Questions tagged [torah-study]
Questions about the mitzvah to study Torah, and the nature of Torah study. This tag is not intended to be a general tag about Torah. Almost every question on the site is about Torah in some sense. If your question is about a passage in the Bible, try one of the book tags.
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What are general principles good for?
In Kiddushin 34a:4 in the context of hakhel it states
אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אֵין לְמֵדִין מִן הַכְּלָלוֹת וַאֲפִילּוּ
בִּמְקוֹם שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בּוֹ חוּץ R. Yohanan said: We cannot learn from
general ...
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Sefer Chossen Yehoshua on diligence in Torah study
Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt"l, in his Orchos Yosher (p.91 and 396 in the new edition) recommends reading Sefer Chossen Yehoshua chapter 1, where the topic of diligence in Torah study is greatly ...
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Can a gentile read the Torah [duplicate]
Can a gentile read the torah? I've heard numerous people say that studying the torah is forbidden to a gentile , under the penalty of death. My question is, what exactly does the word "study"...
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Why does the yeshiva system focus mainly on the study of the talmud? [duplicate]
It seems, almost across the board, that most yeshivas spent the majority of their time studying the talmud while allocating very little (if any) time towards the study of other critical judaic texts ...
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Torah as a gift: prerequisite for remembering
The Gemara in Nedarim 38a shares a teaching from Rabbi Yochanan, that, at first, Moshe Rabbeinu would study Torah but forget. Once the Torah became a gift, he would rembember it:
And Rabbi Yoḥanan ...
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Torah commentaries in modern Hebrew
I’m not sure if such thing exists, but I wonder if there are books which contain classical (if it has modern ones, also fine, but not necessarily) Torah commentaries in Modern Hebrew? What I mean is: ...
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Is Chokhmah Inquiry?
Shalom.
I am seeking chokhmah and having difficulty (for my sins - Mishlei 1:24-26).
My question is: is chokhmah inquiry? In other words, is it the pursuit of answers to questions in one’s heart, ...
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Children of Israel being crowned with the crown of Torah - Messianic Era
The Rambam in his Hilchos Talmud Torah 3:1 says:
The crown of Torah is set aside, waiting, and ready for each Jew, as [implied by Deuteronomy 33:4]: "The Torah which Moses commanded us is the ...
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Sources identification of the Steipler Gaon
I've read in an article that the Steipler Gaon, Rav Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky zt"l wrote:
I’ve seen many who were thought in their youth to be incapable of succeeding, yet over time they grew to ...
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Etz Chaim and Torah
What’s the link between Etz Hachaim from Gan Eden and the fact that the Torah itself calls, well, itself, “etz chaim”? Does it maybe have something to do with this thought: although you, Adam, didn’t ...
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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.
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Limud HaRambam by all Yidden
Do non-Lubavitchers learn Rambam (any of the cycles divided by the Rebbe)?
I know that when the Rebbe launched the campaign he intended that all Yidden join.
How did that come about?
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Is doing mitzvos, specifically thought mitzvos, allowed in the bathroom? [duplicate]
It is brought down by various poskim that Torah study is forbidden in the bathroom, albeit it is a debate whether today’s bathrooms have the same status.
May one perform mitzvos in a bathroom? ...
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Do any poskim permit one to recite Parshas Hamon on Tisha b’Av?
Do any poskim permit one who says parshas hamon daily the rest of the year to recite parshas hamon on tisha b’av as well? And if so, which poskim?
user31342
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Catholic interested in learning about Judaism ✡️ & learning Hebrew to better understand the difference between the Bible & the Torah 🙏
I don’t know much about the Jewish Faith. During my younger years I attended Catholic School until 10th grade. Recently I have become stronger Spiritually, I’ve always had a strong curiousity about ...
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Isaac ben Moses Of Vienna information?
I am doing an essay on Isaac ben Moses Of Vienna and I need information on him and if possible a translation of his works into English though I could use Google translate if I can't find one. What was ...
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Is it wrong to have bad thoughts if you feel bad about them?
What is the sentiment on having bad unholy thoughts though I know they are wrong and feeling bad about them. For example if I interact with say a street sweeper and think 'I am superior to you' though ...
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What do the Nephilim represent? [duplicate]
There are some underlying beliefs around Nephilim that migtht make people feel uncomfortable, but I think are applicable and a pattern of human behavior, in particular human sexual behavior, of which ...
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Is a gentile who studies the Torah liable to death or highest respect?
In Sanhedrin 59a it is written that a Gentile who studies the Torah is liable to receive the death penalty. Maimonides also confirms this in Melachim uMilchamot 8:10.
However, there is an apparent ...
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Did Moshe Rabbeinu fulfill the Mitzvot of Eretz Israel by studying them?
I heard that Moshe Rabbeinu asked H'shem to be allowed to fulfill the Mitzvot of Eretz Israel, but He answered him: "You won't be able to enter Israel, but as you have studied all the Mitzvot, I ...
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Online Udemy Like Torah Classes
I was wondering if there any Udemy Like Torah classes (Parsha, Jewish history, Tanach, Mishna, Gemara etc..)
Affordable (Udemy classes usually sell for 10-20 dollars can pay a bit more but you get ...
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Differences in Biblical literalism between different Haredi movements
When interpreting Biblical passages, some are taken absolutely literally (the Exodus), some are advised not to be taken literally (for example the days of the Creation), and some are commanded not to ...
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Looking for an easy to read chassidic commentary on the Torah
I'm looking for an easy to read chassidic comentary on the Torah. I'm looking for a single commentary. Iwas considering to buy Imrei Noam by the Dzikov rebbe, but I'm not sure if it is easy to read.
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Is being on welfare if you can work against the will of Hashem?
Genesis 3:17
And to man He said, "Because you listened to your wife, and you ate
from the tree from which I commanded you saying, 'You shall not eat
of it,' cursed be the ground for your sake; ...
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Why isn't midrash rabbah learnt as much as other commentaries
I feel like there's more of a stress to learn other commentaries, and midrash rabbah and tanchuma are just nice things extra if you want to. I see amazing droshos in the midrash, and was wondering why ...
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What are Tanya and Nefesh Hachaim coming to answer that wasn't clear beforehand
What questions are they coming to answer.
What was the puropse of these sefarim that are made a big deal about compared to other seforim of the time which are seen as just toras of a particular genre ...
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Is it ideal for males to learn Torah full time and not work? [duplicate]
I see the ultra orthodox claiming that Torah study all day and all night is ideal, while everyone else seem to say that ideally one needs to go into the world and produce for society and not just 'sit ...
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What are some Gemarot that contain a lot of stories and aggadah?
Looking for a list of Gemara's that has lots of aggadic stories.
The following can be excluded from the list- Avoda Zara and Perek Chelek in Sanhedrin.
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Sanhedrin 59a Prohibition Gentile Torah Study
I recently watched a video of Rabbi Manis Friedman discussing the obligations responsibilities for Noahides. To crudely summarize his argument: roughly speaking Jews are commanded to bring Heaven down ...
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Pardes Torah Commentary
Are there any Torah commentaries that incorporate a systematic theory of PaRDeS analysis?
Given the number of commentaries out there, even just the ones from eminent Torah authorities (the numerous ...
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Best way to track Torah learning
What is a good method to track your progress in learning all of the Torah. (Tanach, Shas, etc.)
I was thinking of an excel template if anyone has one or for other suggestions.
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why don't we say a brocho on the Hagadah?
B"H
the rule is is that we usually say brochos over Mitvos that we do.
Since it's a Mitzvah to tell over the story of going out of Egypt on the first night of Pesach [as it even says in the ...
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Suggestion on "HItlamed" application [closed]
I am making a mobile app called "Hitlamed" that will provide the Mishna Torah, Torah, Talmud, Guide for the Perplexed, Nevi'im, Ketuvim, oral Torah and Zohar free of charge in English and ...
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If one eats Matzah without leaning, does one need to make another Brocho on the Matza?
BH
The general law in the Gemara and brought in the Rambam and Shulchan Aruch is that one needs to lean while eating Matzah and drinking the 4 cups.
The question is: Is the leaning an essential ...
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Does the Torah teach, that mountains have an extension below the mountain’s base?
Job 28:9 “They put their hand to the flinty rock,and overturn mountains by the roots מִשֹּׁ֣רֶשׁ.
the word מִשֹּׁ֣רֶשׁ is used literally for a root of tree or shrub,as in Jeremiah 17:8
Does the Torah, ...
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What are the best books to read to get familiar with Jewish philosophy?
I'm looking to spend about 3 months learning Jewish philosophy pretty intensely. I'm looking for recommendations on what are the best books to read, which ones may be too complex, and how I should ...
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Are there any midrashim that state Shechem and Dinah were in love or that it was consensual?
It is written in Bereshit that Shechem "defiled" Dinah, and all opinions I've learned agree that it was rape, but are there any that dissent? I wonder if "defiled" could also apply ...
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Why did Haman make both a lottery AND gallows to reach the 50th gate?
BH
It says in the Maamer Al Kayn Karoo, 5750 that Haman [harasha] knew that according to Seder Histalshiloos, he would have no chance to [chos vishlom] win over the Yidden, since Seder Histalshiloos ...
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Who teaches Tanakh?
I would like to study Tanakh in its entirety with a focus on dikduk, hebrew language, basic meaning/commentators, and possibly cantillation. I am not very self-motivated so I would prefer to join a ...
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Is Chumash and Judaism relevant to a non-Jew like me?
Personal story & question.
Signed up just to ask this. I'm a non-Jew (that's why I'm posting this on Shabbat) and I've been learning about Judaism for the last couple of years or so. There isn't ...
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Mekor that Learning Coincides with Each Other
Many times when I am learning from 2 separate sources, it amazes me the Hasgacha Pratis how well they coincide with each other (especially when it comes to the various Yomis), that one will mention ...
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What was the general skin color of ancient Israelis?
There are lots of claims that ancient Israelis were black/brown/white or even east-asian looking?
So which one is accurate is there any evidence from Torah or from other biblical resource?
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Short prayer after a vort or dvar torah
I've recently moved to a new area and the Shul that I now attend will often give a vort at the end of Shacharit and Maariv before allowing mourners to say another Kaddish. I've never heard it before ...
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Question about Rashi being taught by angels
Is there a Torah source (or sources) claiming Rashi was taught his Torah commentary by malachim? I remember hearing this many years ago from one of my uncles, but I haven't been able to find any ...
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How did the Shitim tree grow in the desert?
According to the Mefarshim, the source for the woods for the Mishkan was the Cedar trees that Yakov planted in his way to Egypt. According to the size of the woods needed for the Mishkan the mefarshim ...
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On what ascending did "Moses seeing God tying crowns on the letters" happen?
To elaborate on Maurice's question "what-did-moses-understand...":
"Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: When Moses ascended on High, he found the Holy One, Blessed be He, sitting and tying ...
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Introduction to Responsa Literature
I haven't spent much time studying Responsa Literature. Which works would serve as a good introduction? Which respona are essential to a good personal learning program?
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How do we reconcile between genesis and Science about livestock that created after bird [duplicate]
How do we reconcile between genesis and science , I mean those which said livestock created after bird and fish , just completely and blatantly against science , this alone could knock down ...
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"Put your hand under my thigh" clarification [duplicate]
Genesis 24:2
And Abraham said to his slave, the oldest in his house, the one who
ruled in all that was to him. Please put your hand under my thigh.
What does "under my thigh" means? Does ...
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Meaning of the Verses
Genesis 23:15-16
15 My master, hear me; the land is worth four hundred shekels of
silver; what is that between me and you? and bury your dead.
16 And Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed to ...
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