Questions tagged [hebrew]
Questions pertaining to the Hebrew language, as related to Judaism. See the help center: http://judaism.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic
873 questions
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Hebrew being Lashon HaKodesh, is the inclusion and exclusion of certain phonemes and sounds in the language significant?
For instance, the English sounds of "J", "W","Th", and "Ch" are for the most part unused in Hebrew. (Although as an exception, I've seen a Yemenite Chazan use ...
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Why do the Sages often believe that the word רוב mean "majority," when it clearly means "a lot"?
It seems clear that the word רוב in biblical Hebrew means "a large amount." For example, Bereshit 48:16
וְיִדְגּוּ לָרֹב בְּקֶרֶב הָאָרֶץ may they teem into multitudes in the midst of the ...
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Why Does עלה Mean 'Page'?
I have seen numerous sages refer to a page as עלה. Yet the normative way to refer to a page is עמוד or דף. What is the etymology of this usage?
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Was the world really created by the Hebrew letters?
There’s a somewhat-famous Kabbalistic concept, recorded first in the Sefer Yetzirah, that Hashem created the world by using the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Assuming Hebrew indeed evolved from an ...
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Different traditions in Hebrew pronunciation [closed]
The theme of Hebrew pronunciation fascinates me, and I want to get feedback on some issues I've been thinking about for years. I have discussed some of these issues with others, including Rabbis with ...
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Evolved minimal Hebrew pronunciation in halacha
Inspired by comments on this question: Say a person travels from place to place where there are certain traditional havarot (pronunciations) such that what were likely originally distinct sounds, are ...
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What is the pronunciation of these nikkud?
I am trying to learn Hebrew pronunciation by reading Rashi's commentary on the Torah. However, the Torah’s text in this version of the book has a lot of Nikkud which I cannot find an explanation. ...
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דרך Segol or kometz under ד
In Parshas Balak (probably other places too), the word “דרך" is usually vocalized as ״דֶרֶך״; but at least once, it’s vocalized as ״דָרֶך״ with a kometz. Why?
Also, sometimes Bilaam and Balak ...
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Question about Binyanim – Hebrew linguistics [closed]
I've looked into lots of linguistic works and found discussion of the 7 Binyanim (verb patterns) in much of modern Hebrew linguistics and even going back before. Obviously verbs in Tanakh (and all of ...
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Are Biblical Hebrew words for “sister” & “bride” interchangeable? Can “sister” mean “friend”?
Paul M. Conner, O.P., Celibate Love p. 23 (PDF p. 27), claims:
In Hebrew the terms "sister" and "bride" do not always have literal application. Often they are interchangeable. ...
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What is the Halacha if I pronounced הוליכך with a patach under the כ instead of a shva?
I realize that this question may be quite specific but this is something that I am genuinely concerned about and I am beating myself up for it.
I leined this Mincha on Shabbat. In the leining, I think ...
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Are these two words synonymous? [closed]
Are these two words always, never or sometimes synonymous?
כשיבואו
לכשיבואו
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Ribono Shel Olam pronunciation
I haven't studied Hebrew in 50 years and cannot read it anymore. I wonder if anyone has any suggestions on how I can get the pronunciation of Rabbi Nachman's phrase "Ribono Shel Olam" both ...
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Sepharadic Daf Yomi speaker?
I'm looking for a playlist of Daf Yomi from a Sepharadic speaker; I have trouble understanding Ashkanazi Hebrew and I don't want to get my words mixed up.
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Is there a dagesh in the kuf of קמנו?
I have seen different versions of the second-last posuk in Tehillim 20: ואנחנו קמנו ונתעודד. Some have the kuf with a dagesh (קַּמְנוּ). Others have the kuf without a dagesh (קַמְנוּ). The Minchas ...
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What does the name of Amalek mean?
I know there are various etymological methods that scientists use to say "we don't really know where this word comes from" but I'm wondering about what Jewish methods we can apply to ...
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Torah term for putting others first?
Pretty self-explanatory. Is there any Torah term or phrase that refers to the ethical act of "Putting Others First"?
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Babylonian pronunciation for Talmud Bavli?
Did certain traits of the Babylonian Masoretic pronunciation, also apply to the aramaic of the Talmud Bavli?
For example, in Tanakh, according to the most common tradition, ו is pronounced [v], like ...
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Masorah parva hapax legomenon
Is there a complete listing of hapax legomenon in the Masorah parva in the Hebrew Old Testament as indicated by the hebrew letter ל with a small dot over it?
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What does the abbreviation ז׳׳ק mean after a person's name
I'm editing a translation of a yizkor book. It contains a full-page essay/tribute to a rabbi. The closing line of the essay has the author's name, followed by ז׳׳ק and I'm unsure how it should be ...
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What is the correct definition of the Hebrew מין?
In relation to this question that I have asked. What is the correct English translation or equivalent of the Hebrew word מין?
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What do the literal meanings of "Af al pi" and "Af al gav" have to do with the actual meanings?
As far as I can tell, אף על פי/ Af Al Pi would literally translate to "nose on (my) mouth". Similarly, אף על גב/ Af Al Gav would literally translate to "nose on back". In actuality,...
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Which script was the Torah given in at Sinai? [duplicate]
Background
Sifrei Torah today are written in kethav Ashurith, the Aramaic square script:
But this script is newer than "Paleo Hebrew"/Phonecian script, and historians say that the square ...
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What is the (biblical) origin of the root עלם
I’m learning Hebrew, and with the Hitpa'el verbs, like להתחתן (to marry) or להתפלל (to pray), I can often learn new nouns by testing the root, such as חתונה (wedding) or תפילה (prayer). Recently, I ...
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Is וּכְתַבְתָּ֛ם in Shema with Shva Na or Shva Nach
My daughter goes to a chabad school (nusach ari?) and has been taught in class that וּכְתַבְתָּ֛ם in the shema (end of first paragraph) is with a shvah na on the כְ. She also says it has the asterisk ...
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Sefardic transliteration schemes?
I am looking for standards for transliteration of Hebrew for Sefardim, for the various nekudot and letters.
For example, how does one transliterate a כ with no dagesh? Is it kh of ch? How about ח? How ...
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What does ממנ”פ mean?
I've seen the acronym ממנ”פ in multiple places but I am not sure what it means.
קיצורים וראשי תיבות בעברית indicates that it means ממערכת נשימה פנימית but I am not sure if that is correct.
Here are ...
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גמר חתימה טובה gender
During the nine and a half days ending with Yom Kipur, we wish each other "גמר חתימה טובה" (an end to the good signing). This seems very strange. Shouldn't it be "גמר חתימה טוב" (a good end to the ...
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Meaning of "Av Harachamim"
Time-sensitive question (today is 29 Elul..!)
Artscroll translates the phrase "Av Harachamim" as "father of mercy".
What does this mean exactly? How can G-d be the Father of a ...
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Whence "בחזקת בשרי"?
Besides the main categories of meat, dairy, and pareve (non-meat, non-dairy) foods, two special subcategories of pareve foods are relevant to halacha (e.g. Yore Dea 93): pareve food cooked using clean ...
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When does the rule of אתי מרחוק apply?
I was told that there is a rule that if a word has the stress מלעיל (i.e. not on the last syllable), then the first letter of the next word should have a dagesh. I can not find anywhere where this ...
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Definition of Baal Nefesh
I have seen "Baal Nefesh" used frequently in various contexts: sometimes as one who is scrupulous in halacha, other times as someone who is a quality person.
What is its simple translation/meaning?
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Why is a Ladybug called a פרת משה רבינו?
I know people might consider this a Hebrew language question, but I decided it would be relevent because I'm wondering why a ladybug is called a פרת משה רבינו in Modern Hebrew. To the best of my ...
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Why is the translation of selah so obscure?
The word 'selah' appears numerous times in Tehillim and Tefillah.
אַשְׁרֵי יוֹשְׁבֵי בֵיתֶךָ עוֹד יְהַלְלוּךָ סֶּלָה
וְכל הַחַיִּים יודוּךָ סֶּלָה וִיהַלְלוּ וִיבָרְכוּ אֶת שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדול בֶּאֱמֶת ...
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Why does Sfas Emes start his commentary on Parshat Noach by saying he doesn't know it? Is the translation faulty?
Sfas Emes begins his commentary on Parshat Noach, according to Sefaria, by saying "I do not properly remember." All the other Parshas begin with some variation of "B'H". Why does ...
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Why in Hebrew masculine numbers agree with feminine nouns by adding ה?
First, in questions of the Hebrew language as Loshon Hakodesh, I divide between "how come" which can be directed at linguists, and "why" (teleological) which can only be directed ...
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How could different pronunciations arise when we are obligated to pronounce the Shema precisely?
If one does not pronounce the Shema correctly, one has not fulfilled their obligation (שולחן ערוך או"ח סימן סב). If so, then how could different pronunciations of the Hebrew words arise? Shouldn't at ...
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What different pronunciation should a Kohen give to each letter to be strict in halacha? (SA 128:33)
When Halacha says that a Kohen should distinguish between all the Hebrew letters in Siman 128 Seif 33 from where it says "similar examples":
מי שאינו יודע לחתוך האותיות כגון שאומר לאלפי"ן עייני"ן ...
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Proper Reading of the Word זועה
The word זועה appears six times in tanach:
Yeshayahu 28:19
Yirmiyahu 15:4
Yirmiyahu 24:9
Yirmiyahu 29:18
Yirmiyahu 34:17
Divrei Hayamim II 29:8
In each one of these instances except the first, the ...
CommunityBot
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Online Hebrew Lexicon for learning Tanakh
Shalom, it is my goal to significantly improve my Hebrew this year.
It was recommended to me that an online Hebrew Lexicon, which allows you to analyze each word of Tanakh, including grammar, ...
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How to pronounce Hebrew with the Chassidic pronunciation?
First of all, I'm not Jewish but I love Judaism and feel a strong connection to the Jewish people and faith.
My question is regarding the Chassidic way of Hebrew pronunciation when praying and reading ...
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Is there a book / document that explains the proper use of kamatz katan in the Torah?
I am a Ba'al Kri'ah. I am quite confused regarding the rules of "kamatz katan". Another Ba'al Kri'ah explained that a kamatz katan occurs when a kamatz is used in a word (usually a verb) ...
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What does ציר"ו stand for?
The Chida's Bris Olam (Sefer Chasidim 315), quoted by the Kaf Hachaim Palagi (21:9), uses an acronym ציר"ו - what does that stand for?
וענין זה כשיעמיק האדם בו תסמר שערות בשרו ויהי ציר"ו ...
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Differences in nikkud between Ashkenazi Hebrew (or Yiddish?) and "Standard" Hebrew words
I have an interest in Judaism through the prism of Yiddish (specially Hasidic) culture. I'm more proficient in Yiddish but I'm slowly absorbing a bit of Hebrew. Looking through texts edited by Hasidic ...
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Does anyone have this paragraph from the Be'er HaGolah in English or Spanish?
Does anyone have the Be'er HaGolah on Shulchan Arukh in English or Spanish? Only looking for the paragraph below:
Be'er HaGolah on Shulchan Arukh, Choshen Mishpat 348
ה) וכ"כ הרמב"ם בפי"...
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Why shin and sin?
Why does Hebrew use the same letter to represent two different sounds: shin and sin? As far as I know, with the exception of when using a dagesh kal, no other Hebrew letter has this property.
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Hebrew phrase/term and pronunciation for "the Lord is my high ridge" from Psalm 18.2
I would really appreciate to know the original Hebrew phrase/term and its pronunciation for "the Lord is my high ridge" from Psalm 18.2
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Silent aleph (no, I mean really silent)
Please explain what is going on with the letter Aleph in certain places in Tanakh (e.g. the second to last word of Devarim 3:12, the first word of Tehillim 34:10), where the Aleph contributes neither ...
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Question on distinguishing similar words: שׂכל ,בין ,חכם ,ידע
How does one distinguish between שׂכל, בין, חכם, ידע?
And their respective nouns: שֶׂכֶל, בִּינָה, חָכְמָה, מַדָע, דַּעַת
When comparing the lexicons Dictionary of Classical Hebrew and HALOT I see ...
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Pronouncing the vav in mitzvot and matzot [closed]
What is the reason for the different pronunciation of the vav in the words mitzvot and matzot?
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