's position. Rav Chanina was equal (or greater) ...
