Questions tagged [chazal]
early rabbinic sages
71 questions
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Who was Methuselah?
Who was Methuselah?
The Torah tells us not much about him. What does the Talmud and the Rabbis say about Methuselah?
- 1,504
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1
answer
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Zechariah 6:13 who is this verse talking about?
Zechariah 6:13
"Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace ...
- 1,504
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What is the firmament?
In Genesis 1:6-8 the firmament and its creation are mentioned for the first time:
And God said: 'Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.' ...
- 4,666
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Are we allowed to assume that a Rabbi may have not thought of something?
Sometimes in reading a difficult Rishon or Acharon, you come across a statement which seems limited and difficult to understand. Sometimes it's what seems to be an answer to a question which skims ...
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How is it that the Talmud can make historical mistakes?
A Rav told me that when it comes to science and nature, the Talmud can say incorrect things (i.e. about animals, cosmology) because they were going by the Greeks and Romans. (Where he gets permission ...
- 1,484
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Turning to the right vs. practice
Mishna Berura 676:10 quotes our sages: "Whenever you make a turning, it should only be towards the right".
However, it appears to me that we usually turn to the left (counter-clockwise) when shaking ...
- 6,871
3
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1
answer
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Chazal and Rain Clouds
I was read in Torah Tavlin the following:
"Chazal tell us that the darkest clouds contain the most rain."
Does anyone know where the source for this Chazal is located?
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2
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"'Uf" is Torah?
Mishlei (Proverbs) 23:5 states:
הֲתָעִיף עֵינֶיךָ בּוֹ וְאֵינֶנּוּ כִּי עָשֹה יַעֲשֶׂה לּוֹ כְנָפַיִם כְּנֶשֶׁר וָעיּף יָעוּף הַשָּׁמָיִם
Should you blink your eyes at it, it is not here; for it will ...
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1
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Source in Hazal for holding sisith during qiryath shema`?
Is there a source in Hazal specifically for grasping the (front) two ssissith during the recitation of the shema`?
If not, where does it stem from and what is the purpose?
Thanks. Kol tuv.
user3342
7
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Teaching children to daven
Where does it say in Chazal that one doesn't have to teach their children how to daven until they are old enough to understand what they are saying?
My basis that this is found in Chazal is because ...
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Quote from Chazal
I read in Real Power on page 47, the following:
“If you are not going upward then you are automatically falling downward.”
—Chazal
Does anyone know if this is a Gemara or Medrash etc.?
- 7,025
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6
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Did the Torah Sages discuss evolution
Are there examples in chazal of the sages discussing the phenomena of micro-evolution (or macro), i.e. adaptive changes in creatures.
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Sifrei on Book of Devarim
Where can I find the Sifre on the book of Devarim online in text form (as opposed to Pdf)?
The commentary of the Netziv would also be appreciated.
- 36k
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Historicity of Chazal
What do traditional sources (particularly Rishonim and their predecessors) say about the historical accuracy of Chazal's statements?
- 36k
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3
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Tehiat Hametim - when is this first alluded? [duplicate]
Where in Torah is the first allusion regarding tehiat hametim (revival of the dead)? Please provide sources from Chazal to explain the allusion.
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Which other lands (besides Eretz Israel) have Kedushas Ha'aretz?
I recently read this in a quasi-responsum online:
"Kilayim is specific to EY and areas that Hazal determined to have Q'dushas
Ha'aretz. Outside of this zone, Kilayim is not applicable."
(Source: ...
- 20.2k
6
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1
answer
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Why are observant Jews so reluctant to admit that Chazal could ever make mistakes? [closed]
I have great respect for many of our sages of blessed memory, but there seems to be a tendency among Jews to refuse to admit the possibility that they could have ever made mistakes. I have been ...
- 5,587
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1
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Did any classic rabbinic sources discuss static electricity?
Not much more to add here, I've just always wondered if static electricity was discussed in any Chazzal or Rishonim. Someone from those times must've gotten a good zap and I'm wondering what they had ...
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6
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1
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Is there a punishment for disgracing our prophets/sages?
In light of the recent Charlie Hebdo incident with depictions of Mohammed (and others like), are there any punishments for derogatory depictions of our Jewish prophets and sages (be it in our times or ...
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Chazal and Medrash Tanchumah
I was reading A Time to Laugh; A Time to Listen by Rabbi Yehoshua Kurland. On page 116 he brings down a Chazal (Medrash Tanchumah, Toldos 18) which says, "You make a small opening like one made by the ...
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Source for enjoying God's creations
Can anyone quote/point me to some sources in Chazal that say we should enjoy God's nature and creations? Something to suggest that they are not distractions from serving God, but a proof that they are ...
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