Questions tagged [pentateuch-chumash]
Questions pertaining to the Five Books of Moses (Chumash)
201
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Death of Nadav & Avihu/ Human Sacrifice?
According to Rashi the death of Nadav and Avihu was (as earlier to to Moshe by G-D) in order to sanctify the Mishkan. So in a sense the sanctification of the Mishkan (i.e. G-D's indwelling within it) ...
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23 views
Why is the word Kaeileh repeated often by the people in shul during the maftir leining on succos and pesach? [duplicate]
Why do people say Kaeilah loud in shul during the maftir leining on succos and pesach?
3
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0answers
124 views
How essential is it to accept the reliability of the text of the Torah?
(Related to Are Muslims fit to be Noahides?. ) The question came up there, are the Muslims heretical (in our view) because they reject our Torah as we currently have it?
This is based on a gemara ...
4
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0answers
64 views
Why only was Yosef's bones transported from Egypt and not his intact whole body?
If we know a Tzaddiks body after death does not decompose, why does the Torah record that Moshe took Yosef's bones to Eretz Yisrael? Shouldn't it have said Moshe took Yosef's entire body to Eretz ...
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1answer
41 views
Exodus 20:3 -Deuteronomy 6:4 and 10:17 according to Targum Onkelos
Regarding the following passages of the Torah:
"You shall have no other elohim besides Me" (Exodus 20: 3)
“Hear, O Israel: HaShem is our Elohim; HaShem is one" (Deuteronomy 6: 4)
"...
5
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3answers
492 views
Did Yakov ever find out the truth about the sale of Yosef?
Curious why the Torah never mentions anything about Yaakov inquiring as to what actually happened to Joseph and how he got to Egypt. Is there any scriptural basis to suggest he became aware of the ...
6
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78 views
Why is there no דגש in the כ״ף of הכזונה in פרשת וישלח לד:לא?
I know that the rule of ה״א התימה is that it usually takes a הֲ unless it precedes a שוא, such as here in הַכְזוֹנָה, where it then just takes a הַ and the following letter doesn't have a דגש in order ...
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1answer
99 views
Evidence that Yaakov did the right thing in fooling his father to get the brachos
I see a lot of questions on the topic, but maybe not one that is this specific. I'd like to know, when Yaakov Avinu (with Rivka his mother) went to fool Yitzchak and get the brachos, is there evidence ...
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4answers
202 views
Did Avraham know the visitors were angels?
Related (among others)
When the three men walk past Avraham's tent, he runs out to bring them in and feeds them (expressions of Mid-Eastern hospitality). Does he know (think, guess?) at any point that ...
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1answer
86 views
Mikraos Gedolos Recommendation
Can anyone please suggest/recommend a pocket set of Mikraos Gedolos besides for the 48 book set Oz Vhadar one? I'm just looking for a pocket chumash with the basic meforshim.
Thanks so much, ...
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1answer
72 views
What does this reference to Pirkei Avos mean in this letter of the Chazon Ish?
The Chazon Ish has a letter discussing shana rishona that is quoted in וידעת כי שלום אהלך by R Chayim Friedlander. In it, the Chazon Ish encourages a husband in shana rishona to speak extensively to ...
5
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1answer
280 views
Was Gad Strong or weak?
In Vezos Habracha where Rashi says on Perek 33:18 that the last 5 tribes he doubled over, Moshe did this because these tribes were weak so he wanted to strengthen them. However Rashi later on, on ...
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1answer
50 views
What is the Ramban's question in this comment on עזר כנגדו?
לא טוב היות האדם לבדו – איננו נראה שנברא האדם להיות יחיד בעולם ולא יוליד שכל הנבראים זכר ונקבה מכל בשר נבראו להקים זרע וגם העשב והעץ זרעם בהם אבל יתכן לומר כי היה כדברי האומר (ברכות סא) דו פרצופים ...
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1answer
77 views
Is there a Tosofos on Chumash?
I heard from a Rosh yeshiva that there is a commentary from the Tosofos on Chumash that is not widely discussed. Wondering if anyone here is well versed in manuscripts and might be able to comment.
...
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1answer
121 views
Does a (printed) Tanach have more Kedusha than a (printed) Torah?
Does the amount of Kedusha that a sefer has add up, or is it capped?
Is Tanach equal to Torah plus Nach, or is it limited to just Torah?
My intention when I first posted this was for which one should ...
2
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0answers
27 views
Why are some commandments relayed via “Tzav” but not others?
In the chumash, there are approximately 10 places where a law is given to the Children of Israel and is preceded by Hashem's telling Moshe to command (tzav) the people, or certain people. An example ...
13
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2answers
701 views
What is the most-shared name in the Torah? In Tanach?
A previous question noted that there are three distinct individuals named Amihud mentioned in the Torah, and at least one more in Divrei Hayamim. When I noticed this phenomenon in the Torah, it made ...
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36 views
“They encamped at Rissah” Bamidbar 33:21
The verse 21 of chapter 33 in Sefer Bamidbar tells us the Bnei Israel encamped at Rissah.
On this verse, the Baal Haturim comments: ויחנו ברסה: שנתרוססו שם
How does it mean and what is he referring to?...
2
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4answers
141 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.
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35 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
53 views
Is there a list of all of Abarbanel’s questions on the Torah?
I was wondering if anyone has this by itself compiled as a tool for learning the Parsha. I want to go over each question and look at the mefarshim.
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2answers
128 views
Why did Pharaoh let the Jews out if he thought they were leaving for 3 days in order to serve hashem when they were alreadys serving hashem there?
It is my understanding that Pharaoh truly believed that he was allowing the Jews out (even towards the very end) for a 3 day journey and the reason behind this journey was to go to Sinai in order that ...
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0answers
30 views
Bible commentaries [duplicate]
I have begun to research biblical commentaries (for the first time ever) like Ben Asher and Rashi, and am asking what would be the other commentators worth reading? I have a big list I can choose from ...
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26 views
How is מְצַוְּךָ pronounced? [duplicate]
A simple question for the users here. I have just started learning how to read Hebrew to read the Scriptures so I am finding difficult words for me. I am confused about the וְּ in it.
Thanks
Andy
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1answer
56 views
Translating וידבר using BDB Lexicon and Gesenius' Grammar
Context
I am practicing my biblical Hebrew by translating the weekly Parshah. As resources, I have the Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB) Lexicon (coded with Strong's concordance numbers) and Gesenius' ...
3
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1answer
201 views
What is the difference between Vayomer and Vayomar?
In Chumash, sometimes it says vayomer, but other times it says vayomar. What is the difference? Don't they both just mean "he said"?
5
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1answer
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Do any of the Rishonim or earlier commentators attempt to suggest what clothing the Ovos wore?
Midrash (Minor Pesikta, Ki Savo 41a) says the Bnei Yisroel didn't change their clothing in Mitzrayim. I presume (but correct me if I'm wrong), that this means they dressed like the Ovos did. My next ...
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38 views
Pesukim in Chumash where Rashi adds in extra words or switches order
I have been trying to remember examples in chumash where Rashi uses dikduk rules to significantly change the order of words or add words to a passuk so that it has another meaning.
What are some ...
2
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1answer
139 views
Use of “please” in Torah
How many times is the word "please" used in the Torah?
In the Akeida Hashem asks Abraham to "Please take your son"
Are there any other places in the Torah where Hashem uses the word "please"?
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1answer
61 views
What is the exact formatting of the Chumash [duplicate]
I am looking for the rules for the exact formatting (the visual look) of the Chumash. I thought I was interested in the Torah Scroll, but it turns out that I'm actually looking for info on the Book ...
2
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1answer
133 views
Did Mesushelach survive the flood according to any other sources?
See this Yalkut Reuvein at the fourth and fifth line, that brings a Pshat that Mesushelach dies 14 years after the flood. As far as I am aware this cannot be resolved with the timeline that exists in ...
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0answers
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How did the older Torah books look formatting wise?
I'm wondering what the sort of evolution of the Torah's syntactic / punctuation structure looks like. Were the books always divided into "books" with titles like Genesis (in Hebrew of course)? Were ...
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2answers
114 views
Tamim tihye and predicting the future
On the pasuk "Tamim tihye im Hashem Elokecha" (Devarim 18:13), Rashi says :
Conduct yourself with Him with simplicity and depend on Him, and do not inquire of the future; rather, accept whatever ...
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0answers
37 views
Why didn't Moshe apply the rule that stam mittah in the Torah, if not specified otherwise, is henek?
Rashi explains (14:34) that Moshe knew that the "mekoshesh eitzim" was mehuyav mittah, but he didn't know which one because it wasn't said anywhere befeirush. Why didn't Moshe apply the rule that ...
6
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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 ...
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3answers
105 views
Origin of Chumashim (“unholy” Torahs)
Torah says many times that we're obligated to write Torah scrolls, read them in public and study them.
Writing a Kosher Torah scroll while following all the requirements (parchment, ink, intentions, ...
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1answer
89 views
Why do we use the term “Jew” or “Jewish” when referencing people in the Torah/Chumash passages?
Why do we use the term "Jew" or "Jewish" when referencing people in the Torah/Chumash passages?
In the Torah (the Chumash), the "children of Israel" are called just that "בני ישראל" or Israelite.
...
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1answer
74 views
Online chumash with kometz katans indicated
Is there a free site online that has a chumash online with kamatz katans indicated?
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29 views
5 or 6 - Written vs Oral Torah (Z"A vs Malchus)
This question is intended only for those familiar with some basic Kabbalistic concepts.
As we know (from יהו"ה), that ו (Vav, number 6) stands for Z"A (masculine) and ה (He, number 5) stands for ...
4
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1answer
131 views
Hashem referred as Hamelech in Torah
In Megillah Esther it is said that the word Hamelech is a indirect reference to Hashem.
Is there a word Hamelech or Melech in the Torah that is a reference to Hashem?
Only in the five Books of ...
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0answers
38 views
Pocket Chumash recommendations
I'm looking for a new pocket Chumash to keep in my tallis bag for following along during leining. While there are a few features I'd like, but I'm fairly loose on some of them, if not all are ...
8
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1answer
204 views
Who wrote Ikar Siftei Chachamim?
Siftei Chachamim (שפתי חכמים) is a super-commentary on Rashi's commentary on the Torah, written by the 17th-Century CE Polish scholar Shabbethai Bass. It tends to be included in Mikraot Gedolot ...
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1answer
82 views
Razor used by Leviyim, Nezirim and Lepers
וְכֹֽה־תַעֲשֶׂ֤ה לָהֶם֙ לְטַֽהֲרָ֔ם הַזֵּ֥ה עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם מֵ֣י חַטָּ֑את וְהֶעֱבִ֤ירוּ תַ֙עַר֙ עַל־כָּל־בְּשָׂרָ֔ם וְכִבְּס֥וּ בִגְדֵיהֶ֖ם וְהִטֶּהָֽרוּ׃
This is what you shall do to them, to purify them; ...
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1answer
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Torah Hebrew calligraphy [closed]
I want to know what was the calligraphy used in the first Torah manuscript? I searched Google but found no answer.
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0answers
89 views
What was given on Mt. Sinai at each of the 40-day intervals
It's known that Moshe was on the mountain for 120 days and nights total, although I personally am not sure exactly what was given when.
(I'm aware of this question How is the story of the Torah being ...
6
votes
2answers
125 views
Was Esav originally destined to be the fourth of the Avos?
I think I heard that Esav and Yaakov were supposed to be like Yissachar and Zevulun; partnering together in Avodas HaShem. So then would both have become our Avos?
I'm interested in the earliest ...
17
votes
3answers
454 views
Why didn't Avraham argue with HaShem about sacrificing Yitzchak just like he argued with Him about destroying Sodom? [duplicate]
It's known that when Avraham found out that Hashem was going to destroy Sodom and the other cities, he fervently argued with Hashem to save them.
My question is: when Hashem told Avraham to sacrifice ...
1
vote
3answers
192 views
Sefer Devarim not part of the original Torah?
I've been told by a few separate people that Sefer Devarim (as evidenced by historians' accounts and the stylistic differences between it and the other 4 books of Torah) was in fact written at a later ...
2
votes
2answers
729 views
Is “Roh-eh Hanoled” a classical expression?
In Maus from Art Spiegelman, a rabbi tells Vladek he's a "Roh-eh Hanoled", one that sees what the future holds. It is an invention of his or does it exist in any classical or sacred source ?
8
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3answers
2k views
Who was older, Miriam or Aaron?
Do we have any sources addressing which of Moshe Rabbeinu's older siblings, Miriam and Aaron, was older?
