Questions tagged [parshanut-torah-comment]
interpretation of parts of Tanach by close reading, not derivation
1,612
questions
5
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1answer
288 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 ...
1
vote
3answers
78 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
votes
0answers
41 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
votes
0answers
59 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
44 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
votes
3answers
125 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
votes
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
votes
0answers
130 views
Are there authoritative examples where a father (or teacher) spat at his child's (or student's) face?
What are the authoritative examples where a father (or father-figure or a teacher, as teachers are sometimes called "fathers") actually spat at his child's (student's) face?
Rashi equates (but does ...
1
vote
0answers
69 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
51 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:
×Ö±āÖ½×Ö¹×Ö“Ö×× ×Ö¼Ö°Öצֵ××ŖÖ°×Öø ×Ö“×¤Ö°× ÖµÖ£× ×¢Ö·×Ö¼Ö¶Ö×Öø ...
1
vote
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
326 views
The Netziv on Evolution
The Wikipedia page titled Jewish views on evolution states the following about the Netziv.
WhenĀ scientistsĀ first developed the theory of evolution, this idea was seized upon by rabbis such asĀ ...
6
votes
3answers
305 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
109 views
Where does the Torah actually speak of the 4 Sons?
In the haggadah, we read
×Ö°Ö¼× Ö¶×Ö¶× ×Ö·×ØÖ°×ÖøÖ¼×¢Öø× ×Öø× Ö“×× ×Ö“Ö¼×Ö°Ö¼×ØÖø× ×Ŗ×Ö¹×ØÖø×
"corresponding to 4 sons the Torah spoke"
There are specific p'sukim which discuss the reasons for Passover, but how does any ...
5
votes
0answers
65 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
vote
1answer
71 views
Why didnāt Yehuda (or Shelah) perform Chaliza for Tamar?
In (פ×Øש×Ŗ ×××©× (פ×Øק ×× we have the story of Yehuda marrying off Er to Tamar and then perform a pre-××Ŗ× ×Ŗ××Ø× version of ×××× with Onan, who also subsequently dies.
Which left Yehudaās third son,Shelah,...
3
votes
2answers
154 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
207 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:
×Ö°×Ö“×Ö¼ÖøÖ½× Ö°×¢ÖØ×Ö¼ ×¢Ö·×Ö¼Ö“Ö× ×ֲש×Ö¶Ö§×Ø × Ö“Ö½×§Ö°×ØÖø×־ש×Ö°×Ö“Ö£× ×¢Ö²×Öµ××Ö¶Ö× ×Ö°×Ö“Ö½×Ŗְפַּֽ×Ö°××Ö¼Ö ×Ö“Ö½××ַקְש×Ö£×Ö¼ פÖø× Ö·Ö× ×Ö°×Öøש×Ö»Ö××Ö¼ ×Ö“×Ö¼Ö·×ØÖ°×Öµ××Ö¶Ö£× ...
0
votes
1answer
94 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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votes
1answer
105 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
vote
1answer
69 views
Blessing the Beasts
Andā¦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
vote
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 Naįø„mani said ...
6
votes
1answer
79 views
Understanding Kli Yakor question on Rashi about Betzalal following Moishe's instructions
The Gemara says in Berachos (55a)
×ד×Ø ×©Ö°×××Ö¼×Öµ× ×Ö¼Ö·×Ø × Ö·×Ö°×Öø× Ö“× ×ד×Ø ××Ö¹× Öø×ŖÖø× ×ְּצַ×Ö°×Öµ× ×¢Ö·× ×©×Öµ× ×Öø×Ö°×Öø×Ŗ×Ö¹ × Ö“×§Ö°×ØÖø× ×ְּש×Öø×¢Öø× ×©×Ö¶×Öø×Ö·×Ø ××Ö¹ ×ַקּÖø××Ö¹×©× ×Ö¼Öø×Ø×Ö¼×Ö° ××Ö¼× ×Ö°×ֹשֶ×× ×Öµ×Ö° ×Ö±××Ö¹×Ø ××Ö¹ ...
5
votes
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:
ש×Öø×Ö¹Ö„×©× ×¤Ö¼Ö°×¢Öø×Ö“Ö×× ×ַּש×Ö¼Öø× ÖøÖ× ×Öµ×ØÖø×Ö¶×Ö ×Ö¼Öø×Ö¾×Ö°×Ö£×Ö¼×ØÖ°×ÖøÖ ×Ö¶×Ö¾...
3
votes
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
179 views
The sons of Tzipporah
I was reading today's weekly portion and it caught my eyes (Shemot 18:6):
×Ö·×Ö¼Ö¹ÖØ××Ö¶×ØÖ ×Ö¶×Ö¾×ֹש×Ö¶Ö× ×Ö²× Ö“Ö× ×Ö¹Ö½×ŖÖ¶× Ö°×ÖøÖ„ ×Ö“×ŖÖ°×ØÖ×Ö¹ ×Ö¼ÖøÖ£× ×Öµ×Ö¶Ö××Öø ×Ö°×Ö“ÖØש×Ö°×ŖÖ¼Ö°×ÖøÖ ×ּש×Ö°× ÖµÖ„× ×Öø× Ö¶Ö××Öø ×¢Ö“×Ö¼ÖøÖ½×Ö¼×
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)
×Ö·×ּ֓קְ×ØÖøÖØ× ×¤Ö·×ØÖ°×¢Ö¹Ö× ×Ö¶×Ö¾×ֹש×Ö¶Ö× ×Ö·×Ö¼Ö¹Ö××Ö¶×ØÖ ...
3
votes
2answers
50 views
Understanding lack of accountability for statements made while suffering
In Bava Batra 16b Rava two verses for Iyov are compared
(×××× ××, ××) [××××] ×× ×××¢×Ŗ ××××Ø ××××Ø×× ×× ××ש×× (×××Ŗ×× (×××× ××, ×) ×× ×× ×××Ø×Ŗ× ××× × ××× × ××¢××× ××××)
On the one hand, the text states: āJob ...
1
vote
2answers
103 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
70 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
votes
2answers
861 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
47 views
Why did Yaakov āopen the mouth to the Satanā?
In Parashat Vayigash (46:30), we read
×Ö·×Ö¼Ö¹Ö§××Ö¶×Ø ×֓ש×Ö°×ØÖø×ÖµÖ× ×Ö¶×Ö¾××Ö¹×”ÖµÖ×£ ×Öø×Ö£×Ö¼×ŖÖø× ×ַפּÖøÖ×¢Ö·× ×Ö·×Ö²×ØÖµ×Ö ×ØÖ°××Ö¹×ŖÖ“Ö£× ×Ö¶×Ŗ־פּÖø× Ö¶Ö××Öø ×Ö¼Ö“Ö„× ×¢×Ö¹×Ö°×ÖøÖ ×ÖøÖ½××
And Israel said unto Joseph: āNow let me die, since ...
1
vote
2answers
88 views
Proper understanding of “×Ö¹× ×Ö“×ŖÖ°×ַש×Ö¼Öø×”
Numbers 23:8 as translated by Safaria:
×Ö¼Ö“Ö½×Ö¾×Öµ×ØÖ¹Ö¤××©× ×¦Ö»×ØÖ“××Ö ×Ö¶×ØÖ°×Ö¶Ö× Ö¼×Ö¼ ×Ö¼×Ö“×Ö¼Ö°×Öø×¢Ö×Ö¹×Ŗ ×ֲש××Ö¼×ØÖ¶Ö× Ö¼×Ö¼
×Ö¶×Ö¾×¢Öø×Ö ×Ö°×Öø×ÖøÖ£× ×֓ש×Ö°×Ö¼Ö¹Ö× ×Ö¼×Ö·×Ö¼×Ö¹×Ö“Ö× ×Ö¹Ö„× ×Ö“×ŖÖ°×ַש×Ö¼ÖøÖ½××
As I see them from the ...
1
vote
1answer
75 views
Understanding a Chasam Sofer on the Parsha
I recently came across an explanation from the Chasam Sofer on Vayigash and I don't understand what he's saying:
(××Ø×£ ×××Ø×£ ×××”×£ ××× ×Ø×××Ŗ×× ×¢× ×× × (×× ××
× ×Ø×× ×©××¢×§× ×××× × ×× ×שש ש×××”×£ ××Ŗ ×××× × ×Ø×× ...
2
votes
1answer
55 views
Meaning of Hosea 14:9?
Could anyone explain to me what HaShem meant in Hosea 14:9 (particularly, the last sentence of the verse)? My JPS Tanakh translates this as āEphraim [shall say]: āWhat more have I to do with idols? ...
3
votes
1answer
50 views
Repetition of already stated facts
The posuk says Shimon and Levi took swords and killed all the male inhabitants : so why in the next posuk a) does it repeat that they killed Chamor and Schem and b) that they used swords ? Both ...
1
vote
3answers
170 views
Jacob and stone pillars
There are several allusions in the Torah that through divine inspiration the Patriarchs kept it entirely (see Yoma 28b based on Bereishit 26:5 for Abraham and Rashi on Bereishit 32:5 for Jacob). Yet, ...
0
votes
1answer
139 views
How did the Shela make the brothers less culpable?
Rashi brings the Midrash that Yosef told Yaakov three sins the brothers did:
×××Ø ×× ××× - They ate a limb from a live animal
×¢×Ø×××Ŗ - They were guilty of illicit relations
שק××Ø×× ×××××× ×¢×××× - They ...
-5
votes
2answers
71 views
How angel's strength is determined?
×Ö·×Ö¼Ö“×Ö¼Öø×ŖÖµ×Ø ×Ö·×¢Ö²×§Ö¹× ×Ö°×Ö·×Ö¼×Ö¹ ×Ö·×Ö¼Öµ×Öø×ֵק ×Ö“××©× ×¢Ö“×Ö¼×Ö¹ ×¢Ö·× ×¢Ö²××Ö¹×Ŗ ×ַש×Ö¼Öø×Ö·×Ø×
Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. (Gen 32.25)
We already learned that:
Angels ...
1
vote
1answer
117 views
Why Gid-Haneshe is counted as a Mitzvah if it wasn't commanded?
×¢Ö·×Ö¾×Ö¼Öµ× ×Ö¹×Ö¾×Ö¹××Ö°××Ö¼ ×Ö°× Öµ×Ö¾×֓ש×Ö°×ØÖø×Öµ× ×Ö¶×ŖÖ¾×Ö¼Ö“×× ×Ö·× Ö¼Öøש×Ö¶× ×ֲש×Ö¶×Ø ×¢Ö·×Ö¾×Ö¼Ö·×£ ×Ö·×Ö¼Öø×ØÖµ×Ö° ×¢Ö·× ×Ö·×Ö¼×Ö¹× ×Ö·×Ö¼Ö¶× ×Ö¼Ö“× × Öø×Ö·×¢ ×Ö¼Ö°×Ö·×£Ö¾×Ö¶×ØÖ¶×Ö° ×Ö·×¢Ö²×§Ö¹× ×Ö¼Ö°×Ö“×× ×Ö·× Ö¼Öøש×Ö¶××
That is why the children of Israel to this ...
1
vote
2answers
79 views
What was the wrestling of Yaakov and “a man” about? [closed]
×Ö·×Ö¼Ö“×Ö¼Öø×ŖÖµ×Ø ×Ö·×¢Ö²×§Ö¹× ×Ö°×Ö·×Ö¼×Ö¹ ×Ö·×Ö¼Öµ×Öø×ֵק ×Ö“××©× ×¢Ö“×Ö¼×Ö¹ ×¢Ö·× ×¢Ö²××Ö¹×Ŗ ×ַש×Ö¼Öø×Ö·×Ø×
Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. (Gen 32.25)
What was that "man's" purpose or ...
0
votes
1answer
85 views
Rashi's logic in understanding animal mating patterns
×Öø××ŖÖ·×Ö“× ×¢Ö“×Ö¼Ö“×× ×¦Ö°×ØÖ“×××Ö¹×Ŗ עֶש×Ö°×ØÖ“×× ×ŖÖ¼Ö°×Öøש×Ö“××, ×Ö°×Öµ× ×Ö¼Ö»×Ö¼Öø×, ×Ö·×Ö¼Ö°×Öø×ØÖ“×× ×Ö¼Ö°×Öµ× ×¦Ö¹×ØÖ¶×Ö° ×Ö·× Ö¼Ö°×§Öµ××Ö¹×Ŗ;
... ×Ö°×¤Ö“× ×©×Ö¶×Öµ× ×¤Ö¼Ö°× ×Ö¼×Ö“×× ×Ö“×Ö¼Ö°×Öø××Öø× ×Ö¼Ö·×ØÖ°×Ö¼Öø× ×Ö°×Ö·×ØÖ°×Ö¼×Ö¹×Ŗ ×Ŗַּש×Ö°×Ö“××©× ×Ö¼×Ö°×¢Ö·×Ö¼Öµ×Ø ×¢Ö¶×©×Ö¶×Ø ...
2
votes
0answers
15 views
Inconsistency in Yaakov's presents for his brother Esau
×¢Ö“×Ö¼Ö“×× ×Öø××ŖÖ·×Ö“× ×Ö¼×ŖÖ°×Öøש×Ö“×× ×¢Ö¶×©×Ö°×ØÖ“××
×ØÖ°×Öµ×Ö“×× ×Öø××ŖÖ·×Ö“× ×Ö°×Öµ××Ö“×× ×¢Ö¶×©×Ö°×ØÖ“×××
×Ö¼Ö°×Ö·×Ö¼Ö“×× ×Öµ×× Ö“×ק×Ö¹×Ŗ ×Ö¼×Ö°× Öµ××Ö¶× ×©×Ö°×ֹש×Ö“××
פּÖø×Ø×Ö¹×Ŗ ×Ö·×ØÖ°×Ö¼Öø×¢Ö“×× ×ּפÖø×ØÖ“×× ×¢Ö²×©×Öø×ØÖø×
×Ö²×ŖÖ¹× Ö¹×Ŗ עֶש×Ö°×ØÖ“×× ×Ö·×¢Ö°×Öø×ØÖ“× ...
0
votes
0answers
27 views
Necessity of mentioning pregnancy in the Torah
For example (Gen 30.19):
×Ö·×ŖÖ¼Ö·×Ö·×Ø ×¢×Ö¹× ×Öµ×Öø× ×Ö·×ŖÖ¼Öµ×Ö¶× ×Ö¼Öµ×־ש×֓ש×Ö¼Ö“× ×Ö¼Ö°×ַעֲקֹ××
When Leah got pregnant again and bore Jacob a sixth son,
I don't know of a way of giving birth without getting ...
0
votes
1answer
72 views
What to we learn from ×Ö·×ּ֓שַּ×ק ×Ö·×¢Ö²×§Ö¹× ×Ö°×ØÖø×Öµ×? [duplicate]
The following is an (uncited) premise in learning torah that creates this question. Every word of the torah is measured (there are no extra words) and therefore important.
In parshas Yeyeitzei (...
3
votes
1answer
394 views
Talmud Bavli Sanhedrin 98b: an interpretation in a messianic sense of the figure of the “suffering servant” of Isaiah 52-53?
Iām an Italian noahide.
I read in various Jewish sources, and also in this forum at
The suffering servant? Yeshayahu- Isaiah - Chapter 53
that the figure of the "suffering servant" described in ...
4
votes
4answers
122 views
How did Ya'akov know that Lavan was a swindler?
Breishit 29:18 (Sefaria's English translation:)
×Ö·×Ö¼Ö¶×Ö±×Ö·Ö„× ×ַעֲקֹÖ× ×Ö¶×ŖÖ¾×ØÖø×ÖµÖ× ×Ö·×Ö¼Ö¹Ö××Ö¶×Ø ×ֶֽעֱ×Öø×Ö°×ÖøÖ ×©×Ö¶Ö£×Ö·×¢
ש×Öø× Ö“Ö×× ×Ö¼Ö°×ØÖø×ÖµÖ„× ×Ö¼Ö“×ŖÖ¼Ö°×ÖøÖ ×ַקְּ×Ö·× Ö¼ÖøÖ½××
Jacob loved Rachel; so he answered, ...
5
votes
0answers
61 views
What happened to Lovon's idols that were taken by Rochel?
In a comment on this question Did anyone (especially Yaakov) ever find out about the idols? Ezra says:
In Genesis 35:1-4, Jacob requests his household to hand over "foreign
deities", and he ...
