Questions tagged [moshe-rabbeinu]
the biblical personage Moses
286
questions
2
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Are you allowed to pray for your own death?
No suicide or euthanasia is allowed in Judaism. But are you allowed to pray for your own death?
You can pray for the death of someone who is incurably sick, in pain and dying. This is based on ...
5
votes
1answer
89 views
What did Moses understand in Rabbi Akiva's class?
The Talmud records a story about how Moses could not understand even laws expounded in his name:
Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: When Moses ascended on High, he found the Holy One, Blessed be He, ...
3
votes
0answers
56 views
Was Moses really angry or pretending?
The Rambam said in his Mishneh Torah that it's sometimes useful to act angry:
If one desires to instill reverence in his children and his household, or in public if he is the head of a community, and ...
2
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0answers
62 views
Was the Oral Law only oral?
After Moses broke the first set of tablets, according to the Midrash:
God told [Moses]: Do not feel bad about the first tablets, for they only contained the Ten Commandments. However, the second set ...
9
votes
3answers
180 views
Did Moses throw or drop the tablets?
The Yerushalmi, corroborated by Tanhuma, says that the tablets were two large sapphire stones, and weighed too much to be possibly carried by one person. The letters God engraved on them miraculously ...
0
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1answer
56 views
Did Miriam Criticize Moshe for being Haughty?
Avos Derebbi Nassan 9:2 says that Miriam criticized Moshe for being haughty by divorcing his wife.
אבל הוא מפני שדעתו גסה עליו פירש הוא מאצל אשתו
But Moses, because he is so arrogant, separated from ...
-1
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1answer
71 views
What is the point of Moshe asking for a successor?
Bamidbor 27, 15 &16
יִפְקֹ֣ד יְהוָ֔ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י הָרוּחֹ֖ת לְכָל־בָּשָׂ֑ר אִ֖ישׁ עַל־הָעֵדָֽה׃
“Let the LORD, Source of the breath of all flesh, appoint someone over the community"
Moshe ...
2
votes
1answer
111 views
Why is the *nun* raised?
The Book of Judges says:
The Children of [the Tribe of] Dan erected graven images [idols] for themselves; and Jonathan son of Gershom son of Menashe [וִ֠יהוֹנָתָן בֶּן־גֵּרְשֹׁ֨ם בֶּן־מְנַשֶּׁ֜ה], ...
4
votes
1answer
438 views
Why did Jethro want Moses' son to be an idolater?
The Midrash tells a strange story:
When Moses said to Jethro, "Give me your daughter Tzipporah as a wife", Jethro answered, "If you do what I ask of you, I will give her to you as a ...
1
vote
1answer
119 views
Ma'ayan HaChochmah - Written by Moshe?
I found the book Ma'ayan HaChochmah in many editions, all of which are attributed to Moshe Rabbeinu. Here are some examples: 1, 2, 3, 4.
What is the history of this book? Is it unanimous that it was ...
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0answers
26 views
If Moses was just supposed to “speak” to the rock, what was the “rod” for? [duplicate]
In this week's Torah portion, Chukat, the people complain that they have no water to drink. So God tells Moses:
You and your brother Aaron take the rod and assemble the community, and before their ...
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4answers
117 views
Moses at fault for spies?
Looking to better understand if, per the sources, Moses was at fault for sending spies, especially as it relates to sending them on a seemingly military mission.
2
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3answers
78 views
How did the elders help?
In Bamidbar (11:11-15) Moshe tells Hashem how the difficult it is to carry the people and questioning where he would procure meat for he entire nation. Hashem's response was to gather the elders so ...
1
vote
1answer
78 views
Why does Moses use a euphemism in talking to God?
In this week's portion, Behaalotecha, Moses tells God:
If this is how You are going to treat me, then, if I have found favor in Your eyes, kill me, and do not let me witness my evil. [Num. 11:15]
...
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0answers
33 views
Is the use of referring to a Torah prescription through the expression “Moses said / commanded” attested in Jewish tradition?
I am an Italian Noahide.
I read in Jewish sources that the expression "Torah of Moses" is sometimes used.
In the Christian Gospels, on the other hand, I have seen that in certain passages it is ...
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0answers
31 views
Moshe instructed Betzalel to do other than Moshe had been commanded?
The Gemoro Berachos 55a quoted by Rashi on Shemos 38 (22) seems to say that Moshe ordered that the vessels should be made before the Mishkan that was to contain them.
Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said ...
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2answers
84 views
Contradiction about Moshe
It says in Shemot 17:12:
"But Moses’ hands grew heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur, one on each side, supported his hands; thus his hands ...
6
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1answer
1k views
Who First Knew of the Messiah
In Parashah Shemot 4:13, Moses says to G-d, "Send, I pray You, by the hand of whom You will send." On p. 77 of Rabbi M. Schneerson's book "Torah Studies" he explains that midrash (Lekach Tov) ...
3
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2answers
111 views
How was Moshe Rabbeinu buried?
This website (thetorah.com) raises some points about Moshe Rabbeinu's death.
https://www.thetorah.com/article/moshe-rabbeinu-never-died-the-hidden-ending
A few points that they make is:
If Moses ...
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3answers
249 views
Did God want converts in the early days of Judaism?
The Midrash says that Abraham and Sarah made many converts, presumably with God's blessing:
Abraham made converts, for it is written, "And Abraham took Sarai his wife... and all the souls that they ...
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0answers
20 views
Why is the narrative of Moses growing up in Pharaoh's house important?
I begin with the assertion that nothing is arbitrary in the Torah and the history followed the big plan as envisioned by the Creator.
The narrative of Moses' origin is fascinating but its necessity ...
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0answers
181 views
Did Moses ever meet his parents after the separation?
IIRC the Biblical narrative, after being born, Moses spends 3 months at home and then moving to the royal palace. His mother continues to breastfeed him for a certain period of time but then the link ...
2
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0answers
78 views
Seeking a source for a claim about Rabbi Akiva
I saw in a modern book as follows:
דהנה איתא בגמ׳ דר׳ עקיבא היה לו מעלה יתירה ממשרע״ה אשר לו היתה הבנה גם בסודות הניגונים והטעמים, מכיון שמת במיתה משונה לכן זכה לזה המדריגה שמשה רבינו לא זכה לזה.
...
6
votes
1answer
88 views
Was the fact that Moshe broke the Tablets Halachicly stealing from the Jewish people?
Famously when Moshe came down from Sinai the first time and saw the Jews sinning he cast down the tablets of the law given to him by God. My question works on the basic assumption that these tablets ...
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0answers
27 views
Ramifications of lack of Brachah for the tribe of Shimon
I have a hard time understanding Moses' Brochos to the tribes and how it correlates to the actual course of history. As I can see, the interpreters felt the same problem and tried to pick single ...
0
votes
1answer
81 views
Why did some prominent prophets initially refuse to comply with G-d's commands? [duplicate]
Rambam in Yesodey Hatorah 7 writes that Prophets are very special people that prepare themselves thoroughly to detach themselves from this physical world and serve Hashem.
However, we can clearly see ...
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0answers
49 views
How can we recognize Moses' original scroll?
Let's imagine we excavate the Temple Mount area and find an Ark with a 3500-year-old scroll in good condition.
How would we know if it is the original scroll Moses wrote (besides being accompanied by ...
4
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0answers
60 views
Does Pharaoh's daughter speak Hebrew in Exodus 2:10 or is the book of Exodus simply translating what she said in Egyptian into Hebrew? [duplicate]
Exodus 2:10 says: "And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses, and said: ‘Because I drew him out of the water.’" Is the text ...
3
votes
1answer
69 views
Does “לא בשמים היא” apply to Moses?
גופא אמר רב יהודה אמר שמואל:
,שלשת אלפים הלכות נשתכחו בימי אבלו של משה
"אמרו לו ליהושע שאל א"ל "לא בשמים היא
Rav Yehuda says that Shmuel says: Three thousand halakhot were forgotten during ...
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0answers
28 views
Why no positive feedback from Moses in his reproof for everything Israel did good?
I'm a big fan of Positive Psychology approach to education, reinforcing positive behaviors instead of discouraging negative ones.
When Moses is scolding the nations for the sins [of the previous ...
3
votes
1answer
94 views
Why did G-d get angry with Moses' prayers?
In Parshas Va'etchanan, Moses tells that he begged to enter the Land of Israel until G-d got angry:
וַיִּתְעַבֵּר ה' בִּי לְמַעַנְכֶם וְלֹא שָׁמַע אֵלָי וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֵלַי רַב־לָךְ אַל־תּוֹסֶף ...
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1answer
73 views
What official position did Moses have acc. to Torah?
The Torah speaks of a couple of official public positions, that have extensive Halachic Nafka-Minahs, e.g. Kohen Gadol, Jewish king, a Judge, maybe Nessi Shevet.
IIRC Moses wasn't officially any of ...
6
votes
2answers
282 views
Who wrote Deuteronomy?
I know this has been covered by many commentators in the past, and here also, but I am still looking for a clear resolution of the ambiguities.
Who wrote the Book of Deuteronomy? Does Tradition ...
0
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1answer
72 views
Why did Moses have a ten-cubit-long axe?
The Talmud in Berachot 54b relates the following tale:
אבן שבקש עוג מלך הבשן לזרוק על ישראל גמרא גמירי לה אמר מחנה ישראל כמה הוי תלתא פרסי איזיל ואיעקר טורא בר תלתא פרסי ואישדי עלייהו ואיקטלינהו אזל ...
0
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2answers
87 views
Why fight the Midianites with such a huge army?
G-d promises the Israeli Nation that (Lev 26,6):
וְרָדְפוּ מִכֶּם חֲמִשָּׁה מֵאָה, וּמֵאָה מִכֶּם רְבָבָה יִרְדֹּפוּ
וְנָפְלוּ אֹיְבֵיכֶם לִפְנֵיכֶם לֶחָרֶב׃
Five of you shall give chase to ...
4
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1answer
41 views
How did the 2.5 tribes override a Deoraytah Mitzvah of settling the land of Israel?
IIRC, the Pshat of the Torah clearly implies that the purpose of the Exodus was to inherit the Land of Israel, and G-d commands Bney Israel many times to enter the promised land, to settle it, etc. It ...
0
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1answer
42 views
Why didn't Moses argue to spare lives of Midianites?
IIRC Avraham was praised for arguing with G-d about the fate of pious Sodomites asking G-d to spare their fate. G-d spared Lot and his family but the two cities were destroyed. Some speculate whether ...
2
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1answer
136 views
Were Moshe's sons Jewish?
Moshe's wife was the daughter of a Midianite priest so she was not Jewish. Does this in fact mean Moshe's sons Gershom and Eliezer were not Jewish as well? There are various questions on Mi Yodeya ...
2
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0answers
58 views
Why didn't Moses and his siblings ask to be buried in Israel?
It appears that the merit of being buried in the Holy Land of Israel is huge and our forefathers, as well as numerous prominent Rabbis, demanded to be buried here.
Why didn't Moses, Aharon and ...
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votes
1answer
96 views
Where did Moses' applied scientific knowledge disappear?
I had a series of seemingly true statements that lead me to a contradiction I'm unable to solve:
Moses knew all the Torah => Moses knew all the Halacha.
Moses knew all the Halochos of Shabbos => when ...
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0answers
23 views
Moses' briefing before sending spies - Land vs People
Here's how the Torah depict Moses' briefing to the spies (Numbers 13) - first the whole passage:
וּרְאִיתֶם אֶת־הָאָרֶץ מַה־הִוא וְאֶת־הָעָם הַיֹּשֵׁב עָלֶיהָ הֶחָזָק הוּא הֲרָפֶה הַמְעַט הוּא אִם־...
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0answers
17 views
Why Moses broke the chain of command in the spies story?
Previously, G-d appoints Aharon as Moses' vice. There are the 12 Nessiim, excelled in [probably] Torah and piety. Yitroh makes Moses elect multiple judges. In the previous Parasha G-d chooses the 70 ...
6
votes
1answer
109 views
When beseeching God, why does the kohein gadol appeal to “the torah of Moshe” and not directly to “your torah”?
Yoma 6:2 reports what the kohein gadol says over the goat to be offered:
“Please, ‘Hashem’! They have done wrong, they have transgressed, they have sinned before You, Your people the House of ...
2
votes
2answers
101 views
What made Moses want to be killed after people asked for meat?
In Parashat Bealotchah, when the people asked for meat Moses' reaction went eccentric (Num. 11:10):
מֵאַיִן לִי בָּשָׂר לָתֵת לְכָל־הָעָם הַזֶּה כִּי־יִבְכּוּ עָלַי לֵאמֹר תְּנָה־לָּנוּ בָשָׂר ...
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0answers
50 views
How did Jethro know Moshe's God?
Jethro appeared to be a friendly guy to Moshe, and even appeared to agree with what Moshe believed in, especially in theological terms (i.e. worshipping Hashem).
If that's the case, then how did ...
2
votes
3answers
100 views
Why is “Moses was the greatest of prophets” a principle of faith?
The 6th and 7th of the Rambam's 13 principles of faith (ikkarim) are:
God revealed Himself through the prophets
Moses was the greatest of prophets
Why the 7th as a separate principle? The Rambam ...
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0answers
44 views
Why the Torah is not read in public every day?
Following my previous question, the Prophets (Moses) commanded the Jewish nation to read the Torah in public three days a week (B"K 82a):
עמדו נביאים שביניהם ותיקנו להם שיהו קורין בשבת ומפסיקין ...
0
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0answers
50 views
The boy in Zarephath died when Elijahu came. Why did not people die around Moshe?
My question is based on the premise that a difference in spiritual levels/righteousness between individuals can cause people to die, get sick, or receive some other form of punishment as evidenced by ...
0
votes
1answer
66 views
Was Moses born on 6 Adar or 7 Adar?
If it is said that Moshe Rabbeinu was put into the basket on 6th Sivan after 3 months of his birth, won't his birthday be 6th Adar?
4
votes
3answers
252 views
“Teiku” (תיקו): why Eliyahu and not Moshe Rabbeinu to resolve unanswered Talmudic questions?
Sometimes in the Talmud when there's a difficult question, the Talmud concludes with "תיקו".
Usually "Teiku" is translated to mean "let it stand" but another suggestion ...
