Shemona Ve'arba'im Umatayim - mi yodeya?

Question

Who knows two hundred forty-eight?

Please cite/link your sources, if possible. At some point at least twenty-four hours from now, I will:

• Upvote all answers I consider relevant and interesting.

• Accept the what I think is the "best" answer.

• Go on to the next number.

The Race to Ramach starts now.

Answer 1

Hashem examined each word of the Tora 248 times before putting it in the Tora (whatever that means), corresponding to the 248 evarim (bones or something) of a person (source), which in turn correspond to the 248 words of sh'ma (source) and mitzvos ase (positive commands).

Answer 2

Number of sidereal months it takes for the moon to begin its draconic month at the same sidereal time corresponding to 248 positive commandments, while 365 days in a solar sidreal year correspond to the 365 negative commandments. (Source)

Answer 3

אברהם = 248 and is mentioned 175 times in Tanach, which is the amount of years he lived.

248 = במדבר

Answer 4

The last three words in Shema are repeated, so as to bring the number up to 248. see here.

Answer 5

The verb עשה is used 248 times in connection with construction of the mishkan, from Sh'mos 25:8 through 39:43 (exclusive of 32:1 through 33:5, which are about the egel), according to Tol'dos Yitzchak (commentary of Rav Yitzchak Karo, uncle of the Bes Yosef) to 39:43.

Answer 6

Off-topic, but: The number of passengers aboard Air France flight 139, June 27, 1976, is given variously as 246 and 248.