Questions tagged [abraham]
First of the Patriarchs אברהם
115
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What would qualify a Sedomite as a “righteous person”?
In Genesis 18:23-33, Avraham pleads with God to spare Sedom from the destruction it had earned through its wicked institutionalized cruelty. Eventually, Avraham extracts an agreement from God that the ...
-1
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1answer
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“As many as the stars in the sky”- literally or analogically?
In bereishis 15:5 HaShem promises avraham that his descendants will be as many as the stars in the sky:
וַיּוֹצֵ֨א אֹת֜וֹ הַח֗וּצָה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הַבֶּט־נָ֣א הַשָּׁמַ֗יְמָה וּסְפֹר֙ הַכּ֣וֹכָבִ֔ים ...
3
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3answers
583 views
Why don't we have a weaning party like Avraham did?
וַיִּגְדַּל הַיֶּלֶד וַיִּגָּמַל וַיַּעַשׂ אַבְרָהָם מִשְׁתֶּה גָדוֹל בְּיוֹם הִגָּמֵל אֶת־יִצְחָק׃
The child [Itzchak] grew up and was weaned, and Abraham held a great feast on the day that ...
2
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1answer
269 views
Why is Abraham considered the “Founder of Judaism”?
Why is Abraham called 'the founder of Judaism' given that he didn't write its founding legislation, which is what 'founders' of other religions did (for example, Paul and Muhammed)? What place does ...
1
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1answer
59 views
Sources for what happened to Avraham’s Converts? [duplicate]
In Bereishis (12:5 and in Rashi) we see that Avraham converted people in Charan, and then took them with him to Kena’an.
Do we know what happened to them?
• When Avraham and Lot separated, who did ...
2
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3answers
49 views
If there were people before/during Avraham's life that recognised Hashem, why was Avraham chosen specifically?
We know that Shem lived during the life of Avraham Avinu, described as Malki Tzedek.
Why is Avraham considered the first to spread ethical monotheism (concluding in G-d choosing him) if it's known ...
3
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0answers
59 views
How come the Torah doesn't recount how Avraham and Sarah met?
We know how Yitzchak met Rivka, and how Yaakov met Rachel & Leah- but why doesn't the Torah tell us how Avraham and Sarah met?
If you want to say that it's because they weren't Jewish at the time ...
3
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2answers
80 views
(Why) did Sarah allow herself to be put in a compromising situation
Starting in Genesis 12:13 Avraham and Sarah deceive Pharaoh into thinking that Sarah was not married. It seems from the verses that Avraham and Sarah understood that if Pharaoh thought Sarah was ...
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In what manner / How, did Hashem appear to Avraham at Mamre? (Gen 18:1)
In what manner / How, did Hashem appear to Avraham at Mamre? (Gen 18:1)
We read in Gen 18:1 וַיֵּרָא אֵלָיו יְהוָה, בְּאֵלֹנֵי מַמְרֵא; וְהוּא יֹשֵׁב פֶּתַח-הָאֹהֶל, כְּחֹם הַיּוֹם.
And Hashem/The ...
2
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1answer
74 views
Did Hashem originally intend to have a connection with everyone?
Does it say anywhere that when Hashem created the world it was with the intention to have a connection with everyone, but because people sinned Hashem saw he could only have this intimate connection ...
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1answer
75 views
Source for Avraham failing his test at the Akeida?
In a recent interview on Times of Israel, Rabbi Nathan Lopez Cardozo says that he is of the opinion that Avraham failed his test at the Akeida:
I am of the opinion that Abraham, by being prepared ...
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1answer
87 views
Abraham circumcision?
As we know in our today's world, a sentence can be understood if the vocabulary of the words which are in that sentence is also already understood.
But if there is a vocabulary which is not already ...
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0answers
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Is the line of David known/documented? [duplicate]
Bear in mind, I have a background in Christianity, so my superficial knowledge of Judaism is at best base on the old testament. In the old testament David is told his line will result in the Messiah.
...
8
votes
1answer
868 views
Why Did God Directly Command Abraham to Sacrifice Isaac but Sent Angels to Stop Him?
Genesis 21:1-3 says that God “tested” Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice his son Isaac and that Abraham immediately (or almost immediately) followed the directions God provided. 21:9-17 says that ...
3
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0answers
56 views
Centrality of Jerusalem for forefathers and before Temple
I was having an argument about the centrality of Jerusalem in our tradition when I realized surprisingly, that, seemingly from the scriptures, Jerusalem wasn't so central for our forefathers at all.
...
5
votes
2answers
68 views
According to Rashi, how old was Avraham at B'rit Bein HaB'tarim?
Rashi to Shemot 12:40 says that B'rit Bein HaB'tarim took place thirty years before the birth of Yitzchak (when Avraham was one hundred years old), meaning that Avraham was seventy years old at the ...
17
votes
3answers
327 views
Why didn't Avraham argue with HaShem about sacrificing Yitzchak just like he argued with Him about destroying Sodom? [duplicate]
It's known that when Avraham found out that Hashem was going to destroy Sodom and the other cities, he fervently argued with Hashem to save them.
My question is: when Hashem told Avraham to sacrifice ...
6
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4answers
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Sources that Avraham Avinu personified Gemilas Chasodim
See this thread which discusses that Avraham Avinu used to make his guests pay exorbitant prices if they did not wish to bless Hashem for the food.
I am struggling to differentiate between a ...
8
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2answers
692 views
Is it sourced that Avrohom Avinu charged his guests payment if they did not make a Brachah?
The Gemara in Soitah (10a I think) says that Avrohom used to tell people not to thank him, but rather to thank Hashem for the food that they ate.
I seem to remember learning once that if they refused,...
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1answer
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Angels Frequently Visiting Avraham
Rashi (Bereishis 16:13) notes that Hagar wasn't frightened to see angels because she normally saw angels frequenting Avraham's household:
לְשׁוֹן תֵּמַהּ; וְכִי סְבוּרָה הָיִיתִי שֶׁאַף הֲלוֹם ...
6
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0answers
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Is Nehemiah's description of Abraham's events out of order?
In Nechemia 9, we read a recap of God's interaction with Avraham:
אֲשֶׁ֤ר בָּחַ֙רְתָּ֙ בְּאַבְרָ֔ם וְהוֹצֵאת֖וֹ מֵא֣וּר כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים וְשַׂ֥מְתָּ שְּׁמ֖וֹ אַבְרָהָֽם׃
וּמָצָ֣אתָ אֶת־לְבָבוֹ֮ ...
2
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1answer
74 views
Where, and what, is Elonei Mamre? And who is Mamre?
In Sefer Bereshit (specifically Parshat Lech Lecha, Vayera, and Chayei Sarah) the is a place called Elonei Mamre. This is usually translated something along the lines of "the trees of Mamre."
Where/...
7
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2answers
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Hashem's inconsistent responses about Sedom
In parshas Vayeira there is a whole back-and-forth between Hashem and Avraham. Each time Avraham pleaded to save everyone if a certain number of righteous individuals would be found. Each time Hashem ...
6
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2answers
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Why does the Torah mention that Lot went with Avram twice?
Why does the Torah in Parshas Lech Lecha feel the need to say "vayeilech ito Lot", and Lot went with him (Avram)? The very next passuk tells us how Avram took Sarai his wife, Lot his nephew, and so ...
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Uncomfortable Discussions Around Guests
Why doesn't Avraham wait until escorting the angelic "men" out of the tent before having the conversation with Sarah about "laughing" - the pesukim (Bereishis 18:15-16) follow one after the other.
...
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0answers
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Avraham's Strange Happiness to Death?
Since והיה generally refers to something not bad,
Vayikra Rabba (11:7) - כל מקום שנאמר ויהי אין שמחה והיה אין צרה
why does Avraham use the word to start the following potentially tragic ...
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0answers
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Avraham Kosher for Pesach Mustard [duplicate]
Seeing that Avraham served the angels mustard on Pesach (Bava Metzia 86b),
ולמה לי תלתא תסגי בחד אמר רב חנן בר רבא כדי להאכילן שלש לשונות בחרדל
אמר רבי תנחום בר חנילאי לעולם אל ישנה אדם מן המנהג ...
0
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1answer
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Avraham's first prophecy
Parshas Lech Lecha has the first record of Hashem communicating with Avraham (Genesis 12:1):
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ אֶל־...
3
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1answer
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In what way was the test of לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ greater than the test of א֣וּר כַּשְׂדִּ֗ים?
I assume that Avrohom's tests increased in difficulty.
The first test was whether or not to go into the furnace.
The test of leaving his birthplace has to be more difficult.
HKB”H made three ...
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1answer
107 views
How did Abraham perform brit milah?
Abraham (around 1800 BC) performed circumcision.
At that period, what tool must he have used to do that?
Also, Genesis 18:7-8 says he cooked a calf. What tool must he have used to kill the calf at ...
6
votes
3answers
739 views
What does the Hebrew for Genesis 17:1 suggest was being told to Abraham?
I am curious about the wording of Genesis 17:1. When Abraham was told to "walk before me," was there a specific context implied? Why not use "walk with me" or "follow thou me"?
I was studying using ...
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0answers
52 views
Why did the angel who destroyed Sodom have to visit Avraham? [duplicate]
רש"י בראשית \ וירא יח,ב
והנה שלשה אנשים אֶחָד לְבַשֵׂר אֶת שָׂרָה וְאֶחָד לַהֲפֹךְ אֶת סְדוֹם וְאֶחָד לְרַפְּאוֹת אֶת אַבְרָהָם, ... וּרְפָאֵל שֶׁרִפָּא אֶת אַבְרָהָם הָלַךְ מִשָּׁם לְהַצִּיל אֶת ...
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0answers
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Maybe Avraham didn't do the mitzvah of milah earlier because his mitzvah was to do it at 99 years old?
There is a famous question asked: Since Avraham Avinu observed all the mitzvos of his own accord, (kedushin 82a, Yevamos 28b) Why did he not circumcise himself before Hashem commanded him to at the ...
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2answers
69 views
Why is Milah considered Avraham's first Mitzvah. Why not Lech-Lecha?
(בראשית כד ב)
שים נא ידך תחת ירכי
ופירש רש"י תחת ירכי לְפִי שֶׁהַנִּשְׁבָּע צָרִיךְ שֶׁיִּטוֹל בְּיָדוֹ חֵפֶץ שֶׁל מִצְוָה, כְּגוֹן סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה, אוֹ תְּפִילִין (שבועות ל"ח), וְהַמִּילָה הָיְתָה ...
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2answers
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If a convert is already a descendant of Abraham, does he become Ben Avraham Avinu?
A convert is considered to be the child of Abraham when called up to the Torah - ben Avraham Avinu.
Does this still apply if the convert was born as a non-Jewish paternal descendant of Abraham? For ...
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2answers
1k views
Are there any Jewish traditions that can place Abraham in the location of present day Mecca? [closed]
The Quran states...
And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) and (his son) Isma'il (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah), (saying), "Our Lord! Accept (this service)...
6
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1answer
132 views
“If eight couldn't save the world, certainly eight couldn't save one city.” Why not?
Rashi to Bereishis 18:32, explaining why Avraham only bargained for 10 and no less:
אָמַר דוֹר הַמַּבּוּל הָיוּ ח', נֹחַ וּבָנָיו וּנְשֵׁיהֶם, וְלֹא הִצִּילוּ עַל דּוֹרָם; וְעַל ט' עַל יְדֵי צֵרוּף ...
2
votes
1answer
114 views
How old was Avraham when Nimrod threw him into the fire in Ur Kasdim?
Rashi, the Midrash Rabbah, and many others mention the story of Avraham being thrown into a fiery furnace by Nimrod for refusing to worship Avoda Zara and being miraculously saved. I've spent a while ...
5
votes
1answer
321 views
Was Hagar Abraham's second wife or his pilegesh?
In Genesis 16:3 it is written:
"So Sarai, Abraham's wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her handmaid, at the end of ten years of Abraham's dwelling in the land of Canaan, and she gave her to Abraham her ...
5
votes
3answers
96 views
Yishmael is the corruption of chesed
I once heard the following idea, and I'm wondering what is the source for it.
Avraham was the pillar of chesed. His son Yishmael was rejected as being part of the Jewish people. Chazal say that ...
7
votes
2answers
108 views
Did Avraham learn Lot's fate? [duplicate]
In Bereishit 14 Avraham rescues Lot after the battle of the four kings and the five kings. At this time Lot is living in S'dom, and it seems reasonable that Avraham knows that. (Lot was captured ...
1
vote
2answers
226 views
Is it required for observant Jews to not associate with one who has rejected Judaism?
I have observed that Orthodox Jews seem to withdraw from those who were once "frum" (observant) but are now secular. Are they obligated to do so?
How are we to understand the parable in which God ...
11
votes
1answer
228 views
Who owns the Cave of Machpelah today?
In Genesis 23, Abraham purchased the Cave of Machpelah from Efron the Hittite. Several generations of Abraham's family were buried there, although eventually new burials ceased.
According to Jewish ...
5
votes
2answers
394 views
Did Avraham Avinu really have a daughter named Bakol?
I heard that Avraham Avinu had a daughter named Bakol. But in the Biblical narrative, there is no mention of a daughter to Avraham, only a son, Yitzchak, whom we all know well.
Did Avraham really ...
4
votes
2answers
132 views
Was Avrohom really born in 1948?
I have always been told that Avrohom Ovinu was born 1948 years after Odom was created. I recently thought I would add up the relevant figures in Sidra Bereisis and Sidra Noach to see what number I ...
3
votes
1answer
96 views
Connection Between Going to Canaan and Becoming a Great Nation
In Genesis (12:1-2) God tells Avraham to go to the land he would show him [Canaan] and that he would make him a great nation:
לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ אֶל־...
6
votes
1answer
138 views
Why identified by the name Og?
Although the Midrash Bereshis Rabbah (42:8) records the story behind the origin of Og's name:
וַיָּבֹא הַפָּלִיט (בראשית יד, יג), רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ בְּשֵׁם בַּר
קַפָּרָא הוּא עוֹג הוּא פָּלִיט, ...
2
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1answer
65 views
Why was it that Lot and the place he fleed to were saved from the destruction of Sodom and Gemorah?
Bereshit 12:4 Lot went with him (Avraham).. 13:1 Lot with him (Avraham).. 13:5 And Lot also, who went with Avram..
After these points Lot goes on a seperate way from Avraham, but HaShem still shows ...
0
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0answers
24 views
Avraham Adon shel Sarah?
Why does Sarah refers to Avraham as אדני Adoni (Genesis 18:12)? Why not say Ishi אישי or Ba'ali בעלי if she is refering to him as her husband? Why would she call him her master/lord?
2
votes
2answers
597 views
How many descendants did Abraham give rise to?
In Genesis 22 there is a divine oath that seems to suggest that Abraham's descendants will be way more numerous than has yet been realize:
Berean Study Bible Genesis 22: 16 and said, "By Myself I ...
