Questions tagged [hebrew]
Questions pertaining to the Hebrew language, as related to Judaism. See the help center: http://judaism.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic
711
questions
3
votes
0answers
26 views
Was the Jewish month of Tammuz named after the pagan god Tammuz of the Babylonian? [duplicate]
According to Wikipedia: "The name of the month was adopted from the Assyrian and Babylonian month Araḫ Dumuzu, named in honour of the Mesopotamian deity Dumuzid"
If so what's the implication ...
1
vote
2answers
64 views
Does the Midrash show any examples of adjectives attached to Rabbi when addressing a Rabbi?
Are there any historic examples, such as in the Midrash, that show someone addressing a Rabbi with an adjective such as
רַבִּי הַטּוֹב?
1
vote
1answer
37 views
What words and intentions are to be stressed at the end of Neilah?
I have heard different ways of stressing the words that we repeat seven times at the end of the Neilah service on Yom Kippur: יי הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים.
Are there any recorded thoughts on what is recommended ...
4
votes
1answer
112 views
What is the correct word for the way the letter Hebrew are classified in Sefer Yetzirah?
In the Wikipedia page for the Sefer Yetzirah I found this:
along with ten calibrations of empty space, twenty-two letters [of the
Hebrew alphabet], [of which] three are principal [letters] (i.e. א מ
...
1
vote
2answers
36 views
Esther 8:17 - Is the phrase פַּֽחַד־הַיְּהוּדִ֖ים synonymous with יִרְאַ֚ת יְהֹוָ֨ה?
When studying Esther 8:17, we read:
And in every province and in every city, wherever the king's order and his edict reached, [there was] joy and gladness for the Jews, a banquet and a festive day, ...
5
votes
1answer
62 views
Why is the final Heh in Ha'Shem's name different in K'thav Chabad/Alter-Rebbe?
Now I'm no Sofer by any means, although I do have a strong interest in the different Hebrew calligraphic traditions. All of which I find extremely beautiful in their own way.
While studying the style ...
1
vote
1answer
48 views
Original meaning of the word Segulah - סְגֻלָּה / and its current connotation
Shemos 19:5 - the verse reads
ועתה אם שמוע תשמעו בקלי ושמרתם את בריתי והייתם לי סגלה מכל העמים כי לי כל הארץ.
Targum translates Segula as beloved - חביבין
Rashi translates Segula as a beloved treasure ...
2
votes
0answers
51 views
Do you know what the name Edja means and is it commonly associated with a certain Hebrew name? [closed]
My family is trying to figure out some details for my grandmother's headstone.
Her Hebrew name is forgotten, she went by Edith for as long as I've known her but her Polish name was Edja. I can't find ...
2
votes
3answers
393 views
What does שליט"א stand for?
I thought that שליט"א came from the Aramaic word שליט (Ruler). But a Rabbi I told this to, pointed out that שליט"א is always written as with " , in the Middle so each the letters must ...
7
votes
2answers
694 views
How to apply the Masoretic note, “2x, once plene and once defectively” to Ruth 1:1?
In Ruth 1:1, there is a Masoretic note on שְׁפֹט which I do not understand:
The picture is a little unclear, but the note says (I have highlighted the letters with a dot above them):
ב חד מל וחד חס
...
1
vote
1answer
182 views
What does the Hebrew name Kohath/קהת mean?
While reading this Apocryphal book about the sons of Yisrael (Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs: Book of Levi Verses 51-52) it is stated that קהת means "beginning of majesty and instruction&...
2
votes
1answer
34 views
What is the translation of הרכבה מזגית / הרכבה שכונית?
In the introduction to Shev Shmattsa letter 'מ' he talks about various cases of two things that combine to become one (the guf and the neshama, a mule, someone who is half eved half ben chorin, etc). ...
1
vote
1answer
127 views
Why are the words for “heavens” and “waters” so similar?
Genesis 1:9 mentions waters and heavens: "הַמַּ֜יִם מִתַּ֤חַת הַשָּׁמַ֨יִם֙".
The words "mayim" (waters) and "shamayim" (heavens) are very similar.
Is this a coincidence, ...
1
vote
0answers
24 views
Spelling of בארי in the Rambam
I noticed in several places in the text of the Rambam presented in Rav Nachum Rabinovitch's Yad Peshuta (e.g. in hilchoth nachaloth) that instead of the expected spelling/word "בריא" (a ...
0
votes
1answer
52 views
Understanding עָרוּם in bereishit [duplicate]
I just began to study the Torah. It was interesting to see that both man and snake are described as עָרוּם, translated to english, in my version, as "naked" with respect to man, and "...
2
votes
0answers
36 views
Hebrew verbs in the Creation [duplicate]
Genesis 1 uses three distinct verbs when describing the Creation:
Strong's #
Hebrew
Transliteration
English
Verses
H1254
בָּרָא
bara'
to create
1, 21, 27
H1961
הָיְתָ֥ה
hayah
to be
2, 3, 14
H6213
...
4
votes
1answer
89 views
What does the word “גֹּשֶׁן” mean?
Reading this week's Torah portion (וַיִּגַּ֨שׁ), amongst the various storylines The Israelites moved and dwelt in the land of Goshen. What does the name גֹּשֶׁן mean? Is there a connection between ...
4
votes
0answers
57 views
Question on the wording of Ezra 2:67
In Ezra 2:65-67 it says:
מִ֠לְּבַד עַבְדֵיהֶ֤ם וְאַמְהֹֽתֵיהֶם֙ אֵ֔לֶּה שִׁבְעַ֣ת אֲלָפִ֔ים שְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וְשִׁבְעָ֑ה וְלָהֶ֛ם מְשֹׁרְרִ֥ים וּֽמְשֹׁרְר֖וֹת מָאתָֽיִם׃ סוּסֵיהֶ֕ם ...
0
votes
0answers
35 views
What is the meaning of “יְיָ” [duplicate]
what is the meaning of "יְיָ" in "בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
"?. Is it an actual word or is it something grammatical?
2
votes
1answer
86 views
Meaning of phrase in Hannukah song
I'm having trouble understanding the concluding phrase in the famous Hannukah song O Hannukah, which is על הנפלאות אשר חללו המכבים. What root is חללו and what is its meaning here? How to translate ...
2
votes
2answers
113 views
כּלּה kallâh “bride, spouse” < כּלל kâlal “to make perfect”?
Reading Strong's Real Hebrew dictionary, I discovered that כּלּה kallâh "bride, spouse" < כּלל kâlal "to make perfect". What does a bride have to do with perfection?
cf. Hebrew ...
0
votes
2answers
51 views
Biblical Hebrew words for “sister” & “bride” interchangeable? “sister” can 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. ...
1
vote
3answers
284 views
Is there any particular reason why Haran (חָרָן) is spelled as חָרָנָה in B'resheith 27:43 & 28:10?
Going through this week's Parsha (Vayetze), I came across these specific verses and was confused about why the ה is attached to חָרָן. Does anyone know why and are there any references for such? ...
2
votes
1answer
108 views
Clarifications on Mishneh Torah (Ishut 10:16)
הַמְאָרֵס אֶת בִּתּוֹ קְטַנָּה וּתְבָעָהּ הַבַּעַל לְנִשּׂוּאִין. בֵּין הִיא בֵּין אָבִיהָ יְכוֹלִין לְעַכֵּב שֶׁלֹּא תִּנָּשֵׂא עַד שֶׁתַּגְדִּיל וְתֵעָשֶׂה נַעֲרָה וְאִם רָצָה לְכָנְסָהּ כּוֹנֵס. ...
0
votes
0answers
107 views
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 ...
1
vote
0answers
73 views
What is this text over the door?
I'm adding this post for Albert, who posted this in Biblical Hermeneutics. His question:
Hi i got some people rent a house, and they put this signs which i think is hebrew on the top of the entry ...
0
votes
1answer
40 views
What phrase are people saying about 'ה and רחם?
I hear a certain phrase a lot. Are people saying ה' ירחם, that השם should be merciful, or ה' מרחם, that השם is merciful?
Thanks!
1
vote
1answer
62 views
What is the origin of the word פְּלַסְתֵּר?
The Gemara Berachos (31b) writes
אֵלֵךְ וְאֶסְתַּתֵּר בִּפְנֵי אֶלְקָנָה בַּעֲלִי, וְכֵיוָן דְּמִסְתַּתַּרְנָא מַשְׁקוּ לִי מֵי סוֹטָה, וְאִי אַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה תּוֹרָתְךָ פְּלַסְתֵּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״...
0
votes
1answer
60 views
Translating Maggid Mishneh (Issurei Biah 12:10)
My previous three questions on this topic dealt with the Rambam's original text, touching upon matters of both translation and interpretation, the two being inexorably linked; in this follow-up, ...
1
vote
1answer
175 views
Are there any cases in the Tanakh where the form of the word could ambiguously have either the root יָרֵא (fear) or רָאָה (see)?
Abijah originally asked this question in Biblical Hermeneutics (https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/52502/translating-forms-of-yirah-as-fear-or-seeing). Abijah stated how the question ...
2
votes
1answer
121 views
Learning to read Mishneh Torah
I have taken a number of classes covering Hebrew grammar and basic vocabulary and my proficiency level is basic but sufficient to navigate the Siddur, and with a dictionary (looking up many words) I ...
1
vote
1answer
37 views
While Torah means instructions, does this explain it equaling commands? [closed]
How do Jewish scholars view the conclusion some make from the Hittite Instructions in The Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament (3rd ed. with Supplement, p. i). Pritchard, J. B. (...
0
votes
1answer
200 views
Does the Hebrew word “Torah” originate from BOTH the words “Hora’ah” (meaning, Teaching) and “Orah” (meaning, Light)?
Does the Hebrew word "Torah" originate from BOTH the words “Hora’ah” (meaning, Teaching) and “Orah” (meaning, Light)?
The accurate meaning of “Torah” is twofold. Firstly it comes from the
...
1
vote
1answer
115 views
83 Bent Yod in Torah. Anyone know them?
I came across this word קָטֹנְתִּי in Gen 32:11.
On page 295 of Artscroll's Davis edition of the Baal HaTurim's commentary there is a footnote which says that there are 83 bent Yod in Torah, of which ...
0
votes
1answer
66 views
Ambiguity in the Rambam: Does בְּזָדוֹן Imply Mutual Consent?
This is a follow-up to my previous question:
In the following excerpt, does the term בְּזָדוֹן imply mutual consent, or simply a unilateral decision on the part of one of the two people involved, ...
2
votes
1answer
170 views
What is the original meaning of the Hebrew word שְׁכִינָה?
While שְׁכִינָה doesn't occur in the תנ״ך, the verb of its root שָׁכַן does, as well as שֵׁ֫כֶן … n.m. dwelling [physical structure]; שָׁכֵן … adj. inhabitant, neighbor; מִשְׁכָּן … dwelling-place, ‘...
2
votes
0answers
28 views
Maaneh Lashon - Book
My grandfather used to use this book when he was alive to daven at the cemeteries of his relatives each year.
https://i.stack.imgur.com/RMNwb.jpg
(The first pages are different but the rest looks ...
1
vote
1answer
247 views
Looking for the Lost tribes : Are Bantus speaking Ancient Hebrew? [closed]
On YouTube many videos link the Bantu languages to the ancient Hebrew. Would you know if any scholar ever studied the link between both languages do understand how they influence each other? Could the ...
0
votes
2answers
138 views
Ambiguity in the Rambam: Who Is Pursuing Whom?
The following has already been translated, but upon closer examination, something seems amiss:
אֲבָל יִשְׂרָאֵל הַבָּא עַל הַכּוּתִית ... כֵּיוָן שֶׁבָּא עַל הַכּוּתִית בְּזָדוֹן הֲרֵי זוֹ נֶהֱרֶגֶת ...
0
votes
2answers
77 views
What would be an alternative to the Reuben Alcalay Hebrew-English Dictionary?
I've been looking for a decent copy of the well-known Reuben Alcalay dictionary, at a price that I can live with and in good condition. Unfortunately, I haven't found much. So now I'm looking for an ...
2
votes
2answers
119 views
Original Nikud for Raphael?
רָפָאֵל or רְפָאֵל
What is the original nikud? I have seen some variation before and wonder if the name should begin with Kamatz or Sheva?
Thank you for any help you can give.
1
vote
1answer
100 views
How do I pronounce the words יוׁ״ד קֵ״י בְּוָא״ו קֵ״י after “For the sake of the unification of the Holy One…?”
Title. I'm not sure how to find out about it so I'll ask in here.
Shalom!
4
votes
0answers
89 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
129 views
What does the name “Sirach” mean?
The apocryphal text dubbed "Eccleasiaticus" (also known as The Book of Sirach) is purported to be written by a man by the name of Ben Sira or Shimon ben Yeshua ben Eliezer ben Sira. I was ...
0
votes
2answers
57 views
How to safely write a name of G-d in Hebrew?
I noticed that in English it is preferred by some to say G-d. What is the preferred way to write the/a name of G-d in Hebrew? For example, if you were to title a paper "G-d", how would you ...
4
votes
2answers
105 views
Lashon Hakodesh Reveals Essence of Item
Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch writes in his commentary to Tehillim (72:11) that Hebrew shows the essence of each item. For instance, "כסא" defines and reveals the essence of something designed ...
0
votes
0answers
47 views
Hebrew script and the inconsistent views over history of the usage of the paleo Hebrew script [duplicate]
Can someone tell me where I found this opinion- that the modern Hebrew script was used for holy texts, and the Paleo-Hebrew script was used for secular texts. However all ancient Hebrew writing have ...
0
votes
1answer
125 views
Separating Torah study from Hebrew study
I once heard there is a requirement to separate learning Hebrew from the learning of Torah; that there is an assur on doing basic Hebrew learning based on what one wants or has to study in the Torah ...
0
votes
1answer
66 views
What does the name Nemuel mean? [closed]
I looked at the Strong's Concordance and it says perhaps "Day of EL/God". Any insight into what this name may mean?
1
vote
1answer
191 views
Reason for different punctuation of the prefix vav?
In the Siddur, the prefix vav is seen with various punctuations (e.g., shva, kamatz, patah, shuruk). When is each of these different punctuations used with a prefix vav and how does each affect the ...
