Questions tagged [rabbis]
Questions about the lives and personalities of Jewish religious authorities.
87
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
8
votes
0
answers
132
views
What is the reason behind the Meiri intentionally replacing the names of Rabbis?
The Meiri in his writings gives each Rabbi whom he quotes an alternative name, based on the main contribution that particular rabbinic authority made. Why does he do so, for it seems he goes against ...
- 479
8
votes
1
answer
425
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 ...
- 37.8k
7
votes
1
answer
217
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 ...
- 221
7
votes
1
answer
407
views
Which rabbi said "if a horse had the mind of Kant ..."?
I recall hearing in yeshiva that one great rabbi -- I think one of the baalei mussar? once said:
If a horse had the mind of Kant, it would author volume after volume of great philosphical works -- ...
- 131k
6
votes
0
answers
169
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 “ ...
- 47.2k
5
votes
0
answers
75
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 ...
- 3,342
5
votes
0
answers
106
views
At what point can you assume senility?
In my experience it is rare to see a Rosh Yeshiva or other prominent Rabbi declared to be senile and no longer working at full mental capacity. Recently such a proclamation was made about one Rosh ...
user5092
5
votes
1
answer
152
views
Are we allowed to assume that a Rabbi may have not thought of something?
Sometimes in reading a difficult Rishon or Acharon, you come across a statement which seems limited and difficult to understand. Sometimes it's what seems to be an answer to a question which skims ...
- 4,313
4
votes
0
answers
90
views
Shiurim by Rav Dovid Feinstein Zt"l
Does anyone know where I can find recorded shiurim by Rav Dovid Feinstein?
- 404
4
votes
0
answers
119
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 ...
- 19.6k
4
votes
0
answers
89
views
Is there a Talmudic "score card"?
When I am learning a masechta, one thing that shocks me is the ability of those people involved in arguments to cite an authority and know his view on most any other case. So if Rabbi Yehoshua is ...
- 37.8k
4
votes
0
answers
88
views
Od (Ovadyia) Yosef Chai - what is the idea behind the movement
I saw in Tzfat a car adorned with signs saying עוד יוסף חי - with a big picture of Rav Ovadia Yosef. I was informed by someone going to Yeshiva there that this is some kind of nascent Jewish (not ...
- 31.8k
4
votes
0
answers
135
views
Letter of Rav Yechezkel Landau
There was a letter written by Rav Yechezkel Landau to the followers of Reb Yonason Eibeshitz after the whole debacle between their leader and Reb Yaakov Emden. I have seen a few English versions of ...
- 33.4k
4
votes
0
answers
414
views
The difference between Chazal and Razal
I have heard it said before that Chazal (חז"ל = חכמינו זכרונם לברכה; "our sages of blessed memory") refers to sages of the Mishna and Gemara, while Razal (רז"ל = רבנים/נו זכרונם לברכה; "our/the ...
- 18.8k
4
votes
1
answer
204
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 פעם ...
- 25.7k
4
votes
1
answer
305
views
Why is the term שליט"א more commonly used for a rav than the term נ"י?
As a follow up to this answer to a M.Y. question, why is שליט"א more commonly used after a notable Rav's name than the term נירו יאיר (or נ"י, as an abbreviation)?
A wise person, such as a rav is ...
- 70k
4
votes
1
answer
246
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 ...
- 49.1k
3
votes
0
answers
74
views
Rabbi Yaakov of Krozh's book
Rabbi Yitzchak Hertzog zt"l in his short essay (in Hebrew) "למידותיו של חזקיהו מלך יהודה" (On the Traits of Chizkiyahu King of Yehudah), published in the Sinai Jubilee Volume, pp. 27-28 ...
- 24.9k
3
votes
0
answers
55
views
The qualifiers given by the Meiri
Following this post, quoting several qualifierss given by the Meiri to the Rabanim whose opinions he reports, I am interested to know if we have an exhaustive list, because some of are not reported in ...
- 22.7k
3
votes
0
answers
206
views
Rabbinical authority
I am delving into the concept of the rabbinical authority based on the following pasuk
"If a case is too baffling for you to decide, be it a controversy over
homicide, civil law, or assault—...
- 8,780
3
votes
0
answers
119
views
Who were students of both the Vilna Gaon and the Maggid of Mezrich
I know Rav Avraham Kalisk was, and Mordechai Babroisk. I know there were others, but there seems to be quite a few more.
- 99
3
votes
0
answers
269
views
Rav Heinemann Semicha
Does anyone know what one should prepare himself with before taking a semicha bechina on Basar B'chalav with Rav Moshe Heinemann?
- 1,903
3
votes
0
answers
54
views
Rabbi Eleazar and Rabbi Shimeon in Mishna
In Mishna, it's current to find that "Rabbi Eleazar and Rabbi Shimeon say", e.g. in Rosh Hashana, Yoma, Shkalim, etc. Sometimes it's Eliezer instead of Eleazar, but it's not probably because they were ...
- 22.7k
3
votes
0
answers
100
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 ...
- 25.7k
3
votes
0
answers
1k
views
How much time does it generally take to get Semicha?
What is the average amount of time that it takes to get Yoreh Yoreh Smicha?
Yadin Yadin?
And in Israel to pass each of the Rabannut tests? To get "Rav Shchuna"? "Rav Ir"?
I understand that it ...
- 51
3
votes
0
answers
83
views
Can the Rav enforce his own made-up rule as a "penalty"?
Several years ago, while making a trip to the Catskill area, I stopped near the large shul in Woodbridge, NY (I forgot its name). The rabbi has a reserved parking spot across the street from the shul.
...
- 70k
3
votes
0
answers
119
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
3
votes
0
answers
59
views
Song from Rebbi Meir Shapira
I have a script of a song from Rebbi Meir Shapira of Lublin which starts with
מיט דער כתר התורה
Are any of our readers familiar with the words or the tune which is supposed to accompany them?
- 1,399
3
votes
0
answers
206
views
Let's play Name that Gadol - women wearing Tallis story
There is a story that I have heard with multiple names being used as the Rabbi in the story. It goes like this:
A woman came to [insert name of Torah Sage here] and said that it would enhance her ...
- 58.3k
3
votes
0
answers
557
views
Written Semicha Tests
Which Rabbonim give a semicha based on a written test (as opposed to requiring one to complete a program under them)?
Are they only on Basar Bechalav and Ta'aruvos, only on Shabbos, only on Niddah or ...
- 2,351
3
votes
0
answers
244
views
How does one 'learn' how to paskin?
When a person goes through smicha (in order to become a Rabbi) they learn (at least) the laws of kashrus. Depending on the program this can include more or less amounts of information (more or less ...
- 9,618
3
votes
0
answers
127
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?
- 24.7k
3
votes
1
answer
171
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 ...
- 25.7k
2
votes
0
answers
113
views
Rabbinical authority (2)
Part 2 of the question: Rabbinical Authority:
I am delving into the concept of the rabbinical authority based on the following pasuk "If a case is too baffling for you to decide, be it a ...
- 8,780
2
votes
0
answers
190
views
What rabbis openly allowed/promoted wearing wigs?
When discussing wigs as a means of covering women's hair, I only heard that rabbis recognized them only aposteriori.
What prominent rabbis publicly allowed their use apriori?
- 25.7k
2
votes
0
answers
28
views
The difference between the ordination of the 70 elders and that of Joshua?
In the process of the ordination of the elders, God executed the procedure without Moses' assistance:
"וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל־מֹשֶׁה אֶסְפָה־לִּי שִׁבְעִים אִישׁ ... וְלָקַחְתָּ אֹתָם אֶל־אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד ...
- 25.7k
2
votes
0
answers
122
views
Suggested books on the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots
What solid books there are on the historical and intellectual development of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots? Especially written from an orthodox perspective? The Intro to the Schottenstein ...
- 173
2
votes
0
answers
97
views
Which rabbanim of the generation did the Baal Shem Tov meet with?
For example he met with the Nodah Beyehudah and the Shaagas Aryeh. Do we know if he met with the Yaavetz, Reb Yonasan Eybushitz, Pney Yehoshua?
- 1,382
2
votes
0
answers
69
views
13 ways in which the Torah is trampled
I've found a reference in a book to a medieval Italian document which refers to "the 13 ways in which the Torah is trampled and profaned". Can anyone tell me more about these 13 ways?
- 2,331
2
votes
0
answers
74
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 ...
- 70k
2
votes
0
answers
211
views
Who were some of the "sages" referred to in the Mishnah?
When the Mishnah uses the term חכמים אומרים, as in the first Mishnah in Tractate Brachot, approximately how many comprised this group? Who were in this group of people? (doesn't need to be a complete ...
- 70k
2
votes
0
answers
75
views
How was the Nasi allowed to diminish the honor of a torah scholar?
In Horiyot 13b it recounts that Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel made a edict that, as opposed to previously where all people stood for both the Nasi and the 'Chacham', now all people should stand for the ...
- 13.6k
2
votes
0
answers
51
views
Referring to a rav with multiple sefarim
I've noticed that some rabbanim are referred to by the titles of multiple books. For example, R' Jair Bacharach (Wermeiser Rov between 1699-1702) is referred to both by the name of his shu"t, Chavot ...
- 12.8k
2
votes
0
answers
236
views
How to find a chavrusa for a difficult topic
How would one go about finding a rabbi/rav with whom to have a chavrusa if one is picky and has specific needs -- i.e., for someone with particular qualities, or who is highly learned in a niche area? ...
- 19.6k
2
votes
0
answers
53
views
Is there a communal responsibility to ensure that its Torah scholars are dressed and groomed appropriately?
The Gemara in Mesekes Shabbos 114a teaches that a Torah scholar should not go out in stained or patched clothing, suggesting that one who goes out with a stain is subject to the "penalty of death." ...
- 15.9k
2
votes
0
answers
182
views
Who gave the "yadav rav lo" ordination a few decades ago?
According to Rabbi Hoenig's article, "The Orthodox Rabbi as Military Chaplain" (Tradition Fall 1976, emphasis in the original):
This situation brought up the question of
proper ordination, the ...
- 131k
2
votes
1
answer
179
views
What's the difference between Sanhedrin and Kenesset Hagedola?
What is the difference between Sanhedrin and Kenesset Hagedola?
- 1,779
2
votes
1
answer
261
views
Picking and choosing Hashkafa
Can one decide to follow for example the Rambam's more rational Hashkafic approach and than the Ramban for other Hashkafic ideas even though they clearly disagree?
I've heard that by practical Halacha ...
- 2,970
2
votes
1
answer
132
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 ...
- 16k
1
vote
0
answers
291
views
Is this idea (dictation model of Torah) by Rambam heretical/blasphemous/idolatrous?
Rabbi David Bigman in his article The Dictation Model of Torah Revelation
convincingly argues that the idea of Torah being entirely dictated to Moses, and then preserved over the generations (...
- 806