Questions tagged [parshanut-torah-comment]
interpretation of parts of Tanach by close reading, not derivation
1,629
questions
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Why does the description of Yitzchak change?
When Avraham is told to take Yitzchak to the akeida, Yitzchak is specified with a series of 3 descriptions (Bereishit 22:2):
אֶת־בִּנְךָ֨ אֶת־יְחִֽידְךָ֤ אֲשֶׁר־אָהַ֙בְתָּ֙
your singular son whom you ...
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0answers
8 views
Was it a specific knife and fire?
related Avraham's knife was called Ma'achelet. Why?
Why doesn't Yitzchak mention the knife?
When Avraham takes Yitzchak to the Akeida, the pasuk reads וַיִּקַּ֣ח בְּיָד֔וֹ אֶת־הָאֵ֖שׁ ...
1
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1answer
47 views
Yom Teruah a Rosh HaShanah and commemoration or memorial of what exactly?
The Tenach mentions that the first (day) of the seventh month (Tishri) shall be for us a solemn rest and a remembrance of blasts, a sacred occasion/convocation; no work shall be done, it shall be a ...
1
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2answers
80 views
if there are narrative contradictions in the 5 books of moses,why is it so?
there are many narrative contradictions in the 5 books of moses.does this prove the Torah is manmade or is there a deeper layer?Rabbi ishmael said the torah was written in the language of men etc
...
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39 views
Do some explain that Bnei Israel were 400 years in Egypt? [duplicate]
The standard understanding is that Bnei Israel were 210 years in Egypt, and the 430 years that the Torah speaks of (chemot 12:40):
וּמוֹשַׁב֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָשְׁב֖וּ בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם ...
3
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2answers
59 views
A voice is heard in Ramah
Jeremiah 31:15 teaches us that ‘A voice is heard in Ramah (could also be understood as ‘on high’)’, it seems to exist of lamenting and weeping (a mourning of some kind). And it’s connected to the ...
2
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1answer
88 views
Missing Korach in Deuteronomy
In Parashat Korach we read that the Jews distanced themselves from the tents of Korach, Datan and Aviram (Bemidbar 16:27), and then the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up Korach and his company (...
1
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2answers
145 views
What do the pre-rabbinic and/or rabbinic authorities say about the nurse of Rebecca?
Genesis 24:59
So they sent away Rebecca their sister and her nurse and
Abraham's servant and his men.
וַיְשַׁלְּח֛וּ אֶת־רִבְקָ֥ה
אֲחֹתָ֖ם וְאֶת־מֵֽנִקְתָּ֑הּ וְאֶת־עֶ֥בֶד אַבְרָהָ֖ם וְאֶת־אֲנָשָֽׁיו:...
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67 views
Yosef & Dina switched in the womb - source for maintaining their initial gender characteristics & behaviours
We know famously that upon Leah becoming pregnant with her seventh child, she realized that if she were to give birth to a boy it would mean that out of the twelve tribes, she would have given birth ...
5
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1answer
83 views
Yishmael - if he did Teshuva why does he continue to be punished
We know that Yishmael early on acted in an improper manner (see for example Bereishis Rabbah 53:11) and was resultantly banished from Avraham's household - Bereishis 21:9-10
However, we learn later on ...
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2answers
46 views
What age was Avraham's name change?
As we know Avraham was changed from Avram.
Does anyone know how old Avraham was when he got his name change?
3
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2answers
55 views
Were all of each of the dibrot said in one dibbur?
When discussing the discrepancy between the use of the words Shamor and Zachor in the two versions of the Aseret Hadevarim, commentators explain that the two words were said at Sinai simultaneously.
...
2
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99 views
Where is the rest of Rabbi Shmuel Belkin's manuscript of The Midrash of Philo?
I am currently researching Philo of Alexandria, also known as Philon (פילון) or Yedidyah HaKohen of Alexandria.
There is a book that was prepared in manuscript by Rabbi Shmuel (Samuel) Belkin, z”l, ...
2
votes
1answer
155 views
Why was Pinchas allowed to kill Kazbi Bat Tzur?
In order to explain why Pinchas killed Zimri, Chazal tell us that הבועל ארמית קנעין פוגעין בו.
However, this law should not apply to the woman. Moreover, she was not even Jewish!
So, under what ...
0
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2answers
67 views
Tzlofachad's reason of death?
In this weeks parasha, Pinchas, Tzlofachad's daughters go to Moshe and say about their father dying was not due to other people, rather due to himself. The gemara in Shabbos 96b notes that Rabbi Akiva ...
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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 ...
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1answer
136 views
Which Animals Are Said to Have Spoken in the Torah
I'm aware that the Torah says the serpent spoke to Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3:1) and Balaam's ass spoke to him on his journey to see Balak (Numbers 22:28). Are there any other instances of animals ...
5
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1answer
299 views
Why Is A Parasha Named after Korach?
Proverbs 10:7 states, "The name of the wicked shall rot." In the Talmud (Yoma 38b) Rabbi Elazar comments on this by saying, "It means that decay will spread on their names, meaning that ...
2
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2answers
155 views
Were there insects in the garden of eden?
I was recently thinking, we create comfort for ourselves by keeping nature at bay.
Flies and mosquitos are annoying, would Adam and Eve have thought the same?
There were certainly serpents, maybe ...
1
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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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0answers
44 views
Source that the spies had prophecy
The Zohar (III parshas Shelach p. 158a) says that the spies spoke badly about the land of Israel because they felt they wouldn't remain in a position of leadership once the Jews entered the land. To ...
3
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0answers
66 views
How these malachim became involved with the origins of idolatry?
Parsha Shelach 13:33 says the following:
And there we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come of the
Nephilim; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were
in their sight.
The ...
1
vote
1answer
48 views
What happened to the male Leviathan?
According to tradition (see Rashi to bereishis 1:21), Hashem created a male and female Leviathan, but then He killed the female and salted it for the righteous. What happened to the male? Did it die ...
2
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3answers
126 views
Parshat Korach - Why did God finally take off his gloves here?
We find previously that G-d warned Moses that he would destroy the nation, but it seems quite clear that it was just a way of having Moses intervene on their behalf and was just a warning. Here we ...
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 ...
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0answers
72 views
Do the words menorah and Torah have the same root in Hebrew?
I'm studying the parashat Behaaloscha, the part where Aharon kindle de Menorah. I read that the meaning of Menorah has to do with 'Tora Study. I'm from Brazil where we speak Portuguese and the words ...
8
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1answer
60 views
Connection between Tehillim 68 and the Song of Deborah?
I've noticed a number of similarities between the language of Tehillim 68 and the Song of Deborah (Shofetim 5).
Some examples:
Tehillim 68:8-9:
אֱֽלֹהִ֗ים בְּ֭צֵאתְךָ לִפְנֵ֣י עַמֶּ֑ךָ ...
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0answers
30 views
What Happens in the Parsha Parellel's Current Events [duplicate]
Where is the source(s) that say that what happens each week in the parsha parallels current world events? I believe it is found in chassidus, but I am not sure where.
5
votes
2answers
334 views
The Netziv on Evolution
The Wikipedia page titled Jewish views on evolution states the following about the Netziv.
When scientists first developed the theory of evolution, this idea was seized upon by rabbis such as ...
7
votes
3answers
317 views
Did Adam and Chava have a child before they sinned? Was childbirth not painful before they sinned?
Did Adam and Chava have a child before they sinned? Was childbirth not painful before they sinned?
In Bereshit 3:16, it says,
To the woman He said, "I shall surely increase your sorrow and your ...
2
votes
1answer
110 views
Where does the Torah actually speak of the 4 Sons?
In the haggadah, we read
כְּנֶגֶד אַרְבָּעָה בָנִים דִּבְּרָה תוֹרָה
"corresponding to 4 sons the Torah spoke"
There are specific p'sukim which discuss the reasons for Passover, but how does any ...
5
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0answers
84 views
Who is Artaxerxes of Ezra 4?
Ezra 4:4-24:
4. Thereupon the people of the land undermined the resolve of the people of Judah, and made them afraid to build.
5. They bribed ministers in order to thwart their plans all the years of ...
1
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1answer
71 views
Why didn’t Yehuda (or Shelah) perform Chaliza for Tamar?
In (פרשת וישב (פרק לח we have the story of Yehuda marrying off Er to Tamar and then perform a pre-מתן תורה version of יבום with Onan, who also subsequently dies.
Which left Yehuda’s third son,Shelah,...
3
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2answers
157 views
What was Tamar's capital crime?
On what basis did Judah have the right to sentence Tamar to be burned (Genesis 38)? What capital offense did she commit?
0
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2answers
212 views
Which of Hashem's name is the name upon whom Israel is called?
We read the following (from Chabad Website) in Divrei Hayamim II 7:14:
וְיִכָּֽנְע֨וּ עַמִּ֜י אֲשֶׁ֧ר נִֽקְרָא־שְׁמִ֣י עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם וְיִֽתְפַּֽלְלוּ֙ וִֽיבַקְשׁ֣וּ פָנַ֔י וְיָשֻׁ֖בוּ מִדַּרְכֵיהֶ֣ם ...
0
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1answer
95 views
How many covenants did Hashem make with Abraham?
How many covenants did Hashem make with Abraham?
When reading Bereshit/Genesis, on the Chabad website, one comes across various passages of Hashem's conversation with Abram/Abraham (chapters 15, 17 ...
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1answer
111 views
Commentary of Rav Saadiah Gaon
Other than Tafsir Rasag, what else did Rav Saadiah Gaon write on Tanach? Did he write a full commentary on it? Can I find these writings online?
1
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1answer
69 views
Blessing the Beasts
And…blessed them (Bereshis 1:22):
Rash - Because [people] decimate them and hunt them and eat them, they required a blessing; and the beasts also required a blessing, but because the serpent was ...
1
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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 ...
6
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1answer
80 views
Understanding Kli Yakor question on Rashi about Betzalal following Moishe's instructions
The Gemara says in Berachos (55a)
א״ר שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר נַחְמָנִי א״ר יוֹנָתָן בְּצַלְאֵל עַל שֵׁם חָכְמָתוֹ נִקְרָא בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמֹשֶׁה לֵךְ אֱמוֹר לוֹ ...
5
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2answers
53 views
Yeraeh el HaAdon, or Yeraeh es HaAdon
The mitzvah of aliya leregel, the thrice-yearly pilgrimage festival, appears a few times in the Torah.
In Exodus 23:17 it's written:
שָׁלֹ֥שׁ פְּעָמִ֖ים בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה יֵרָאֶה֙ כָּל־זְכ֣וּרְךָ֔ אֶל־...
3
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0answers
60 views
ki tisa: menorah versus menorah ha'tehorah
In parashat Ki Tisa two similar passages are written regarding the Ohel Mo'ed (Tent of Meeting). In the first (Shemot 30:27) Moshe Rabbenu is ordered to anoint the kelim with the shemen mischat-kodesh,...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
Did the Shadal use a razor to shave his beard?
I have heard that the Shadal used a razor to remove his beard, justifying it for himself through the Ibn Ezra's interpretation of Vayikra 19:27 that the prohibition would only be for shaving the beard ...
3
votes
0answers
31 views
Why mention the relationship again
In Shemot 18:1, Yitro is identified as a priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses. In verse 2 we are told again that he is the father-in-law of Moses. In verse 5 again. In verse 6, Yitro himself ...
3
votes
1answer
180 views
The sons of Tzipporah
I was reading today's weekly portion and it caught my eyes (Shemot 18:6):
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֲנִ֛י חֹֽתֶנְךָ֥ יִתְר֖וֹ בָּ֣א אֵלֶ֑יךָ וְאִ֨שְׁתְּךָ֔ וּשְׁנֵ֥י בָנֶ֖יהָ עִמָּֽהּ׃
And he said ...
0
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0answers
32 views
Why call for Moshe after Darkness?
After the three days of darkness*, Par'oh calls for Moshe and makes another offer about exactly who/what can leave Egypt.
Sh'mot 10:24 (from Sefaria)
וַיִּקְרָ֨א פַרְעֹ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ ...
3
votes
2answers
52 views
Understanding lack of accountability for statements made while suffering
In Bava Batra 16b Rava two verses for Iyov are compared
(איוב לד, לה) [איוב] לא בדעת ידבר ודבריו לא בהשכל (וכתיב (איוב מב, ז) כי לא דברתם אלי נכונה כעבדי איוב)
On the one hand, the text states: “Job ...
1
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2answers
108 views
Allegory vs. Literalism in Judaism and How to Tell the Difference [duplicate]
In the following article, the author makes a compelling argument for why Judaism doesn't always approach scripture literally. However, although there are many examples throughout the Bible for the use ...
3
votes
1answer
76 views
Why is Pasuk 4:20 in Shemos out of chronological order?
Rashi on Parsha Shemos 4:20 explains that "Chronological order is not strictly adhered to in the Scriptures" and that's why it's possible for the Pasuk to first say "and he returned to the land of ...
10
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2answers
862 views
Where were Yaakov's sons buried?
The end of parshat Vayechi has Yosef requesting that he be buried in Cana'an. At the end of book of Yehoshua, we see that he was buried in Shchem.
Where were the other brothers buried? Beginning of ...
