Questions tagged [words]
Questions about the definitions, meaning and use of words specific to Judaism or words that carry unique meaning in Jewish law.
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How are the concepts redemption and salvation related in Judaism?
Does the term salvation (or save, yeshua) encompass redemption (geula)? Does redemption concern harm or punishment has already occurred while salvation contemplates future possible future harm? Does ...
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Asking a shaila - not looking for a psak
How does one phrase a request for a Rabbi's opinion on a halachic matter so as not to receive a psak? Are there multiple acceptable expressions?
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What does 'Hashem's Countenance' mean?
What is countenance/פָּנָ֛יו? Face? Something more specific? What is the nimshal?
Always wondered. Thanks.
Apparently I need more words to post the question so, happy Purim everyone!
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Why do we repeat our intent in Musaf?
In the musaf for Shabbat we make the following plea about the future (loose translation mine):
שֶׁתַּעֲלֵנוּ בְשמְחָה לְאַרְצֵנוּ. וְתִטָּעֵנוּ בִּגְבוּלֵנוּ וְשָׁם נַעֲשה לְפָנֶיךָ אֶת קָרְבְּנות ...
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What is chiltis?
Something "sharp" for the purpose of reawakening taste in vessels which are "eino ben yomo" (ones that haven't been used for 24 hours), is a subject of dispute. According to the ...
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Bones and Essence
I believe the root of עֶצֶם/bone, and of עַצמוּת/essence, is the same.
Is there any discussion about metaphorical connections between bones and essence?
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Is there a name for the timeframe when a wife is permissible to her husband?
Is there a name for the time when a woman can have sex with her husband?
The Torah tells married couples not to have sex during the period of niddah, when she menstruates until right before the moment ...
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What does ממנ”פ mean?
I've seen the acronym ממנ”פ in multiple places but I am not sure what it means.
קיצורים וראשי תיבות בעברית indicates that it means ממערכת נשימה פנימית but I am not sure if that is correct.
Here are ...
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How do you interpret the expression עול בחיקו?
This is a metaphor used sometimes, such as in ואם הנהגה של רשע תהיה עול בחיקו של הצדיק למטה (R' Natan Nata Spira, 1585-1633, Megaleh Amukot al Iyov 34). I also read this expression in the R' Salman ...
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Vayimaen (וימאן) Connection
The word וימאן is mentioned 3 times in Sefer Bereishis
Where Yaakov refuses to be consoled over the supposed death of Yosef (37:35)
Where Yosef refuses the advancement of Eishes Potifar (39:8)
Where ...
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Why is Proverbs 22:6 omitted in the Septuagint?
Why is Proverbs 22:6 omitted in the Septuagint?
I don't see anything offensive about Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not depart from it.&...
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Madir vs Mudar vs Noder
What are the roles of מדיר / מודר / נודר when it comes to נדרים?
Originally I thought the Madir is the one who makes the Neder that makes an item forbidden,
The Mudar is the subject to whom the item ...
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The word Apikores
The Word אפיקרסין is mentioned in Yerushalmi Brachos (14-in old prints) to mean a robe. Also in Maseches Avel Rabasi perek 9 and 22. Also in Maseches tzitzis perek aleph.
This word is strikingly ...
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Is the Medrashic understanding at the Akeidah applied elsewhere?
In Bereisheet 22:2, Hashem commanded Avraham וְהַעֲלֵ֤הוּ שָׁם֙ לְעֹלָ֔ה to "raise [his son] up as a sacrifice." Rashi explains that the language was never that Hashem demanded an actual ...
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What is the difference between the different Hebrew words for sin? [duplicate]
What is the difference between transgression, iniquity, and sin?
Exodus 34:7:
נֹשֵׂ֥א עָוֺ֛ן וָפֶ֖שַׁע וְחַטָּאָ֑ה
In the Sefaria translation:
forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin
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Is there a term used to refer to a certain passage from Shemot?
I’m wondering if this passage from Shemot 34:6 is referred to with a “title” or “name”, if you will. There are many variations of the English translation. I like the one below.
I very much love this ...
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What's the difference between פקד and זכר? [duplicate]
וה' פקד את שרה
Would it be the same if the word זכר was used?
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Does Tractate Nedarim never mention the talmudic terminology 'Tanu Rabanan'?
I heard that Nedarim is rare as a Tractate in that it completely omits usage of the phrase Tanu Rabanan (its purpose being the introduction of a well known Baraisa, followed by an amoraic discussion).
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Is it wrong (or at least off) to refer to Judaism as a "faith"?
I teach Jewish Studies to primarily non-Jewish college students. One of my students referred to Judaism as a "faith." I associate the term "faith" with Christianity since it is ...
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Why is the word for afternoon (צהריים) plural? [closed]
Why is the word for afternoon (צהריים) plural but morning (בוקר) and evening (ערב) are singular?
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The importance of every word in Nach
When we learn the Torah, we work off the assumption that as the Torah is directly from Hashem, every word and even letter is there for a reason, and a lot of commentary and even Halacha is based on ...
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Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch: "שמח" and "צומח"
In this question I brought a quote that I saw in Rabbi Twersky's The Enemy Within (Shaar Press: 2002) in his chapter entitled "Finding Joy in Life" (p.104):
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch ...
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Hebrew Dictionary for Mishneh Torah
I’m looking for a dictionary which contains words that one would find in The Rambam’s Mishneh Torah, not Biblical Hebrew. Any suggestions would be helpful.
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Why do Chazal refer to the emergence of a baby from the womb as pesichas hakever
A term throughout Chazal is פתיחת הקבר, pesichas hakever, translated literally as the opening of the grave. For example, Niddah 21a. This term refers to the emergence of a fetus or baby from the womb (...
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In 1 Chronicles 27:25, what is the difference between a storehouse and a treasury?
The same word, אוֹצָר seems to be translated both ways.
1 Chronicles 27:25
And over the treasuries of the king was Azmaveth the son of Adiel, and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, in ...
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The distinctions between different roots meaning "save"
Is there any source which explains the textual uses and disticntions between the following roots
פ-ד-ה
ה-צ-ל (is that the root?)
י-ש-ע
ג-א-ל
(and any other similar words, even including the Aramaic פ-...
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Source of the expression בית עולמים referring to the temple
Where does the term בית עולמים come from in reference to the Temple?
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How do I tell whether an "Efrati" is an Efraimite or someone from Efrat (i.e. Bethlehem)?
Sometimes an אֶפְרָתִ֜ means someone from the Tribe of Ephraim. It is certainly used that way in the context of the "Shibollet" story.
Other times, is means someone from Bethlehem. (Ruth) ...
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The word chaveir חבר
According to Jastrow, the word chaveir refers, sometimes to "associate, friend, partner (in sacrifices); colleague, fellow-student; fellow-being; of the same kind(also of things)" (via ...
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The Word נולד by Each Tribe
The Yalkut Shimoni uses the word נולד when each tribe was born:
ראובן נולד בי"ד בכסליו מת בן מאה חמשים וחמש שנים
שמעון נולד בכ"ח בטבת ומת בן מאה ועשרים שנה
לוי נולד בי"ו בניסן ומת בן ...
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Where to find references of words in the Tanach and other ancient texts? [duplicate]
I am interested in understanding the usage of some words in their biblical context, as the centuries have changed the meaning of some words. Given a word, for instance עולם, how might I find all ...
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Saying the word "Pig" [duplicate]
There seems to be a sensitivity among some people not to say the word "Pig". Aside from simple purity of speech, where does this come from? Is there a source?
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Why is "the righteous" (Chavakuk 2:4) a reference to "Jeconiah the king"?
Why is "the righteous" (as in Chavakuk 2:4) in reference to "Jeconiah the king"?
The passage in question reads:
"but the righteous shall live by his faith." Chavakuk - ...
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What is the earliest use of Ein Sof as a marker of Hashem?
I was looking at the modern Hebrew word אינסוף (infinite, overwhelming) and wondered about how it was used in earlier times. The gemara has many instances of the words אין סוף but they all seem to be ...
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Is there a difference in commands, statues & rules?
In Deuteronomy there is a repeated triad that appears in its full form first in Deut 5:28:
וַאֲדַבְּרָה אֵלֶיךָ אֵת כָּל־הַמִּצְוָה וְהַחֻקִּים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים
And I will tell you the whole ...
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What's the source for the deeper meaning of the word Yavan?
BH
The Hebrew word for Greek is יון.
I heard from a rabbi, but don't remember the source he mentioned, the deeper meaning of the word.
That when Greeks first begin to deny, chos vishalom, the Torah, ...
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What does it mean קנאה, Jealousy?
שמות לג:יד. Rashi explains the verse that says G-d is a Jealous G-d. My understanding of how Rashi explains: the root of the word Jealousy means is "my way goes, and every other way suffers"....
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Unknown abbreviations in תפארת ישראל commentary on the Mishnah
A סאה of תרומה that fell into 100 סאה of חולין becomes בטל. If two סאה of תרומה fall into 100 סאה of חולין it does not become בטל. If one סאה falls in and afterwards another סאה falls in. If the owner ...
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Why are אוכלי חולין בטהרה called "בני הכנסת"?
Zavim, chapter 3, mishna 2, lists a bunch of cases in which someone is deemed tame (ritually impure) by decree of the rabbis. However, it concludes,
וְכֻלָּן טְהוֹרִין לִבְנֵי הַכְּנֶסֶת וּטְמֵאִין ...
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Why are the forefathers called רועי צאן and not רועי בקר?
In my poor townsman's understanding, confirmed by the scriptures, both sheep (צאן) and cattle (בקר) need shepherding, as it says (Exodus.34.3):
"וְאִישׁ לֹא־יַעֲלֶה עִמָּךְ וְגַם־אִישׁ אַל־יֵרָא ...
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Jewish Babylonian Aramaic - Flashcards
Does anyone know if vocabulary flashcards are available for students of the Aramaic of the Bavli?
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What crime was committed by one who touched the mountain?
From what I have learned, different sins which are punished via the court system deserve different types of death penalties. In Parshat Yitro (19:12-13), the text indicates that one who touches the ...
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Why does Jeremiah 27.9 speak of a city instead of kingdom?
On the DD"M wave, Jeremiah writes (29:7):
"וְדִרְשׁ֞וּ אֶת־שְׁל֣וֹם הָעִ֗יר אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִגְלֵ֤יתִי אֶתְכֶם֙ שָׁ֔מָּה וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֥וּ בַעֲדָ֖הּ אֶל־ה' כִּ֣י בִשְׁלוֹמָ֔הּ יִהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם ...
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טירטוריו"ש in Rashi
In his commentary to Nazir 49b (heading קנטרנין), Rashi gives one word: טירטוריו"ש
What does this word mean please?
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Different language with regards to establishing Bris
Throughout Chumash, there are a few different terms that are used to describe, broadly, the "establishing" of a Bris. Those words are כורת, והקמותי, and והיה. What are the different ...
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How is the vav extra?
In Ketubot, 103a the text discusses what the "et" words include in the phrase
כַּבֵּ֥ד אֶת־אָבִ֖יךָ וְאֶת־אִמֶּ֑ךָ
Each et refers to another spouse of the parent so the non-biological step ...
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Seeking the definition of לופפת
What would the translation of לופפת be?
As in השאיפה להכרת האמת לופפת את לב האדם ואת מוחו
Thank you so much.
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Why use different adjectives in Devarim 9:1 and Devarim 9:14?
א שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, אַתָּה עֹבֵר הַיּוֹם אֶת-הַיַּרְדֵּן, לָבֹא לָרֶשֶׁת גּוֹיִם גְּדֹלִים וַעֲצֻמִים מִמֶּךָּ--עָרִים גְּדֹלֹת וּבְצֻרֹת, בַּשָּׁמָיִם
Deutoronomy 9:1
Hear, O Israel: thou art to ...
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P'garim Meitim -- Dead Corpses
The root p-g-r is used 22 times in tanach (as per Even Shoshan), and the dictionary explains them all as corpse (a dead body).
In 2 of those cases, one in Yeshayahu and one in M'lachim II, the phrase ...
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The difference between Reisheet and T'chilat
I am trying to understand the difference between the initial words in the following p'sukim:
Mishlei 9:10
תְּחִלַּ֣ת חׇ֭כְמָה יִרְאַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֑ה וְדַ֖עַת קְדֹשִׁ֣ים בִּינָֽה
and
Tehillim 111:10
...
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