Questions tagged [tanach]
An acronym of "Torah" (Five Books of Moses), "Neviim" (Prophets), and "Kesuvim" (Writings). The three books together form the "Written Torah".
645
questions
1
vote
0answers
88 views
The Torah Transmission Date Discrepancies?
I'm curious to know the dates of birth and death of the following Torah transmitters, who appear in Pirkei Avot, since I've seen conflicting dates when doing some independent research:
Shimon HaTzadik
...
7
votes
2answers
683 views
How to apply the Masoretic note, “2x, once plene and once defectively” to Ruth 1:1?
In Ruth 1:1, there is a Masoretic note on שְׁפֹט which I do not understand:
The picture is a little unclear, but the note says (I have highlighted the letters with a dot above them):
ב חד מל וחד חס
...
2
votes
1answer
51 views
Instances of epic poetry in Tanach?
In the book "Mevo Lekitvei Hakodesh" - "Introduction to The Holy Scriptures" by Shmuel Shrira, he writes that there are different types of poetry or songs ("shirah") in ...
0
votes
3answers
85 views
Did Yechezkel (Ezekiel) bring the dead back to life, or did he just say a prophecy about it?
See here - https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16135/jewish/Chapter-37.htm
The question is if he actually brought them to life, or if he simply said a prophecy about it and Hashem was the one ...
3
votes
2answers
128 views
Was Abraham given a scripture?
According to the Quran, Abraham was given a scripture just like Moses.
This is certainly ˹mentioned˺ in the earlier Scriptures— the
Scriptures of Abraham and Moses. [Quran 87/18-19]
The scripture ...
6
votes
4answers
532 views
Why was Yehoshua chosen to lead the Israelits and not Kaleb?
We can see that Kaleb as well as Yehoshua tried to convince the Israelits not to believe to the spies and enter the state of Israel. Moreover, it seems that Kaleb was more dominant in his trial to ...
2
votes
2answers
57 views
Anomalous root word frequency in Scripture
Is there a program available online that can detect statistically significant higher incidence of a specific root (שרש), and/or of a specific sequence of letters, in a specific portion of Tanach. For ...
2
votes
1answer
170 views
In a life or death situation is breaking the Torah permissible?
In a situation where you could die (or other Jews could), would you be allowed to break the rules in order to survive?
4
votes
1answer
299 views
Do you have the source for the quote about not trusting liars
Does anyone remember a quote about how once someone is a confirmed liar nothing they say or said can be trusted and should be questioned?
I cannot find the exact words.
5
votes
1answer
69 views
Good picture seforim (books) for nach [duplicate]
I am having a hard time keeping track of all of the places and wars in Sefer Yehoshua and Shoftim (and probably will for the rest of nach). Are there any good seforim which go through nach and have ...
2
votes
1answer
105 views
Are there Traditional Jewish sources say that the story of Adam and Chava is a metaphor?
(Original: Are there any traditional Jewish sources that state that the story of Adam Harishon is a metaphor and/or that there were other intelligent human beings already on the earth prior to Adam’s ...
2
votes
2answers
110 views
כּלּה kallâh “bride, spouse” < כּלל kâlal “to make perfect”?
Reading Strong's Real Hebrew dictionary, I discovered that כּלּה kallâh "bride, spouse" < כּלל kâlal "to make perfect". What does a bride have to do with perfection?
cf. Hebrew ...
0
votes
2answers
49 views
Biblical Hebrew words for “sister” & “bride” interchangeable? “sister” can mean “friend”?
Paul M. Conner, O.P., Celibate Love p. 23 (PDF p. 27), claims:
In Hebrew the terms "sister" and "bride" do not always have literal application. Often they are interchangeable. ...
-3
votes
2answers
61 views
Do some scholars believe that “לנבא” (“lenabe”) meant “to philosophise”/“to entertain”/“to dramatise”?
I read with interest Julian Jaynes' Bicamerlism book where he claims that lenabe was mistranslated as "to prophetise" in LXX which also influenced Jewish thought. Later on, I wrote out of ...
-5
votes
1answer
37 views
do tanach teach original sin? [closed]
does that verses give a christian notion that man can not be righteous and have original sin?
isaiah 48:8
Neither did you hearken, neither did you know, nor was your ear opened from then, for I knew ...
4
votes
0answers
36 views
Are there any examples of “par ha'elem davar” in Tanakh or Talmud?
In Lev. 4:13-15, we learn
If it is the whole community of Israel that has erred and the matter escapes the notice of the congregation, so that they do any of the things which by the LORD’s ...
2
votes
1answer
108 views
The four letter name vs. Ado-nai
In hundreds of verses (such as Psalms 51:17 אֲ֭דֹ-נָי שְׂפָתַ֣י תִּפְתָּ֑ח וּ֝פִ֗י יַגִּ֥יד תְּהִלָּתֶֽךָ׃) God is named with the word Ado-nai seemingly referring to the same pronunciation and meaning ...
3
votes
0answers
82 views
What is the rationale for only marking certain letters with sheva, when they are the last letter in a word?
In printed and manuscript editions of Tanach, I've noticed that a sheva on the final letter of a word is almost never marked, and is meant to be inferred.
The two exceptions I've come across are:
A ...
3
votes
0answers
47 views
Why is נַעֲרָ sometimes marked as a keri uketiv and sometimes not?
The word נַעֲרָה na'arah (girl, maiden, young lady) is almost uniformly spelled in the Torah in the form נַעֲרָ, without the concluding heh.
However, it seem that it is marked as an instance of keri ...
0
votes
1answer
80 views
Which nations were the Cherethites and Pelethites?
Which nations were the Cherethites and Pelethites?
Divrei Hayamim I - I Chronicles - Chapter 18:17 And Benaiah the son of
Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and the sons of
David ...
4
votes
0answers
25 views
Sheva and Dedan
Is there any connection between Sheva and Dedan, sons of Yokshan ben Avraham (Beresheet 25:3, Divrei Hayamim 1:1:32) and Sheva and Dedan, sons of Ra'ama ben Cush (Beresheet 10:7)?
3
votes
1answer
575 views
Why was Shaul prophecising naked?
In 1 Shemuel 19:24, Shaul HaMelech is mentioned as taking off his clothes, laying naked, and prophesying. And the end of the passuk seems to indicate that prophesying naked was occasionally a trait of ...
1
vote
1answer
172 views
Are there any cases in the Tanakh where the form of the word could ambiguously have either the root יָרֵא (fear) or רָאָה (see)?
Abijah originally asked this question in Biblical Hermeneutics (https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/52502/translating-forms-of-yirah-as-fear-or-seeing). Abijah stated how the question ...
0
votes
0answers
74 views
Shaul's genealogy compared to David's genealogy
David's full genealogy is outlined in both in Ruth 4:18-24 (although without Yehudah here) and in Divrei Hayamim 1:2:3-15:
Yehudah-Peretz-Chetzron-Ram-Aminadav-Nachshon-Salma-Boaz-Oved-Yishai-David.
...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
Why in Sidra Ki Tavo G-d is intended to curse the source - trees and not the product (oil and wine)
In Sidra Ki Tavo, Book of Deuteronomy 28:39-40. It is mentioned that if the sons of Israel won't obey G-d commands and Mitzvot they will get punishments.
כְּרָמִים תִּטַּע, וְעָבָדְתָּ; וְיַיִן לֹא-...
1
vote
1answer
112 views
Who payed for the money that Joseph returned to his brothers?
It is known that at the first time Joseph ask to return the money that his brother paid for the grains to their bags. Joseph was a leader of the Egypt nation. The money he got for the grains belongs ...
1
vote
1answer
63 views
Why didn't Abraham try to persuade Sodom people to repent and regret for their sins?
It is known that Abraham was strong spiritually and physically. He won the war of the four kings. He was afraid of nothing but G-d. It is also known that Abraham tried to ask for mercy and tried to ...
0
votes
0answers
38 views
Why did Rachel cooperated with Lea in deceiving Jacob?
Rachel is considered one of Jewish mothers and known in her holiness. Why did she cooperate with Lea and gave her the signs without informing Jacob. Moreover, she knew how eager (spiritually) Jacob to ...
0
votes
0answers
39 views
Why did Jacob keep working for Lavan 7 additional years and didn't resign and divorce Lea
After the rotten lie of Lavan to Jacob and replacing Lea with Rachel. Why did Jacob keep working for additional 7 years? Didn't he understand that he couldn't trust Lavan and he could lie him again ...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
Why did Abraham forced his slave Eliezer to swear him about finding Itzhak shidduch
It is known that Abraham forces Eliezer to swear him about finding Itzhak Shidduch. Why did he need to force him to swear. Let's assume that Eliezer would have brought the wrong Shidduch, Abraham and ...
1
vote
1answer
109 views
How did Amram (Mose's father) marry Yochevet his aunt?
It is known that according to Halacha it is forbidden to marry your aunt. How come that Amram (Mose's father) married his aunt - Yochevet. As mentioned in Exodus 6:20:
וַיִּקַּח עַמְרָם אֶת-יוֹכֶבֶד ...
1
vote
1answer
231 views
Why the Jews didn't take the Egyptians' property in darkness plague
It is known that Jews took the vast majority of Egyptians' property was collected on the sea edge. Why didn't they take their property in dark plague? Why did they have to loan their property and did ...
0
votes
1answer
45 views
Why was Jacob afraid from the fight with Esav
It is well known the all Jacob's sons had incredible mental, spiritual and physical strength. Just to mention a few: Shimon and Levi killed all the men in Schem, Judah and the rest of the brothers ...
2
votes
1answer
90 views
Hatzlelponi and Tzelelponit
In Bamidbar Rabbah 10:5 it says that Shimshon's mother was called Hatzlelponi:
"אִמֵּיהּ דְּשִׁמְשׁוֹן הַצְלֶלְפּוֹנִי שְׁמָהּ, וְהִיא מְיֻחֶסֶת עַל שֵׁבֶט יְהוּדָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברי הימים א ד, ...
0
votes
0answers
72 views
Did the prophets deal with another divine being?
Hosea 1:7
וְאֶת־בֵּ֤ית יְהוּדָה֙ אֲרַחֵ֔ם וְהֽוֹשַׁעְתִּ֖ים בַּיהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑ם וְלֹ֣א אֽוֹשִׁיעֵ֗ם בְּקֶ֤שֶׁת וּבְחֶ֙רֶב֙ וּבְמִלְחָמָ֔ה בְּסוּסִ֖ים וּבְפָרָשִֽׁים׃
But I will accept the House ...
3
votes
1answer
102 views
Why didn't Adam divorce from Eve?
Following the sin of Eve, in which she tried to 'poison' Adam spiritually with the fruit and she misled him, Why didn't Adam divorce her? Moreover, he intimated with her and bore two children?
1
vote
0answers
75 views
Definiton of Selicha in Tanakh vs. Rabbinic Interpretation
As is par for the course this time of year I'm thinking a lot about the idea of "selicha", coming right off the tails of Yom Kippur and selichot. I'm conflicted about the idea of forgiveness/...
1
vote
1answer
62 views
Tanach with out trup and nikudos
Where can I get a tanach without nikudos and trop in book form. It should be the whole tanach and not just the haftoras. It can be side by side with nikudos and trop like a tikun or just straight text....
0
votes
0answers
66 views
How would you convince a hozer beshe'ela of the truth of Judaism? [duplicate]
As adherents of the Jewish faith, what would you do to convince someone לחזור בתשובה? not merely a Jew espousing secular lifestyle, but one that is agnostic and that does not believe the Tanakh is the ...
-6
votes
3answers
158 views
Is a trinitarian-like view of God found in the Tanakh and held in Judaism? [closed]
Is a triune quality to God's nature, like the Trinity as espoused in Christianity, a foreign teaching as far as Judaism is concerned? Or is such a belief held (or have been historically held) by Jews?
0
votes
0answers
52 views
Do any Jewish sources give a non-literal interpretation of the census in Bamidbar?
Are there any classical commentators that state that "elef" didn't literally mean 1 thousand, or something else to that effect, that would result in a smaller number? I am reading Ani Maamin ...
0
votes
1answer
82 views
Religious origin of Yiddish expression
My father used to say "Nem di oygn in di hent," literally "Take your eyes in your hands." This was meant as a warning to be careful. I wonder if there is a religious source for ...
0
votes
2answers
265 views
Where in the Tanakh is it derived that females are to cover their heads when praying?
Where in the Tanakh is it extrapolated that females are to cover their heads or hair when praying or reciting the name of HaShem?
I form this question upon reading the following: Women and girls ...
2
votes
2answers
432 views
Where in the Tanakh is the subject of head-covering or hair-covering for females taught or hinted?
Where in the Tanakh is the subject of head-covering or hair-covering for females taught or hinted?
(I have researched MiYodeya and the similar questions or answers are based on non-Tanakh passages. I ...
2
votes
1answer
73 views
Should one learn Navi daily, even if its in place of Gemara?
When learning Torah, it is very common to do the weekly Parsha, daf yomi, etc. However, I recently became interested in learning Neviim. This, of course, is not a generally daily-studied aspect of the ...
2
votes
0answers
33 views
Do we know what Avodah means?
Parallel to this.
The root ayin-vet-dalet seems to have three separate uses according to the Even Shoshan:
as a noun, eved means A) a person who is owned by another or who is forced to work for ...
7
votes
5answers
2k views
Does the fact that “Elohim” is plural indicate that parts of the Tanakh hearken from a pre-Jewish polytheistic culture?
(disclaimer, I am a gentile and don't know how to type in square script)
My question applies to the whole Tanakh, but I'm specifically curious about Genesis. Translating strictly literally (ie, ...
0
votes
2answers
109 views
Has a Scriptural index been compiled on Radak's 'Michlul'?
While not in a current position to browse the the end of any modern printings of Michlul, I have been interested to know if any of them contain indices which enable easy searching for any verse ...
13
votes
2answers
688 views
What is the most-shared name in the Torah? In Tanach?
A previous question noted that there are three distinct individuals named Amihud mentioned in the Torah, and at least one more in Divrei Hayamim. When I noticed this phenomenon in the Torah, it made ...
0
votes
1answer
99 views
Am Yisrael Genealogy
I'm looking for a family tree that collects all of the genealogical records of Am Yisrael in the Tanach and also shows who was in the same generation as whom (for example, if I remember correctly, ...
