Questions tagged [rabbis]
Questions about the lives and personalities of Jewish religious authorities.
447
questions
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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
120 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 ...
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2answers
170 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
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1answer
471 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 ...
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0answers
25 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
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0answers
100 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
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0answers
93 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, ...
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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 ...
3
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1answer
50 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
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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
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0answers
56 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
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2answers
159 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?
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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 ...
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0answers
65 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 ...
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1answer
48 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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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2answers
496 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
222 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 ...
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4answers
435 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, ...
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2answers
107 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 ...
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1answer
80 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
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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
196 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 ...
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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
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1answer
60 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....
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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 ...
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1answer
42 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?
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1answer
38 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
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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
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1answer
70 views
Rabbinic ordination to students
I was wondering,
What gives a rabbi the power to ordinate another rabbi? Can any Rabbi give smicha?
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0answers
36 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?
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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
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2answers
304 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
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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 ...
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1answer
100 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 ...
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0answers
44 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
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1answer
56 views
What's the difference between Sanhedrin and Kenesset Hagedola?
What is the difference between Sanhedrin and Kenesset Hagedola?
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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?
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1answer
39 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.
...
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0answers
25 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?
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1answer
121 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
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1answer
127 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
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1answer
70 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
117 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
152 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
35 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
105 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
115 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 ...
