Questions tagged [jewish-books]
Books about or of Judaism
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questions
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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 ...
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1answer
116 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
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1answer
79 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 ...
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40 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....
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58 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 ...
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67 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 ...
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30 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?
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48 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 ...
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2answers
48 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.
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30 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 ...
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1answer
52 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
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4answers
72 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
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3answers
392 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
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1answer
94 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 ...
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1answer
92 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
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1answer
172 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
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3answers
133 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
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1answer
113 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 ...
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122 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,...
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3answers
109 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 ...
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56 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 ...
3
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2answers
146 views
Choosing the Name of a Sefer
Is there a kabbalistic preference for the author of a sefer to create a title alluding from a posuk alluding to his name? If so, why?
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224 views
Why does Rav Soloveichik feel lonely when he has G-d?
As I understand it, The Rav feels lonely, as a man of faith he feels definitionally lonely because he can't relate to people and people can't relate to him. Why doesn't he find solace with G-d though? ...
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98 views
Pesicha of 3 Sifrei Torah: special time
Someone sent me a voice recording of someone mentioning an idea from the Sefer Heichalos that when there is we open 3 sifrei Torah (Torah scrolls, on shabbas – chanuka – rosh chodesh), then there is a ...
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3answers
122 views
Recommendation of Chassidic classics
I have recently seen reference to the “chassidic classics”, a term which I understand encompasses works by the great rebbes of the 18th and 19th Centuries.
Examples that I have seen mentioned are ...
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1answer
125 views
Alei Shur Online
Does anyone know if there is a copy of Rav Wolbe's Alei Shur anywhere online? Free versions preferred, but if it is behind a paywall that can work too.
Thanks!
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1answer
57 views
Where can I obtain the sefer “Titen Emes L'Yaakov”?
Rabbi D Neustadt referenced a sefer “Titen Emes L'Yaakov” in his “Weekly Halacha Discussion” titled “The Halachic Definition of a Lie”. Can someone tell me where I can obtain this sefer please? (I ...
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1answer
41 views
Rabbi Dovid Oppenheim's introduction to the Ein Yaakov- Where is it?
In the commentary Eitz Yosef to Gemara Berachos daf 3a, on the words "ve'ha kamashma lan..." he references an introduction to the Ein Yaakov by Rabbi Dovid Oppenheim. I looked around and could not ...
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64 views
Qafih edition of Bustan al-Uqul Online?
Is R. Yosef Qafih's translation גן השכלים by R. Nathanel al-Fayumi available online somewhere? It seems to appear here in Otzar HaChochma but only the first 40 pages.
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103 views
Pre-1948 Haredi view on political Zionism and how it developed
Are there any readings discussing the Haredi (Hasidic, orthodox non-Mizrachi) stance on political Zionism prior to the establishment of the State of Israel?
Did it change with the establishment of ...
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1answer
165 views
In 2 Esdras 14:46, what are the “last seventy” scrolls and do they still exist?
In 2 Esdras 14:37-48, the story is told of Ezra's restoration of the Tanakh
37 I took the five men, as he had commanded me, and we went out into the field and remained there. 38 So it happened to ...
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1answer
59 views
Sefer Nestor Hakomer Online?
Does anyone know if it is possible to find the (hebrew) text of Sefer Nestor Hakomer, an old jewish apologetic book, available for free online?
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1answer
449 views
English translation of Reshit Chochmah
Is there an English translation of the book Reshit Chochmah By Rabbi Eliyahu DaVidas?
3
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1answer
75 views
Where can I buy the sefer Meor Einayim by Rabbi Azaria min Haadumim (dei Rossi)?
Rabbi Azariah dei Rossi wrote a sefer called Meor Einayim. It was/is a controversial book which the Maharal famously argued against in his book Be'er Hagola. There is an English translation of Meor ...
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107 views
Halachic restrictions on Sefarim shelves
If memory serves me correctly, I believe Jonathan Rosenblum cites in his biography of Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky a story where Rav Yaakov complained that someone had placed a sefer on an arm of a bench ...
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78 views
Where can I find this Rabbi’s seforim?
I can't seem to find several of Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits’ seforim. For example T'nai Bi'N'suin u'V'Get. Does anyone know a store in NYC or which delivers to the US which has his books? Particularly the ...
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1answer
53 views
Sefer on tefilin
Is there a sefer out there that goes through all of the halachos of tefilin, but has pictures to help explain the different parts?
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1answer
39 views
Sefarim on Hilchos Mikvahos
I'm learning Hilchos Mikvahos (YD 201). I'm learning Tur, Bais Yosaf, Shulchan Aruch with the Nosa Kalim. Does anybody know of any good sefarim on mikvoas.
2
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1answer
98 views
Texts of Maharal’s Commentary on Shas
Does anyone happen to know where I can find online the text of the Maharal’s commentary on Shas that’s not copyright?
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2answers
89 views
Is anyone aware of a good Dictionary/Lexicon style book to help expand a person's Hebrew/Yeshivish vocabulary?
I was curious if a good book existed which broke down common phrases or words related to religious practice and observance. Say a dictionary but it defines common phrases in observance.
Example:
Mi ...
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0answers
98 views
Seeking easy-Hebrew, high-interest books on Jewish topics for 8 year old boy
Seeking titles of books and names of authors of high-interest children's books on Jewish topics in easy Hebrew with nikudot. (Indications of reading grade level would be helpful.)
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1answer
80 views
How many books on Judaism are available for access today?
Jews have been writing, adding to the pool of Torah knowledge for thousands of years. How many complete or partial works do we have accessible, even by any means today?
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247 views
Has the “Mäṣḥafä Kedus” (Holy Scriptures) of Beta Israel been translated into English?
From Wikipedia:
Mäṣḥafä Kedus (Holy Scriptures) is the name for the religious literature. The language of the writings is Ge'ez. The holiest book is the Orit (from Aramaic "Oraita" – "Torah") which ...
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93 views
Looking for a book on the historic development of halakhah
Would anyone be able to recommend a good intermediate level book-length treatment of the development of halakhah from the second temple period down to the present day, ideally in English?
I am ...
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1answer
368 views
Is “Roh-eh Hanoled” a classical expression?
In Maus from Art Spiegelman, a rabbi tells Vladek he's a "Roh-eh Hanoled", one that sees what the future holds. It is an invention of his or does it exist in any classical or sacred source ?
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63 views
What books discuss general rules of Tanach? [closed]
In particular, I am looking for books that deal with philosophical and linguistic questions on Tanach, such as:
If there is seemingly no reason to place one passuk before another, is it reasonable/...
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2answers
98 views
Books for beginners
[A friend involved in kiruv asked me the following question which I thought I would post here for further reference and to get additional suggestions]
I am in contact with lots of Jews who want to ...
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0answers
43 views
Book recommendation for Jewish mindfulness
My Yom Kippur "cheshbon hanefesh" taught me that I should train myself to be conscious of the purpose of each activity, however trivial, as I engage in it through the day.
(I think that this might be ...
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2answers
57 views
Anyone know where I can buy Seder Tikkun Chatzos by R' Sraya Deblitzky?
Full title:
"סדר תקון חצות: כסדר האריז"ל ... עם הדינים השייכים ולוח תמידי של זמן חצות לילה ומיום זמן תיקון חצות. ונוסף בסופו הלכות קריעה על המקדש"
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204 views
White booklet that lists key pieces in Ramban Al HaTorah?
I was told there's a small white booklet which lists the main pieces in Ramban Al HaTorah for each parsha. I have asked around and people have told me that it has been out of print for a while.
Does ...
