Questions tagged [translation]
Questions about translation in general, or about translation of specific words in Jewish texts.
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1answer
54 views
How to translate this prayer? [on hold]
How to translate this prayer to hebrew?
Oh G-d, hear my prayer,
accept it and answer,
come and visit my life.
Lead me,
be a light/lamp to my feet/legs*.
Let me to know your will,
give me ...
3
votes
1answer
54 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 ...
-2
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0answers
45 views
Does Sefaria use a different translation source from resources like Chabad? [duplicate]
I stumbled upon Sefaria a few years ago and I found it to be a great resources for digital access to the spectrum of Jewish texts/writings. Especially for commentaries that are included.
Something ...
1
vote
2answers
26 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.
1
vote
1answer
66 views
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
38 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
votes
1answer
66 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
vote
1answer
31 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
vote
1answer
68 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 ...
1
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0answers
67 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
votes
2answers
146 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
94 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
61 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
46 views
Was the Sheiltot of Rav Achai Gaon ever translated?
Does anyone know if the Sheiltot was ever translated into English?
0
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2answers
41 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
0
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0answers
95 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
111 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 ...
4
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0answers
35 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 ...
2
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0answers
71 views
What is the best translation of the Tanakh with commentary? [closed]
I am looking for a good translation of the Tanakh with commentary.
4
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0answers
68 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 ...
1
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0answers
52 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
vote
1answer
55 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
votes
2answers
70 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
votes
4answers
521 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
votes
1answer
140 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
votes
1answer
74 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
votes
1answer
98 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
votes
1answer
66 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 ...
1
vote
0answers
27 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
138 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
41 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
66 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
144 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
vote
1answer
20 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
76 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
41 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
304 views
Translation of “Ashrei”
What is the correct translation of "Ashrei"? For ages every siddur translated it as "happy". But in recent decades, Artscroll decided it was "praiseworthy" and Chabad decided it was "fortunate".
...
0
votes
2answers
329 views
Genesis 4:7 Timshol-bo
The verse of Genesis 4:7 ends with the words תמשל-בו (timshol-bo), and is often translated as 'you shall rule over it'.
But the prefix Bet often means 'in', 'with', 'at' or 'on'. Maybe there some ...
4
votes
0answers
60 views
Representing מִשְׁפָּט in English?
I was wondering how Jewish people understand this word with a specific interest in how it is best translated into English. In case it’s context specific here’s an example from Ezekiel (5:7) I was ...
4
votes
2answers
79 views
(Why) Does Mishlei 25:23 say that “the north wind begets rain”?
A relative of mine who works in the aviation and meteorology industry is grappling with the pasuk in Mishlei 25:23, which reads:
"As the north wind begets rain, so a backbiting tongue [begets] an ...
5
votes
2answers
674 views
Do Jews today consider the King James translation of the Old Testament to be acceptably accurate?
It is my understanding that Jewish tradition holds considerable reverence for accurate translations of its scripture. Do Jews today consider the King James translation known as the Old Testament to ...
0
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1answer
78 views
commentary on deut. 18:22 Ramban
I'm looking for an english translation of commentary on deut. (18, 22) by Ramban. Where is it possible to find it?
Thank you
4
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0answers
173 views
Sefaria and Rabbinic Endorsements
Sefaria is a popular and novel Web site with various translations of holy texts; are any rabbinic authorities on record as endorsing or forbidding it? Translations can be subjective, it is inevitable ...
3
votes
2answers
132 views
Nachalah vs. Morasha
On a biblical level, what is the difference (if any) between נחלה and מורשה?
We find both שרשים being used in various forms, for example:
(Deut. 32:8-9) בהנחל עליון גוים...יעקב חבל נחלתו.
(Duet. 33:...
0
votes
2answers
69 views
“Tekhelet=Turquoise Wool”?
In the Artscroll Chumash B'midbar 15:38, Tekhelet is translated as "Turquoise wool". Does anyone have information on how 'wool' is derived from the word 'tekhelet' or from the verse in which it is ...
9
votes
2answers
189 views
What does בהאנרעלזשולע mean?
In Shu"t Melamid L'hoil OC 61 (written by Rav Hoffman in Germany circa 1900) below it is asked about a child who is told to write something (with something?) בהאנרעלזשולע on shabbas and if he doesn't ...
2
votes
1answer
42 views
Why is the title “אדם” considered important?
In the pasuk (Vayikra 13:2), sefaria translates:
אָדָ֗ם כִּֽי־יִהְיֶ֤ה בְעוֹר־בְּשָׂרוֹ֙ שְׂאֵ֤ת אֽוֹ־סַפַּ֙חַת֙ א֣וֹ
בַהֶ֔רֶת וְהָיָ֥ה בְעוֹר־בְּשָׂר֖וֹ לְנֶ֣גַע צָרָ֑עַת וְהוּבָא֙
אֶל־...
-1
votes
1answer
133 views
Proper translation of עכו''ם
The term עכו''ם appears frequently in halachic literature, and it is an acronym of עובדי כוכבים ומזלות, which literally means "worshippers of stars and omens." However, it seems that in most contexts ...
0
votes
1answer
80 views
What does אֲפִיקוֹמָן mean?
Although much has been discussed here regarding the various customs surrounding the afikoman, none seem to address what the word אֲפִיקוֹמָן means. What is its definition and where does it derive from?...
1
vote
1answer
56 views
What is the inherent connection between 5 and being armed? [closed]
Throughout Rav Hirsch's commentary on the Torah we find a deeper connection between related words. (i.e. Vayikra (5:15) "מַעַל is related to the me’il – robe of the Kohen gadol – as begged “garment” ...
