All Questions
10 questions
9
votes
3
answers
377
views
Meforshim Nick"names
It has become common practice to refer to most meforshim by acronyms of their name (eg Rashi, Rosh, etc.). When and why did this practice start, and is it proper?
- 38.8k
10
votes
2
answers
994
views
מרדכי = Mord'chi?
When learning with Jews of the Syrian community, I noticed that they pronounced מרדכי (the name of the halachic commentary on the g'mara) as "mord'chi", as if the final vowel were a chirik. Why is ...
- 73.9k
5
votes
1
answer
282
views
Why refer to Isaac Luria as the Arizal, and not Arizatzal?
One of the common ways to refer to the R' Isaac Luria is "the Arizal". I understand this to mean, The Ari, zecher L'bracha (may he be mentioned/remembered for blessing).
However, one usually refers ...
- 44.8k
7
votes
1
answer
368
views
Why is Rabbi Yitzchak Luria referred to as Godly?
In shul a friend explained to me the moniker Ari actualy stands for Eloki Rav Yitzchak, meaning the Godly Rabbi Yitzchak (Luria). The appellation Godly struck me as odd. How is such a thing ...
- 3,893
17
votes
5
answers
895
views
Rabba bar bar Chana
There is a rabbi in the Talmud referred to as רבה בר בר חנה. Why is he called that way? It says that Rabba was the grandson of Chana.
Who was Chana? Was it(?) a woman? Why wasn't he called after his ...
- 1,068
8
votes
2
answers
750
views
Which Amora is mentioned most often in the Gemara?
Which Amora is mentioned most often throughout Talmud Bavli?
- 140k
5
votes
2
answers
414
views
What is the greatest number of pages (daf) you can go in the Babylonian Talmud without encountering Abayei or Rava?
What is the greatest number of pages (daf) you can go in the Babylonian Talmud without encountering Abayei or Rava? I've heard it was 3?
- 136k
4
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Does the name Rami (רמי) have a meaning based in Judaism? If so, what is it?
Does the name Rami (רמי), as used by figures in the Talmud such as Rami bar Papa and Rami bar Chama, have a meaning based in Judaism? If so, what is it?
If רמ means high or exalted, does רמי mean my ...
- 13.3k
3
votes
0
answers
143
views
Why are rabbonim referred to by the names of their seforim?
Many rabbonim who published important seforim are coloquially referred to by the names of one of the seforim. Why is this? When did it start?
- 25.1k
1
vote
0
answers
369
views
Did Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi learn the Angel of Death's personal name?
I recently heard that when Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi was in Paradise he learned the personal name of the Angel of Death/Satan. Can anyone provide a source for this claim?
In Ketubot 77b it is written:
&...
- 359