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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What does it mean "someone knows Kol Torah Kulah"?
What constitutes as Kol Torah Kulah? I hear people saying this all the time, that this Rabbi knows "Kol Torah Kulah".
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The usage of the title HaShem instead of other titles [duplicate]
One doesn’t pronounce יהוה, but with so many titles to be found in the Tenach for referring to יהוה, why would we refer to Him as ‘HaShem’ then? Why not stick with Adonai, Anochi, El Shadai etc. like ...
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Why is Benjamin referred to as a youth?
In several places, parsha vayigash refers to Benjamin as a youth (na-ar). But he must have been close to 30 years old since Joseph was at that time already in Egypt for about 20 years. Why is ...
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A few questions on the meaning of טל
What do the words "מוריד הטל" mean? Dew does not "fall" or "come down".
Also what do the words "ותן טל...לברכה" mean? What is an example of טל not לברכה?
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Avraham's knife was called Ma'achelet. Why?
What is the reason behind the word Ma'achelet used for the knife used by Avraham in the binding of Yitzchok? Is it an indication of specific function? Is this name used elsewhere? Does it indicate any ...
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Is there any basis for reserving the term "menorah" to the one in the Beis Hamikdash? [duplicate]
I was taught in kindergarten that "menorah" refers specifically to the menorah in the Beis Hamikdash, and the proper term for the thing used to hold Chanuka candles is "Chanukiyah".
But in all the ...
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Origin and meaning of the honorific Shlita [duplicate]
It seems to me that for a long time, the word Shlita was popularly associated with the Lubavitcher Rebbe. And in those days when I was first encountering the term and asking about it, I was told that ...
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Why use "Kiddushin" instead of biblical "Erusin"?
Why did the Sages see a need of inventing a new word "Kiddushin" e.g Masechet Kiddushin 46a - שצריכה הימנו קידושין , instead of the biblical Hebrew word "Erusin" used everywhere in ...
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First usage of golem to refer to a man-made humanoid
There's a famous folk tale that the Maharal created a golem, some sort of human shaped creature. The tale has it that he created it using practical Kabbalah.
The gemarra even describes amoraim ...
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Why does the verb PaGA (פגע) mean both to intercede and to arrive?
What is the explanation why the Hebrew verb PaGA ( = פגע ) means both to intercede and to arrive?
We see this, for example, in the Chabad Rashi translation and commentary of both Genesis 28:11 "And ...
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Why the principal (money) is called Keren?
In all kinds of monetary transactions, the main part is called Keren or for the reward for Mitzvot as in Kesubos 3,9:
"הָאוֹמֵר גָּנַבְתִּי וְטָבַחְתִּי וּמָכָרְתִּי, מְשַׁלֵּם אֶת הַקֶּרֶן עַל ...
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Shepherd and Evil Connected?
Rav Samson Rafael Hirsch often finds connections between similar words in the Torah. What is the connection between evil - רעה - and shepherd - רועה - (especially in the same verse Bereishis 37:2 - ...
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Why does the word milah mean both circumcision and word?
What is the rabbinic explanation why the word milah means both circumcision and word?
To translate this into Hebrew is quite interesting, it would read like,
Why does the milah milah mean both ...
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Definition of "Tinok" for the status of "Melamdei Tinokos"
Looking for sources that describe what ages the word "tinok" or "tinokes" refers to for the halachic ramifications that related to "Melamdei Tinokos", teachers of tinokos (who have rules that relate ...
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Pirkei Avos- how does a sieve retain the fine flour?
Regarding the following mishna in Pirkei Avos:
משנה אבות ה׳:ט״ו ארבע מדות ביושבים לפני חכמים: ספוג , ומשפך, משמרת,
ונפה.
ספוג, שהוא סופג את הכל. משפך, שמכניס בזו ומוציא בזו. משמרת, שמוציאה ...
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Small Dalet in Mishlei (Proverbs) 28:17
In Mishlei (Proverbs) 28:17, the letter dalet is small in the word "adam". Why is this?
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Is there a difference between ירחים and חדשים?
As a word meaning "months," the word חדשים is used in Ber. 38:24 and then multiple locations after Sh'mot 12:2.
יְרָחִים appears in Sh'mot 2:2, then (possibly) in Dev 33:14 and twice in Iyov.
When ...
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Why are Avraham (and Sarah), Yehoshua and David set apart?
Avraham's advanced age is referred to as "zaken ba bayamim" in Ber. 24:1. His age (along with Sarah) is similarly labeled in Ber. 18:11.
Yehoshua is called the same way in Yeh. 13:1 and 23:1, while ...
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Difference Between Shamayim and Rakia
In parshas Berashis, the words Shamayim and Rakia keep on coming up. someone asked me what is the difference between the 2, and I had no idea.
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What is the meaning of the word "mabul"?
Throughout parhsat Noach, I see a combination of the words מבול and מים. I see Rashi's explanation of the word origin of מבול on Breishit 6:17 and he explains the origin from a word that means "...
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Why introduce holidays with the word "yom"?
In Ya'aleh V'yavo, in tefilla for the 3 regalim and in Kiddush for the regalim, we have options for the particular Yom Tov. The specific day is listed, and is always introduced with the word "b'yom" (...
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Is "Roh-eh Hanoled" a classical expression?
In Maus from Art Spiegelman, a rabbi tells Vladek he's a "Roh-eh Hanoled", one that sees what the future holds. It is an invention of his or does it exist in any classical or sacred source ?
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Saying Shemini Chag Haatzeret Haze in Shemona Esrei
Why do certain communities say shemini chag haatzeret haze and not chag shemini atzeret haze like all the other festivals (chag hasukkot, chag hapesach). Why is the word chag in the middle of the name?...
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Torah definition of אזרח, גר and תושב?
The Gemmorah in Succah (and Kiddushin) learns that the women are exempt from sitting in a Succah from the word האזרח.
The Torah uses this word a couple of times, many times together with the words גר ...
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Meaning and origin of names used for Jewish schools
I am familiar with the following "titles" used for different types of Jewish schools. My assumptions (correct me, please, if necessary.)
Yeshiva - a "generic" term applying to all Jewish schools of ...
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What is meant by using the term "B'nei Brit" in "U'Chtov Lechayim"?
During the Ten Days of Repentance, we add a phrase in the 2nd to last blessing of Amidah:
וכתוב לחיים טובים כל בני בריתיך
"May all the children of your covenant be inscribed for good life."
...
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Words for ‘a teaching’; d’var Torah, shiur, drash etc
Could someone explain me the differences or nuances between a shiur, d’var Torah, drash (and drashah) as they all seem to refer to ‘a teaching’.
P.s. is there something in their roots which defines ...
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What is the difference between "nitzavim" and "omdim"?
The beginning of this week's parsha starts with the words אתם נצבים. Couldn't it have used the phrase אתם עומדים ? I understand that in this context, both words mean "stand". Why use the term נצבים. ...
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Is there any rabbinical support for the word "צַו" as used in Isaiah 28:10 to mean "connection"?
Is there any rabbinical support for the word "צַו" as used in Isaiah 28:10 to mean "connection"? The usual translation that one reads for "צַו לָצָו" is "precept upon precept". Did any of the rabbis ...
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ענה how to define
I would like to know how to define the root word ענה, what actual meanings are given to this root and what is the common denomitor?
[I’ve found this root in different verses, so I don’t want to ...
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Source for galuta d'galuta גלותא דגלותא?
I so clearly remember from my days of Talmud study the phrase גלותא דגלותא, meaning a place that was REALLY far away, seriously in exile, "deep diaspora", totally removed from eretz yisrael. Maybe it ...
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Origin of the Phrase Nichsof Nichsafti
In Yedid Nefesh, some versions of the lyrics have the phrase "ki zeh kama nichsof nichsafti" (some have nichsof nichsaf)
because it is so very long that I have yearned intensely
כִּי זֶה ...
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What is the minimum number to comprise a band (גדוד)?
At the end of parsha 20 in Pesikta Rabbati, it refers to various bands (גדוד) of angels being shown to Moshe. Is there any minimum number as defined in Torah as to how many comprise a band?
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A list of doubled words
In the tanach, there are times when certain words are doubled (generally verbs but I'm open to other combinations) with one form of the word, followed by a second form which is in a future tense, I ...
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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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Why doesn't our decrease of joy extend beyond Tish'a B'Av?
Citing from here
There is a famous Mishnah that is cited towards the end of Masechet
Ta’anit (4:6) that states:
“Mishenichnas Av, Mema’atin Besimcha”
“When the month of Av arrives, we ...
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Different spellings of 1st word in middle of Shabbat Musaph
This past Shabbat, someone in my shul showed me a difference in spelling of the first word in the middle prayer of Shabbat Musaph.
Most Nusach Ashkenaz and Sephard spell it as תכנת שבת (Loose ...
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Can the Midrash be included in "Talmud Yerushalmi"
When saying or writing "Talmud Yerushalmi" can this include (or refer to) the Midrash
For example.
In the Tanya (Chabad) chapter 37 it says
ובכל תלמוד ירושלמי היא נקראת בשם מצוה סתם
But it was ...
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A Navi really wasn't called navi? [duplicate]
In Shmuel 1 9 9 we find the following:
לְפָנִ֣ים בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר הָאִישׁ֙ בְּלֶכְתּוֹ֙ לִדְר֣וֹשׁ אֱלֹהִ֔ים לְכ֥וּ וְנֵלְכָ֖ה עַד־הָרֹאֶ֑ה כִּ֤י לַנָּבִיא֙ הַיּ֔וֹם יִקָּרֵ֥א לְפָנִ֖ים ...
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What is the meaning of Eth Eyd'yam אֶת-עֶדְיָם in Shmoth (Exodus) 33.6?
how would you translate Shmoth 33.6 אֶת-עֶדְיָם
ayd is witness so I'm guessing the literal is "witnesses" in the plural - some translate it as "ornaments" others as "finery" and others as "crowns" but ...
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Question regarding the usage of two of G-d's names in Isaiah 55:7
Part of Yeshayahu 55:7 says:
וישוב אל ה וירחמהו ואל אל-הינו כי ירבה לסלוח
Loose translation - "He shall to return to Adonai and he will be merciful to him and to Eloheinu, for he is abundant to ...
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Why are non-Jews referred to as עובדי כוכבים in the גמרא?
When the גמרא refers to עובדי כוכבים, it is usually (eg. Artscroll) translated as "non-Jews". Is this supposed to exclude monotheistic non-idolatrous non-Jews or is it inaccurate translation?
If ...
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Why does Yirmiya use the word ראה to mean “approve”?
Eichah 3:34-36 reads as follows:
לדכא תחת רגליו כל אסירי ארץ. להטות משפט גבר נגד פני עליון. לעות אדם בריבו ה׳ לא ראה.
To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth; to tip justice of ...
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What ancient prayer contains the term "Osem" (אֹסֶם)?
This site claims that Osem (אֹסֶם) is a term taken from an ancient Jewish prayer. What prayer would that be?
Anectodote: I had assumed it was a Hebrew transcription of the English word awesome due to ...
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What does "chotim" mean?
In Shmuel Aleph, 14:33 the word חֹטִאים is used (chotim). I always had thought that the word was chot'im with the vowel under the aleph (as it is in the title to this book) but that isn't the case. ...
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Whence "בחזקת בשרי"?
Besides the main categories of meat, dairy, and pareve (non-meat, non-dairy) foods, two special subcategories of pareve foods are relevant to halacha (e.g. Yore Dea 93): pareve food cooked using clean ...
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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 man lie ...
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Mil'al vs. Milra on "Lamah"
In a few places in the Torah, the word למה is pronounced מלעיל (accent on 1st syllable) and in other places מלרע (accent on 2nd syllable.)
I viewed Bemidbar 11:11 which has both in the same verse. ...
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What is the root of the word mishpocha, family? [closed]
The word appears in the Torah (ex. Bereishis 10:5, 36:40, Devarim 29:17, etc.) and is in common usage today.
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What is a "Fa-rer"?
Please excuse my somewhat weak "yeshivish". For me, this is a "new" language that seems to be the current Orthodox "parlance", and I'm not that familiar with much of its terminology.
A woman in my ...
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