All Questions
527 questions
-3
votes
1
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98
views
Why do the tablets say "זכור את" and "כבד את" instead of "זכור" and "כבד"?
In the common representation of the Mosaic Tablets, why do they say "זכור את" and "כבד את" instead of "זכור" and "כבד"?
- 28k
3
votes
1
answer
167
views
Punishment for false testimony favoring the accused
One of the Ten Commandments is: "Don't give false testimony". This is generally understood as falsely testifying the accused is guilty, when he is innocent. One penalty is that the false ...
- 23.6k
2
votes
3
answers
244
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How is it possible that man can sometimes dissuade HaShem if HaShem's will cannot be changed and He knows best?
For example, G-d wanted to annihilate the Israelites in ch. 32 of Shemot and yet, Moshe was able to change G-d's mind. This happens again Bamidbar 14. Yet, we see in Bamidbar 23 that G-d is not a man ...
- 493
1
vote
1
answer
438
views
Why is it thought that Moses was only a Priest for 7 days?
Moses is unique in the Hebrew Bible as the only Priest-King of Israel. There is also, of course, Melchizedek and probably some pagan Priest-Kings of other nations in the bible as well. Something that ...
0
votes
0
answers
68
views
What Priesthood did Moses belong to?
Moses obviously wasn’t of the Aaronic Priesthood. Not only was he not a descendant of Aaron, but in fact he was higher than the High Priest.
Was Moses of the same order of priests as Melchizedek? Or?
0
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0
answers
16
views
What did Moshe do to bring back the Ananei Hakovod?
The Gemara Taanis (9a) says that Moshe Rabbeinu brought back the Ananei Hakovod after Aharon died.
חָזְרוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם בִּזְכוּת מֹשֶׁה, מֵת מֹשֶׁה נִסְתַּלְּקוּ כּוּלָּן,
שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וָאַכְחִד אֶת ...
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1
vote
1
answer
126
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Why did God (tell Moshe to) tell the Jewish people that they will be bad using some terrible language? Isn't it counterproductive?
At the end of Vayelach, God tells Moshe how the Jews will be bad and tells Moshe to tell the Jews so (in Haazinu) using some pretty fatalistic language. Isn't it counterproductive and demoralizing?
...
- 2,413
5
votes
2
answers
144
views
Why doesn't Josephus mention the golden calf?
When studying the text of the Jewish Antiquities written by the Roman historian Josephus, I found that events related to Moses and the travels of Hebrews in the wilderness are covered in considerable ...
- 105
2
votes
0
answers
47
views
Why bother bringing the rod to speak to the rock? [duplicate]
In Numbers 20:8, the Israelites need water, so God tells Moses: Take this rod and talk to this rock and it will yield water. Moses hits the rock with the rod and water comes out. God gets angry and ...
- 23.6k
2
votes
1
answer
90
views
Multidimensional person
Rabbeinu Ari writes :
כי כמו שמשה רבינו ע"ה הוא בבחי' הדעת העליון דז"א מצד אבא כן בלעם היה הרע שבמשה והיה כנגדו בדעת
...because, just as Moshe, our Rabbi A'H represents the aspect of the
Da'...
2
votes
1
answer
94
views
Does Deut. 34:10 mean that Joshua wasn’t the prophet like Moses?
I used to think Deuteronomy 18:18
I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like you, and will put My words in his mouth
was about Jesus but I see the Jews believe it’s about Joshua ...
- 21
1
vote
1
answer
44
views
Seeking Midrash that says that Moshe cannot enter the land because he killed the Mitzri
On 'rav lach' Hashem tells Moshe he cannot enter the land because he killed the Mitzri. Moshe responds that Hashem killed many Mitzrim. Hashem responds asking Moshe if he knows the ways of God (or ...
6
votes
1
answer
96
views
Why in Deuteronomy does Moses introduce 200 new Mitzvot?
The Book of Numbers concludes the Torah narrative from the creation, through the Exodus, the Receiving of the Torah, the 40 years of the wilderness to make the Exodus generation go extinct, up to the ...
- 28k
0
votes
0
answers
16
views
Is "God of your ancestors will increase your numbers a thousandfold" considered prophecy?
In Deut 1.11 Moses says: "יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵכֶם יֹסֵף עֲלֵיכֶם כָּכֶם אֶלֶף פְּעָמִים וִיבָרֵךְ אֶתְכֶם כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר לָכֶם׃". I don't understand what it the "status" of ...
- 28k
4
votes
2
answers
83
views
Why the prohibition of idolatry doesn't stem from the Mitzvah of loving God?
The second commandment of the Ten, prohibits idolatry out of God's jealousy and harsh multi-generational punishment.
In the current era of romanticism, jealousy usually arises from deep love and ...
- 28k
3
votes
0
answers
45
views
Why "לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים" uses singular יִהְיֶה?
Regarding singular יהיה in "לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים" in both versions of the Ten COmmandments.
Does it mean that "אלוהים אחרים" is singular as in "כִּי מִי־גוֹי ...
- 28k
0
votes
0
answers
16
views
Textual non-uniformity of the Ten Commandments
The first apparent impression of reading the Ten Commandments is how they vary in phrasing:
some are just two words, links "don't murder", "don't [commit] adultery", or "don'...
- 28k
1
vote
2
answers
91
views
Why the Har Sinai revelation only included commandments?
During the Har Sinai revelation, God spoke to the nation only the Ten Commandments. He could, for example, give a very different speech, for example, include theology, as He did with Job (38.1):
&...
- 28k
2
votes
0
answers
16
views
How does the Talmud account for Moshe being instructed to make the luchos before the wooden aron but reversing them?
The Talmud understands that Moshe was instructed regarding the Mishkan prior to the Aron etc but for some reason (Ritva theorizes that it was a test) flipped them when instructing Bezalel with Bezalel ...
- 4,020
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
1
vote
0
answers
21
views
What mitzvos did Moshe Rabbeinu want to fulfill in Eretz Yisrael?
The Gemara Sotah (14a) writes:
דָּרַשׁ רַבִּי שִׂמְלַאי: מִפְּנֵי מָה נִתְאַוָּה מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ
לִיכָּנֵס לְאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל? וְכִי לֶאֱכוֹל מִפִּרְיָהּ הוּא
צָרִיךְ?! אוֹ לִשְׂבּוֹעַ מִטּוּבָהּ ...
- 14.8k
0
votes
0
answers
30
views
Moshe's Speech Impediment - a source for his humility?
Are there any sources that mention that Moshe's speech impediment was a contributor to his humility? E.g. people didn't show him a lot of honour and respect throughout his life due to it, as well as ...
- 14.8k
3
votes
2
answers
132
views
Moshe, Aharon, Miriam
Our sages say that there are three crowns - Keser Torah, Keser Kehunah, Keser Malchus - and that Moshe, Aharon, and Miriam represented these three. Moshe gave us the Torah, Aharon was the first Kohen ...
- 4,097
4
votes
3
answers
296
views
Why different signs: Nachash vs Tannin?
I would like to understand why in Sefer Shemot YHWH gives Moses the sign of turning his rod into a nachash for the elders of Israel, and later when both Moses and Aaron are in front of Pharoah, Aaron'...
- 323
2
votes
2
answers
60
views
"God does" vs "God tells Moses to do"
In the Torah, God frequently makes miracles happen either by doing them Himself, or by telling Moses to start them. Examples of the latter are telling Moses to throw a piece of wood in the water to ...
- 23.6k
-4
votes
1
answer
104
views
What is the holiest "thing" ever? [closed]
Obviously besides for God Himself, and also perhaps the greatest tzadiqim (righteous people) in history, what else is considered the holiest "thing" ever? (Is it the two luhoth (tablets)? If ...
- 161
0
votes
0
answers
45
views
Yehoshua: a leader or a shepherd?
In Bamidbar 27:16, we read that Moshe pleads to G-d that He will set a leader over the Jewish People that will continue to lead them:
Let the L-rd, the G-d of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over ...
- 11.7k
1
vote
1
answer
95
views
How Moshe handled halachic disputes
I heard about a source in the Chumash regarding a situation where two people had a halachic dispute and could not conclude on the Halacha. They then went to Moshe to get the verdict but the wording of ...
- 1,001
0
votes
1
answer
75
views
Prophetic status of all Israelites in the wilderness
Given the traditional understanding that God spoke the Ten Commandments directly to the entirety of the people of Israel at Mount Sinai (Deut 5.19), two questions arise:
is the Exodus generation that ...
- 28k
2
votes
0
answers
47
views
Why were the broken Luchos not in the Aron that was in the Kodesh Hakodoshim
in Bamidbar 10:33 the Pasuk says:
וַיִּסְעוּ֙ מֵהַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה דֶּ֖רֶךְ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֑ים וַאֲר֨וֹן בְּרִית־יְהֹוָ֜ה נֹסֵ֣עַ לִפְנֵיהֶ֗ם דֶּ֚רֶךְ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֔ים לָת֥וּר לָהֶ֖ם מְנוּחָֽה׃
They ...
- 3,866
3
votes
2
answers
115
views
Is the 3rd commandment of "uttering God's name in vain" referenced anywhere in the Tanakh?
I'm looking for any signs of the awareness of this prohibition in the Tanakh. Note that there are additional explicit Biblical prohibitions such as "You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so ...
- 28k
2
votes
1
answer
110
views
Punishment for making a statue of YHWH and worshipping/bowing to it
After reading "The Origins of Judaism, An Archaeological Historical Reappraisal" by Dr. Yonathan Adler, I understood that the practice of not making images of God/gods changed rather ...
- 28k
1
vote
0
answers
45
views
Why is the prohibition against coveting (לא תחמוד) considered to be the greatest and most difficult commandment?
While writing an answer to the question of whether the War of Gog and Magog has occurred already (https://judaism.stackexchange.com/a/143162/7303), a very significant idea was mentioned, which ...
- 16.7k
5
votes
1
answer
276
views
Did Moses' face shine forever until his death?
Exodus 34:29-35 says that Moses' face shined after he was in the presence of G-d. Did Moses' face shine forever until his death or did this pass after a certain amount of time much prior to his death?...
- 153
1
vote
0
answers
46
views
What is the earliest reliable source that prohibits teaching Torah and/or Mishna to gentiles after Moses translated the Torah into 70 languages?
I have read numerous conflicting opinions regarding this subject. I am seeking the first "original" or earliest reliable source that prohibited teaching the Torah and/or Mishna to the ...
- 55
7
votes
1
answer
191
views
Why did Moshe have to go to Hashem for what to do about the Shabbos desecrator?
It is a basic and accepted belief in Orthodox Judaism that both the Torah Shebeksav (Written Torah) and the Torah Shebaal Peh were given on Har Sinai to Moshe. Considering this fact, why do we find ...
- 185
2
votes
0
answers
45
views
Last Conversation between Moshe and Joshua
What is the source for this story?
Joshua is the last person to see Moses. Moses asks Joshua if he has any last questions. Joshua says :no, you've taught me everything and earned your eternity" ...
3
votes
0
answers
42
views
Does Lying, Except in Court Testimony, Violate the Ninth Commandment?
Am I transgressing the ninth of the 10 Commandments of Moses if I lie, except when giving testimony in court?
In Exodus 20:13 it reads
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
- 356
1
vote
0
answers
76
views
On what authority did Moses allow Reuben and Gad to settle east of the Jordan?
The tribes of Reuben and Gad wanted to settle on the east side of the Jordan River because the land there was more favorable for their abundant livestock. In exchange, they promised Moses they will ...
- 23.6k
5
votes
2
answers
100
views
Why does it say Moshe got the Torah from Sinai?
B"H
The first Mishnah of pirkei avos says "Moshe received the Torah from Sinai, and gave it to Yehoshua..." And goes on to say how each person gave it to more people down the line etc.
...
- 780
1
vote
0
answers
51
views
Why Weren't Zachor and Shamor Written in Each Set of Tablets?
There were two sets of tablets. The text of the first set is recorded in Exodus 20. The Second set is in Deuteronomy 5. The first set states:
זָכוֹר אֶת-יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת, לְקַדְּשׁוֹ. Remember the ...
- 1,182
2
votes
6
answers
205
views
Why would Moshe's new nation have been considered a one legged chair?
Bavli Berachos (32a) contains the following aggadic assertion
{שמות ל"ב:י'} וְאֶעֱשֶׂה אוֹתְךָ לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל וְגוֹ', אֲמַר רִבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: אָמַר מֹשֶׁה לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, ...
- 4,020
3
votes
0
answers
23
views
Parshas Yisro - Asking Moshe Rabbeinu directly: who got to listen?
Early in Parshas Yisro, Yisro noticed that Moshe was answering questions all day long. He asked Moshe about it:
וַיַּרְא֙ חֹתֵ֣ן מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֵ֛ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־ה֥וּא עֹשֶׂ֖ה לָעָ֑ם
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר מָֽה־...
- 4,097
1
vote
0
answers
31
views
Why 2 sets of cantillation marks for the 10 commandments? [duplicate]
There are two sets of ta'amim for the Aseres Hadibros. (We read in the synagogue using Taamei Elyon.) But the ta'amim are supposed to be an aid to understanding. So, what differences in ...
- 8,381
1
vote
1
answer
102
views
Why does Rambam learn the prohibition for adultery from Parashat Acharei Mot and not Yitro?
Yitro contains 16 mitzvos according to Rambam. Most of them are linked to the 10 commandments but notably one commandment is missing: adultery.
Instead he learns this prohibition from Acharei Mot:
...
- 611
4
votes
1
answer
284
views
What did Israel hear at Sinai according to Rambam?
Rambam writes in MT (Yesodei haTorah 8:1 & 8:3) that Israel heard the actual words of the aseres hadibros on par with Moshe.
In the Moreh (2:33) he writes that they only heard an undifferentiated ...
- 4,020
1
vote
2
answers
172
views
Plague of Hails
Shemoth 9:23-"So Moses held out his rod toward the sky, and Hashem sent thunder and hail, and fire streamed down to the ground, as Hashem rained down hail upon the land of Egypt."
Shemoth 9:...
- 450
1
vote
1
answer
58
views
Connection between Purim and Exodus
It is mentioned in The Zohar:
לשלש גאולות על ידי שלשה צדיקים משה מרדכי משיח שעתיד לגאלנו בקרוב
Three redemptions, with three righteous leaders, Moshe, Mordechai, and the future Moshiach.
I am looking ...
- 1,669
1
vote
0
answers
40
views
Understanding Moshe's use of his staff
When Moshe came to Pharaoh and Pharaoh asked for an os (a sign), Moshe told Aaron to throw down the staff and it became a snake - Shemos 7:10.
There is an apparent machlokes meforshim as to whose ...
- 34.5k
1
vote
0
answers
59
views
The Staff of Moses
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 40:
Rabbi Levi said: That rod which was created in the twilight was delivered to the first man out of the garden of Eden. Adam delivered it to Enoch, and Enoch delivered it to ...
- 450