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.
923
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Any source for this quote or this concept?
I am looking to see if anybody knows a possible source for the concept of a word of Torah being worth 1,000 "yehei shmei rabbahs", based on the story below, taken from https://www.etzahaim....
- 971
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0
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141
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“Einstein ketzos”
Shalom chevra, I have heard that the ketzos hachoshen on the sugya of matana al menas lehachzir is called the “Einstein ketzos”. If someone knows why that is, and can let us know that would be great!
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2
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Denying Moshe's Prophecy
In Parshas Yisro G-D guarantees Moshe that his prophecy will not be doubted by the Jewish nation from hereon "וגם בך יאמינו לעולם". However in Parshas Korach (although not in Korach's ...
- 658
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1
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217
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Does Talmudic-Era Hebrew or Aramaic Distinguish Between Teaching and Learning?
In English, teaching and learning are two distinct verbs, but this is not the case with (many) other languages, where the same word is used to express both concepts. Whilst pondering upon the ...
user18041
2
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2
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216
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Why וַעֲלָמ֖וֹת and not בְּתוּל֖וֹת to be used in Song of Solomon 6:8?
According to Heiser, Michael S. and many Christians, outside of Isaiah 7:14, the word almah occurs only six times in the Old Testament. In all but one of those occurrences, the context provides no ...
- 428
3
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1
answer
271
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Why is learning “non lmaaseh” Sugyas in shas B’iyun prioritized over learning “Halacha lmaaseh sugyas”
What I mean by “non lmaaseh” are sugyas in shas that most probably will very scarcely be nogeah to our daily life. I understand that to learn these sugyas well will give us a deep understanding of how ...
- 394
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155
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With what Halachic work should an Ashkenaz start his learning?
If an Ashkenaz Jew wanted to start diving into the learning halacha are there any sources on which halachic work might be recommended to him to start with?
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122
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What is the significance of the different years in which a fruit is permitted to be eaten?
In parshas Kiddoshim we learn that for the first three years, a fruit may not be eaten at all. Then in the fourth year, it may be taken to Yerushalayim to be eaten. Then finally in the fifth year, it ...
- 403
2
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3
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225
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The meaning of Ezekiel 20:25?
Ezekiel 20:24-26
Because they did not perform My ordinances, and they rejected My statutes and desecrated My Sabbaths, and their eyes were after the idols of their fathers. (25) I, too, gave them ...
- 428
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133
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Was the Talmud available in written form, partially or fully, before the 7th century?
was the Talmud available in written form partially or fully before the 7th century?
or just was transmitted orally?
- 428
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1
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Can “asher yotzar” be called part of Birkas HaTorah?
My chavrusa suggested that the blessings of “al netilas yodoyim” and “asher yotzar” are part of Birkas HaTorah. Is there any evidence for this please? The implication would be that even if a person ...
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1
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Why does Rashi bring the gematria hint of בזאת?
It says on Rashi beginning of Acharei https://www.chabad.org/dailystudy/torahreading.asp?tdate=4/18/2021
with this: בְּזֹאת. Its gematria [numerical value] is 410, an allusion to [the number of years ...
- 403
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What is the intention of the Moshiach proofs from the Torah, brought by Rambam?
In chapter 11 of the laws of kings (and their wars) (https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1188356/jewish/Melachim-uMilchamot-Chapter-11.htm) the Rambam defines the basic obligation to ...
- 403
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2
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Academic Resources for Torah & Talmud Study [closed]
I am looking for specific online resources or fundamental books and guides (online or in print) that are practical and helpful tools for a more 'academic' approach to the study of Tanakh and Talmud. ...
- 2,960
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1
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65
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Why does Tanya chapter 48 exclude spiritual space, yet talk about it?
In Tanya chapter 48 it talks about "sovev kol almin", the light it Hashem that "surrounds" all worlds, then it says that the explanation of the term is not that it "surrounds&...
- 403
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1
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Is davening/learning in a prison cell allowed?
In most prison/custody cells in the UK, and likely elsewhere in the world, there is no seperation between the living/sleeping area and the toilet. Is a person allowed to daven or learn Torah in such a ...
- 219
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3
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503
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Was the concept of Godhead (one God in multiple persons) known to Judaism? [closed]
Was the concept of Godhead (one God, but multiple persons) known to Judaism? Were there Jews that held a Binitarian, Trinitarian or similar "Godhead" theology as a result of studying and ...
user25280
5
votes
1
answer
111
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Why does Rashi in fifth reading of Shmini change from the source?
Regarding Moshe's response to Aharon at the end of the fifth reading of Shmini, Rashi writes that Moshe's response to Aharon (who said if we heard the leniency of eating the one time only sacrifices ...
- 403
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2
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מִלֵּא יָדָם “Ordination” for non-priests? [closed]
According to “Ordination In the Old Testament”
by Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole, Ph.D.
"The phrase “fill the hand,” containing the word mālēᵓ is translated as “consecrate” or “ordain.” The phrase ...
- 428
3
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1
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382
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Should one rend a garment when hearing an important teaching ‘late’?
I noticed that Yoshiyahu HaMelech tore his clothes when hearing Torah ‘late’ (2 Melachim 22:11). Presumably, because he realized he had been ignorant of what the Torah said and he now realized he had ...
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40
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Why does "like the days you went out of Egypt" deal with plural "days"?
In the verse, Michah 7:15, it says "Like the days you went out of Egypt, I'll show them {lit. "him"} wonders", which simply implies that the future redemption will be similar to ...
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2
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169
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Is Job considered a prophet and an Israelite, according to the majority of the rabbis?
According to Wikipedia:
"It is said in Bava Batra that these tannaim necessarily considered Job an Israelite; but R. Chananel ben Chushiel has in his text, "All the Tannaim and Amoraim, with ...
- 428
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1
answer
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If God removed prophecy from the gentiles because of Bilaam's wickedness, how come that Obadiah who was a gentile was a prophet?
According to Midrash, because of Bilaam's wickedness, as emblematic of the wickedness of gentile prophets, God removed prophecy from the gentiles (Midrash Tanchuma, Balak, siman 1).
From the Talmud, ...
- 428
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70
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Gentile Writing Devar Torah [closed]
I am a gentile and I wish to write a commentary on Bereshis 1 that digs somewhat deeply into the Torah. May I do this?
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2
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130
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Any pre 7th century Jewish source, teaches that non-Jewish prophets will never be sent again?
1- were the non-Jewish prophets sent to non-Jewish nations only, and not Jews ? if the answer is Yes
Does it mean there is no way a non-Jewish prophet can ever be sent to the Jews? any textual basis ...
- 428
3
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0
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61
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Kotzker Rebbe on two yetzer haras: One before you and one after you
I heard recently a devar Torah where the Rav quoted the Kotzker Rebbe as saying a phrase in Yiddish (which I don't remember/didn't understand), something of the likes of: "it's late, but never ...
- 19.2k
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101
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How old was Binyamin when he and his brothers went down to meet Yosef
Just like the title reads. Citing the interaction between the brothers and Yosef in Egpyt during the famine retold in Bereishit 42-44, I am curious to know if any mefarshim comment on the age of ...
- 41
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4
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204
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What does 'inspired by God" mean?
Some people say that God wrote the Torah. That is clear and I understand it. Others say that people wrote the Torah. That is also clear and I understand it. Then there are people who say that ...
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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?
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What is considered Limud Torah?
If one wants to learn Torah, and doesn’t want to (in general or in that moment) learn Torah She’Bichtav or Torah She’Baal Peh, what is considered learning Torah? I.e, does Igeret HaRamban count? Does ...
- 1,035
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Why did latter Rabbis study Torah in solitude?
From the Talmudic discourse, it appears that there's a special merit of learning Torah in Beis Midrash especially in Chavrutah or with students.
However, I recognize an emerging pattern of the latter ...
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1
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Introduction to Zeraim
I'm interested in learning the fundamentals of zeraim, and am looking for a good way to familiarize myself with the concepts.
I've seen the Rambam's hakdama to the seder, but it's a little longer than ...
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0
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Diseases that Halachically exempt one from Torah and Mitzvot?
BS"D
I always heard that one who is a שוטה to a certain extent isn't obligated in Torah and Mitzvot. The first time I saw something similar inside is in Rambam Mishneh Torah (Yad Hachazaka) ...
- 254
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0
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41
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Source that learning something about parsha is siman for lishmah
I once heard that if someone incidentally comes across something relating to the parshah during his regular learning, it is a sign that his learning is lishmah. Does anyone have a source for this?
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Nittel Nacht in Israel
Do Gedolim in Israel not learn on Nittel Nacht? The Nitei Gavriel (3:1) writes
בארץ ישראל יש אומרים שאין לחוש לניטל אכן רוב הגדולים חשו לזה גם בא"י
-- Some say it doesn't apply in Israel, but ...
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2
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Refraining from studying Torah on Christian holidays? [duplicate]
Apparently, some Jews mark the Christian holidays by refraining from studying Torah. Does this practice have any roots in halacha? Do the rabbis sanction it? References? The only such restriction ...
- 19.1k
3
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1
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Is there a prohibition against young boys being taught by women?
Isn't there a prohibition against young boys being taught by women? I swore I saw it in the tamud/midrash/tanakh/Torah but I can't seem to find it anymore.
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What does it mean "to be proficient in Shas and Poskim" as said about Talmidi Chachamim? [closed]
One constantly reads in biographies about Gedolim or at a friend's siyum HaShas that mention how the talmid chacham or guy is a bucky and a maeivin in Shas and poskim. See example in this Wikipedia ...
- 254
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100
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Recurring dreams
What is the significance of a recurring dream in Judaism?
I remember in the story of Yosef...that a dream repeating twice in a night means the matter is at hand to be fulfilled but it it repeats with ...
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1
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Where does it say Torah can be interpreted 600,000 ways?
I read:
As Chazal have said, there are six hundred thousand interpretations of every verse of Torah. [Rabbi Shraga Silverstein, Shemirat Lashon I, The Gate of Torah 1:9]
Where does Chazal say that?
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1
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51
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Sfarim vs. Stand-alone sources
BSD
I was learning with my Chavrusa the other day from a source sheet, and he displayed some surprise when I reached for the Sefer where the particular cited source was referenced. Upon asking why I ...
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1
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Why does the Torah require interpretation? [duplicate]
Forgive me my tendency to question the foundations.
I can surely understand the Halachic interpretations and exegesis of the text required to infer practical laws. Without it, we could not probably ...
- 25.5k
1
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1
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159
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Does anyone know of an online source for חידושי רב נחום?
Seeing if anyone knows somewhere online I can get ahold of the sfarim of Nochum Partzovitz on shas.
I think they're called חידושי רב נחום
Thanks!
Edit: Ideally free, but curious either way
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4
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261
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Good quality Shulchan Aruch series, in audio or video?
I want to have an understanding of common Halacha and have an understanding of halacha.
Do you know any good source for good quality Shulchan Aruch series, in audio or video?
- 39
4
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5
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3k
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Looking for a solid Online Semicha
I would love to get a semicha online. ( I have a job and family)
I am looking at it as a mile-stone (a degree I am proud of), not as a source of parnasa .
Any program you know which is trustworthy?
I ...
- 39
1
vote
1
answer
93
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Does one learning individually say the yehi ratzon?
In every Schottenstein Gemara, the front cover comes equipped with two Yehi Ratzon prayers, one before and one after learning. These prayers include phrases that mention learning with a friend/partner....
- 1,035
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1
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151
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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 ...
- 839
2
votes
1
answer
101
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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 ...
- 839
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0
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82
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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 ...
- 29
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1
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185
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Resources that bring out interesting scientific/historic/academic related discussions from the daf?
I have a relative that invests a few hours a day learning daf yomi, yet he recently admitted that he does this solely because he believes it's a good thing thing to do but not because he actually ...
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