Questions tagged [books-generally]
Books, generically, as related to by Judaism
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Is it okay for Jewish people to read Narnia or Lord of the Rings?
The Narnia series was written by a Christian named C.S. Lewis who also wrote books that argued for Christianity. The Narnia series is supposed to contain Christian themes, which might be there for ...
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What is the sefer "Sha'ar HaShamayim" that the Rema references?
In the book "The Rema" by Yaakov Dovid Shulman, it is written,
"The Rema went on to say that he himself learned philosophy only from
the works of talmidei chachamim. 'Although I have ...
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Recommended edition of Flavius Josephus
I would like to read some of Flavius Josephus works in English regarding early Judaism (e.g., his History of the Jews). I understand many of the translations generally available are from a very old (...
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Where can I buy inexpensive seforim online?
Where can I buy seforim online for inexpensive prices? I mean real seforim.....not digital ones.
I'm willing to buy seforim either new or second-hand.
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Jewish song book Identity
I have a song book that I have a screenshot of but have no idea where its from...I reached out to everyone I know...can anyone help?
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Is Harry Potter considered to be problematic?
Is there any halachic problem with a Jew reading the Harry Potter series? I know some people are against it, so wondering if there are any solid prohibitions involved beyond bittul zman, bittul torah, ...
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Is there modern scholarship on Sefer HaBris?
Have there been any studies, examinations, comparisons, discussions etc. of Sefer HaBris in light of modern (~21st Century) science. I'm looking for elaboration on this book particularly within a ...
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Online version of book called "Aiding Talmud Study"?
Does anyone know whether an online version (PDF, ebook etc.) of a book called "Aiding Talmud Study" by Aryeh Carmell exists?
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Books about business and Torah
Friends regularly ask me for recommendations of great Torah books for business people, focused on halakha or hashkafa, as inspiration for people straddling the line between a busy professional life ...
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How do I find "Frum" Authors and their Novels on Amazon Kindle?
I am a big reader.
Was only able to find around 30 novels in Amazon Kindle through searching by these 3 authors:
Ruth Benjamin,
Chaim Walder,
& Ruthie Pearlman.
Where do I get a full list of "...
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Suggested books on the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots
What solid books there are on the historical and intellectual development of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots? Especially written from an orthodox perspective? The Intro to the Schottenstein ...
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Read Hamikra VeHamassora (Reuvein Margulies) online
Is there anywhere the book Hamikra veHamassora (המקרא והמסורה) of R' Reuvein Margulies, online ?
A lot of his books are on https://hebrewbooks.org/, but not this one, and I would like to see at least ...
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How historically accurate is Josephus?
How accurate is the writing of Josephus? Can we rely on any of his writings to establish authentic Jewish practices or in areas of halacha?
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Can someone recommend a niggunim / Jewish melodies book
I read notes well enough to sing them. I need two things:
Niggunim/Jewish melodies song book
Niggunim/Jewish melodies ADVANCED for piano
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Has a Scriptural index been compiled on Radak's 'Michlul'?
While not in a current position to browse the the end of any modern printings of Michlul, I have been interested to know if any of them contain indices which enable easy searching for any verse ...
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Is the Book of Enoch part of Judaism?
The Book (or Books) of Enoch is a collection of works purportedly made by Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noach, before the flood. I read that they are not part of the Tanach, even though they contain ...
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Good books for non-Jews who are interested in understanding Judaism, especially branches of Orthodox judaism
I have found that the first thing to do when you want to learn something about a subject, is to start with the idea that you know absolutely nothing. I understand, for example, that Judaism has ...
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Seder Tannaim v’Amoraim in English?
Is there an English translation of Seder Tannaim v’Amoraim?
If so, where may I purchase or read it online?
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Why was the Book of Genealogies hidden away?
Related.
I read today an essay by Professor Shmuel Krauss z"l about "Sefer Yochasin" (the Book of Genealogies). He theorized that traditions such as the name of David's mother, the ...
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What are Sifrei Minim today?
In Sanhedrin 100b: Rabbi Akivah says "Even one who reads foreign Seforim (has no chelek in Olam Haba)". Beraitha there: "He refers to Sifrei Tzedukim" (or "Sifrei Minim" ...
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Jewish alternative to a Christian self-help book
I had a bad psychological trauma some time ago and I felt the urgent need to review myself. I found that reading self-help books helped me.
I tried to learn Mussar books (Mesillat yesharim, Chafetz ...
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Does Judaism allow Jews to read the Quran?
I've received a packet of Islamic materials which include the "Holy Quran" among other materials explaining the relation of Judaism with Islam.
I guess we should be open to all spiritual materials ...
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Abbreviations before/after names
What are the more common abbreviations one might see printed before or after a person's name, and what do they mean? Please include honorifics (R'=Rabbi) as well as memorial - or prayerful - suffixes ...
CommunityBot
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"The Romans' Book" in Ramba"n
The commentary of Ramba"n on Vayikra 26:16 explains a large swath of parashas B'chukosai as an allegory to the two batei Mikdash and the corresponding exiles. Included therein, he elaborates on the ...
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Where can I find Sefer Hatishbi with Hagahot Ragle Mevaser?
I am trying to locate, electronically or otherwise, a copy of Sefer Hatishbi with Hagahot Ragle Mevaser, for purchase or otherwise.
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Are there books and / or online sources that discuss how the Talmud was compiled?
There are a few aspects of the Talmud that I'm curious about:
Someone compiled it. My history knowledge is poor. I understand that Rabbi Yehuda compiled the Mishna. I'm not sure who compiled the ...
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Jacob Obermeyer and Talmudic Maps?
I had seen a footnote in Socinco on Pesachim (Or, for a real reference see note on בדיתא לבאי in M.K. 11a), I do not currently remember which page but it referenced a city that was mentioned in the ...
CommunityBot
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A good book on Monetary system of the Torah and the Talmud?
I am very confused, trying to understand the Sages' view on the monetary system of the Torah, and the commentaries do not present a holistic and consistent view.
I am also confused by the historical ...
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What were the ספרי דבי רב?
BBava Batra 124b, for instance, has Rav Nahman quoting "the remaining books of Debei Rav." How many were there? What were they exactly? If they contained written halachot, why were they allowed? (...
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Fulltext search across sources: Gemara, Zohars, Rishonim and Aharonim
I know about Hebrewbooks.org for searching for sources in books, but the problem is you have to get to let's say every Masechta to look for a phrase. Is there a program (doesn't have to be free) that ...
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Tetragrammaton in Non-Jewish Books
If there was a New Testament in Hebrew and it contained the Tetragrammaton in it, how would you get rid of it? Obviously it cannot be buried next to Sifrei Torah or other Holy works.
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Can anyone help me find resources for the content and organization of a shul library?
Our shul library has been neglected for many, many years, and b'h' we are finally cleaning and organizing it. I am used to using a library, not organizing it! So I wonder if anyone can give me some ...
CommunityBot
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Is translation of copyrighted material permitted?
Is there any violation in Halacha if someone translates copyrighted material to a dialect for the sole purpose of making it into a book so that people who do not know the dialect could benefit from it ...
CommunityBot
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Any books like 'The Light of Ephraim'?
Simcha H. Benyosef wrote a book called 'The Light of Ephraim'
Written as a series of counseling and teaching sessions between a
troubled young couple and a mysterious Kabbalist, The Light of ...
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Why can people write Torah sheBal Peh nowadays?
This is a follow up to: Why was Torah SheBe'Al Peh not allowed to be written?.
The Gemara in Temurah 14b states that one may not write Torah sheBal Peh. It then states an exception that was made ...
CommunityBot
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What does תושׁלכ"ע mean?
I saw the abbreviation תושׁלכ"ע in the introduction to a textbook (Classical Mechanics, by Herbert Goldstein). What does it stand for?
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Reading secular books on shabbat?
Which prominent halakhic authorities permit (or forbid) the reading of secular books, magazines, and newspapers from Friday evening until Saturday nightfall? Why? Is it uvda dechol? What if it is ...
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Which Chumash has the most meforshim?
What sefer (prob Mikraos Gedolos) has the most meforshim in it?
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Reading books about Avodah Zarah
Is it permissible to read books about Avodah Zarah?
Is it permissible to read Greek mythology for informational purposes, seeing as it's not particularly tempting to anyone nowadays?
Is it ...
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Can I improve something I borrow?
If I borrow something may I do something which I believe improves that thing, without the owners consent? For example if I borrow a library book and find an error in one of the facts printed there can ...
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Would Harry Potter be killed as a sorcerer?
Before asking my question, I'd like to make it clear that this is being asked in all seriousness, and not as some form of satire or "Purim Torah". I think there is a precedent for asking halachic ...
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Which came first the Mishnah Torah or the Pirush HaMishnayos
Which sefer did the Ramabm author first, was it his Mishnah Torah (Yad HaChazaka) or his commentary to Mishnayos?
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Jewish Archaeology
I'm looking for a good read which discusses archaeology and the Tanach, Chazal, etc. Could anyone point me to some resources? I would prefer that the book be in English, and have pictures throughout.
...
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Is Julia Donaldson's "a squash and a squeeze" based on a Jewish source?
The children's book 'A Squash and a Squeeze' by Julia Donaldson is about a woman who feels that her house is not big enough. She meets a 'wise old man' (who looks uncannily like an old chassidish ...
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Is one allowed to fold the corner of a book on Shabbos?
An easy way to keep a bookmark is to fold the upper-right corner of a book (aka Dog ears)
Is such an action permitted on Shabbos?
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Book on Biblical Archeology
I'm looking to increase my knowledge of biblical archeology. As an orthodox jew, I'd prefer a book which takes a more traditional view with regards to the historicity of tanach. Any suggestions?
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How to pronounce the name of the sefer "Bnei Yso(s)cher"
How does one pronounce the name of the sefer בני יששכר ?
I've heard people pronounce both sins -- so it is Ysoscher. (There is also a common custom to pronounce the name יששכר with both sins the ...
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List of Publishers
I am looking for a list of publishers that are putting out seforim now a days. My reason is because I want to make a list of publishers in an effort to track down certain seforim. Many publishers (...
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How Kabbalistically accurate is the golem-making procedure described in "Niflaos Maharal"?
There's been plenty of discussion about the historic authenticity of "Niflaos Maharal", a book that appeared in the early 1900s describing how the Maharal made a Golem to defend the Jews against blood ...
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Changing "shlit"a"s to "za"l"s?
The name of living Torah scholar mentioned or quoted in another's book is often followed by an abbreviation of blessing such as שליט"א or נר"ו. The name of a past scholar, no longer living, is ...
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