Questions tagged [translation]
Questions about translation in general, or about translation of specific words in Jewish texts.
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Whose interpretation about different Nikkud is brought in Nedarim 37b?
The Gemmorah in Nedorim 37b says (thanks Kazi):
אמר רבי יצחק מקרא סופרים ועיטור סופרים
וקריין ולא כתיבן וכתיבן ולא קריין הלכה למשה מסיני.
מקרא סופרים אָרֶץ שָׁמַיִם מִצְרַיִם
The ...
1
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1answer
145 views
Is there any Jewish translation of the Hebrew Bible that is available in several different languages worldwide?
From what I understand, the Jewish tradition is very insistent that translations of the Hebrew Bible accurately reflect the original text.
Because of this, several Jewish English Bible translations ...
2
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2answers
133 views
What is Chulda and Bardelas
The gemara in Pesachim 9b states:
שהטילה נפל לבור
…..
חכמים וטיהרוהו מפני שחולדה וברדלס מצויין שם
(translation from Sefaria) who threw a stillborn baby into a pit, ... and a priest ...
1
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2answers
74 views
Meaning of the last sentence of the kaddish?
The last sentence of the kaddish - "עושה שלום במרומיו" -refers to Gd making peace on high.
What does that mean? Is peace considered the opposite of chaos? Could someone restate the last sentence ...
-1
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0answers
45 views
The meaning of the vav
Song of Songs 1:5 says:
שְׁחוֹרָ֤ה אֲנִי֙ וְֽנָאוָ֔ה
It is usually translated as "I am black BUT comely". Doesn't the Hebrew translate to "I am black AND comely"? There is a difference, of course, ...
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2answers
82 views
“Black and comely” or “Black but comely”
Song of Songs 1:5 says:
שְׁחוֹרָ֤ה אֲנִי֙ וְֽנָאוָ֔ה
It is frequently translated as "I am black BUT comely". Doesn't the Hebrew translate to "I am black AND comely"? There is a difference, of ...
1
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2answers
34 views
What do these phrases mean, “come as one” and “teach a precedent”?
What do these phrases mean, "come as one" and "teach a precedent"?
I think "come as one" means, they "are both the same" (?), but I am not sure this is the meaning of this in the phrase quoted below.
...
1
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1answer
48 views
What is the translation of the word Talmud and Gemara and why those words?
The word Talmud and Gemara is used to refer to the written down Oral Law (written down somewhere between 500CE-1000CE?). What is the English translation of those two words and why were they chosen/...
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1answer
18 views
English translation of R’ Bachya on Sefaria
Regarding the English translation of Rabbenu Bachya’s commentary on Chumash, how much of the English translation was uploaded to the Sefaria site? I see that the introduction to Bereshis was left ...
0
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1answer
18 views
Meaning of Purim
What is the origin/meaning of the word Purim? I always assumed it meant the multiple lots of Haman, but I just heard a shiur saying the word Purim comes from "pirurin" - little things - of the ...
1
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2answers
39 views
Learning to translate the Shulchan Aruch
How can I get good at translating the Shulchan Aruch? Due to the fact that a lot of the words are more of a Rabbinic Hebrew rather then a Modern Hebrew, it's harder to translate without an English-...
2
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2answers
57 views
Dealing with translation differences when reading in English
As I learn more Hebrew, I still daven and read things like Tehillim in English for the most part.
Many sources casually say that English is as good as Hebrew when you daven/read alone.
However, what ...
4
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0answers
36 views
Do we apply עושה מעשה עמך consistently anywhere it says עמך?
The Gemara in several places (BM 48b and 62a, Yevamos 22b, Sanhedrin 85a, BB 4a, BK 94b, Makkos 8b) quotes the exposition
ונשיא בעמך לא תאור - בעושה מעשה עמך
“A prince in your people you shall ...
3
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2answers
82 views
What does the Rambam mean by “velo yishtomem”?
The Rambam uses an unusual word in Hilchos Yesodei Hatorah 5:11: ולא ישתומם, which is translated on Sefaria as "and does not act so ridiculously".
I am not criticizing this translation, rather I am ...
3
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2answers
422 views
Mac or PC computer file Bencher in Hebrew and English
I would like to get (for free or for pay) a bencher in Hebrew and English, similar to Artscroll, one side Hebrew and one side English in pdf format that I can open on a Mac or a PC and do some changes....
1
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1answer
24 views
Does Shalom/“peace” need Genizah?
It is known that Shalom is a name of Hashem, thus it is forbidden to say it as salutation in some places.
And also, to not write it in a letter, because the risk of the receiver throwing it to the bin....
3
votes
1answer
65 views
Yoash what does it mean
I’ve a short question about the biblical name Yoash (יאש or יואש or יהואש, see e.g. מלכים ב:י"ב:ב), online I came across the meaning of: ‘HaShem has given’ or ‘Given by HaShem’, many times. But how ...
1
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2answers
51 views
Where can find the Iggeret Hashemad of the Rambam online in English?
Where can find the Iggeret Hashemad of the Rambam online in English? There are lots of scholarly resources talking about it, but I am unable to find the words of Rambam complete in translation.
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6answers
213 views
Correct translation of “לא תרצח” - Thou shalt not kill or murder?
There are, basically, two English translations of the Sixth Commandment - "לא תרצח" (Ex 20:13 and Deut 5:17): some read "kill", some read "murder".
Murder seems more accurate since there is ...
1
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1answer
46 views
Translation (or searchable version) of *Sefer Elim* of Rabbi Joseph Solomon Delmedigo
Does there exist any translation of the Sefer Elim of Rabbi Joseph Solomon Delmedigo into a European language? If not, does there at least exist a text-version of the original Hebrew version (all I ...
3
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1answer
162 views
Where can I find a transliterated; translated Tanakh?
I'm looking for a Tanakh that has the following specifications:
The original Hebrew text
Transliteration of that text into the Latin alphabet
English translation
Does anyone know where I could find ...
1
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1answer
35 views
Which translation is the most accurate for the phrase “העוֹנה לתפלת חסיד ידשׁן בּטוֹב חיינוּ ושׁנה טוֹבה ישׁלח לבית ישׂראל עמנוּ”?
My suggestions:
העוֹנה לתפלת חסיד
The response/answer to the prayer of a righteous person
The return to prayer of a righteous person
The season of prayer of a righteous person
ידשׁן בּטוֹב חיינוּ
is a ...
1
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1answer
132 views
Has the “Mäṣḥafä Kedus” (Holy Scriptures) of Beta Israel been translated into English?
From Wikipedia:
Mäṣḥafä Kedus (Holy Scriptures) is the name for the religious literature. The language of the writings is Ge'ez. The holiest book is the Orit (from Aramaic "Oraita" – "Torah") which ...
2
votes
0answers
88 views
Is there a surviving Jewish translation of the entire Masoretic Text in Greek?
Please don't say "the Septuagint" because I know that this has fallen out of favor among most modern Jews (the only exception being Beta Israel, which I believe still uses it - correct me if I am ...
3
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2answers
155 views
What are the different types of oaths mentioned in Kol Nidre?
I have a vague idea of what a Neder (an oath affecting an object's status) and a Shevuah (an oath affecting oneself) are based on cursory study of the Talmud, but what are the other 5 or so types of ...
1
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2answers
117 views
The meaning of ירך
I’m unclear as to the meaning of the word ירך that appears in Vayishlach, in 32:26. What’s the precise meaning of ירך often translated as hip, thigh, loin, gird etc. Which body part, bone or muscle is ...
1
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1answer
65 views
The introduction to the translation of Al Charizi
In Shem Hagdolim in the section on Pirush Hamishna, the author quotes the introductions of various translators of the Rambam's Pirush Hamishna.
שם הגדולים מערכת ספרים אות פ [לט] פירוש המשנה של הרמב"...
2
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0answers
64 views
Was the Sheiltot of Rav Achai Gaon ever translated?
Does anyone know if the Sheiltot was ever translated into English?
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2answers
52 views
Hebrew phrase/term and pronunciation for “the Lord is my high ridge” from Psalm 18.2
I would really appreciate to know the original Hebrew phrase/term and its pronunciation for "the Lord is my high ridge" from Psalm 18.2
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0answers
103 views
Why does the Steinstalz Talmud interpret this one sentence in contradiction to Rashi?
A sentence towards the bottom of Sanhedrin page 5b speaks of kneading dough in a state of impurity. In the English Koren edition, Rabbi Steinsaltz translates this as meaning the people were impure. ...
0
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1answer
118 views
Can you help me translate an inscription on an amulet for a friend?
Can anyone help translate the inscription in the image below?
This is from a necklace/amulet that a friend picked up in Jerusalem many years ago. She asked me to translate it since I took some ...
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0answers
41 views
Understanding the parameters of translating the pesukim
In Kiddushin 49a R' Yehuda makes the following statement
ר' יהודה אומר המתרגם פסוק כצורתו הרי זה בדאי והמוסיף עליו הרי זה מחרף ומגדף
One who translates a verse literally is a liar, one who ...
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0answers
84 views
What is the best translation of the Tanakh with commentary? [closed]
I am looking for a good translation of the Tanakh with commentary.
5
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0answers
128 views
What is the difference between Ish and Zachar in Leviticus 20:13?
Leviticus 20:13 brings the prohibition of homosexuality:
וְאִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִשְׁכַּ֤ב אֶת־זָכָר֙ מִשְׁכְּבֵ֣י אִשָּׁ֔ה תֹּועֵבָ֥ה עָשׂ֖וּ שְׁנֵיהֶ֑ם מֹ֥ות יוּמָ֖תוּ דְּמֵיהֶ֥ם בָּֽם׃
And if a ...
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0answers
55 views
What is the most effective way to translate non-Hebrew translations found in Rabbinic literature?
Non-Hebrew translations are often included by our Sages when attempting to clarify words or concepts.
There are myriad examples in RaSh"I (Shemot 5:7) and Hizquni (Wayiqra 11:16). For relatively ...
1
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1answer
57 views
Meaning of ונתחזק
In the famous phrase: חזק חזק ונתחזק
What exactly does the word נתחזק v’nitchazek/v’nitchazak mean?
I’ve seen different translations like:
“may we be strenghtened”
“ let us be strenghtened”
“ les ...
0
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2answers
82 views
Section of the Zohar before Magid — English Translation
At the Pesach Seder, before Magid, some say the portion from the Zohar "פקודא בתר דא". Where can I find an English translation of this?
5
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4answers
541 views
What is the best translation of the word נַעַר?
So I have been studying the meaning of the Hebrew word נַעַר. I understand that it's difficult to always find exact translations of certain words in the Hebrew vocabulary, but I have found in my ...
8
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1answer
144 views
What does it mean that “his face became blackened” in the Gemara?
Throughout the Gemara we see times when someone's face is described as becoming blackened, due to fasts or other things like intense learning. (Example: Sotah 12a) What does this mean?
6
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1answer
91 views
Yasis alayich, not yasos
The gemara in megillah 10b and Sanhedrin 39b make a diyuk from the word 'yasis', as opposed to 'yasos' in devarim 28,63 that Hashem makes our enemies happy when we sin but he himself is not happy.
In ...
2
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1answer
107 views
What is a kilbis fish?
The Gemara (Avodah Zarah 40a) mentions that if you find a "kilbis" (כילבית) fish in fish brine you can eat it. What does a "kilbis" fish translate out to in English?
5
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1answer
73 views
To whom did Reish Lakish sell himself?
In Gittin 46b-47a it discusses the laws when one sells himself to a non-Jew. There it recounts that Reish Lakish sold himself to the Ludai (לודאי). Rashi (end of 46b) and Sefer haAruch explain that ...
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0answers
35 views
Chalom meaning aspiration [closed]
In both English and Modern Hebrew, the word for dream means both what goes on in the brain when asleep and an aspiration (e.g. I dream to finish shas/get 50 upvotes on my MiYodeya question).
Is this ...
3
votes
2answers
173 views
What does “Yeshuos Panai” mean exactly?
I am a bit confused on the wording of Tehillim 42. Verse 6 states:
:מַה־תִּֽשְׁתּ֬וֹחֲחִ֨י | נַפְשִׁי֘ וַתֶּֽהֱמִ֪י עָ֫לָ֥י הוֹחִ֣ילִי לֵֽ֖אלֹהִים כִּי־ע֥וֹד אוֹדֶ֗נּוּ יְשׁוּע֥וֹת פָּנָֽיו
...
0
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1answer
50 views
Why does שמי שמים mean “the loftiest heavens”?
In the Artscroll translation of מנוחה ושמחה (The Interlinear Family Zemiros p.58), it translates the phrase שְׁמֵי שָׁמַיִם as "the loftiest heavens". What is the etymology of the first word in this ...
2
votes
1answer
70 views
What is a “fishtran” fish?
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Siman 10, Sief 1
.(וְיֵשׁ לִמְשֹׁחַ הָרְצועוֹת תָּדִיר בְּשֻׁמָּן שֶׁיִּהְיוּ
שְׁחוֹרִים (וְלֹא יִמְשְׁחֵם בְּשֻׁמָּן דָּג הַנִּקְרָא פִישְׁטְרָאן
כִּי הוּא מִדָּג טָמֵא
...
3
votes
1answer
172 views
Is there a “most trusted” translation for the Pirkei Avot - ethics of our fathers?
I always seem to have this issue when choosing Jewish texts. I never know if certain books are more trusted than others. I was curious if there was a version of the Pirkei Avot that is considered the ...
1
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1answer
22 views
Atzeret to gather or store?
Atzeret (עצרת) comes from the root עצר which means (nifal, as a verb) to stop, be delayed or to be arrested.
But I also heard that R.S.Hirsch explains it means 'to collect, to store or to gather' as ...
2
votes
1answer
100 views
Looking for an english translation of targum onkeles
I am looking for an english orthodox translation of targum onkeles or if a translation doesn't exist maybe a shuir which goes through targum in english on a weekly basis .
Thanks
I looked but did ...
3
votes
1answer
52 views
Mishlei Proverbs 16:4
I found some different translations of Mishlei 16:4. On the chabad.org website it is translated as:
'The Lord made everything for His praise - even the wicked man for the
day of evil'
While the ...
