Questions tagged [parshanut-torah-comment]
interpretation of parts of Tanach by close reading, not derivation
242
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
1
vote
0
answers
82
views
What is the importance of Milkah, Nahor's wife to attribute the children after her?
Milka is mentioned a couple of times as giving birth to Nahor's children, e.g.:
... וַיֻּגַּד לְאַבְרָהָם לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה יָלְדָה מִלְכָּה גַם־הִיא בָּנִים לְנָחוֹר אָחִיךָ׃
... Abraham was told, “...
- 26k
1
vote
0
answers
37
views
Doubling the reason for the flood in the Torah
At the end of Parashat Bereishit (6,7) the Torah repeats two very similar statements twice - in a form of "ABAB" instead of "AABB":
Aוַיִּרְא֤וּ בְנֵי־הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ ...וַיִּקְח֤וּ לָהֶם֙ נָשִׁ֔ים ...
- 26k
1
vote
0
answers
83
views
What does "the tree of life" mean when G-d decides on life solely?
My question is maybe an elaboration on this question "How does the tree of life work?:
The Gemmorah says that G-d decides exclusively on a person’s lifespan. But the Torah says that G-d Himself is ...
- 26k
1
vote
0
answers
47
views
Torah confusion between "daylight" and "a day"
The Torah uses the same word יום in the same verse to denote both "daylight" and "24 hours":
וַיִּקְרָא אֱלֹהִים לָאוֹר יוֹם וְלַחֹשֶׁךְ קָרָא לָיְלָה
וַיְהִי־עֶרֶב וַיְהִי־בֹקֶר יוֹם אֶחָד׃
...
- 26k
1
vote
0
answers
33
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 ...
- 26k
1
vote
1
answer
143
views
Source for the commentary that Miriam died "to teach that death is mysterious"?
So, a few weeks ago I was looking up some sources on the death of Miriam in preparation for a D'var Torah, and came across a very brief commentary that she died "to teach that death is mysterious" (or ...
- 1,082
1
vote
0
answers
46
views
How are we allowed to judge Korach?
When listening to numerous rabbis showing their intellectual and religious superiority to the leading figures of Dor Hamidbar (not limited to), claiming to know the right answers and behaviors the ...
- 26k
1
vote
0
answers
34
views
Did all the spies stay together throughout the entire mission?
In viewing Rash"i on Bemidbar 13:21-22, it seems that the Torah lists things out of order unless it is describing "general" first and then "specifics".
In other words - in reading Rash"i on verse 21, ...
- 70.5k
1
vote
0
answers
97
views
Why were Leah and Bilhah's tribes larger than Rachel and Zilpah's?
I plotted the census results given in Bamidbar, and it struck me that the tribes descended from Rachel are very small. In contrast, those descended from Leah have population counts between average and ...
1
vote
0
answers
32
views
Laws given at locations
There were many divrei Torah that I read recently which addressed the question of mah inyan sh'mittah Etzel har Sinai, why does the Torah point out specifically that the concept and laws of the Sh'...
- 38.3k
1
vote
0
answers
69
views
Malkizedek, Jerusalem and the Temple Mount
וּמַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק מֶלֶךְ שָׁלֵם הוֹצִיא לֶחֶם וָיָיִן וְהוּא כֹהֵן לְאֵל עֶלְיוֹן׃
And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was a priest of God Most High. (Ber 14, 18)
Many ...
- 26k
1
vote
0
answers
98
views
"Vaishakehu" Extra Points over entire word? or some letters?
Shalom!
The famous Passuk on which Esav and Jaacov ran, hug, kiss and cry.
The Word VAISHAKEHU has points-dots over every leter.
Siftei Chakhamim seems to have VAISHAKEHU וישקהו with 5 nekudot, ...
1
vote
0
answers
30
views
How did Adam got his intellect?
The tradition says that Adam was created grown up and extremely intelligent. We know that his body was formed from the earth and his soul was blown into the body and then he became a living (talking) ...
- 26k
1
vote
0
answers
40
views
Was the wording on each tablet sized differently?
Was the wording on each tablet sized differently? It's said that the second tablet that contained the Commandments for man's relationship to man had larger wording so man would have no problem reading ...
- 1,512
1
vote
0
answers
59
views
The Golden Calf timeline - hour by hour?
I can't figure out how the making of the Calf was possible in a couple of hours:
12pm was the time Moses promised to return. Satan started fooling around, people started to question.
The bad guys (...
- 26k
1
vote
0
answers
33
views
Moses' problematic communication with the nation in the Golden Calf incident
In my plain understanding, the matter that triggered the story of the Golden Calf was Moses' bad explanation of his plan spending the next 40 days and coming back.
He told the nation, he'll be back ...
- 26k
1
vote
0
answers
116
views
Why would it be better for Rashi to say nothing than to say he doesn’t know?
This question previously asked why Rashi sometimes says he doesn’t know what a passuk comes to teach us. Both the questioner there and the various sources cited in this answer there seem to assume ...
- 34.3k
1
vote
0
answers
109
views
אלהים vs האלהים - what's the difference?
Those (Elohim and Ha'Elohim) two are used in different places and both translated as "יי" - G-d. For example (Shmos 18):
"...אֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה אֱלֹהִים לְמֹשֶׁה וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵל&...
- 26k
1
vote
0
answers
27
views
Why are there different people speaking different parts of the coming of the manna?
When viewing the initial relay to Bnei Yisra'el about the mahn, we see different people speaking. All verses mentioned are in Shemot (Ex.) chapter 16.
verses 6 and 7 - Both and Moshe and Aharon speak
...
- 70.5k
1
vote
0
answers
86
views
Uncomfortable Discussions Around Guests
Why doesn't Avraham wait until escorting the angelic "men" out of the tent before having the conversation with Sarah about "laughing" - the pesukim (Bereishis 18:15-16) follow one after the other.
...
- 14.3k
1
vote
0
answers
59
views
Avraham's Strange Happiness to Death?
Since והיה generally refers to something not bad,
Vayikra Rabba (11:7) - כל מקום שנאמר ויהי אין שמחה והיה אין צרה
why does Avraham use the word to start the following potentially tragic statement (...
- 14.3k
1
vote
0
answers
56
views
A source for the suggestion that Moshe Rabbeinu was raised in the house of Pharaoh so that he would see real Malchus
A speaker remarked that the Divine plan called for Moshe to be raised in the house of Pharaoh so that he (Moshe) would see real Malchus. To me the suggestion seemed to be that in some way Pharaoh was ...
- 2,235
1
vote
0
answers
31
views
Using אוהביו, יראיו, חסידיו in Chovas Halevavos referring to those who receive additional reward
ספר חובות הלבבות - שער הביטחון - פרק רביעי
Chovos Halevavos (Duties of the Heart) Shaar Habitachon (Gate of Trust) Chapter 4:
ועניני העולם הבא יחלקו לשני חלקים ... והשני שהוא מחסד הבורא יתעלה על ...
- 6,979
1
vote
0
answers
67
views
What is the most effective way to translate non-Hebrew translations found in Rabbinic literature?
Non-Hebrew translations are often included by our Sages when attempting to clarify words or concepts.
There are myriad examples in RaSh"I (Shemot 5:7) and Hizquni (Wayiqra 11:16). For relatively ...
- 7,462
1
vote
0
answers
63
views
Did Adam name all the breeds of the same type of animal?
Breishit (Gen.) 2:20 indicates that Adam named all the animals.
Did he give each class of animals just general names, or was Adam specific to name each breed of animal as well? E.g. - Did he name ...
- 70.5k
1
vote
0
answers
72
views
Why did the Torah have to mention the thigh of Yakov?
In Parshas Shemos 1:5, when describing the children of Yakov the Torah uses the phrase "yerech Yakov" to describe where they came from. Some Rishonim explain that the Torah is using using clean ...
- 5,081
1
vote
0
answers
121
views
Is a maidservant required to be 'moseret nefesh' for her master?
In Sefer Bereshit, 30:3-13 the maidservants of both Rochel and Leah are given to Yaacov in their stead to build Yaacov's house through bearing additional children. Since the text states that any ...
- 14.9k
1
vote
0
answers
43
views
Identifying word sequence by initial letters
I learned from Rav ABY that the Attributes of the month of Av are
Ruling permutation of the letters of the Tetragrammaton HAVAYAH : KEH (really the 8th letter) VAV YOD KEH (ditto), contained in the ...
- 1,093
1
vote
0
answers
68
views
Was the Jubilee in mind in Isaiah 49:8-9 and 61:1-2?
Did the prophet Isaiah have the Jubilee in mind in Isaiah 49:8 and 61:1-2? I notice the term "proclaim freedom" appears in Leviticus as well as Isaiah 61. Is the similarity superficial?
In the case ...
- 273
1
vote
0
answers
95
views
Would Job's daughters' sons have been sons of Job?
In Job's testing, Job's sons all died. When God restored him, he had seven sons and three daughters. He gave the daughters an inheritance among their brothers. Would Job's grandsons (The daughters' ...
user2411
1
vote
0
answers
84
views
Why does HaShem refer to Himself in the third "person"?
In Joshua 1:9, HaShem says to Joshua:
Did I not command you, be strong and have courage, do not fear and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
My wife asked a ...
- 7,462
1
vote
0
answers
49
views
Does a father's rebuke cause seven days of humiliation in his child?
In Bamidbor 12:14, Rashi explains the verse to mean that if Miriam's father had turned to her with an angry face, she would have been humiliated for seven days.
Are there other examples where we ...
- 47.6k
1
vote
0
answers
115
views
7+7 clean animals(Noach 7:2)
Why is the clean animals mentioned only once and the rest of animals(a pair) is mentioned numerous times with the omission of the clean .
- 41.8k
1
vote
1
answer
42
views
Eltzafan or Elitzafan, son of Uziel?
I was wondering why the Torah uses two different spellings - with or without the letter Yod - to talk about the same character.
Twice the Torah says Eltzafan: shemot 6:22 and vayikra 10:4
and once ...
- 1,058
1
vote
1
answer
114
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 ...
- 26k
1
vote
1
answer
89
views
Why didn't God intervene in the story of Itzhak's blessings to Eisav?
We can see God intervening in numerous situations in the Book of Genesis, revealing His divine plans to our forefathers, saving them, and preventing them from falling into different traps. However, in ...
- 26k
1
vote
1
answer
62
views
Of all Aron measures, why the thickness of the Kapores was not mentioned?
While working on "the-holy-ark-weigh-4-tons" I noticed, the thickness of the Kapores (1 Tefach) is concluded only in the Gemmorah by גזירה שווה to other measures (Succa 5a):
"... אלא כפורת טפח מנלן?...
- 26k
1
vote
1
answer
399
views
Why the Hebrew word for "fathers" - אבות ends in "ות" as feminine?
To continue the "gender in Hebrew" questions (like "meaning-of-grammatical-gender-in-hebrew-for-inanimate-objects)".
What can be more masculine than the fathers, and still, the ...
- 26k
1
vote
2
answers
249
views
Second plague was crocodiles?
The Ohr Somayach website's 'Ask a rabbi' column quotes Abarbanel as saying that the second plague was crocodiles, rather than frogs, and that one of Abarbanel's reasons was:
The Egyptians worshipped ...
- 2,428
0
votes
0
answers
47
views
Why is a certain sentence repeated so many times in Parsha of Tzav
In Parshas Tzav, the Pasuk, וידבר ה׳ אל משה לאמר: is repeated many times… sometimes only a few sentences apart. We know that not one extra letter is written in the Torah. The question is why is this ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
34
views
Why did Yonatan start up with the Plishtim?
In 1 Shmuel 13 Yonatan seemingly unprovoked, attacks the Plishtim triggering a war. The text does not indicate that Yonatan was told to do this by Shaul, Shmuel or Hashem. Further on in the chapter we ...
- 14.2k
0
votes
0
answers
48
views
It would almost seem as though Hashem was tricking Ya'akov into going down to Egypt?
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אָנֹכִ֥י הָאֵ֖ל אֱלֹהֵ֣י אָבִ֑יךָ אַל־תִּירָא֙ מֵרְדָ֣ה מִצְרַ֔יְמָה כִּֽי־לְג֥וֹי גָּד֖וֹל אֲשִֽׂימְךָ֥ שָֽׁם׃
“I am God, the God of your father’s [house]. Fear not to go down to Egypt, ...
- 619
0
votes
0
answers
56
views
Pinchas didn't carry a spear?
In discussing Pinchas, the Chasam Sofer reportedly says that the kana'im who don't carry around a spear are the true kanai'm lishma while those who carry around a spear looking for a machlokes are not ...
- 14.3k
0
votes
0
answers
31
views
When Hashem spoke to Moshe and it doesn't say leemor it always means that the general public only found this out after it was written in the Torah?
Is it correct to say that when Hashem spoke to Moshe and It doesn't say leemor it means that Klal Yisroel only found this out after the Torah was given?
0
votes
0
answers
57
views
Missing vav or not in Bamidbar 7:2
In parshat Nasso (Bamidbar 7:2), the Torah says
וַיַּקְרִ֙יבוּ֙ נְשִׂיאֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל רָאשֵׁ֖י בֵּ֣ית אֲבֹתָ֑ם הֵ֚ם נְשִׂיאֵ֣י הַמַּטֹּ֔ת הֵ֥ם הָעֹמְדִ֖ים עַל־הַפְּקֻדִֽים׃
On this verse, the Minchat ...
- 1,058
0
votes
0
answers
28
views
HOW did they re-accept the Torah?
During the story of Purim, the Gemara (https://www.sefaria.org/Shabbat.88a.5?lang=bi&with=Sheets&lang2=en ) tells us that the Jewish people "re-accepted the Torah during the story of ...
- 1,590
0
votes
0
answers
60
views
Malbim on the irrationality/illegitimacy of Amalek
Malbim on Shmuel 1:15:2 writes about the irrationality, or perhaps the illegitimacy of Amalek's war with Bnei Yisrael:
"כה אמר ה' צבאות, הנה התורה בארה בטעם מצות מיחוי זכר עמלק כמה טעמים כמ&...
- 25.6k
0
votes
0
answers
48
views
Will we do melacha in the seventh millennium?
BH
In Toras Kohanim to the beginning of parshas Behar, on the verse saying that one should cause the land to "rest" like Shabbos, there are several sections where it says that we might think ...
0
votes
0
answers
144
views
Why was the parsha of Eliezer repeated, while the parshaos of the Avos weren't?
B"H
It's well known that the account of Eliezer, servant of Avraham, is repeated in the Torah, which is not very common.
Regarding this, Rashi brings the Midrash explaining the reason:
"
...
0
votes
0
answers
95
views
What's the connection between the yod's on the letter tzadik, the faces of Adam and chava, and the kruvim
I have heard but I cannot find any sources linking these concepts. The Shulchan Aruch HaRav mentions that the yod's on the letter tzadik are written upside down in ktav arizal; basically not facing ...
- 1,274