Questions tagged [jewish-books]
Books about or of Judaism
666
questions
2
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6answers
111 views
Websites or books about the Torah and history of the world
I am looking for recommendations of good websites and books that talk about various ways of understanding the 'conflicts' between the Torah and a modern understanding of the age of the universe, the ...
3
votes
0answers
41 views
What software to use to write a multi-section sefer?
What software is available that allows Hebrew and English and multiple sections? i.e. the main section and then a footnote/pirush (section #2) on that, and then a 3rd section which footnotes items ...
4
votes
2answers
65 views
Aderet's Anonymous Sefer and Haskamah?
In this post, https://www.torahmusings.com/2013/04/my-nom-de-plume-exposed/ , R' Michael Broyde says that "Finally, [Professor Marc B.] Shapiro informed me that the Aderet published a book anonymously,...
2
votes
1answer
42 views
Difference Between Imrei Emes and Toras Emes
I noticed that Imrei Emes and Toras Emes, works written by R' Leibele Eiger, are often printed together. What's the difference between these two works? Did he simply compose two different commentaries ...
1
vote
0answers
57 views
Is there a book or online source explaining Jewish year-“type” sequences?
The current Judaic calendar allows for three types of year lengths:
Chaser ("missing") - 353 days
Kesidra ("in order") - 354 days
Shalem ("full") - 355 days
(Add 30 to each of the above for leap ...
6
votes
0answers
54 views
What would the status of the “Book of the Wars of God” be today?
The Torah makes reference to a Book of the Wars of God (Bamidbar 21:10-16). According to most opinions this was an actual written work which has been lost over time. It is not clear (at least to me) ...
4
votes
1answer
83 views
Books/ biography about the Ketzos and his learning methodology
Does anyone know of any noteworthy books/ biographies on R' Aryeh Leib HaCohen Heller (1745 – 1812) author of the Ketzos Hachoshen, Avnei Miluim, and Shev Shmaytsa- that explain his learning ...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Sefarim about how to respond or debate an apikores?
A friend of mine told me either the Steipler (or another gadol, my friend was not certain but recalled) wrote a Sefer concerning responding to an apikores. My main question inquires if any Sefer ...
3
votes
0answers
32 views
Seforim about Halachic status of Beta Israel
I am looking for any seforim that talk about the halachic status of the Beta Israel (Ethiopian Jews).
(I remember once seeing a book generally about yichus of Jews, mainly the Russians and the ...
0
votes
1answer
64 views
Did Rabbis reflect on their cognitive processes?
I was probably too harsh attributing various cognitive biases to Rabbis, so I'd like apologize and to step back.
With some background in Cognitive sciences, I'm very interested in understanding the ...
2
votes
1answer
47 views
Books on philosophical questions underpinning Halachah
In Deuteronomy, Moses says "For this command that I command you today is not a wonder to you and it is not distant..." I want to explore the (possible) tension between this sentiment and laws whose ...
2
votes
1answer
68 views
What are the 35 cardinal principles enumerated by Jedaiah Penini in the last chapter of his Behinat ha-Dat?
Others, like Crescas and David ben Samuel Estella, spoke of seven fundamental articles, laying stress on free-will. On the other hand, David ben Yom-Tob ibn Bilia, in his "Yesodot ha- Maskil" (...
1
vote
0answers
57 views
Does the Talmud continue to use extra Tanachic sources?
I'm trying to draw an analogy between the written and the oral Torah. After the Mishna was signed, the Sages continued to use extra-Mishnaic sources forever (Toseftah, Midrashim, etc).
After the 24 ...
3
votes
0answers
66 views
Source for a Chassidic story
I recall this story about a rebbe who is given a Sefer by some Malach. Or maybe he wrote it himself, I don't remember. He tells his chassidim that if any of them copy it, they will be sent to gehinom. ...
3
votes
4answers
76 views
Book on changing habits and middot (character traits) improvement?
There is now an increasing body of secular literature on how changing habits can help change character (e.g., The Power of Habit, Atomic Habits) but this is not new to us (see Rambam's Hilchot Deot 1:...
1
vote
1answer
38 views
Newer edition of Zohar HaRakiah
The Rashbatz (Rabbi Shimon Ben Tzemach, 15th century) authored a commentary on Rashbag's (Rabbi Shlomo ibn Gabirol, 11th century) Azharos (poem on the 613 mitzvos) called Zohar HaRakiah.
There's an ...
5
votes
2answers
174 views
What are some good modern Brisker/Chakira based analysis sefarim by masechta?
I'm a big fan of the Brisker/Chakira approach to gemara b'iyun and looking for a sefer that I can use to learn either alone or with a chavrusa.
I'm looking for something in Hebrew, and (a) by ...
4
votes
1answer
164 views
Is it permitted to learn Torah with one's wife?
Is it permitted to learn Torah with one's wife?
And if so, are there any special recommendations for what to study with her?
Generally speaking I understand that men don't take women as Chavrutas, ...
1
vote
0answers
37 views
Commentaries on aruch hashulchan
Did anyone write a peirush on aruch hashulchan?(on the choshen mishpat part) I am looking for a english or hebrew commentary.
6
votes
1answer
131 views
Where can the Tosafot of Rabbi Samson of Sens be found?
This might be quite a basic question, but there’s a passage from Rabbi Samson of Sens’s commentary on Mishnah Eduyot 1:5 that I’ve seen quoted in a few books eg here.
(Sometimes it’s quoted as being ...
5
votes
0answers
61 views
+50
Where can I find the radio program of יחוה דעת?
The books called יחוה דעת were authored by Rabbi Ovadya Yosef. In the title page, it states that these books are essentially transcriptions of a radio show called פניני הלכה, with small additions. ...
3
votes
1answer
48 views
Where can I find R. Hirsch's Hebrew essay on Agaddos?
There is a essay on Aggados written by R. Samson Raphael Hirsch, sometimes it appears in loose translation in English here and there. But I feel that doesn't convey its meaning properly (I suppose).
...
2
votes
0answers
45 views
Is there an English translation of Die wichtigsten Instanzen gegen die Graf-Wellhausensche Hypothese?
Is there an English translation of Die wichtigsten Instanzen gegen die Graf-Wellhausensche Hypothese? This is the book in German by R' Dovid Tzvi Hoffman זצ''ל, disproving the documentary hypothesis.
2
votes
0answers
55 views
Is there a code of the Rosh in a single volume?
I am familiar of modern single volume editions of the codes of Rambam (other) and Alfasi.
I have yet to come across such a volume of the Rosh. Has such such a volume been produced?
0
votes
1answer
33 views
Online availability of Hagahos “Menachem Tzion” on “Shem HaGedolim”
Can the Hagahos of Menachem Tzion to Shem HaGedolim be found anywhere online?
2
votes
0answers
27 views
Placing a notebook on top of sefarim
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (28:9) writes:
לא ישרטט איזה קונטרס על הספר, לפי שאין קדושה בקונטרס, עד שיכתבו בו
You should not draw lines on notebook [while] on [a holy] book, because the notebook is ...
2
votes
0answers
50 views
Transgress 5 mitzvos by not returning the siddur?
I was told that if one does not replace the sefer one is using in the Beis Hamedrash, one can transgress several (5?) mitzvos from the Torah.
I can see that one would transgress “love your neighbour ...
0
votes
2answers
66 views
Is Rabbi Menashe ben Yisrael listed in Artscroll's “Early Acharonim”?
For anyone who has the sefer, can you tell me if this Rabbi is listed in that book? Also, does anyone know of any Rabbis, contemporary with him or later or even now, who were or are or would be ...
1
vote
0answers
42 views
How many words are there in the Zohar?
Zohar (with and w/o the Tikunei Zohar)
Tikkunei Zohar
Also is there a site/place that lists or
otherwise aids in wordcounts for different
Jewish books /Seforim ?
TYVM
1
vote
1answer
104 views
Is there a modern printing of the book Doros Rishonim?
Rabbi Yitzchak Issac HaLevi wrote a 6 volume set of books entitled Doros Rishonim. The only version I found is on Hebrewbooks.org from the 60's. Is there a more recent printing of these books (printed ...
-2
votes
1answer
112 views
Piskei teshuvos on resting elbows on a sefer
Can someone please translate this Piskei Teshuvos:
פסקי תשובות אורח חיים סימן קנד
ומי שמניח אצילי ידיו על הספר דרך לימודו, ג"כ אין זה דרך בזיון כיון שבתום לב וכהרגל העוזר לו להבין תלמודו ...
2
votes
1answer
78 views
Resting elbows on sefer while learning from it
I read this on the halachipedia website, "Rama 282:7 writes that one may not place a Sefer on one’s lap and lean one’s elbows on it. Sh”t Shelmat Chaim 2:566 (quoted in Piskei Teshuvot 154:23) is ...
1
vote
0answers
34 views
Jewish sources on Spanish Inquisition
During and after the Holocaust, there were many situations, which although horrible, required שאלות ותשובות from many of the rabbis at the time on certain questions in הלכה pertaining to the Holocaust....
4
votes
0answers
53 views
What is the difference in Sha"s types; Oz V'hadar, Zecher Chanoch, N'harda'ah(נהרדעא)?
I am looking to purchase a true Chossen Shas, and I see various editions or publications.
I am familiar with the classic Vilna Shaas, but I see many sets in either Oz V'hadar עוז והדר, Zecher Chanoch ...
0
votes
1answer
60 views
A sefer that states the reasons behind the Halachos
Is there a sefer that states the Halachos L'maseah and gives the reasoning as to why the Halacha is the way it is.
I'm looking for a Halacha sefer that states the Halacha as we pasken, but also ...
0
votes
1answer
26 views
Is the Kafich edition of the Rambam's peirush on Mishnah to Mesecht Keilim available online anywhere?
I'm trying to find the Kafich edition of the Rambam's peirush on Mishnah to Mesecht Keilim. Is it available online anywhere?
0
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0answers
45 views
Learning Shorshei Hashemos
Can anyone Learn Shorshei Hashemos? Or is there a procedure one must go through before learning it? Does one have to be 40? Does he have to have grey hair? Does she have to know Tanach? Does he have ...
2
votes
2answers
39 views
Shas Chazarah Seforim
Are there any seforim that are catered only to help one chazar mesechtos/Shas Bavli? If so, can you please direct me to them.
1
vote
0answers
29 views
Personal Attributes, Influence and Importance of Japhet Among Noah's Sons [closed]
Would you be so kind and provide brief, yet details information about personal attributes, influence and importance of Japhet, commonly agreed among Jews and also Hebrews, perhaps if possible by ...
1
vote
1answer
43 views
Mussar work by Chacham Ovadia
Did, Maran HaRav HaGaon Ovadia Yosef Ztk"l write any Ethical(mussar) work during his lifetime? And if he did, do we have it online in english?
3
votes
4answers
70 views
Seeking works by tanaim or amoraim
To the best of my knowledge there is only 1 full work that was authored by a rabbi from the period of the tanaim or amoraim is the work seder olam by r' yose ben chalafta. I would like to know if ...
5
votes
3answers
361 views
Book on the laws of Shabbos
Which English book on the laws of Shabbos would you recommend?
One that is Halacha Lemaase with footnotes that show where the Halacha stems from and the differentiating opinions.
2
votes
1answer
73 views
Nefesh HaChaim vs Derech Hashem
What is the difference (in content) between Nefesh HaChaim and Derech Hashem? Are they written to educate the reader on the same topic? Does one presuppose knowledge while the other doesn't? Is one a ...
0
votes
1answer
87 views
Sources for scientific rationale for the 613 Mizvot?
Are there any published works on the scientific rationale for any of the 613 Mizvot?
For example: Handwashing: It only took the medical community did not deem it medically relevant until 2 centuries ...
3
votes
1answer
166 views
Sefer written by a woman?
I remember hearing once about a sefer written by a woman that people were learning but then it was banned. Do you the name of the sefer/author?
*I think it was written in pre-war Europe
2
votes
3answers
125 views
Are there any non-inspired writings before Philo's time?
I came across some writings of Philo, which I found very interesting, and wondered if there are any Jewish writings either around his time (circa 20 BCE to circa 50 CE) or before. I looked around and ...
3
votes
1answer
108 views
What book is the Iyun Yaakov referring to with the abbreviation כ"ח?
The Iyun Yaakov on Berachos daf 3a on the words "the night has 4 watches" quotes from a book that he refers to with the abbreviation כ"ח. What book is he referring to?
(In the new edition of the Ein ...
0
votes
0answers
104 views
Views of Rabbi Mazuz
Israeli media outlets report that Rabbi Gershon Edelstien commented about various Torah pamphlets which circulate in Jewish communities, basically characterizing them as nonsense. Perhaps most notably,...
7
votes
3answers
88 views
Sefer on Chazal, Geonim and Later Acharonim
I currently own the Artscroll books The Rishonim and The Early Acharonim by Rabbi Goldwurm. They have a few features on Rabbonim of the ages that I really appreciate:
Anecdotal information about each ...
3
votes
0answers
49 views
Has anyone learned the Sheiltot of R. Achai Gaon with the Netziv's commentary?
Would you recommend it? I really enjoy learning anything with the Netziv and I like the idea of halachic midrashim on the parsha with some ethical messages. It seems like it's a great way to learn ...
