Questions tagged [parshanut-torah-comment]
interpretation of parts of Tanach by close reading, not derivation
1,722
questions
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Where in the Torah, on a peshat level, is both the phrase and definition of “Yom Tov” derived? [closed]
Where in the Torah, on a peshat level, is both the phrase and definition of "Yom Tov" derived?
Why "Yom Tov" is considered a chag? Why "Yom Tov" is not shabbat?
For ...
3
votes
1answer
47 views
repetition in Bamidbar
In Bamidbar (1,18) it says:
וְאֵ֨ת כָּל־הָעֵדָ֜ה הִקְהִ֗ילוּ בְּאֶחָד֙ לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִ֔י
וַיִּתְיַֽלְד֥וּ עַל־מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם לְבֵ֣ית אֲבֹתָ֑ם בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר
שֵׁמ֗וֹת מִבֶּ֨ן עֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָ֛ה ...
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1answer
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Haamek Davar on Vayikra 25:50-52
Vayikra 25:50-52:
נ וְחִשַּׁב֙ עִם־קֹנֵ֔הוּ מִשְּׁנַת֙ הִמָּ֣כְרוֹ ל֔וֹ עַ֖ד שְׁנַ֣ת
הַיֹּבֵ֑ל וְהָיָ֞ה כֶּ֤סֶף מִמְכָּרוֹ֙ בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר שָׁנִ֔ים כִּימֵ֥י
שָׂכִ֖יר יִהְיֶ֥ה עִמּֽוֹ׃ נא אִם־ע֥וֹד ...
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In the Tanakh, what are the Hebrew verbs and/or nouns associated with the word “Sinai” (which starts with the letter SAMECH)?
In the Tanakh, what are the Hebrew verbs and/or nouns associated with the word "Sinai" (which starts with the letter SAMECH)?
The usual explanation that "Sinai" refers to "...
6
votes
1answer
58 views
Why does the torah repeat itself regarding defects in Kohanim?
In Emor, perek:21 posuk:17 the Torah says:
דַּבֵּ֥ר אֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֖ן לֵאמֹ֑ר אִ֣ישׁ מִֽזַּרְעֲךָ֞ לְדֹרֹתָ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִהְיֶ֥ה בוֹ֙ מ֔וּם לֹ֣א יִקְרַ֔ב לְהַקְרִ֖יב לֶ֥חֶם אֱלֹהָֽיו׃
Speak to Aaron and ...
1
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1answer
35 views
Metzudat David on Nechemiah 6:12
I was debating with a chavruta today how to understand the following explanation from Metzudat David. The verse in Nechemiah 6:12 says:
"Then I realized that it was not God who sent him, but ...
5
votes
1answer
60 views
Bilam: a prophet/magician?
Bilam is often considered to be a gentile prophet. However, he isn't explicitly described as such in the Torah. In Bamidbar (perek 22) it describes how the elders of Moav brought sorcery/magic/...
1
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1answer
75 views
Who is 'Yehuda' in Yermiah?
In Yermiah 3:10 it says:
וְגַם־בְּכָל־זֹ֗את לֹא־שָׁ֨בָה אֵלַ֜י בָּגוֹדָ֧ה אֲחוֹתָ֛הּ יְהוּדָ֖ה בְּכָל־לִבָּ֑הּ כִּ֥י אִם־בְּשֶׁ֖קֶר נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה
Yehuda is referred to as the sister of Israel. Who ...
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What commentators follow approach of Remez
I mean, could you please name some commentators on the Torah.
For example:
Pshat (Rashi, Rashbam, Radak, Ibn Ezra)
1
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2answers
63 views
2 Samuel 8:4 vs Chronicles 18:4
In Samuel 2 8:4, it says: David captured 1700 Horsemen, but in Chronicles 18:4, it says that he captured 7000 horsemen.
How many did he actually capture, and what is the answer to this contradiction?
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0answers
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Megilla: 2nd runners overtake first set that left 70 days earlier (Rashi). How?
In Esther 3:12 it records that Homon sent out his runners with the decree on 13th Nissan. Mordechai sent out his runners on 23rd Sivan to mitigate the decree. Rashi in 8:14 tells us that these second ...
3
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0answers
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Shmot 24:3, why is there no preposition?
In Shmot 24:3 the second half of the pasuk reads, "וַיַּ֨עַן כָּל־הָעָ֜ם ק֤וֹל אֶחָד֙ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ כָּל־הַדְּבָרִ֛ים אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר יְק֤וָ֖ק֤ נַֽעֲשֶֽׂה" "and all the people answered ...
3
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0answers
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Why is Betzalel (the constructor of the mishkan), only mentioned after the entire building process of the mishkan?
Being that in Parashat Terumah and a portion of Tezaveh discusses the building of the Mishkan with all its vessels, the Torah hadn't told us who the constructor of the Mishkan was until Parashat Ki ...
0
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1answer
70 views
Malbim’s grammatical argument in Parashat Tzav
Can someone help me to understand the grammatical/ interpretive point that the Malbim is making in his commentary to Leviticus 6:21 (the entries numbered 67 and 68 on Sefaria)?
2
votes
1answer
48 views
Midrash on Novach
In Ruth Rabbah 5:5 it says:
"...And similarly "And Nobah went and took Kenath, and the villages thereof, and called it Nobah, after his own name (Numbers 32:42) this teaches that her own ...
1
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1answer
28 views
Why did Sarah demand to expel Hagar?
IIRC, Hagar was [happily] married to Abraham for at least 17 years (one or two for pregnancy, 13 of Yishmael before his circumcision, one for Sarah's pregnancy, and two for Itzhak's Gmilah). If it was ...
0
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1answer
41 views
Why was Abraham cheap with Hagar and his son Yishmael?
Following "why-would-Hagar-go-to-the-desert-t-die", IIRC Abraham was freakishly wealthy and he should be full of Chessed (toward his former wife and his own son), Sarah didn't deny any ...
0
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1answer
16 views
Why would Hagar go to the desert to inevitable death?
"Early next morning Abraham took some bread and a skin of water, and gave them to Hagar. He placed them over her shoulder, together with the child, and sent her away. And she wandered about in ...
6
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3answers
143 views
Why doesn't the Torah start with “And God spoke to Moses: In the beginning God created, etc”?
Both Talmudic opinions about the dictation of the Torah to Moses (either at once or scroll by scroll, Gittin 60), agree on the fact of the dictation. Therefore the Torah must reflect that fact and, ...
5
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How did they bake the showbread in the desert
B"H
If they had no flour what did they use to bake it? The mawn? If so, whose portion of the mawn was used? Aharoyn's? Other koyhawneem? Did a unique portion fall just for it? Sources would be ...
2
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0answers
58 views
13 ways in which the Torah is trampled
I've found a reference in a book to a medieval Italian document which refers to "the 13 ways in which the Torah is trampled and profaned". Can anyone tell me more about these 13 ways?
5
votes
1answer
196 views
Where was Malkitzedek of Jerusalem at the time of the Akedah?
ארץ המוריה: יְרוּשָׁלַיִם (Rashi Genesis.22.2)
"And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine...", Targum "וּמַלְכִּי צֶדֶק מַלְכָּא דִירוּשְׁלֶם" Genesis.14.18
If ...
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Why is God unspecific with directions to Abraham?
The LORD said to Abram, “Go forth ... to the land that I will show you." Genesis.12.1
And He said, “Take your son... and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the heights that I will ...
3
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0answers
35 views
Why does God curse and how does it align with justice?
וְעַתָּה אָרוּר אָתָּה מִן־הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר פָּצְתָה אֶת־פִּיהָ לָקַחַת אֶת־דְּמֵי אָחִיךָ מִיָּדֶךָ׃ - >Therefore, you shall be more cursed than the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your ...
0
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1answer
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How could Cain know that Hebel was actually dead?
Maybe I'm missing something in the story, but I see no obvious way for Cain to know that he actually killed Hebel and the latter will not wake up, heal or resurrect.
How could Cain know that Hebel was ...
0
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0answers
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Why was Gan-Eden a garden?
The narrative says there was a place called Eden or being eden (a watered valley) and then God planted a garden inside of it where Adam was placed.
Why was this place a garden, and not a city, a ...
3
votes
2answers
69 views
Multiple Tribes of Binyamin?
In the book "Sefer Yosef Breslevi", there's an essay by Yisrael Ben-Shem in which he raises multiple questions related to various appearances of people from the Tribe of Binyamin throughout ...
4
votes
1answer
111 views
When (day, month, year) did Avshalom son of king David die?
When (day, month, year) did Avshalom son of king David die?
Please cite a source as to exactly when this happened.
II Samuel 18:15 And there circled about ten young men who were Joab's
armor bearers, ...
1
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1answer
130 views
When did Adoniahu die?
When (day, month, year) did Adoniahu die, as according to the pasuk below?
1 Kings 2:24 And now, (as) the Lord lives, Who has established me, and set me on
the throne of David, my father, and Who has ...
5
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2answers
353 views
Moshe and Aharon never sinned
The gemarra in Shabbos 55a says a rule: אין מיתה בלא חטא, no one dies without having sinned. As an attempt to refute this rule, the gemarra brings a baraisa that says:
מֵיתִיבִי: אָמְרוּ מַלְאֲכֵי ...
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Pre-plagues hail?
In Shemot 9:24, it says about the plague of hail:
"וַיְהִי בָרָד וְאֵשׁ מִתְלַקַּחַת בְּתוֹךְ הַבָּרָד כָּבֵד מְאֹד אֲשֶׁר לֹא הָיָה כָמֹהוּ בְּכָל אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם מֵאָז הָיְתָה לְגוֹי."
&...
2
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Do the commentators describe how Amram and Yocheved felt through the events involving Paro's daughter and Moshe?
The intervention of Paro's daughter in the life of Moshe was clearly miraculous. Basya went against her father's wishes and Moshe's mother was paid to nurse him. One can imagine the feelings of wonder ...
0
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3answers
76 views
Why the choice of Abraham preceded finding him righteous?
We say it daily in the morning prayer:
אַתָּה־הוּא ה"א אֲשֶׁר בָּחַרְתָּ בְּאַבְרָם וְהוֹצֵאתוֹ מֵאוּר כַּשְׂדִּים וְשַׂמְתָּ שְּׁמוֹ אַבְרָהָם׃ וּמָצָאתָ אֶת־לְבָבוֹ נֶאֱמָן לְפָנֶיךָ...
You ...
2
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3answers
107 views
Meaning of “You alone are YHWH”
אַתָּה־הוּא יְהוָה לְבַדֶּךָ ...׃ - You alone are YHWH... Nehemiah.9.6
YHWH is God's proper name as God openly testifies:
... וּשְׁמִי יְהוָה לֹא נוֹדַעְתִּי לָהֶם - but I did not make Myself known ...
3
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1answer
74 views
Why didn't Ezra mention Shofar on Rosh Hashanah?
In Nehemiah.8.10, after reading Torah on the first day of the seventh month (Rosh Hashana - Rashi ibid):
וַיָּבִיא עֶזְרָא הַכֹּהֵן אֶת־הַתּוֹרָה לִפְנֵי הַקָּהָל ... בְּיוֹם אֶחָד לַחֹדֶשׁ ...
0
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1answer
38 views
What does the following mean from the meshech chochma?
The Meshech Chochmah, Vaeschanan, Deuteronomy 6:5, says something which I don't understand. Here it is:
וא"ל (ואמרי לה) לקיים מילי דנזיקין, כי האדם מדיני בטבע, ואוהב הקבוץ לרוב חסרונו.
Here is ...
1
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0answers
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Does a person’s soul see through the navel when the person passes away (Ben Ish Hai)
I was studying with someone earlier today and he mentioned that he once read in the Sefer Ben Ish Hai that when a person passes away, his soul can ‘see’ (I don’t really know what that means) through ...
1
vote
2answers
140 views
How does God's bet with Satan square with monotheistic theology?
One day the divine beings presented themselves before the LORD, and [the] Satan came along with them. The LORD said to the Satan, “Where have you been?” ... -“I have been roaming all over the earth.” ....
-1
votes
1answer
50 views
Why didn't God reveal to Job that He simply bet with Satan?
The book of Job focuses on theological and philosophical explanations of Job's (and other pious individuals') suffering. Eventually, God Himself talks to Job revealing that His thoughts and plans for ...
3
votes
0answers
62 views
Is Satan a being or just a mission any angel could fulfill?
Midrash B"R quoted by Rashi (Genesis.32.30, and similarly Judges.13.18) says that:
"We [angels] have no fixed names; our names change, all depending upon the service we are commanded to ...
4
votes
2answers
119 views
Why does the Torah end before fulfilling the promise of entering the Promised land?
Most mundane facts are the most fascinating to question.
The Torah ends with Moses dying in the wilderness and the Israelites still camping on the other bank of the Jordan River. This plot sounds ...
1
vote
1answer
67 views
When was Shlomo HaMelech anointed king?
When (day, month, year) was Shlomo HaMelech anointed king, as according to the pasuk below?
1 Kings 1:45 And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed
him king in Gihon, and they have ...
1
vote
2answers
66 views
Was Adonijah's grab of the throne, while David reigned, ever referred to, by any authorities, as a co-regency?
Was Adonijah's grab of the throne, while David reigned, ever referred to, by any authorities, as a co-regency?
From Adonijah's self-exaltation (1 Kings 1:5) to self-debasement at the horns of the ...
0
votes
1answer
39 views
ויהי and Bereshit 39
In Bereshit 39 - end of parshat Vayeishev - the Torah keeps using the word ויהי. In 23 verses, there are 15 times the word ויהי repeated.
Is there a significance of the ויהי repetition, over and over, ...
1
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2answers
215 views
Did Esav do Teshuva?
The Chizkuni Bireishis 25:8 says at the end of his comment that Esav also did Teshuva. Is there other sources for this amongst the Rishonim and Chazal?
2
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0answers
92 views
From Adonijah's self-exaltation to self-debasement at the horns of the altar, what was the time frame?
From Adonijah's self-exaltation to self-debasement at the horns of the altar, what was the time frame?
From the time
"Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying: 'I will be king'" (...
-1
votes
2answers
85 views
What were Yaakov's original intentions for marrying Lavan's daughter(s)?
I learned from my Rabbi's books (R' Moshe Luriah's "בית גנזי על התורה" - Ariz"l's tradition) that:
Yaakov and Esav paralleled Rachel and Leah and were "destined" one for ...
1
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1answer
82 views
What was and who were Bath-Sheva's or Bath-Shua's Name and Children with David and Uriah?
What was and who were Bath-Sheva's or Bath-Shua's Name and Children with David and Uriah?
Divrei Hayamim I - I Chronicles - Chapter 3:5 And these were born to
him in Jerusalem: Shimea, and Shobab, ...
0
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1answer
95 views
Why won't a wrongful blessing be void?
In Parashat Toldot, Isaac wrongfully blesses Yaakov instead of Esav. In the Halachah IIRC, most things made wrongfully are illegal and are void, like monetary contracts or marriages.
I don't really ...
1
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1answer
85 views
Why did Isaac trust his senses over his feeling?
וַיִּגַּשׁ יַעֲקֹב אֶל־יִצְחָק אָבִיו וַיְמֻשֵּׁהוּ וַיֹּאמֶר הַקֹּל קוֹל יַעֲקֹב וְהַיָּדַיִם יְדֵי עֵשָׂו׃ - So Jacob drew close to his father Isaac, who felt him and wondered. “The voice is the ...
