Questions tagged [hashkafah-philosophy]
Jewish philosophy as well as Jewish perspectives - i.e. not only formal philosophy. NOT for questions about Jewish practice unless there's a philosophical component.
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Does an object exist if there is no one there to observe it?
I found this question on Quora and I wonder if Judaism or any Jewish thinkers weigh in on this. In particular, assuming
God does everything for a purpose
God is continuously willing that object to ...
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Can God influence man to sin?
We know that God is Sovereign, Creator of all things, whether spiritual or physical, and nothing escapes His control or goes against Him.
So, from what is written:
"However, [God hardened Pharaoh'...
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According to Halacha, are there rules for practicing celibacy, living a life as a monk or nun? Or is it simply prohibited? [duplicate]
Having children (or being "fruitful") is considered the first mitzvah and commandment, and is considered an "obligation" according to Halacha - but are there any rules for those ...
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Textual Criticism of Nach
I was recently learning Megillat Esther (as I prepare some shiurim on the topic), and was surprised to find the following comment by Rabbi Moshe Yitzchak Ashkenazi (Tedeschi), in his commentary to ...
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Why must Jewish kingship be hereditary?
As we see in the scriptures many kings from the line of David sinned and caused devastation in Israel.
What is the logical reason for kingship being inherited no matter what kind of person is the king?...
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How can I answer a Rishon's question
Since the Rishonim are a lot greater than us, and most of them had ruach hakodesh (see chabadlibrary.org/books/bsht/kst/3/217.htm), would it be possible for me to think of an answer to a question that ...
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What is the proper balance between halacha and social life? [closed]
I guess the question that I'm going to ask is an aspect of a much broader question on the tension between halacha and openness and I'm not even sure whether the question is halachic or hashkafic ... ...
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May one study medieval Christian philosophers such as Augustine or Aquinas? [duplicate]
Many colleges and graduate schools require their students to read Christian philosophers such as Augustine or Aquinas. Does this pose a halachic problem?
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The fall of Yehudah the Maccabee
Yehudah the Maccabee died in the Battle of Elasa, a mere four years after the victory at Beit Tzur and the subsequent purification and rededication of the Temple.
Are there any rabbinic sources that ...
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Opinions of Contemporary Gedolim Re: Me'or Einayim (De Rossi)
Rabbi Azariah De Rossi wrote a very controversial sefer called Meor Einayim. While earlier authorities did oppose it (see above link), are there any recent American rabbanim who have offered opinions ...
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How could Leah daven to change her fetus's gender?
The gemara brachos 60a asks how could Leah daven for her fetus to change genders if the mishna calls that a wasted tefilla.
The gemara gives 2 answers.The first is, acts of miracles are different. I ...
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Is cutting corners in the Temple allowed?
Last week I went on an archeology studies field trip from my university. We toured parts of the City of David and around and under the Kotel. It turns out that the bottom-most blocks that form the ...
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Does the Torah have a gender?
Within the talmud, is the Torah as an entity referred to with with a particular gender and if so are there exceptions?
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Did Rambam ever refer to the 13 Principles in his other works?
Rambam lists the 13 Principles as the beliefs which measure one's merits for the world to come, and he writes it as an elaboration of the Mishnaic statement: "All of the Jewish people, have a ...
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What is the source of the teaching that Hashem, unlike humanity, perceives time continuously?
I recall once reading a passage that discussed divine perception of reality. The idea was something like this: Humans blink their eyes, and so do not see everything that happens in time. Hashem, ...
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Could Moses Have Failed?
Was having a conversation with another user in which I made the argument that Moses didn't fully believe he was talking to God because he doubts he can fulfill this mission from God even with God's ...
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What were the gedolim's reactions when the Alter of Kelm implemented general subjects in his Yeshivah?
Rabbi Simcha Zissel Ziv Broida, aka the Alter of Kelm, around the year 1865, opened a Yeshivah with a focus on Mussar. In addition to Mussar, he
" ...also introduced general subjects such as ...
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Was there an opposition to Arizal?
There was a big conflict about the Hashkafa of Rambam.
But it seems that there was nothing to contradict the Arizal, as if everybody agreed with the fact that he learned with Elyahu, and so him being ...
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Are the rights which provide basis for assertiveness in line with Jewish philosophy?
A common feature of assertiveness training involves one internalizing an assertiveness "bill of rights". Below is a an example of a popular list of such rights from Manuel J. Smith:
I: You ...
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Is interfaith dialogue with Karaites permitted?
R' Joseph Soloveitchik famously objects to interfaith dialogue. @mbloch provides a thorough examination of the halachic issues surrounding interfaith dialogue.
My question is, while this obviously ...
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What is the occupation of the soul, Jewish and non-Jewish, in the months prior to birth?
After reading an interesting scientific article concerning how mammals apparently dream prior to birth, it reminded me of Rabbi Simlai in Niddah 30b discussing how each Jewish soul learns the entire ...
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Rabbinical reaction to Milgram's experiments
Were/are there rabbis that wrote or spoke about Milgram's experiments, presenting a Torah view on the matter (the question of whether the Nazis were unique or the theory that anyone could potentially ...
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Why this common greeting: Tzom kal?
Tzom kal (easy fast) is a common greeting before the 9th of Av, but why? It runs counter to the adage, "No pain, no gain". The no pain adage seems similar to L'fum tzaara agra – according ...
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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?
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Instances of Shevua Shechal Bo
Does the concept "Shevua Shechal Bo" come up within the context of halacha or hashkafa in any area other than the the week leading up to Tisha B'Av? It just seems like a unique measure for a ...
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Biblical attribution of intelligence and feelings to the human heart
Traditionally, the human heart was considered the residence of the animated soul and numerous Biblical passages refer to that ancient belief:
"You shall love the LORD your God with all your ...
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Is there a mitzvah to do chesed for a non-Jew?
If I give a non Jew a ride, is that considered a chesed?
I’m sure it’s considered a kiddush hashem but is there a mitzvah of chesed? Should one go out of his way to find these mitzvos of chesed, like ...
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Animal Sentience in Judaism
Leaving aside related concepts that might stem from this conversation such as veganism or animal rights...The more I read Tanakh the more it seems to me that the Torah and Tanakh as a whole view ...
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If you do the right thing
I have heard a lot of people say, if you do the right thing you will never lose out even in this world. Is there a source for this?
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Only one Rebbi for hashkafa
I was told there is a gemara which stresses the importance of having only one Rebbi for hashkafa as multiple teachers in this area would only result in confusion. Anyone know where this gemara is? ...
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Torah source for different views on Torah
I was wondering what are some Torah sources for (ironically) having different hashkafas (outlooks) of the torah itself and what HaShem wants from us. (Of course within the realm of Orthodox Judaism ...
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Ship of Theseus in Halacha
How would Halacha deal with the Ship of Theseus thought experiment?
For example, if one made a neder (vow) not to have any hana'ah (benefit) from a certain ship and over time every single piece of ...
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Does all or nothing apply to a minyan?
Is it better to daven with 5 people instead of 2, even though you won't have a minyan anyways?
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Looking for sources that explain why monotheism is true (as opposed to paganism) and how to attain that knowledge
Shalom.
I am looking for sources (a list if possible) that explain why monotheism, as opposed to paganism, is true. I would also like to know how to attain that knowledge.
I am aware that Chovos ...
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Is there a Braita like Rabbi Pinchas Ben Yair but for intellectual virtue?
The braita of Rabbi Pinchas Ben yair in Masechet Avodah Zara 20b enumerates the levels of moral virtues. As quoted below, there is a structured progression to get to the next virtue.
מכאן א"ר ...
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Rambam's position regarding the unification of souls in the afterlife (Guide to the Perplexed-First Part Chapter 74 seventh argument)
In his Guide to the Perplexed-First Part Chapter 74 seventh argument, Rambam says:
You must bear in mind that those abstract beings which are neither bodies nor forces dwelling in bodies, and which in ...
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Annus al pi haDibbur
In the Haggadah, we read that Ya'akov Avinu descended to Mitzrayim 'compelled by Divine decree.' Most understand this to mean that Ya'akov understood that his reunion with Yosef would begin the ...
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Must Noachides accept the story of Noach?
I know of a certain person who attempted an Orthodox conversion some time ago, but had to stop in the middle for various reasons, including, but not limited to, opposing hashkafic views. This person ...
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Do the Jews believe in the divine decree? [duplicate]
Many religions such as Islam, sikhism, etc... believe in the divine decree i.e. everything we: do, say, think, feel and everything that happens around us like the weather, earth quakes, etc... is ...
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Holy Artificial intelligence?
If Ai became a reality and self-aware, able-bodied robots akin to humans were commonplace, would it be pious to convert the AI's to Judaism? Essentially, if a non-human wants to become Jewish, can we ...
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Judging Others Favorable or Otherwise
In Pirkei Avos we are told not to judge another unless we are standing his place. Is this a command never to judge another negatively no matter his actions? or is there a qualification that it only ...
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Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz source of quote
Woe to a man who is unaware of his faults, he is not attentive to what
needs repair.
But double woe to he who is unaware of his virtues, he is unskilled
in the tools of the trade!”
Where is this ...
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Jewish theodicy on natural evil [duplicate]
Serious question. I understand the free will explanation for why God allows people to do evil things. But why does God allow what is classically called "natural evil"? For example, why does ...
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Relationship between Amalek and Gog/Magog?
Both are mentioned as adversaries of the Jewish people, and are mentioned in various sources, but always separately. Amalek is first mentioned in Shemot Ch 17 and several times in Neviim, while Gog ...
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Why are the big heroes of the Tanach not perfect?
Adam and Eve ate the forbidden apple.
Cain killed Abel.
Abraham and Sarah abandoned Ismael and Hagar.
Jacob was Blessed in a cruel move by Rivkah.
Joseph was arrogant and his brothers left him almost ...
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Are the laws exclusive to the land of Israel, also relevant in terms of what they teach us everywhere?
There are many laws enumerated in the written and oral Torah. One of their categorizations is those which are obligatory inside the land of Israel and those which are obligatory both in the land of ...
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Does God love every Jew unconditionally?
If a Jew spent his entire life doing terrible sins, would God still love him? For example, does God love Jesus or Jews who have caused similarly terrible damage?
Please provide sources.
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Are there any writings which speak to the spiritual aspects of different materials (Metals/Wood/etc.)?
I found an article on Chabad which got into some spiritual ideas around metals. It specifically touches on Gold, Silver, and Copper and relates each to various concepts of holiness and spiritual ...
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Tikkun for Timtum HaLev
Is there teshuva/tikkun for timtum halev (specifically for forbidden foods)? Please cite sources.
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Where do we find that the Torah is compared to a sea (yam)?
Just need this for something I’m writing.
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