Questions tagged [greek]

Questions related to the application of the Greek language and culture within Judaism.

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Moshav leitzim and modern popular / Greek culture – why leitzanus is a core issue?

Avodah Zarah 18b is the Chazal source used by later authorities to forbid virtually everything which comes from Greek culture and is a heavy part of Western culture as well: theater, movies, concerts, ...
Binyomin's user avatar
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6 votes
2 answers
481 views

How did the Greeks make the menora-oil impure?

The Gemara in Shabbos 21b famously writes "Mai Chanukah"- what is Chanukah? The Gemara elaborates: When the Greeks entered the Sanctuary they defiled all the oils that were in the Sanctuary ...
Shmuel's user avatar
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1 vote
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36 views

What roles did Yossei/Joseph I as governor and the house of David play in assisting Judas Maccabee and the rebels against the Seleucid empire? [closed]

Shalom, during the second century BCE, Seleucid ruled over Judea, and the Maccabees led a revolt against the imposition of Hellenism. They sought to restore Jewish independence and worship under the ...
Servant's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
159 views

Source for Yirmeyahu and Plato Meeting [duplicate]

I recently heard in a shiur that Plato and Yirmeyahu had met each other. MY question is: What is the earliest source for this and where else can this story be found even if only quoting the original ...
Yosef Warren's user avatar
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0 answers
59 views

Rabbis from the Ancient Diaspora

I've heard in some places the theory that Greek-speaking Jews in the ancient world practiced a religion that was closer to and evolved into Christianity, and that 'rabbinic' Judaism was a niche ...
Jm Lewin's user avatar
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3 votes
0 answers
76 views

Looking for a midrash mentioned by Falaquera

When Noah recovered from his wine, he enslaved his grandson Canaan to his sons Shem and Japheth. The relationship he envisioned for his sons Japheth and Shem is spelled out in Gen 9.27: יפת אלהים ...
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5 votes
1 answer
236 views

What's the source for the deeper meaning of the word Yavan?

BH The Hebrew word for Greek is יון. I heard from a rabbi, but don't remember the source he mentioned, the deeper meaning of the word. That when Greeks first begin to deny, chos vishalom, the Torah, ...
B''H Bi'ezras -- Boruch Hashem's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
193 views

Greek Chi and Anointment

In Menachos 75a and other places it says that meshicha, smearing of oil, on the רקיקים wafer-offerings, is done כמין כי יווני - like a greek letter chi. Tosefos there brings quite a few explanations ...
MichoelR's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
84 views

Where does Jacob Bernays discuss the creation of the Septuagint?

I'm not sure if this question is on-topic. If not, I would be happy for recommendations on which SE site would be more appropriate. On page 285 of the Hebrew translation of Der Chassidmus (The ...
Harel13's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
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Do scholars detect in the Jewish prophets any Platonic language or views?

And conversely, do scholars see any evidence that Plato was familiar with the Torah and incorporated any of it in his philosophy?
Ruminator's user avatar
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9 votes
2 answers
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The Rabbis of the Septuagint

I’m familiar with the Talmudic account of the Septuagint, but I would like to know if there are any sources/Midrashim that allude to who the 70 rabbis/scholars were and why THEY were chosen to ...
Jmill388's user avatar
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5 votes
0 answers
118 views

Use of Greek in the Sanhedrin

Did the Sanhedrin ever use Greek as a main or auxiliary language during the Second Temple period? I ask because Sanhedrin is a Greek word and many Jews had Greek names so it stands to reason that the ...
Νίκος Πάφρας's user avatar
15 votes
2 answers
755 views

Why does the Gemara use gamma to compare shapes and not reish or chaf sofit?

When talking about shapes, the Gemara often uses Greek gamma (e.g., Peshachim 8b). Why doesn't it use reish, dalet or chaf sofit instead?
sds's user avatar
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4 votes
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108 views

Foreign language words similar to Hebrew words [closed]

I started compiling a list about a year ago of all of the times I noticed that an English word was very linguistically similar to a Hebrew word phonetically and semantically (i.e. in meaning). Many ...
Sam's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
205 views

May one tour the Acropolis in Athens, Greece? [duplicate]

The Acropolis with its Parthenon is Greece's #1 tourist attraction. Are there any halachic issues with touring the ruins of pagan temples?
J G's user avatar
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What is the etymology of the name Teradion (as in R. Haninah ben Taradion)? [closed]

The name sounds Greek, and this Teradion would probably have lived in the first or second centuries under Roman occupation. That being said, since it's a Greek name, are there any other examples of ...
Uriah Blacke's user avatar
1 vote
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154 views

Were the Essenes considered apikorisim?

The ancient Essenes are known as being an highly Ascetic sect, with many Mystical and Monastical practices. In fact, Rav Aryeh Kaplan seems to imply that much of our Kabala actually originated from ...
Adam's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
800 views

Did Rambam explain why and how he got so influenced by Aristotle?

It is widely known that Rambam was greatly influenced by Aristotle, and his Guide and Hilchot Yesodey Hatorah practically repeat Aristotle's view and adopt them into Judaism (see also WIKI): Moses ...
Al Berko's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
780 views

Sources for Greek philosophy being influenced by Judaism [closed]

I'm aware of multiple sources describing exactly the opposite - the sheer influence of the Greek culture, language, economy, science and general worldview on the Sages and Judaism. The Greek culture ...
Al Berko's user avatar
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2 votes
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674 views

Articulation of resh with dagesh

It is well known that ר not lend itself to gemination. It never has virtual gemination. As for the full gemination indicated by the dagesh, ר allows it, but only very rarely, and never after the ...
U. Haller's user avatar