Questions tagged [rabbis]
Questions about the lives and personalities of Jewish religious authorities.
464
questions
2
votes
1answer
355 views
Are the claims of this rabbi regarding the Messiah considered credible by Jews [closed]
So, I just saw a news article purporting that Rabbi Yaakov Zissholtz, labelled by the article as Israel's "top rabbi", claims to know members of the Thirty Six Tzaddikim as well as the Messiah, and ...
5
votes
0answers
104 views
What blessing would one have said on seeing Einstein for example?
The Oruch Hashulchan O Ch 224, 6 says
הרואה חכם מחכמי ישראל שגדול בתורה מברך: "ברוך אתה ה' אלהינו מלך העולם
שחלק מחכמתו ליריאיו,
Someone who sees a Jewish Torah sage makes the blessing “ ...
1
vote
0answers
33 views
Sources on revoking or annulling rabbinic semichah [duplicate]
I’m looking for sources discussing whether or not rabbinic semichah can be revoked (and if it can, on what grounds), plus sources - especially responsa - which deal with specific cases. The main one I’...
-3
votes
1answer
88 views
In case of Halachic doubt should one ask a Rabbi or assume anything will work? [duplicate]
Following comments on my other question "how-an-open-succah-oriented":
Let's imagine one is facing a new Halachic reality he never heard of: he always built Succah on his 5th-floor balcony and then ...
-4
votes
2answers
165 views
Empirical evidence of Sages' intellectual superiority
Throughout ages, our Sages engaged in Halachic, scientific and philosophical arguments between themselves and with other nations' philosophers.
We hold that the truthfulness of Talmudic discussions ...
4
votes
4answers
2k views
How did Gdoley Israel react to the landing on the Moon?
IMHO, landing on the Moon did/could seriously undermine the bases of the Jewish religious view about the nature of the celestial bodies.
How did Gdoley Israel react/deal with the landing on Moon (and ...
3
votes
1answer
132 views
What Rabbis originally supported and opposed Rambam's 13 principles and why?
I heard the when Rambam presented his 13 principles the opinions divided pretty sharply between the Sefardic Rabbis that openly supported it and the Ashkenazi (Rabaney Tzarfat) that opposed it for ...
1
vote
1answer
100 views
Is one allowed to publicize stories about Rabbis without asking them first?
THe approach of learning Halochos or Middos or behaviors from observing Tzaddikim's behavior alone is very common in our literature and is even rooted in Gemmorah (Brochos 62):
תניא אמר רבי עקיבא ...
0
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0answers
33 views
The biggest named gathering in the Talmud?
THe Talmud uses the term "Chachamim" extensively to refer to "other Rabbis" making it difficult to follow the Halachic decisions.
What is the biggest Talmudic gathering where all participants (...
1
vote
0answers
30 views
Why let the Sages stay anonymous in arguments?
This bothers me a lot - the idea of using anonymous "Chachamim" in arguments. I don't understand why is it important or useful to hide their names.
The Mishnah uses it extensively and makes it very ...
1
vote
0answers
87 views
List of establishing rabbis for each set of minhagim [closed]
I am a baal teshuva who is becoming orthodox and wondering what customs to hold. Is there a list of important rabbis who set minhagim (ie ashkenazi, sephardi yekki, chabad, notable subgroups, etc) and ...
0
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0answers
45 views
Chofetz Chaim's Advice to Son
A Rav mentioned that Chofetz Chaim told his son (a Rav) to appoint leaders of the community to take care of the chesed needs in order to address more global issues - noting that he himself writes ...
2
votes
1answer
85 views
How many kids did the Tannaim and Amoraim have?
The Gemmorah (Yevomos 62b) brings a statement by R'Yehoshua:
...דתניא: רבי יהושע אומר נשא אדם אשה בילדותו ישא אשה בזקנותו היו לו בנים בילדותו יהיו לו בנים בזקנותו שנא' (קהלת יא, ו): "בבקר זרע את ...
3
votes
1answer
79 views
Talmudic sages of Davidic descent
Which (individual) sages of Talmud were said to be traced back to King David? IIRC, R. Hillel was one (?). Are there others? Sources are welcome.
5
votes
0answers
49 views
Who are the “Sages of Israel” in Pesochim 94b
In Pesochim 94b, the Gemora brings the Braisa D'Mazolos 1:6 which relates an argument between the "Sages of Israel" and the "Sages of the nations," as follows:
תנו רבנן חכמי ישראל אומרים גלגל קבוע ...
0
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0answers
52 views
Origin of Chag Hasemikhah
I had thought that having a Chag Hasemikhah for new musmachim was a RIETS/ YU thing, but recently learned that many other Yeshivot also have a Chag Hasemikhah (for example, see: Landers, Chabad, ...
-4
votes
2answers
149 views
Did Rabbis speculate on the future of Judaism? [closed]
As we all know, Judaism is a flexible, human-driven (human Rabbis I mean), masses-friendly religion. While the basic premises remain intact, the Halachic norms change - things that were widely ...
1
vote
1answer
61 views
What is the proper way to address someone with s'micha who doesn't work as a rabbi?
If a person received semicha (rabbinical certification) from a yeshiva upon successful completion of the necessary curriculum, but is a lay person, for instance, a businessman ,rather than a ...
0
votes
1answer
68 views
Did Rabbis reflect on their cognitive processes?
I was probably too harsh attributing various cognitive biases to Rabbis, so I'd like apologize and to step back.
With some background in Cognitive sciences, I'm very interested in understanding the ...
6
votes
1answer
149 views
Are there any rishonim buried in England and france
Do we know of any of the burial places of rishonim around France (and England). I know rabbi Yisrael Meir gabbai has found some but are there any tools to source ancient jewish cemeteries e.g. a map.
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votes
3answers
132 views
Can Rabbis decide whether non-Jews are getting a piece of the Next World?
I remember asking about the limitations of the Rabbinical rulings, based on "לא בשמים היא" within Judaism.
After other questions dealt with deciding whether Gentiles in general or any specific group (...
1
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0answers
63 views
Does the Talmud continue to use extra Tanachic sources?
I'm trying to draw an analogy between the written and the oral Torah. After the Mishna was signed, the Sages continued to use extra-Mishnaic sources forever (Toseftah, Midrashim, etc).
After the 24 ...
4
votes
1answer
134 views
Did Rav Papa issue a halachic ruling in order to benefit financially?
In the Gemara Shab. 140b Rav Papa is recorded saying that one who drinks wine while able to drink beer violates “ba’al tashchit”. Maharsh”a comments that Rav Papa’s disapproval of consuming wine ...
1
vote
2answers
185 views
What does the Canonization of Tanach mean?
Following "did-the-men-of-the-great-assembly-canonize-tanach" (please read for all the related sources):
To recap: before the canonization there were many man-made books, incl. Meggilot, Nevi'im, ...
3
votes
1answer
482 views
Gedolim During the Holocaust
During a lecture addressing the Torah perspective on the Holocaust, a Rosh Yeshiva mentioned a letter which Rav Aharon Kotler z"tl wrote telling someone to remain in Europe because the war would blow ...
1
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0answers
27 views
Yahrzeit is most auspicious (source)
An ad, IIRC sponsored by Chabad, in a Jewish magazine (Ami) reads:
Chazal teach us that the day of a tzadik’s yahrtzeit is a most auspicious day, a יום סגולה ועת רצון, to connect with the tzadik, ...
5
votes
0answers
158 views
The ban on conversion to Judaism in Argentina
In 1927 the rabbi of a Syrian-Jewish congregation in Buenos Aires banned all conversions to Judaism in Argentina forever ("ad kol yemei olam"). The ban is still in effect today. Candidates for ...
4
votes
0answers
105 views
Chabad, Prayer, and Corporeality of Hashem
Statement of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, regarding 'betten' (beseeching) the Rebbe [quoted here]:
“It is not possible to ask a question about a [Rebbe being a]
go-between, since this is G-d Himself, ...
0
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0answers
54 views
When does a person transcend to status “Tzadik sets his bar”?
Background: we had a motivational lecture in our Kollel today, with a Rabbi praising virtues of studying Torah (towards Shavuos). He brought a couple of stories about prominent Rabbis dedicating their ...
4
votes
1answer
57 views
Are there limitations of the principle “Not in Heaven”?
A similar question was closed, but I'm going to elaborate on it:
It is universally accepted that after the principle was accepted (B"M 59b) in times of R' Eliezer, the Rabbis have the power to rule ...
2
votes
0answers
33 views
What is the difference between an am ha'aretz vs an apikores? [duplicate]
In Rabbinic philosophy what was the difference between somebody that was an am ha’aretz vs an apikores?
5
votes
0answers
73 views
Why is Rav Soloveitchik's legacy so confusing? [closed]
I find it so peculiar how the Rav's legacy is claimed by so many.
Rabbi Meiselman claims that the Rav was practically Haredi, most consider him revisionist.
My father who sat in his shiur tells me ...
3
votes
2answers
164 views
Is one obligated to listen to a Rav? [duplicate]
If I ask my rav for halachic advice, must I follow it or can I ask a different posek?
Seperately, if I ask my rav for personal advice, must I listen?
7
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
66 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
54 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
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0answers
66 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
506 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
231 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
99 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
6answers
514 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
121 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
151 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
110 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
225 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
24 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
70 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
30 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
51 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
41 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
