All Questions
62 questions
48
votes
5
answers
10k
views
Which alphabet were the original Torah scrolls in?
I've assumed that the Torah scrolls we read today as the same that Moses wrote. I always assumed it's been the same alphabet.
However lately I came across documents explaining the evolution of the ...
- 2,689
23
votes
7
answers
2k
views
Where in Tanach is Shavuot associated with Matan Torah?
There is nowhere I can see in the tanach that associates Shavuot with Matan Torah.
However, we say in the prayers on Shavuot: "Z'man Matan Toratainu" (the time of the giving of the Torah).
Whenever ...
- 1,751
10
votes
2
answers
576
views
Standing during the Aseres HaDibros
There are people that always stand by Laining and people that always sit. Among those that sit there are those that stand at certain points, such as the Aseres HaDibros or the Shira, etc. Is it proper ...
- 141k
16
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Why do we say that Hashem chose us if He offered to the Torah to all the other nations first?
According to Midrash Sifri (Deuteronomy 343), Hashem first went around to all the nations and offered them the Torah before offering it to Bnei Yisroel. So why do we say in Kiddush and Birchas ...
- 33.5k
16
votes
2
answers
350
views
How is the story of the Torah being given told in the Torah itself?
How was the Torah (aka the Five Books of Moses) given if the story of the Torah being given is contained in these books?
In other words, the Torah tells the story - close to halfway through it - of ...
- 1,386
9
votes
5
answers
713
views
Why the specific commandments in the Aseret haDibrot
What is HKBH trying to teach us by his choice of commandments that make up the Aseret haDibrot
- 91
5
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Is it allowed to make paintings of living creatures?
Among the Ten Commandments is:
Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any manner of likeness, of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the ...
- 2,013
2
votes
2
answers
585
views
Is killing a gentile also forbidden with the לאו of לא תרצח?
Is killing a gentile also forbidden with the לאו of לא תרצח just in terms of this commandment ? And if so, how can it be permissible to go to war against a nation (מלחמת רשות / discretionary war) ...
- 193
11
votes
1
answer
413
views
What is the qualitative difference between the revelation at Sinai and other miracles according to Rambam?
In Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah (8:1), Rambam writes:
משה רבינו לא האמינו בו ישראל מפני האותות שעשה שהמאמין על פי האותות יש בלבו דופי שאפשר שיעשה האות בלט וכשוף אלא כל האותות שעשה משה במדבר לפי הצורך ...
- 50.3k
11
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Origin, need, and purpose of "Upper" trope for reading 10 Commandments
Most תקון לקוראים (study "guide used by Torah reader to prepare for reading weekly Torah portion) that I have seen have a special trope for the reading of the 10 Commandments called טעם עליון (loosely ...
- 71.5k
10
votes
1
answer
217
views
Why don't we have to work every non-Shabbos day?
We are told multiple times in the Torah
ששת ימים תעבוד
Six days you should work.
But many people do not actually work 6 days a week. For example, in the United States, Sunday is considered a weekend ...
- 25.1k
8
votes
2
answers
317
views
What does 'the New Torah' in these medrashim mean?
The Yalkut Shimoni on Yishaya, remez 429, mentions how Hashem will sit and be doresh a new Torah that he will give by the hand of Moshiach.
This medrash is apparently taken from the Osios diRabi ...
- 34.1k
6
votes
4
answers
590
views
Why do we refer to Shavuot as the "time of receiving the Torah" when all that occured was hearing the 10 Commandments?
During Shavu'ot, during Shmoneh Esreh and bentching we refer to the holiday as Z'man Matan Torateinu - "The time of the giving of our Torah"
Discounting the discussions of the exact calendar date of ...
- 71.5k
5
votes
2
answers
356
views
God created both the written law and the oral before the world was created. Why didn't he make all of it 'written'?
If He wanted to us to follow all of it and the oral law was most of what we received at Mount Sinai why didn't He tell us to write it all down?
- 464
3
votes
0
answers
183
views
How did chaza"l derive the first two commandments if they are both combined in a single parsha (paragraph)?
Generally, each of the Ten Commandments is written in its own paragraph in the Torah, except for the 1st two. Shmot (Ex.) 20:2 is the 1st commandmnet - "I am G-d" and the 2nd commandment is from Shmot ...
- 71.5k
1
vote
2
answers
589
views
Where did the Bnei Israel go to the Mikveh in the desert?
Our Sages in Yevamot 46b and Keritot 9a in the Bavli say that the requirements for a proper conversion are bringing a sacrifice, Mila, Kabalat Hatorah and immersing in a Mikvah.
The Gemara in ...
- 1,260
-5
votes
3
answers
257
views
Would Israel's sibling nation do Yibbum?
If Klal Yisrael would all die, ch"v, then would Edom become obligated in Tora uMitzvot because of Yibbum? (because Jacob's/Israel's brother is Esav, Edom.) Or would chalitzah happen because no other ...
- 6,059
11
votes
3
answers
580
views
Yeshivat Sheim v'Eiver
Assuming that our patriarchs Abraham Isaac and Jacob spent time learning in the House of Study of Sheim v'Eiver, the descendents of Noach, what were they learning? The seven commandments of the ...
- 6,059
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
When Did Moses Receive the Torah
I apologize for the fact that this threatens to be the most ignorant question ever asked on this site, but I'm not sure where else to ask it.
My understanding is that God gave the entire Torah to ...
- 191
8
votes
2
answers
12k
views
What does adultery mean in the 7th commandment?
Exodus 20:14, the 7th 'commandment' of the Decalogue.
Does it mean only having sex with someone else' wife or having sex outside marriage?
What is the actual Hebrew word and what possible ...
- 4,383
8
votes
1
answer
645
views
Did Jethro convert? Before or after Matan Torah?
Did Jethro convert? And, was it before or after the Torah was given? I heard a few things this past shabbat, but I would like to see if we can compile all of the midrashic and aggadic opinions.
- 6,059
7
votes
3
answers
133
views
When the Torah scroll was available at first for Dor Hamidbar?
What are the different Rabbinical approaches to when exactly were (at least the first 4 books of) the Torah scrolls available to the Jews in the wilderness?
I'm asking specifically about the scrolls ...
- 28k
7
votes
3
answers
372
views
Why are Milochos based on the construction of the Mishkan?
If we were to receive all the laws for shabbos at Sinai why then is it the Mishkan to where we direct our attention when it comes to classifying all the things we cannot do on Shabbos? Wasn't the ...
- 904
6
votes
1
answer
746
views
Why do some of the Ten Commandments include Noahide Laws?
Of the Seven Noahide Laws, at least three are identical to one of the Ten Commandments. To be specific I am referring to
Do not murder
Do not steal
Do not deny God
Do not blaspheme
I understand that ...
- 1,386
6
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Source for "Ben Adam Lemakom" and "Ben Adam Lechavero"
Where does the concept of Ben Adam Lemakom and Ben Adam Lechavero come from?
I know there is a concept of the first five of the ten commandments being between 'man and his friend' and the second ...
- 193
5
votes
1
answer
318
views
Don't covet? Don't steal? What exactly is חמד in the Aseret Hadibrot?
The Aseret Hadibrot include a commandment against stealing ( לא תגנב) and one against adultery, and then later include לא תחמד, which is usually translated "do not covet" (including by JPS). It then ...
- 57k
4
votes
5
answers
814
views
Why isn't there confirmation outside the Reform Movement?
Why don't synagogues of movements other than Reform conduct a Confirmation ritual during the Holiday of Shavuot? Although it is an innovation, it doesn't per se seem so halakhically problematic, ...
- 6,059
3
votes
1
answer
145
views
Why Pesucha between Lo Sisa and Zachor Es HaShabbos?
In the Aseres HaDibros in Yisro, why is there Pesucha at the end of Lo Sisa and before Zachor Es HaShabbos, while the rest are separated by stumos?
Edit: Besides being out of place in Yisro, In V'...
- 586
3
votes
0
answers
85
views
How do we know where the Dibros start and end?
Each of the Aseres HaDibros, generally speaking, begin and end at consecutive Parshah breaks. Nevertheless, the first and second are combined into one parshah, while the last one is split into two. ...
- 34.7k
3
votes
2
answers
567
views
The 5th Commandment - Who should be financially supported first - children or parents?
During a recent Pirkei Avot shi'ur in my synagogue, our rabbi discussed two concepts.
Jewish Virtual Library citing of Talmud, Tractate Kiddushin 31B
Our Rabbis taught: What is "revere" and what ...
- 71.5k
1
vote
1
answer
184
views
Why do we need to count omer for fifty days exactly?
We count the omer from the second day of Pesach until or before Shavuot totalling 50 days.
Why do we need to count up to 50 days and why is the 50th day connected to Shavuot? In other ways why does ...
- 11
0
votes
4
answers
714
views
Why did God reveal himself only before there were recording devices?
Inspired by this:
For most of what's written in Tanakh, the only evidence that we have of its truth is Tanakh itself. Since many people are skeptical of a book with no independent sources backing up ...
- 25.1k
14
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Native American Traditions and Mass Revelations
In Deuteronomy(4:32-34), two points are made in reassuring Israel that God has not abandoned them. The reader is tasked with searching from one end of the heavens to the other to see if a God ever ...
- 8,320
10
votes
3
answers
370
views
Seven Mitzvot of Benei Noach without Na'aseh veNishma
Why are Benei Noach obligated in their Seven Mitzvot if they never said Na'aseh veNishma?
- 6,059
8
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Can the 10 commandments be violated to save a life?
According to a book I'm reading (Judaism: Everything You Need to Know About: Jewish Religion) and various other Jews I have talked to say, you can violate the 10 commandments to save a life.
Is this ...
- 315
8
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Why did Hashem offer the Torah to all the other nations?
Why did Hashem bother to ask all the other nations if they wanted to get the Torah when He knew they'd say no? (See Midrash Sifri, Deuteronomy 343)
(I already know Hashem is beyond time)
- 1,405
7
votes
3
answers
346
views
Shavuos Versus Simchas Torah
What is the difference between Shavuos and Simchas Torah if they are both fundamentally celebrations of the Torah?
- 33.5k
7
votes
4
answers
781
views
Why did God need to command the Jews not to kill?
There is a principle 'svara lamah li krah i.e. if a certain idea is logical and self evident to the average healthy mind, the Torah does not need to teach that idea. Additionally, what seems to be ...
- 9,948
6
votes
1
answer
204
views
Is there debate about what the 10 statements are?
I see in this webpage it says "The passage in Exodus contains more than ten imperative statements, totalling 14 or 15 in all. However, the Bible itself assigns the count of '10'..." So is there ...
- 2,185
5
votes
1
answer
459
views
613 mitzvos in the aseres hadibbros
I once heard that each of the 613 mitzvos can be categorized as being one of the 10 commandments, and was under the impression one of the early commentators did this categorization. I thought it was ...
- 20.2k
5
votes
1
answer
203
views
Three days before Matan Torah and three days of fast before Purim
Bnei Yisrael had to prepare themselves for three days before the giving of the Torah.
As a parallel to this receiving of the Torah, the Jews "accepted" the Torah on Purim (kiy'mu v'kiblu). The ...
- 38.7k
4
votes
3
answers
178
views
What is the significance of the title of Parshat Yitro?
What is the significance that the parsha that contains the events of Mattan Torah and the Aseret Hadibrot is called "Yitro", who was a convert?
I understand that the simple answer is that "Yitro" is ...
- 51
4
votes
1
answer
100
views
B'nos Tzelofchad, Yerushah and "Nitnah Torah V'Nitchadshah Halacha"
In the middle of Bava Basra daf 110b the gemara debates the source for the primacy of sons inheriting their father over the daughters. One of the sources brought is from B'nos Tzelofchad who say
27:...
- 5,184
4
votes
2
answers
242
views
What was actually written on the two tablets?
The two versions of the 10 Commandments (one in Yitro and the 2nd in Va'etchanan) have different phrasing, most notably in commandments 4, 5 and 10.
What was actually written on the two tablets?
Some ...
- 71.5k
4
votes
2
answers
125
views
Torah as a bar metzra
The Gemara in Shabbos 88b, shows a famous dialogue between Moshe Rabbeinu and the melachim, when Moshe ascended to the Heavens, after Matan Torah.
And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: When Moses ...
- 11.7k
4
votes
3
answers
330
views
Why offer the Nations mitzvos from the Torah that are already in the Noahide Laws?
When Hashem went around offering the Torah to the other nations each asked what is written therein to each nation He told them of the commandment representing their weak point or vice, hence they ...
- 33.5k
3
votes
2
answers
383
views
What type of theft does Lo Signov refer to?
One of the Aseres Hadevarim (more commonly referred to as "Dibros") is "לא תגנוב". I can think of different types of theft / Geneivah such as stealing money/possesions, Geneivas Daas, and kidnapping. ...
- 21.2k
3
votes
0
answers
46
views
What went wrong at Matan Torah - adjusting G-d's presentation to the Jewish people?
וְכָל־הָעָם רֹאִים אֶת־הַקּוֹלֹת וְאֶת־הַלַּפִּידִם וְאֵת קוֹל הַשֹּׁפָר וְאֶת־הָהָר עָשֵׁן וַיַּרְא הָעָם וַיָּנֻעוּ וַיַּעַמְדוּ מֵרָחֹק׃ וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֶל־מֹשֶׁה דַּבֵּר־אַתָּה עִמָּנוּ וְנִשְׁמָעָה ...
- 28k
3
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Did Moshe Rabbeinu See God?
Did Moshe Rabbeinu see God? Doesn't Maimonides assert that all references to the physicality of God are metaphorical? If so, how did Moses see God?
- 2,799
3
votes
2
answers
114
views
How were the ten commandments relayed technically?
It says in parsha Vo'eschanan that after the first two commandments, the Jews went to Moshe and said that it was too much and God said okay, (essentially,) "tell them to go to their tents and you ...
- 2,413