Questions tagged [agada-stories-legends]
Questions about the understanding and interpreting of the story-like content found in the Talmud and Midrash
145
questions
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0answers
43 views
Story about a shepherd who prays to God but not using traditional prayers?
I'm looking for the story about a shepherd who prayed to G-d using only his own prayers. When a rabbi heard him praying one day he decided to teach him to pray using only traditional Jewish prayers. ...
2
votes
1answer
100 views
Berachot 3a - Verb choices regarding Temple destruction
Pesikta Rabasi (28 mid.) suggests that there are two aspects of the Temple. An upper [spiritual] one and a lower [physical] one.
אחריבנו אמר רבי תחליפא בר קרויה באותה שעה נכנסו כל מלאכי השרת ועמדו ...
6
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0answers
67 views
Where does Rabbeinu Tam discuss the “aspaklaria ha-meira”?
In Bernard-Henri Levy's book, "The Genius of Judaism", on p222-3, the author describes what appears to be the discussion in the gemara in Yevamot 49b about Moshe's level of prophecy. He says that ...
0
votes
1answer
70 views
Source for electricity in the times of the Talmud?
Many years ago I was told a story about an Amorah (Talmudic sage) who had an electric lamp, and when discovered said something along the lines of, the world isn't ready for this yet.
I'm looking for ...
2
votes
1answer
121 views
Is one allowed to publicize stories about Rabbis without asking them first?
THe approach of learning Halochos or Middos or behaviors from observing Tzaddikim's behavior alone is very common in our literature and is even rooted in Gemmorah (Brochos 62):
תניא אמר רבי עקיבא ...
4
votes
0answers
42 views
Is weeping at death a bad omen (סימן רע) or not?
The Talmud (Kesubos 103a; see Avos Rebbi Nason 25:2) says:
מת מתוך השחוק סימן יפה לו מתוך הבכי סימן רע לו
If one dies from laughter it is a good omen for him, but it is a bad omen to die from ...
3
votes
0answers
43 views
Why do many masechtot conclude with a portion of Aggadata?
From what I've seen, many Masechtot in Shas seem to conclude with an aggadata portion that can be found towards the end of that particular Masechta.
Is there a documented or stated reason as to why ...
3
votes
0answers
48 views
Sefer explaining why Aggada stories in the Talmud are located where they are
I saw a great reason given by R' Tzaddok HaKohen about why the story about the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash and its aftermath is specifically in Maseches Gittin 55b-58a:
(adapted from a Jewish ...
0
votes
1answer
52 views
Why did Moses have a ten-cubit-long axe?
The Talmud in Berachot 54b relates the following tale:
אבן שבקש עוג מלך הבשן לזרוק על ישראל גמרא גמירי לה אמר מחנה ישראל כמה הוי תלתא פרסי איזיל ואיעקר טורא בר תלתא פרסי ואישדי עלייהו ואיקטלינהו ...
1
vote
1answer
146 views
Deceased individuals appearing after death
Inspired by this answer:
Are there any documented stories of deceased people appearing after death to live people? [I am not looking for stories where someone dead appeared in a dream]
The Gemara in ...
3
votes
0answers
29 views
What message is the “witness” on Rosh Hashanah 22b trying to convey?
The gemara in Rosh Hashanah 22b quotes a beraisa which tells the story of the בייתוסים trying to trick the chachamim into establishing the new month on the wrong date:
בראשונה היו מקבלין עדות החדש ...
3
votes
1answer
65 views
Where can I find R. Hirsch's Hebrew essay on Agaddos?
There is a essay on Aggados written by R. Samson Raphael Hirsch, sometimes it appears in loose translation in English here and there. But I feel that doesn't convey its meaning properly (I suppose).
...
1
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1answer
26 views
Making a siyum on Avos D'reb Nosson [duplicate]
Does one make a siyum on finishing Avos D'reb Nosson?
3
votes
3answers
288 views
Animal R'aim of the midrash
I saw in the book, "The midrash says" by Rabbi Moshe Weissman that the Midrash Socher Tov 22 explains that a creature called R'aim that David mistook as a hill, lifted David up into the sky and only ...
1
vote
0answers
35 views
How to understand Chullin 127a: “All found on land is found also in the sea?” [duplicate]
(saw a similar question suggested)
How are we to understand the gemara from Chullin 127a which states:
"כל שיש ביבשה יש בים"
all that exists on land there is an equivalent animal in the sea
...
1
vote
1answer
139 views
Story of Megaddalela, rabbi tells man to marry woman of ill-repute
I once read a story in the Talmud about a woman of ill-repute named Megaddalela, whom a rabbi told a man to marry. I used it for a research project and can no longer find the original source. And I do ...
-4
votes
1answer
211 views
Did Moses (pbuh) raise the dead [closed]
This story is in the Quran, is it also in Jewish scripture?
And when Moses said unto his people: Lo! Allah commandeth you that ye sacrifice a cow, they said: Dost thou make game of us? He answered: ...
4
votes
2answers
58 views
Did the Maharatz Chiyus write any chiddushim on Agadeta?
I'm looking for any chiddushim the Maharatz Chiyus wrote on the Agadeta. He wrote a "Mavo HaAgados" in which he lays down principles for learning Agadeta and I'd like to see how he puts them into ...
1
vote
1answer
41 views
Rabbi Dovid Oppenheim's introduction to the Ein Yaakov- Where is it?
In the commentary Eitz Yosef to Gemara Berachos daf 3a, on the words "ve'ha kamashma lan..." he references an introduction to the Ein Yaakov by Rabbi Dovid Oppenheim. I looked around and could not ...
3
votes
1answer
110 views
Did the descendants of Esav literally taste soil?
The pasuk in Bereshit says (36:20)
אֵ֤לֶּה בְנֵֽי־שֵׂעִיר֙ הַחֹרִ֔י יֹשְׁבֵ֖י הָאָ֑רֶץ לוֹטָ֥ן וְשׁוֹבָ֖ל וְצִבְע֥וֹן וַעֲנָֽה׃
Chazal explain that they are called the dwellers of the earth because ...
4
votes
1answer
82 views
Do we know of any animals that behave this way? (Bava Basra 16a)
The Gemara in Bava Basra 16a explains certain pesukim in Sefer Iyov to be referring to a conversation between Hashem and Iyov in which Hashem rebukes Iyov for denying or complaining about Hashem's ...
8
votes
2answers
143 views
Know who the Tanna/Amora is before trying to understand what he said?
The Maharats Chiyus (or Chayos) writes in his Mavo HaAgados that not all of Chazal were born equal, so to speak. More specifically, that among Chazal, there are different levels of intelligence, ...
2
votes
2answers
92 views
Were Midrashim and Aggadeta transmitted to Moshe on Sinai like the Halachic Torah She'be'al Peh?
The halachic part of the Torah She'be'al Peh was transmitted to Moshe on Sinai along with the written Torah (or in the Ohel Moed afterward).
Sifra:
How is Shemitta relevant to Mount Sinai? Were ...
8
votes
2answers
80 views
Why is the first mishna of Brachos included in the Ein Yaakov?
Rav Yaakov ibn Habib collected aggadeta from the shas bavli and yerushalmi. He called this collection Ein Yaakov. He also wrote a commentary on a bunch of it which is called HaKoseiv.
The very first ...
4
votes
2answers
115 views
Examples of the sages in the Talmud going above and beyond in kindness
What are some examples in the Talmud where it tells a story of one of the sages from the time of the Mishna or Gemara showing exceptional kindness that could be a good example to other people?
For ...
1
vote
1answer
94 views
Reb Yitzhak's diamond, Rashi's birth - the source? [closed]
There's a famous story, mentioned here and in many other places – the legend of Reb Yitzhak's diamond. What's the source of this story?
Tizku lmitvois!
3
votes
1answer
943 views
The Messiah's hair will be greenish?
I think I saw somewhere in the Gemara (almost certain it was in a commentary, not the text itself) that the Messiah's hair will be ירקרקת (green/greenish/blonde)? Unfortunately, I cannot seem to ...
2
votes
0answers
85 views
Source for a story about mistakenly thinking Mashiach was here
What is the story in the Gemara or Ein Ya'akov about the guy who ran into the streets when he thought the Mashiach was here, but really it was a wedding ceremony?
I can't find it anywhere.
The Rosh ...
3
votes
2answers
232 views
What were the peiros Genosar?
In Brachos 44a there is a brief discussion of an apparently extraordinary type of fruit they call the peiros Genosar. The sages seemed to love it even though there were consequences after eating too ...
2
votes
0answers
57 views
Pirkei drabbi Eliezer questions [closed]
Pirkay D'rabbi Eliyeser 14.5
Hashem gave the woman nine curses and death:
The afflictions of child birth
The afflictions of blood of virginity
The affliction of pregnancy
The affliction of bringing ...
3
votes
1answer
99 views
Help finding a chazal, could be עין יעקב
I was asked to find a maamar Chazal that contrasts the Gaava (haughtiness) a woman can have with that of a male talmid chochom. I am unclear which way they differentiate, i was told there's something ...
-1
votes
1answer
39 views
In Chulin 95b, it states that “Rav never partook of a seudas reshus”, is that referring to why he didn't eat the meat, or anything at all?
In Chullin 95b when describing why Rav didn't partake of some meat it says:
אלא סעודת הרשות הואי ורב לא מתהני מסעודת הרשות (rather it was an optional meal and Rav did not partake of optional meals)....
1
vote
0answers
169 views
Source for Lubavitch Siddur Legend
If you take a look in the old print of the Siddur Tehilas Hashem on page 13, you will notice a strange looking vav in the word "yetzur" (as in "yetzur nivra" from the tefillah of Adon Olam).
I have ...
6
votes
2answers
237 views
Was Rabbi Akiva exempt from his conjugal duties?
The Gemara (in Kesubos 63a) says, “When Rabbi Akiva returned, he brought twelve thousand students with him. As he approached his home, he heard a certain old man saying to [his wife], ‘Until when will ...
1
vote
0answers
75 views
Did the entire generation of the wilderness lose their Olam Haba
What does the Gemara mean when it says (Sanhedrin 108),
The generation of the wilderness have no share in the future world and will not stand at the [last] judgement, as it is written in this ...
3
votes
1answer
100 views
Source of 3 daily miracles love of occupation, place of living and wife
I heard a shiur of Gemara (I might be mistaken with the details):
The world would not be able to exist if not for Hashem causing 3 constant miracles, that man: 1 enjoys his occupation, 2 enjoys his ...
0
votes
1answer
80 views
Where is there a reference to Moshe in the Torah? Please explain Chullin 139b [duplicate]
We read in Chullin 139b:
משה מן התורה מנין בשגם הוא בשר
Where is there a reference to Moshe in the Torah? "Since he is but flesh" (Bereishit 6:3)
The gemara finds a hint to Moshe in this passuk as ...
-5
votes
1answer
107 views
Why didn't Titus consort with someone worse than a harlot?
In the Talmud (Gittin 56b) it states that upon entering the holy of holies Titus had relations with a harlot, to defile that place. Is there a reason he chose to consort with a harlot in that spot as ...
3
votes
0answers
86 views
Does Halakhah require one to believe in Gilu'i Eliyahu, Gilu'i Maggid, and the like?
I have heard many stories from many independent sources about Rabbis receiving teachings via individual revelation in the form of Gilu'i Eliyahu (i.e. "the appearance of Eliyahu") or Gil'ui Maggid (e....
4
votes
1answer
252 views
Looking for a source which was mentioned in a shiur
Kind of a longshot but has anyone heard of a Gemorah or any text which mentions the following:
... he wondered why there were old Jews in Bavel, the verse says in order you shall lengthen your days ...
2
votes
0answers
170 views
Why did Metatron receive 60 lashes?
In the story of the 4 who entered Pardes (Chagigah starting on 14b) it says that Elisha ben Abuyah saw Metatron the angel sitting and therefore became a heretic. In order to show Elisha that Metatron ...
3
votes
1answer
324 views
Why did the R' Akiva marry the wife of Tyrannus Rufus?
The gemara in Avodah zara 20a brings a Baraisa that says,
ואף רבי עקיבא ראה אשת טורנוסרופוס הרשע רק שחק ובכה רק שהיתה באה מטיפה
סרוחה שחק
דעתידה דמגיירא ונסיב לה בכה דהאי שופרא בלי עפרא
We ...
1
vote
1answer
65 views
Why did chiya bar ashi seperate from his wife?
In the gmara kidushin 81b according to the translation http://www.dafyomi.co.il/kidushin/points/kd-ps-081.htm the following story happened
(h)Whenever R. Chiya bar Ashi would fall on his face in ...
2
votes
1answer
67 views
Whoever is greater than his friend has a greater inclination
Sukkah 52a has an interesting story with Abaye (translation from Sefaria.org)
כי הא דאביי שמעיה לההוא גברא דקאמר לההיא אתתא נקדים וניזיל באורחא אמר איזיל אפרשינהו מאיסורא אזל בתרייהו תלתא פרסי ...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
What was the pillar of stone of Seth's children mentioned by Josephus?
According to Josephus (Book 1, Chapter 2, 68-71), the family of Seth, the third son of Adam, was noted for constructing a particularly long-lasting edifice or monument.
...Now this Seth...did ...
3
votes
0answers
111 views
When exactly did Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus die?
In Moed Qatan 27a, a difference of opinion is brought between Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Yehoshua as regards the point at which mourners need to overturn their beds. The case is brought of Rabban Gamliel ...
1
vote
1answer
174 views
What's the source for the aggadah about Adam sacrificing a unicorn?
In The Legends of the Jews, Ginzberg relates this story:
The first time Adam witnessed the sinking of the sun be was also seized with anxious fears. It happened at the conclusion of the Sabbath, ...
4
votes
2answers
139 views
Where is Moshe in the Torah?
The Gemara in Chullin (137b) asks where several characters of the Megillah are found in the Torah: Esther (Devarim 31:18), Mordechai (Shemos 30:23), and Haman (Bereishis 3:11).
Then it throws a ...
2
votes
1answer
100 views
Story that Hashem kept the ability open to destroy the Bais Hamikdash to avoid destroying the Jews
I am looking for a source for this.
Someone told me that there is a story that Hashem asked Dovid hamelech not to build (continue building) the Bais Hamikdash to be able to destroy it instead of ...
4
votes
2answers
260 views
Are there examples of backward time travel in the talmud and/or midrash?
The gemarah discusses a story where Moshe is taken to see the lecture hall of Rebbi Akiva and the midrash discusses God showing Adam ensuing generations and their scholars. I would like to know if ...
