All Questions
96 questions
4
votes
1
answer
658
views
How would a person become a rabbi around 1 CE?
Given the general illiteracy, the lack of public libraries, the high cost of Torah copies and writing materials, how would a person become a rabbi in 1 CE?
Given the costs and reading/writing ...
- 300
4
votes
1
answer
126
views
Did the Arizal's daughter marry the son of R' Yosef Karo?
Is there any source [historical, academic, mystical] that the Arizal's daughter married the son of R' Yosef Karo, author of Shulchan Aruch?
I see this mentioned in this article (unsourced), and ...
- 11.2k
1
vote
0
answers
63
views
When did Negiah become part of Halakha [duplicate]
שלום
I am trying to find out around what time Negiah was implemented into Halakha.
In no way I am not trying to disrespect Halakha, I am only trying to understand it in a deeper way.
- 11
-2
votes
2
answers
402
views
Why do we follow matrilineal descent of Judaism when there's evidence to suggest that it used to be patrilineal? How to resolve the contradiction?
According to the contemporary scholarship, even though modern Orthodox Judaism follows matrilineal descent, there is evidence to suggest that this was a shift that occurred during the second century, ...
- 1,062
0
votes
0
answers
98
views
Which famous Rabbi had lifelong stomach pain?
I recently heard a shiur that quoted a famous rabbi (I think an Acharon) who talked about having stomach pain every day of his life, and studying torah was the only thing that gave him any joy. Does ...
1
vote
3
answers
345
views
Sources regarding the Mesorah of the explanations/details of the Torah
It's difficult for me to accept that laws that I see written in a modern day Halacha sefer really originate from what G-d Told Moshe thousands of years ago. This is because there is so much time in ...
- 173
2
votes
2
answers
279
views
Evidence for the divine inspiration of the Torah
What evidence is there that the Torah was divinely inspired? Historical evidence, prophecies, etc, for example.
Further reading on this topic would be appreciated.
- 257
4
votes
3
answers
715
views
What were the first rabbinic reactions to the rise of Islam?
Practically, all Jewish second-Temple diaspora in the 7th and 8th centuries fell under the rule of Islam. How did rabbis respond to the new sister religion? Did they attribute any special qualities, ...
- 28k
3
votes
1
answer
311
views
Church fathers and the Rabbis
I’m wondering if there is any evidence in Jewish writings of correspondence/the mentioning of church fathers. I would assume that the interactions would have happened in the time of the late tanaaim/...
- 370
1
vote
0
answers
75
views
Do Medieval Rabbis speak about the Black Plague?
I was wondering if any Rabbis in the Medieval times wrote anything about the Black Plague.
- 4,148
1
vote
1
answer
219
views
Why specifically did Rav Moshe Feinstein serve as rabbi in Ohio for a while, per his visa? [closed]
Rabbi Feinstein's family write (beginning to Igros vol. 8) that Rabbi Feinstein had a relative in Ohio who arranged for a pulpit opening, which led to Rabbi Feinstein entering the US on a religious-...
- 136k
3
votes
1
answer
153
views
The Identity of R' Elazar ben Chananyah
Recently, I found that there are some academics that identify the Tanna Rabbi Elazar ben Chananyah with Elazar ben Chananyah, one of the rebel leaders during the Great Revolt.
Prof. Ephraim Urbach in &...
- 28.4k
1
vote
0
answers
44
views
What was the Rabbinic position toward the armed revolts against the Romans?
"...Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Ḥanina said: Why are these three oaths needed? One, so that the Jews should not ascend to Eretz Yisrael as a wall. And another one, that the Holy One, Blessed be He, ...
- 28k
1
vote
2
answers
87
views
Does the Midrash show any examples of adjectives attached to Rabbi when addressing a Rabbi?
Are there any historic examples, such as in the Midrash, that show someone addressing a Rabbi with an adjective such as
רַבִּי הַטּוֹב?
- 342
3
votes
6
answers
2k
views
What does שליט"א stand for?
I thought that שליט"א came from the Aramaic word שליט (Ruler). But a Rabbi I told this to, pointed out that שליט"א is always written as with " , in the Middle so each the letters must ...
- 487
1
vote
0
answers
90
views
Help trying to find the lifespan of an ancient rabbi
Zohar (Vayikra 10a) quotes a sefer by R. Hamnunab [Hanunah] Sabah, a sage of Second Beit HaMikdash times. Thing is, I can't pin-point the lifespan. Can someone help me with this? Toda.
- 187
1
vote
1
answer
104
views
Diets promoted by different Rabbis throughout history
I was curious if there was any information about the sages or other known historical Rabbis who promoted diets for physical/spiritual health.
Obviously, Kosher is Kosher but did anyone ever suggest ...
user20915
0
votes
0
answers
42
views
Are there sources which cite art as being an extension of spiritual practice in Jewish tradition?
I understand this question may be interpreted as being slightly generalized but I'm asking for sources which cite the religious/spiritual nature of art in Jewish practice.
Obviously, statues of ...
user20915
5
votes
1
answer
539
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 ...
- 28k
2
votes
1
answer
130
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 ...
- 28k
2
votes
2
answers
327
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, ...
- 28k
7
votes
4
answers
2k
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 ...
- 28k
3
votes
1
answer
192
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 ...
- 28k
4
votes
2
answers
198
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 ?
- 1,981
2
votes
1
answer
87
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 ...
user15672
-1
votes
2
answers
249
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 ...
- 2,185
1
vote
1
answer
76
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.
user15672
3
votes
1
answer
170
views
When did weekly sermons become part of the rabbi's job?
Each year on Shabbat Hagadol (the Shabbat just prior to Pesach), our shul rabbi explains that the reason it is called "Shabbat Hagadol" is that it means "The Shabbat of the Gadol" ("The great one"). ...
- 71.5k
4
votes
1
answer
77
views
Office of the Rishon Letzion
I am interested in knowing how and why this office came about. Was it initiated by the Jewish community or was it necessary in order to have a representative to contact the ruling government? ...
user8726
4
votes
1
answer
246
views
What was a Rabbi Elector in Lithuania?
In doing genealogical research I found records for family members from Lithuania whose profession was listed as "Rabbi Elector".
What was this profession?
Was it a legitimate part of Judaism, or ...
- 1,094
1
vote
1
answer
132
views
Which Rabbi was this?
I remember reading a journal article about a modern orthodox rabbi in late 19th century America who held the position that rabbis need to try to find lenient halachik rulings to make the lives of ...
- 1,501
3
votes
1
answer
363
views
Is there any mention from our sages of blessed memory of Alexander The Great building a big metal wall in Central Asia to keep Gog and Magog at bay?
Is there anything that our Sages, of blessed memory, say about Alexander the Great building a big metal wall in Central Asia to prevent Gog and Magog from invading the greater part of the world? The ...
- 99
2
votes
1
answer
71
views
Which Raban Gamliel was in the first mishnah of masechet berakhot?
Who was this Raban Gamliel in the first mishnah of masechet berakhot?
Raban Gamliel I?
Raban Gamliel II?
Raban Gamliel III?
Are there some books who could help me to find the historic part of the ...
5
votes
1
answer
270
views
gedolim on "The Jazz Singer"
The film The Jazz Singer is about a Jewish boy who goes off the derech and portrays him positively.
What was the contemporary (1927) rabbinic response to the film and did cantor Yosselle Rosenblatt ...
- 9,128
2
votes
1
answer
242
views
Tracing the Tradition of HaRaM"A (Moshe Isserles)
In tracing the tradition of HaRav Shimshon Rafa'el Hirsch, I arrived at the famed RaM"A (Rav Moshe Isserles) with help from the beloved MY community. As Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen mentions having done in ...
- 7,532
5
votes
1
answer
190
views
Tracing the Tradition of HaRav Shimshon Rafa'el Hirsch
I'm not sure if this is the proper forum for such an investigation; but, I'll pose the question and find out. I'm trying to trace the tradition received by HaRav Shimshon Rafa'el Hirsch through the ...
- 7,532
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
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
When was the Meiri discovered?
According to Wikipedia, the Meiri was rediscovered in modern times. I assume that means in the 20th century or so.
However, Hebrewbooks has a copy of the Meiri from 1795. I don't know if that was the ...
- 40.8k
-1
votes
2
answers
510
views
Were/are there any gedolim that do not wear a hat of some kind?
It seems like almost major rebbeim/poskim do/did ear some sort of additional head covering (black hat, streimel, cap, etc) for davening. If the practice is that universal among gedolim, that might ...
- 2,682
2
votes
1
answer
510
views
Why do some Rabbis wear a black frock coat?
How did the black frock coat come to be garb of some roshei yeshivos and other senior rabbis?
Related Did "Litvish" frock coats button left-on-right?
and Haredi clothing
- 48.7k
12
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Where does "probeh" come from?
Every time recently that I've heard of an Orthodox congregation conducting a search for a rabbi, the stage at which the rabbi visits the community for a Shabbat and auditions for the position is ...
- 48.6k
0
votes
1
answer
206
views
the nature of an argument between the Wurtzberger rov and Rav Shamshon Refoel Hirsch
Does anyone know the nature of a famous argument between the Wurtzberger rov and Rav Shamshon Refoel Hirsch?
I think it was to do with the extent a kehilah must follow thier rov or vice versa.
- 1,415
15
votes
1
answer
482
views
Napoléon's Sanhedrin
In 1806, Napoléon Bonaparte convened a synod of French rabbinim (mainly Alsatiens and Bordelais) to ascertain halachic opinions on a set of questions. What is the halachic standing of this synod's ...
- 13.3k
3
votes
0
answers
130
views
Chida's statement about shabbat violators
I heard Rabbi Yitzhack Yosef Shelita (Rishon LeTzion and son of Maran HaRav Ovadia Yosef, Z"L) who says that the Chida writes that in all the places that he was never saw a Sephardic Jew that wasn't ...
- 61
0
votes
1
answer
160
views
What Jewish leaders/rabbis/prophets were active in years 3350-3360?
What Jewish leaders/rabbis/prophets were active in years 3350-3360 (in Jewish calendar years)? and died around 3360...
- 3
6
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the Anshei Knesset HaGedolah?
I've heard many things about this "Great Assembly," mostly about how they established davening (prayers). However, there appears to be a lack of specific information about this institution. So:
Who ...
- 10.7k
11
votes
5
answers
673
views
Examples of Rabbis who had strong disagreements and were amicable
I'm looking for examples of Rabbis who had a serious disagreement and were nevertheless very kind and thoughtful towards each other.
The main reason I'm asking for examples is to illustrate what a ...
- 9,938
2
votes
1
answer
281
views
Sefer Nachal Eshkol - Tzidkat HaTzaddik - Rabbi Binyomin Hersh Aurbach
Per Wikipedia there seems to be a conterversy as to whether the Sefer Nachal Eshkol is a forgery. Four Rabanim from Germany wrote Tzidkas HaTzadik to defend Rabbi Auerbach.
Four prominent German ...
- 140k
6
votes
1
answer
765
views
Was Marcus Jastrow an apikores? [closed]
During Yeshiva I remember some bochrim made a point of not putting the Jastrow dictionary on top of sefarim, and would often talk about how it does not have kedusha because it was written by an ...
user3318
4
votes
1
answer
200
views
Students who received Smicha from Rabbi Akiva Eger
I'm seeking a list of Rabbis who received Smicha from R. Akiva Eger, both in Markisch Friedland and later in Posen.
- 41