Questions tagged [pentateuch-chumash]
Questions pertaining to the Five Books of Moses (Chumash)
221
questions
3
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3answers
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Parshanut Theory/Intro Books
I am currently looking for a book that gives a thorough introduction into the Rishonim's and other Meforshim's understanding of the Chumash in their compilations and a guide to Parshanut and (Jewish) ...
1
vote
2answers
96 views
Lessons of the mann?
I think it is understood that the מן ("mann", manna) has a lot to teach us about Hashem's hashgacha (providence) over us and how he sustains us with parnassah. The Torah even prescribes (...
1
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0answers
52 views
Steinsaltz Chumash for targum of shnayim mikra
The Steinsaltz Chumash's English translation has commentary and explanation placed between the words of the pesukim. This added text can take the form of its own clause or sentences, or it can ...
3
votes
1answer
63 views
Parsha Vayigash - difference between shepherds and cattlemen
In this week's parsha , Yosef first tells his brothers that he will tell Pharaoh that his family are shepherds and cattlemen. Then he tells them when Pharaoh asks them what their occupation is , they ...
9
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0answers
92 views
Yosef's dreams and time
I had an interesting idea, and I wondered if anyone knows of sources that use it.
Yosef deals with three sets of dreams: his own, the dreams of the butler and baker, and the dreams of Pharaoh. In the ...
3
votes
4answers
177 views
Yitzchak Avinu telling Esav what happened
My son-in-law asked me an interesting question: Yaakov left with the blessings, and Esav came in. Yitzchak tells his son that he can't bless him because (https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.27.35?lang=bi&...
2
votes
0answers
46 views
Why were the shevatim named by their mothers, not Yaakov
Yitzchok and Yishmael were named by Avraham. Yaakov and Eisav were seemingly named by Yitzchok. Yet all of the Shevatim were named by their mothers, based on their situation at the time, without any ...
3
votes
1answer
180 views
When did Noah enter the ark?
Did Noah enter the ark 7 days before the flood or on the day of that the flood began?
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ לְנֹ֔חַ בֹּֽא־אַתָּ֥ה וְכׇל־בֵּיתְךָ֖
אֶל־הַתֵּבָ֑ה כִּֽי־אֹתְךָ֥ רָאִ֛יתִי צַדִּ֥יק לְפָנַ֖י ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views
What kind of quarrel is described in Exodus 21:18
וְכִי־יְרִיבֻן אֲנָשִׁים וְהִכָּה־אִישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵהוּ בְּאֶבֶן אוֹ
בְאֶגְרֹף וְלֹא יָמוּת וְנָפַל לְמִשְׁכָּב׃
When men quarrel and one strikes the other with stone or fist, and he
does not die but has ...
3
votes
2answers
161 views
Why was Sara put in a box?
Rashi in Bereishis 12:14 says;
ויהי כבוא אברם מצרימה. הָיָה לוֹ לוֹמַר כְּבוֹאָם מִצְרַיְמָה? אֶלָּא לִמֵּד שֶׁהִטְמִין אוֹתָהּ בְּתֵבָה, וְעַל יְדֵי שֶׁתָּבְעוּ אֶת הַמֶּכֶס פָּתְחוּ וְרָאוּ אוֹתָהּ:...
5
votes
2answers
136 views
How did Bisya/Basya know that tevilah is part of conversion?
In Shemos 2:5, we read the daughter of Pharaoh came down "לִרְחֹץ עַל הַיְאֹר" "To dip into the Nile". The Gemara in Sotah 12b says it means she came to convert.
How did she know ...
1
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0answers
111 views
Ibn Ezra and R. Joseph Bonfils And different opinions on Judaism [closed]
Can I agree with them that some passages were not written by Moses and that in some parts there were updates to the type text in Gen 14:14 that is considered a sin in Judaism? I can agree with rabbis ...
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0answers
33 views
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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0answers
37 views
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
67 views
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 ...
0
votes
1answer
171 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 ...
8
votes
5answers
2k views
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
43 views
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
69 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 ...
0
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1answer
215 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 ...
0
votes
0answers
49 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) ...
0
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0answers
25 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
votes
0answers
131 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
votes
0answers
68 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 ...
-1
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1answer
54 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)
"...
6
votes
3answers
523 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
votes
0answers
81 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
113 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 ...
1
vote
4answers
235 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
99 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, ...
3
votes
1answer
85 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
votes
1answer
287 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 ...
0
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1answer
56 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
83 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.
...
2
votes
0answers
168 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
votes
0answers
31 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
votes
2answers
768 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 ...
5
votes
0answers
39 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
votes
5answers
203 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.
0
votes
0answers
40 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 ...
2
votes
0answers
57 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.
1
vote
2answers
149 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 ...
0
votes
0answers
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
2
votes
1answer
331 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
80 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
votes
1answer
313 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
votes
1answer
148 views
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 ...
1
vote
0answers
45 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
votes
1answer
142 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"?
-1
votes
1answer
80 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 ...
