Questions tagged [translation]
Questions about translation in general, or about translation of specific words in Jewish texts.
333
questions
1
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1answer
68 views
Translation of Radak's commentary
I am still learning Hebrew, so some aid in translating this short passage would be much appreciated. Seems to say something about the Babylonian exile and regarding kere and ketiv?
Radak's commentary ...
2
votes
3answers
121 views
Can the word Cushi be used for non-blacks?
I came across an argument that the word Cushi can be used for both non-blacks and gentiles. They argued that Moses married a Cushi, yet Moses' wife, according to Rashi, was not actually black. ...
0
votes
0answers
61 views
Sefer השולחן הטהור translated into Hebrew or English please?
Is there a translation from the Yiddish to Hebrew or English of the 19-page Sefer השולחן הטהור
by אברהם דוד ליפשיץ?
0
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0answers
33 views
Non-Hebrew words in the Torah? [duplicate]
The Torah says, about the commandment on tefillin:
וּקְשַׁרְתָּ֥ם לְא֖וֹת עַל־יָדֶ֑ךָ וְהָי֥וּ לְטֹטָפֹ֖ת בֵּ֥ין עֵינֶֽיךָ׃ -- And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand and they shall be for ...
7
votes
1answer
107 views
A question about King Ptolemy and his wife Arnevet
In connection with the production of the Septuagint at the request of King Ptolemy, the Talmud says:
And [in listing unclean animals], instead of writing “And the hare [אַרְנֶבֶת -- arnevet]”, [the ...
2
votes
2answers
56 views
What is the precise meaning of the word “avicha”?
I search the meaning of the word "Avicha" (not sure how it is written in hebrew. I have seen it used in the terms "Mussar Avicha", "Birchos Avicha", "elohai avicha&...
-3
votes
0answers
50 views
In Exodus 12:13 - Does HaShem actually say 'Spare' instead of 'Pass [over]'?
Rashi comments on Shemot 12:13, stating:
ופסחתי — This signifies I WILL SPARE you; similar to this is, (Isaiah 31:5) “Sparing (פסוח) and delivering”. (This is the explanation of Menachem ben Seruk). ...
4
votes
3answers
70 views
What's the connection between שחר (morning/light) and שחור (black)?
How do we understand the connection between שחר (morning/light) and שחור (black) which seem to be opposites of the spectrum? (The definition should also be able to fit into 'shaver' as Rashi in Beitza ...
3
votes
1answer
95 views
Yosef or Yose? Which is the correct name?
Why does Mishnah Chagigah 2 say "Yosef" in the translation, rather than "Yose"? Is this a mistake?
For both Yose's, this word, "יוֹסֵי", is used. Why did the translator ...
1
vote
1answer
80 views
How does Rashi elucidate on this passage?
Moed Katan 16b states that a righteous person can nullify the decree of God. How does Rashi explain this?
Rashi says:
צור ישראל - מושל באדם אני מי מושל בי צדיק מושל בי ומבטלה
I have a vague idea of ...
0
votes
1answer
82 views
English Translation Error in Psalm 118:26 on Chabad.org?
If we go online to chabad.org and read the English translation of Psalm 118:26, we currently read:
"Blessed be he who has come in the name of the Lord; we have blessed you in the name of the Lord."
...
0
votes
3answers
103 views
Translate Rashi's commentary regarding Rabbi Sheila
Rabbi Sheila says:
And the Torah said: If one comes to kill you, kill him first. He struck him with the staff and killed him.
Yet, Rabbi Sheila does not provide any verse from the Torah. Could ...
4
votes
1answer
130 views
Can someone translate this excerpt?
Could someone translate the following from Rashi's commentary on the Talmud:
במחשכים הושיבני - שאין נוחין זה עם זה ותלמודם ספק בידם
I'm interested in what Rashi has to say regarding Rabbi Yirmeya's ...
1
vote
1answer
40 views
What is the translation of מתא הוא ואיכא טובא: ? and SAY"D 334.44
I'm learning SAY"D #334.44 and I have some difficulty in translation.
Particularly two expressions that both happen to have have "meta" or "mayytei."
Below is what I have so ...
0
votes
1answer
76 views
Can you translate Rabbi Yosef's commentary on Shabbat 146a?
Could someone translate the following:
בשעה שבא נחש על חוה. פשט המאמר הוא כמו שאמרו המפרשים ז"ל, דלא בא עליה ח"ו ביאה ממשית גופא בגופא, אלא ביאה מחשבית והטיל בה זוהמא בראיה, ואותה הזוהמא ...
2
votes
0answers
58 views
What is the value of the Septuagint for Judaism?
Translations of the Tanach into Aramaic (targumim) have been accepted as authoritative and shed light on the meaning of some Hebrew words and expressions. They are freely used by commentators. But ...
8
votes
2answers
148 views
The Rabbis of the Septuagint
I’m familiar with the Talmudic account of the Septuagint, but I would like to know if there are any sources/Midrashim that allude to who the 70 rabbis/scholars were and why THEY were chosen to ...
7
votes
2answers
162 views
On Purim, is it permitted to read an English translation while listening to the Megillah reading?
On Purim, is it permitted to read an English translation while listening to the Megillah reading?
I know it is a mitzvah to listen to every word of the Megillah reading. However, I don't understand ...
1
vote
0answers
46 views
Are Maran Ovadiah Yosef's lectures translated?
Where can I find English transcribed lectures of Maran Ovadiah Yosef, if such a thing exists?
I've come across some clips of his lectures on YouTube that have Hebrew transcriptions and sometimes ...
0
votes
0answers
57 views
English translation of She'eilas Yaavetz 1:41 about shituf for Gentiles
I would need to read an English translation of the passage in She'eilas Yaavetz 1:41 where Rav Emden analyzes the different cases of shituf in relation to the Gentiles. Could please someone get it ...
2
votes
0answers
66 views
Where may I read Sefer Mitzvot Gadol online in English?
Does anyone know where I can read an online English translation of Sefer Mitzvot Gadol?
Note: I've checked Sefaria, but they don't have an English translation.
2
votes
0answers
63 views
Megillah 9a: Translating the Torah to Greek
The Gemara in Megillah 9a tells the story of Ptolemy forcing the sages to translate the Torah. Does anyone know of other accounts of this story. I'm especially curious why Ptolemy had the Sages ...
0
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0answers
104 views
English translation of Iggeres Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai
Is there an English translation available of Iggeres Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai?
0
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0answers
46 views
Why does the shva in Bereishit 1:2 express “vav” as an adverb (Now) in JPS 1917 translation?
Why does the shva cause the "vav" to be expressed in English as an adverb Now : "Ve" (וְ) instead of the conjunction And : "Va" (וַ), "Ve" (וְ), "U" (...
2
votes
1answer
36 views
What is the translation of הרכבה מזגית / הרכבה שכונית?
In the introduction to Shev Shmattsa letter 'מ' he talks about various cases of two things that combine to become one (the guf and the neshama, a mule, someone who is half eved half ben chorin, etc). ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
English translation of Kuzari Sheini
Does anyone know of an online English translation of the Kuzari Sheini by R' David Nieto?
2
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0answers
38 views
Hebrew verbs in the Creation [duplicate]
Genesis 1 uses three distinct verbs when describing the Creation:
Strong's #
Hebrew
Transliteration
English
Verses
H1254
בָּרָא
bara'
to create
1, 21, 27
H1961
הָיְתָ֥ה
hayah
to be
2, 3, 14
H6213
...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
Leviticus 4:20 in most English bible translations use “atonement” which is poor translation of Hebrew's kaphar (cover)
This is a follow-up question to the previous:
Similarity between atonement in Leviticus 4:20 & cover in Genesis 6:14 in terms of semantics, wording/phrasing, lettering/grammer, pronunciation?
...
3
votes
1answer
40 views
Rashi quoting Targum more in Mikeitz
Although Rashi ordinarily quotes old French every now and then throughout his commentary on the Torah, it seems like the beginning of Mikeitz is particularly filled with those translations. For ...
1
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0answers
62 views
Tikkune Zohar English Translation Online
Is there an online English translation to Tikkune Zohar? If so where do I find it .
2
votes
0answers
38 views
What is the root/deeper meaning of ממילא? [closed]
I am trying to understand what the word means and what its root is. How it comes to translate into "automatically" or "by itself", etc. What words is it related to? What is the ...
2
votes
1answer
108 views
Clarifications on Mishneh Torah (Ishut 10:16)
הַמְאָרֵס אֶת בִּתּוֹ קְטַנָּה וּתְבָעָהּ הַבַּעַל לְנִשּׂוּאִין. בֵּין הִיא בֵּין אָבִיהָ יְכוֹלִין לְעַכֵּב שֶׁלֹּא תִּנָּשֵׂא עַד שֶׁתַּגְדִּיל וְתֵעָשֶׂה נַעֲרָה וְאִם רָצָה לְכָנְסָהּ כּוֹנֵס. ...
6
votes
1answer
415 views
Any known translations of the Talmudim et al into classical languages, prior to the 19th century?
Through the 19th and 20th centuries, the Bavli and Yerushalmi were fully or partially translated into English, French, German, Arabic and Italian.
Are there any extant translations of the Talmudim and/...
1
vote
1answer
62 views
What is the origin of the word פְּלַסְתֵּר?
The Gemara Berachos (31b) writes
אֵלֵךְ וְאֶסְתַּתֵּר בִּפְנֵי אֶלְקָנָה בַּעֲלִי, וְכֵיוָן דְּמִסְתַּתַּרְנָא מַשְׁקוּ לִי מֵי סוֹטָה, וְאִי אַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה תּוֹרָתְךָ פְּלַסְתֵּר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״...
0
votes
1answer
68 views
Translating Maggid Mishneh (Issurei Biah 12:10)
My previous three questions on this topic dealt with the Rambam's original text, touching upon matters of both translation and interpretation, the two being inexorably linked; in this follow-up, ...
-1
votes
1answer
69 views
Why is חֲבַצֶּ֣לֶת traditionally translated as a “Rose” (וֶרֶד), instead of an “Onion” (בָּצָל)?
In reference to the megillah שִׁ֥יר הַשִּׁירִ֖ים Chapter 2 : verse 1, the Ivri (עִבְרִי) word "חֲבַצֶּ֣לֶת" is translated as Rose "וֶרֶד". - When using Google translate, Rose and ...
1
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1answer
181 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 ...
1
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0answers
26 views
What’s the difference between בכי and דמעה? Also, are there additional terms for tears in לשון הקודש [closed]
Is there a difference between בכי and דמעה and if yes, what is it?
0
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1answer
69 views
Ambiguity in the Rambam: Does בְּזָדוֹן Imply Mutual Consent?
This is a follow-up to my previous question:
In the following excerpt, does the term בְּזָדוֹן imply mutual consent, or simply a unilateral decision on the part of one of the two people involved, ...
2
votes
1answer
182 views
What is the original meaning of the Hebrew word שְׁכִינָה?
While שְׁכִינָה doesn't occur in the תנ״ך, the verb of its root שָׁכַן does, as well as שֵׁ֫כֶן … n.m. dwelling [physical structure]; שָׁכֵן … adj. inhabitant, neighbor; מִשְׁכָּן … dwelling-place, ‘...
0
votes
1answer
107 views
inscription on Chagall's “White Crucifixion”? [closed]
What does the inscription on Chagall's painting White Crucifixion say?
Isn't John 19:19 ("Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews") written ישוע הנצרי ומלך היהודים in Hebrew?
0
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2answers
143 views
Ambiguity in the Rambam: Who Is Pursuing Whom?
The following has already been translated, but upon closer examination, something seems amiss:
אֲבָל יִשְׂרָאֵל הַבָּא עַל הַכּוּתִית ... כֵּיוָן שֶׁבָּא עַל הַכּוּתִית בְּזָדוֹן הֲרֵי זוֹ נֶהֱרֶגֶת ...
1
vote
1answer
86 views
Where can I find an English translation of the Hebrew “Sefer ben ha-melekh we-ha-nazir” or “Book of the Prince and the Ascetic” story?
Here is an article about the story: https://journals.openedition.org/crm/13772#text
It was written by Abraham Ibn Hisday in the 13th century, roughly based on the Christian legend of Barlaam and ...
1
vote
0answers
26 views
What does Nichar mean as a way killing animals? [duplicate]
Yoreh Deah 16:9
אין איסור" אותו ואת בנו" אלא בשחיטה בלבד, שנאמר "לא תשחטו". אבל אם ניחר (פי' ענין הנחירה הוא שתוחב הסכין בנחיריו וחותך) את הראשון, או נתנבל בידו – מותר לשחוט השני. ...
5
votes
2answers
987 views
Other gods or gods of others?
I have recently noted that the phrase אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים is consistently translated by Artscroll as gods of others, suggesting a construct state or semikhut. However, as Joel K pointed out, the ...
-1
votes
1answer
116 views
Masoretic v Septuagint
Having come across some claims, and some websites, there seems to be a disagreement between the Masoretic and Septuagint scrolls/texts and that one is more or less reliable than the other.
Are there ...
-1
votes
1answer
97 views
Is there precedence in Jewish history for translating Psalm XXII 17 “they pierced my hands and my feet”? [closed]
According to Alexander Harkavy's Jewish translation of the Tanakh called "The Holy Scriptures" (first published 1916, reprinted 1936 & 1951) the ending of Psalm XXII 17 reads "they ...
2
votes
1answer
54 views
Translating Ramban on Dovid Hamelech's birth/ancestry
I am trying to learn this with a friend but I am having trouble translating - any help would be great! Does anyone know according to Ramban what is the miracle involved in the birth of Dovid Hamelech/...
1
vote
1answer
129 views
Barternura in English Online
We have a few English translations of Barternura at sefaria. Is there any site that offers a full English translation of Barternura's commentary of Mishnayot online?
1
vote
1answer
98 views
English translation of Tur Yoreh Deah
I am looking for a translation of the Tur's Yoreh Deah, specifically siman 335. I have not been able to find a translation online anywhere. Sefaria has some of it, but not that siman. Thank you for ...
