All Questions
Tagged with history provenance
46 questions
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Who wrote Shir Hashirim, Koheles and Mishlei?
Was it King Shlomo or Chizkiyahu and his colleagues who wrote Shir Hashirim, Koheles and Mishlei?
When did Chizkiahu live?
- 719
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Why did the Tos'fos Yom Tov compose his Mi Sheberach?
It is well known that R. Yom Tov Heller, author of the Tos'fos Yom Tov and other works, wrote a prayer to be recited for the benefit of those who don't speak in the synagogue (or: during prayer). I'm ...
- 73.9k
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answer
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When was the Midrash Tanhuma written?
This article (Hebrew) claims that the Midrash Tanhuma was likely written after the Quran. A response in the talkbacks says that this is incorrect. Neither provide any source.
Does anyone know what ...
- 289
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Aristotle learning Torah
I have seen from a few places which claim that they have found a letter written from Aristotle to Alexander the great . In the letter Aristotle laments about the fact that he wasted so much time on ...
- 42.7k
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What's controversial about Chemdat HaYamim?
This answer from @Oliver mentions
The controversial book Hemdat Ha-yamim...
What is Chemdat HaYamim, and what is controversial about it? I know this is a very simple question but I wasn't ...
- 19.2k
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answer
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First use of modern names for books of Torah
Today, it is common practice to use Bereshis, Shemos, Vayikra, Bamidbar, Devarim as the names of the five books of the Torah, but this was not always the case. As an example, the Talmud refers to ...
- 3,705
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When did usage of "Hashem" to refer to G-d gain traction?
It seems as though virtually all seforim (especially those written by Acharonim and earlier) refer to G-d as either Hakodosh Boruch Hu or Ribono Shel Olom, and never as "Hashem." Similarly, I don't ...
- 351
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Who put together the Hagadah?
Who put together the Pesach Hagadah and the seder we have today?
The Mishneh provides some order, but who put together the Hagadah?
- 6,885
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Rambam's Commentary on the Torah?
In the Seder HaDoros, published by R' Yechiel Heilprin in 1747, the author describes the life and legacy of many Jewish historical personalities including Rambam.
I'm not sure how historically ...
- 4,419
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The Arizal and Shovavim
This week begins the six week period of Shovavim, a time period that the Arizal wrote is an auspicious time to work on oneself, especially in the areas of sexual transgressions.
I have two questions:
...
- 4,707
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What is the source for making a "Shabbos Kallah"?
What is the source for making a get-together for a bride and her friends on the Shabbos before the wedding? What is the earliest record of such a minhag in the Jewish community?
- 5,147
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Why are we not fluent in Greek philosophy anymore?
Why is it that the Rishonim and many Achronim used to be fluent in philosophy (mainly Greek) and these days it's unheard of? Is it due to our weakness, and it is really allowed?
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Chad Gadya and Echad Mi Yodeya in the Haggadah
My question is about the history of the Passover song Chad Gadya. I have long suspected this song was originally conceived as a pastiche of Echad Mi Yodeya--the thematic, musical, and phonetic ...
- 20.2k
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Pulling ear when sneeze
Where does it come from that people pull their ear when they sneeze does it have something to do with our forefather Jacob before him no-one became ill just before death? That is, he became ill before ...
- 1,146
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Who wrote the Aramaic translation for Psalms and when?
The Talmud in Migila specifies that no translation (Targum) for the Ktuvim was written since although Rabbi Yonatan Ben Uziel wanted to, he was told not to do so:
עוד ביקש לגלות תרגום של כתובים ...
- 604
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Hand gesture origin for "David Melech Yisrael" song [closed]
What is the origin of the gestures for the song whose text is "David melech yisrael, chai chai v'kayam"? (An example would be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWItJ0TF2fw.)
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Did Rambam have Rashi's works?
While the Rambam lived a century after Rashi, I cannot recall ever seeing or hearing the Rambam cite or mention Rashi or any of his works.
Is there any evidence that Rambam had access to Rashi's ...
- 810
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When was the term "Next World" (עולם הבא) first used in Jewish literature
In modern Jewish literature and folklore the "next world" (עולם הבא) is mentioned multiple times. In contrast, it is not mentioned (AFAIK) at all in the Torah.
So where/when did this start?
- 249
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Origins of the Yerushalmi Kaftan
Among Yerushalmi Chareidim, a special dress code seems to have developed which has some features which are unique from standard Eastern Ashkenazi dress. While most Chareidim I have seen wear black ...
- 13.3k
11
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1
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430
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What is the origin of the claim that they played games to hide Torah learning prior to Chanuka
This question makes a very commonly heard claim: "Before the miracle of Hanukkah, when those who controlled the land severely restricted Torah study, Jewish children would gather to study Torah in ...
- 32.3k
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Who broke the parshiyot into aliyot and how?
The Torah readings on Shabbat are broken into 7 aliyot. I know that there are rules for the minimum number of pesukim for each aliyah but I am wondering who set up the exact placement of the aliyah ...
- 38.7k
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Who & When composed the prayer said prior to calling the Kohain to the Torah?
In this question and answer Why are there different intro. prayers for calling the Kohen aliyah on Shabbat vs. weekday? there seems to be a question remaining as to when the prayers of ותגלה ותראה ...
- 140k
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When did the custom of silver candlesticks for Shabbat start?
I heard that it is a custom to give a bride candlesticks. Is this true? when did this start? Who has the obligation to do this? and more info on the subject with sources please.
Is this true that it ...
- 7,614
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2
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415
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Animal sacrifice in Judaism -- was it copied from other religions?
Why is there animal sacrifice in Judaism? Animal sacrifice was found in other religions before Judaism, so could it be that the Jews copied the practice of animal sacrifice from other religions?
user8730
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What is the oldest work to incorporate an acrostic of shem Havaya in the opening?
I have seen many books where the first letters of the first 4 works in the first sentence of the work spell out the shem Havaya (the Tetragrammaton, yud-kay and vav kay). What was the first Jewish ...
- 15.3k
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Source for Jewish Chapter breaks in Tanach
I know that the chapter divisions are a Christian invention, and therefore don't exist in very old Jewish sources (Aleppo Codex, Leningrad Codex, dead sea scrolls, etc.). However our divisions don't ...
- 7,056
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Selichot origins
In what year (CE) did saying selichot in Elul begin? In what year were they made a standard addition to prayer books? Looking for an academic answer, not the yeshivahish one. And did Sephardim start ...
- 91
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Akeidah and Ketoret
The earliest siddur I own (London, 5569 [1808-09]) does not include Ketoret or Akeidah, despite purporting to follow the customs of the "German and Polish" communities [emphasis mine]. Since ...
- 13.3k
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Why is V'Zot Habracha read on Simchat Torah instead of on Shabbat?
I understand that Ezra began the concept of an annual Torah cycle where each Parsha is to be read on a Shabbat (except if coinciding with Yom Tov.)
However, V'Zot Habracha was scheduled to be ...
- 71.5k
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60
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Where and when did the numerical time units (hours) originate? [duplicate]
The Torah states no numerical divisions for the day. The closest numeric we find is that there are 7 days in the week, and that the start of the "day" begins with "erev" (and there are debates on when ...
- 71.5k
6
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What is the origin of the song Echad Mi Yodeya?
Who is the author or what is the origin of the song commonly found in the haggadah called Echad Mi Yodeya?
user5092
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1
answer
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Why do Jewish books use shiny text on the spine?
I have noticed that sefarim (Jewish books) tend to use golden-colored shiny text on the spine and cover. Of course, there are some notable exceptions (e.g. books by Mossad HaRav Kook), but this seems ...
user3318
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5
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Origin of Reform/Conservative "scarf" talleisim
I've noticed that Reform and Conservative often use small "scarf" talleisim (here's an image). Where did this practice originate? (Is there any connection to the scarves that some Christian priests ...
user3318
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6
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3k
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Niddah and Counting 7 Clean Days - What are its Origins?
The following comment is made in the wikipedia entry on Niddah:
In the days of the Amoraim, because of possible confusion in
determining when menstruation began and ended and hence whether blood
...
- 3,670
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4k
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Is this the Chofetz Chaim? [closed]
What is the story behind this picture being known as the image of the great Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan(Chafetz Chaim)? Is it him in fact? Where does it come from?
The only true picture (that I am aware ...
- 10.5k
14
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3
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735
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"שליט״א" only for certain people
Living people sometimes have "שליט״א" added after their respective names. This means, roughly, "may he live a good, long life". That seems like a nice blessing for anyone; yet, in my experience, only ...
- 73.9k
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Where does the tune for birkat hamazon come from?
It's hard to describe who's tune this is and I can only refer to it as the 'commonly used' or 'popular' tune for birkat hamazon. It seems like it is compiled of many unrelated tunes. At times there ...
- 10.5k
12
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1
answer
164
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What is the source of Yartzeit tablet?
Who invented the Yahrtzeit tablet (panel)?
At first glance, this could not have been common before 150 years ago, as there is no room to place candles where the electric lights go.
Who invented it, ...
- 40.8k
5
votes
1
answer
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Haredi clothing
Every time I see videos or photographs of Haredim of sixty-eighty years ago, I notice an abundance of grey suits and hats, with the occasional brown or grey waistcoat. Examples of this include the ...
- 19.1k
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How did the modern day Beis Hora'ah phenomenon develop?
Here in Eretz Yisrael, we find Batei Hora'ah in many cities - places where a moreh hora'ah sits either during special times or perhaps the whole day or different rabbonim throughout the day answering ...
- 16.2k
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Where/when/how/why did flags become part of Simchas Torah celebrations?
Kids today all know that they have flags when dancing on Simchas Torah.
How, when, where, and/or why did the flags originate? (Someone decided it was fun, and then it caught on?) What pictures were ...
- 136k
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Praying at Amukah = Finding a mate. Since when?
Many people, I'm sure, have heard of the famous segulah for finding one's soulmate: praying at the grave of Yonasan ben Uziel in Amukah, Israel.
I'm not asking if this works, or why it would work, or ...
- 28.7k
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Face in the arm in Tahnanun- when did it start? [closed]
What are the arguments against putting the face in the arm in Tahahnun? When did this Minhag start?
- 16.8k
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2
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628
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What is the provenance of Maseches Sofrim
Who wrote Maseches Sofrim and when did he live. Is it accepted by everyone?
The Rashba in Brachos 34a writes that is one of the minor masechtes that were authored by the early sages. He reiterates in ...
- 6,071
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What is the original halachic source for a woman covering her collarbones out of modesty (tznius)?
Many contemporary instructions on women's modesty (tznius) say that necklines have to be high enough to cover the collarbones.
I can certainly accept that if this is the communal standard, it should ...
- 136k
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Where does the concept of Gilgulim (reincarnations) in Judaism come from?
What is the source of Gilgulim (reincarnations) in Judaism? Are there people who disagree with its existence? Who was the first to mention it? What I am asking essentially is what is the historical ...
- 2,292