Questions tagged [rabbis]
Questions about the lives and personalities of Jewish religious authorities.
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106 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 ...
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1answer
109 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.
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1answer
63 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 ...
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1answer
67 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 ...
7
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3answers
118 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.
...
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0answers
33 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
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3answers
86 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".
4
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0answers
55 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
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1answer
60 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?
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1answer
678 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 ...
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55 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
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0answers
77 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
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0answers
29 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 ...
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0answers
27 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
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1answer
45 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 ...
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1answer
115 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
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1answer
99 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
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2answers
81 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
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1answer
59 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 ...
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1answer
144 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 ...
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62 views
Honoring female Rabbis - sources [duplicate]
Sorry I'm stuck with this topic...
I am looking for sources on various Halakhot of honoring female Rabbis (knowledgeable women that tech Judaism). My basic assumption is that as many rule that כיבוד ...
3
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1answer
39 views
Who is R' Yisrael in Reishis Chochmah, Shaar Hamitzvos, and how much of שער המצוות is from him?
In The Sefer Raishis Chochmah (written by Rabbi Eliyahu de Vidas - 16th century), There is a perek (chapter) called פרק המצוות - The Chapter of the Mitzvos.
After his introduction to the perek ...
2
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1answer
48 views
The will of the Maharsham
Does anyone know where to find the tzavvah of the Maharsham?
It has been refenced a bunch of times as being a proof that the Maharsham wore techeiles since he asked to be buried with techeiles in his ...
4
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1answer
59 views
Maharam Discussing the Rosh
Is there a list of teshuvot (or other documents) in which the Maharam discusses his student the Rosh?
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2answers
87 views
Proving you are a kohen
When you ask a rabbi to perform a life-cycle ceremony, he will frequently ask for proof that you are Jewish (birth certificates, ketubot, certificates from other rabbis, etc.) But do you ever have to ...
2
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1answer
75 views
Sages that questioned the existence of Hashem
While I'm sure there are individuals that perhaps struggled with their belief in Hashem and His "existence" were there ever any great chachamim (sages) from the throughout the generations that perhaps ...
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1answer
149 views
Earning semichah with just a test
What if someone does know a lot of halachah and wanted to earn semichah and become a posek? Are there any good semichah programs which will award semichah with just a test (as opposed to a additional ...
5
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1answer
587 views
What is the process called to become a Rabbi?
For example, Minister's become ordained in Christianity. What is the process and the actual act of becoming a Rabbi called in Judaism?
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1answer
93 views
Is there an online archive with quality photos of gedolim? [closed]
I'm personally and currently looking for images of Rabbis Shlomo Carlebach & Shlomo Twerski. But I know in the future I'll probably want more for others i.e. R' Wolbe.
A Google search might ...
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1answer
75 views
Living teachers of the Slabodka approach
The Alter of Slabodka died in 1927. Suppose someone today wanted to learn the unique "Slabodka approach" as embodied and taught by the Alter. Are there any remaining students of the Alter alive today (...
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2answers
2k views
Did the Ba'al Shem Tov actually exist?
In my high school Jewish history class, we learnt of the idea that the Ba'al Shem Tov might have not even existed. I have also heard this "dispute" from another rabbi recently.
Is there any ...
7
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3answers
858 views
Name for house of rabbi
I know in some religions and denominations, a building housing the officiant at a nearby place of worship has a special name, like rectory, parsonage, etc. Does a rabbi's place have a similar ...
3
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0answers
53 views
Did the Tannaim act correctly on “Bo BaYom”?
Berachos 27b-28a records the story of “Bo BaYom,” in which Rabban Gamliel was kicked out from being the Nasi as a result of two separate incidents with Rebbi Yehoshua (Ibid. and RH 24b-25a) and one ...
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1answer
68 views
What does “knowing the whole Torah” means?
Many interpretations (both Talmudic, Midrash, Rishoynim etc) when referring to the wisdom of our Sages (from Moses to Tanoyim) use this allegory of "knowing the Whole Torah" (כל התורה כולה).
What ...
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2answers
129 views
Part time yeshiva in New York
Are there any yeshivas in New York wich I could go and get a semicha while going to university?
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30 views
Any suggestions for documentaries/videos related to the stories of the sages?
I was curious if anyone would know of some good video resources related to learning about the various Jewish sages of our history. They can be biographical or they can be related to the philosophies ...
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115 views
Is Harav Shteinman's tzava'ah (last will) halachically binding?
The Rav Hakadosh Harav Shteinman zatzal wrote in his tzava'ah (last instructions) to the public, not to call him a Tzaddik or Yereh Shamayim, and not to write articles about him in the newspaper.
Is ...
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1answer
53 views
Why do we recite “v'tzivanu” in mitzvos which come from the Rabbis? [duplicate]
'בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ וגו
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who sanctified us with His commandments and ...
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2answers
128 views
How do we have s'micha today if the Romans broke the chain?
I heard that Romans broke the smicha chain for one to be a proper rabbi in the old sense, and I heard that rabbis started after the second temple was destroyed. So i'm confused, the two things I ...
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2answers
114 views
How many rabbis does a synagogue have and what is their role?
I am a someone who is interested in Judaism. A question I have is that are there many rabbis which work in a synagogue and if so, what job do they all perform? I know that a rabbi teaches and makes ...
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0answers
234 views
How much time does it take to become a rabbi in a yeshiva? [closed]
Generally how many years is it to get semicha in a yeshiva?
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164 views
No Cohen - use a Levi or Yisra'el Gadol?
Mishna Berura note 9 on O.C. 135:3 says that if there is no Cohen in the shul during public Torah reading, we call up the wisest person in the shul.
In many shuls that I have attended, they call up a ...
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2answers
715 views
Is one allowed to learn a book written by a rabbi who was accused and convicted of impropriety? [duplicate]
What is the status of books from rabbis who were accused of impropriety? The question would also likely also apply to online shiurim.
For example, here is is a very good book from a rav who admitted ...
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0answers
101 views
Did Rabeinu Tam wear Rashi Tefilin?
To the best of my knowledge the majority of people that wear Rabeinu Tam Tefilin put it on without a Bracha at some later point in Tefila or after Tefila. Based on this I was wondering is there any ...
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1answer
54 views
Can anyone suggest books detailing the lives and philosophies of various sages? [closed]
I'm seeking out books which go into details about the lives and ideas of the various Jewish sages. Obviously, a single book for all is unlikely but any suggestions are welcome.
4
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1answer
147 views
How was brit milah practiced during the First Century?
The Christian New Testament records that both John the Baptist and Jesus were circumcised on the eighth day in accordance with Jewish Law.
Luke 1:57-60 English Standard Version (ESV)
Now the time ...
5
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3answers
176 views
Are there any living mainstream orthodox Rabbonim today that permit abortion for Tay Sachs etc
Are there any orthodox rabbis alive today that allow one to abort a fetus that has been diagnosed with a life threatening illness such as Tay Sachs?
I have read the related posts that discuss the For ...
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2answers
154 views
Encyclopedia of Tzaddikim
Sheimos HaTzaddikim is a very unique prayer within Breslov which is pretty much reciting the names of many righteous people, from characters within the Tanach to fairly modern figures.
I could not ...
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1answer
146 views
What makes a Rabbi?
There are Rabbis everywhere, how to identify who is a real Rabbi if the Rabbi is not included in a recognized organization, such as Israeli Supreme Court or RCA etc.? Does a Rabbi need Yeshiva study ...
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2answers
162 views
Talmid Chacham today
The term talmid chacham is used commonly in our tradition to describe a Jew with a certain high level of knowledge, understanding, closeness to Gd, etc. Can the halachic label "talmid chacham" be ...
