Questions tagged [pentateuch-chumash]
Questions pertaining to the Five Books of Moses (Chumash)
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Who can create the Chumash story? [duplicate]
Many times is Torah, Chazal (Gemoro/Medrash etc) explain the happenings according to their understanding of the pessukim etc. And nonetheless many later commentaries (Rishonim and Acharonim all the ...
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Understanding the Borders of Israel
Hashem says to Avraham in Bereshit 15:18:
בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא כָּרַ֧ת יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶת־אַבְרָ֖ם בְּרִ֣ית לֵאמֹ֑ר
לְזַרְעֲךָ֗ נָתַ֙תִּי֙ אֶת־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֔את מִנְּהַ֣ר מִצְרַ֔יִם
עַד־הַנָּהָ֥ר הַגָּדֹ֖ל ...
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A few Questions about Machir ben Menashe and Gilad
A few questions in regards to the Bnei Machir ben Menashe;
In Numbers 32:39-40
וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ בְּנֵ֨י מָכִ֧יר בֶּן־מְנַשֶּׁ֛ה גִּלְעָ֖דָה וַֽיִּלְכְּדֻ֑הָ וַיּ֖וֹרֶשׁ אֶת־הָאֱמֹרִ֥י אֲשֶׁר־בָּֽהּ׃
The ...
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1answer
137 views
English Names of the Five Chumashim
The Hebrew names of the Chumashim are usually referred to as בראשית שמות ויקרא etc. but the English names do not correlate with these names literally. The English names are Exodus, Numbers etc not ...
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Why is Israel called “the smallest of peoples”?
The passuk reads:
לֹ֣א מֵֽרֻבְּכֶ֞ם מִכׇּל־הָֽעַמִּ֗ים חָשַׁ֧ק יְהֹוָ֛ה בָּכֶ֖ם
וַיִּבְחַ֣ר בָּכֶ֑ם כִּֽי־אַתֶּ֥ם הַמְעַ֖ט מִכׇּל־הָעַמִּֽים׃
It is not because you are the most numerous of peoples ...
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Source for dividing the ten commandments into Ben Adam Lamakom and Ben Adam Lechavero
This is something that I have heard and been taught many times, but I can't find it sourced anywhere. I do see this concept quoted often in various articles (via Google searches). The question on this ...
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1answer
65 views
Melacha explicitly in the Chumash
How many, and which, melachot of shabbos are explicitly mentioned in the Chumash?
For example, I know the Chumash mentions not making a fire; is this the only example of such or are there more which ...
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1answer
208 views
Do the words “Omer” (as in counting the Omer) and “Amar” (to speak or to say) have a connection to each other?
Do the words "Omer" (as in counting the Omer, starts with Ayin) and "Amar" (to speak or to say, starts with Alef) have a connection to each other?
If so, what were the ...
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47 views
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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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?
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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 ...
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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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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)
"...
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3answers
497 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 ...
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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
100 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
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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
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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
81 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 ...
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1answer
281 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
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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
78 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
140 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 ...
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0answers
28 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 ...
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2answers
737 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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“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?...
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5answers
177 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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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
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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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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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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
297 views
What are the original twenty books of the Tanach
I was asked to identify the original 20 books of the Tanach as they appear in the Masoretic Text but everything I found listed 24 books.
I understand that the collective name for the original books of ...
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1answer
72 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' ...
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1answer
236 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"?
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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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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 ...
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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
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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
135 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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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
115 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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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 ...
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1answer
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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
109 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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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
77 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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38 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
135 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
39 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
226 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 ...
