Questions tagged [rabbis]
Questions about the lives and personalities of Jewish religious authorities.
6
votes
4answers
1k views
When the Torah was almost lost and one (or several) Rabbis saved it?
I heard several times from numerous sources, that there were times in history (during the 1st and the 2nd Temples) when the Torah (incl. Oral) was almost completely lost and just one Rabbi (or a ...
2
votes
0answers
64 views
Should a congregational rabbi resign based on “common public” accusations?
Last night, I found numerous articles published in many newspapers over the course of about the past decade regarding several students accusing a former Yeshiva principal who sexually abused them. The ...
1
vote
1answer
45 views
What Torah verses (and Talmudic chapters) provide the basis for banning women rabbis? [duplicate]
I am trying to find the logical basis for why women cannot be Rabbis in most Orthodox communities. Some people seem to pin it on "Tziut" but there doesn't seem to be a clear biblical basis for that ...
0
votes
0answers
43 views
Is Torah intended to be learned privately or guided?
The Torah stresses the importance of learning it but does not require to do it with/from a knowledgable, authentic, and traditional source/Rabbi.
Most Rabbis today would agree that reading and ...
0
votes
0answers
65 views
What Rabbis openly request Haredi involvement in Yom Hazikaron?
Haredi sites and radio stations are filled today, Yom Hazikaron, with requests to participate in numerous activities to remember the fallen IDF soldiers. And a lot of Haredi Jews (I suppose all over ...
1
vote
2answers
494 views
Do Rabbis admit emotional involvement in their rulings?
Emotions affect the way humans solve problems and make decisions.
Leniency or stringency of Halachic Psakim might sometimes stem from the way Rabbis experience the reality emotionally - for example, ...
6
votes
2answers
219 views
Who is Rabbi Shimeon who discusses with Rabbi Yochanan in Gemara
Gemara Kiddushin 66b:
אמר ליה רבי שמעון לרבי יוחנן כללא הוא דכל מקום שיש קידושין ואין עבירה הולד הולך אחר הזכר
Rabbi Shimeon said to Rabbi Yochanan, it is a general principle!?
I assume that ...
3
votes
1answer
77 views
A prominent Mamzer Rabbi example?
Mishnah in Horayos 3,8 says:
מַמְזֵר תַּלְמִיד חָכָם קוֹדֵם לְכֹהֵן גָּדוֹל עַם הָאָרֶץ:
(the scholar mamzer takes precedence over the ignorant high priest.)
Do we have a practical example of ...
5
votes
4answers
429 views
Are we obligated to aspire to be Talmidei Chachamim?
The talmud in general seems to distinguish between different kinds of people in certain kinds of halacha. For example, Bava Metzia 23b tells us that a rabbi is allowed to lie for three things, ...
1
vote
2answers
104 views
Polygamous rabbis? [duplicate]
Has any rabbi in Talmudic days had more than one wife at a time?
I don't know of any record of this. In fact, the Talmud frequently mentions a rabbi's "wife", meaning he only had one.
The only ...
0
votes
1answer
69 views
Rav Chaim Kanievsky's learning schedule
I heard once that Rav Chaim Kanievski learns All of Shas Bavli and Yerushalmi every year plus more. Does anyone have any reliable sources on this matter? Like what is his actual schedule?
2
votes
3answers
102 views
Why does the Mishna say “שְׂנָא אֶת הָרַבָּנוּת”?
The Mishna says: Avot 1:10
וּשְׂנָא אֶת הָרַבָּנוּת
I have been struggling with that one for a while. It has been translated variously as "despise lordliness", "despise positions of power", "hate ...
5
votes
6answers
191 views
Which rabbis in the Talmud were placed under cherem?
Which rabbis in the Talmud were placed under cherem (excommunication)? We know about Rabbi Eliezer Bava Metzia 59b and Rabbi Akavia ben Mahalal’el [Eduyyot 7b, but see discussion there]. Anybody ...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
The World As Known to The Hebrews (Sons of Japhet, Ham and Shem) [duplicate]
Would you be so kind and tell me how accurate this map is? Especially, I'd like to know views from Rabbis. I also appreciate other views.
1
vote
1answer
57 views
Is everyone who dies in his 50s Chayav Kares?
I've come across a bunch of great Rabbanim: Poskim, Mekubalim and Tzadikim who passed away within their 50s.
The Gemara in Moed Katan 28a says:
אמר רבה: [מיתה] מחמשים ועד ששים שנה זו היא מיתת כרת....
1
vote
0answers
29 views
Personal Attributes, Influence and Importance of Japhet Among Noah's Sons [closed]
Would you be so kind and provide brief, yet details information about personal attributes, influence and importance of Japhet, commonly agreed among Jews and also Hebrews, perhaps if possible by ...
1
vote
1answer
39 views
Mussar work by Chacham Ovadia
Did, Maran HaRav HaGaon Ovadia Yosef Ztk"l write any Ethical(mussar) work during his lifetime? And if he did, do we have it online in english?
-1
votes
1answer
37 views
Different types of roles
There are a lot of different titles in Judaism
Are they rabbis and what do you need to have the title of
Posek
Mekubal
Gaon
Shochet
Sofer
Hazzan
0
votes
0answers
15 views
Pre-requisites for S'micha [duplicate]
What are the pre-requisites for getting a shmicha? Does he need to master only halacha or is gemara also compulsory? Is it different from rabbi to rabbi or does it depend on minhagim?
0
votes
1answer
67 views
Rabbinic ordination to students
I was wondering,
What gives a rabbi the power to ordinate another rabbi? Can any Rabbi give smicha?
0
votes
0answers
35 views
Gedoley Israel's views on the army service in Israel
There are many Haredim who refuse to join the Army.
What are the opinions of Contemporary Gedolei Israel on Bachurei Yeshivot to join the Israeli army?
-1
votes
1answer
34 views
Difference in Hebrew of Rabbis [closed]
We can see that some rabbis have different way of writing sefarim. For example, Rav Kook's writing, people say that his Hebrew is very much different and we need a teacher for his books.
Why do ...
4
votes
2answers
299 views
What is the proper way to reproach a rav?
Unfortunately, there are many shuls where the majority of people talk during the service. Even more unfortunate, is that some of the people who do the most talking are primary synagogue officers with ...
3
votes
2answers
37 views
Talmid Chacham Standing for Talmid Chacham
The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 244:1) discusses standing up out of respect for a talmid chacham-
מצות עשה לקום מפני כל חכם אפי' אינו זקן אלא יניק וחכים ואפי' אינו רבו
Must a talmid chacham stand ...
1
vote
1answer
99 views
Is there anything wrong with correcting your Rabbi in front of other people?
If your Rabbi tells you something about Torah and you know that he is incorrect, and this has happened in the past and the Rabbi admitted his mistake, are you then allowed to correct the Rabbi if a ...
0
votes
0answers
41 views
Website of Stories of Gedolim
Do we have any website on the net that have inspirational stories from the lives of contemporary gedolim?
2
votes
1answer
52 views
What's the difference between Sanhedrin and Kenesset Hagedola?
What is the difference between Sanhedrin and Kenesset Hagedola?
1
vote
0answers
33 views
How many rabbis are in the Talmud? [duplicate]
I am looking for an actual count of rabbis mentioned by name in the Talmud/Midrash Rabbah/Zohar. I recall reading "more than 1,000" somewhere. Has anybody produced a count?
-1
votes
1answer
38 views
Who are the Elders in the beginning of Avot
The Pirkei Avot 1:1 says
משֶׁה קִבֵּל תּוֹרָה מִסִּינַי, וּמְסָרָהּ לִיהוֹשֻׁעַ, וִיהוֹשֻׁעַ
לִזְקֵנִים, וּזְקֵנִים לִנְבִיאִים,
וּנְבִיאִים מְסָרוּהָ לְאַנְשֵׁי כְנֶסֶת הַגְּדוֹלָה.
...
0
votes
0answers
24 views
English Translations of Major Yechezkel/Ezekiel Commentaries
Shalom!
I have been looking for some time and I cannot seem to find any resources in English. Are there any translations (into English) of the Yechezkel/Ezekiel commentaries of the following rabbis?
...
1
vote
1answer
118 views
Story of Megaddalela, rabbi tells man to marry woman of ill-repute
I once read a story in the Talmud about a woman of ill-repute named Megaddalela, whom a rabbi told a man to marry. I used it for a research project and can no longer find the original source. And I do ...
1
vote
1answer
123 views
What was the name of the Arizal's mother? [closed]
Can someone please tell me the name of the Arizal's mother, preferably with a source.
1
vote
1answer
69 views
Sources for Bar Kochba being a prominent Torah scholar
Following my previous question on Moshiach's qualities, I stumbled upon my lack of understanding of Bar Kochba's Toranic qualities.
I tried to look up on WIKI and other sites, but I couldn't find any ...
2
votes
2answers
115 views
How would the Rabbis handle a Jew who presents as having psychic or supernatural abilities?
I was curious if a precedent has been set for how the Rabbis would handle an individual who presents as having supernatural abilities which are forbidden in Torah.
Let no one be found among you who ...
8
votes
3answers
144 views
Are there unresolved ‘tekus’ in the Talmud later resolved in responsum?
Often in the Talmud questions are asked which do not yield a result. These non-answers are called ‘teku’ (תיקו).
Frequently, the questions which are left with teku are those which are far-fetched.
...
1
vote
0answers
34 views
Since when “Gdol Hador” refers to a scholar as opposed to a Tzadik?
Gemmorah Psochim 49b:
"תנו רבנן לעולם ימכור אדם כל מה שיש לו וישא בת תלמיד חכם;
לא מצא בת תלמיד חכם ישא בת גדולי הדור,
לא מצא בת גדולי הדור ישא בת ראשי כנסיות וכו'"
Rashi:
"גדולי הדור - ...
2
votes
3answers
101 views
What does it mean “someone knows Kol Torah Kulah”?
What constitutes as Kol Torah Kulah? I hear people saying this all the time, that this Rabbi knows "Kol Torah Kulah".
8
votes
1answer
100 views
Why does Rabba bar Mari in the Talmud quote Ben Sira as a part of “the Writings” when it is not in the Ketuvim section of the Tanakh?
As revealed in the answer here, in Bava Kama 92b, Rava asks Rabba bar Mari for the source of a popular saying, and Rabba bar Mari answers with five different sources for it. The third verse, which is ...
2
votes
1answer
89 views
What does the Torah think of Pangea?
What does Torah literature say about Pangaea?
Is it considered be legitimate? Are there sources which lean either way?
4
votes
1answer
682 views
Let the young ones speak first?
I remember reading that, in the Sanhedrin, the most junior rabbis were encouraged to speak first, so that they would not be swayed or intimidated by the more senior ones. Is this true and what is the ...
0
votes
0answers
68 views
Where can I find this Rabbi’s seforim?
I can't seem to find several of Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits’ seforim. For example T'nai Bi'N'suin u'V'Get. Does anyone know a store in NYC or which delivers to the US which has his books? Particularly the ...
3
votes
0answers
85 views
“A time to act for Hashem” and doing whatever you want
Who under what circumstances has the right to declare that a violation of halacha is in order because "it is a time to act for Hashem"?
I have by now a few times seen this posuk from Tehillim used as ...
3
votes
0answers
36 views
“Rabbi Shopping” - how often and for what can one change his Rabbi
The other question "rabbi-shopping" asks about asking a single question to two Rabbis.
This question addresses the possibility of changing the personal ruling Rabbi time to time. Assuming a person ...
2
votes
0answers
51 views
Audio or video of Rabbi Michel Ber Weismandl zt”l
(related)
Rabbi Michel Ber Weismandl zt"l, saved many people during the holocaust, but also was a noted Torah scholar genius. They published some of his work after his death. However, does anyone ...
2
votes
1answer
72 views
Citing ancestors: why the Sages said Halachot in their name?
The Gemmorah sets a rule - while saying a Halachah one should mention its [original] source (Megillah 16a):
"אמר רבי אלעזר א"ר חנינא כל האומר דבר בשם אומרו מביא גאולה לעולם שנאמר ותאמר אסתר למלך ...
7
votes
1answer
128 views
Does one have to be Jewish to be a rabbi
In terms of what we call semicha today, does one have to be Jewish to receive or hold it? Is it simply an indicator of learning (like an academic degree) which could be reached by anyone?
Knowing ...
7
votes
1answer
114 views
Do prominent Rabbis have a list of problems to resolve?
In science, every scientist, such as a mathematician, a physicist or a biologist, has a list of unsolved problems he tries to solve in his lifetime.
Judaism is full of untouched / unsolved / ...
3
votes
2answers
88 views
Who were the leaders of the Jewish religion between Ezra and the 1st Zugot?
Who were the leaders of the Jewish religion between Ezra and the 1st Zugot ?
Do we have a list for that ?
2
votes
1answer
62 views
Do the Talmudic disputes prove absence of ruled Halachah (הלכה פסוקה)
This is a serious question about our understanding of the development of the current Halachah.
When I started my Teshuvah some 30 years ago, I was told that the Sages knew the Whole Torah and their ...
3
votes
1answer
171 views
If rishonim/acharonim frequently make mistakes in their zeal to critique others, can we still justify a belief in their singular devotion to truth?
I was always taught that the great Torah scholars were as near-perfect human beings as could possibly be, particularly in their scholarly abilities, but perhaps even more so in their character traits ...
