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The world works according to the laws of nature. One of these laws is that acts has consequences. Whether or not G-d forgives, the consequences do not go away. Thus he was punished. (David also repent …

Ibn Ezra wrote to Exodus 23:25 (commentary) that the soul (the intellect) is housed in the brain. Although the ruach resides in the heart. The term "heart" in the Bible is a metaphor for the mind. Whe …

The Bible calculates years by lunar cycles. According to the Biblical calendar, Abraham died at 87 (175 biblical years). Thus Abraham was 37 when he left for Israel.

I found that the biblical style is to exaggerate numbers to make a point. I do not agree with Rabbi Akiva’s belief. I agree with Rabbi Ishmael that “the Torah (which is intended for humans) speaks in …

Rashi asked this question, too. The famed Bible commentator Rashi wrote: “In the beginning…,” the Torah should have only had to begin with “This month shall be to you…” (Exodus 12:2) which is the fir …

In Exodus 6:3, Moses learns that G-d appeared to the patriarchs “as El Shaddai, but I did not make myself known to them by my name y-h-v-h.” In the Bible G-d is called Y-h-v-h, “the Tetragrammaton,” a …

When Jacob met Esau he provided him with gifts. According to Abarbanel (Gen. 33: 1-17), these gifts served as Jacob's blessings. Although Jacob took Esau's blessing from Isaac, he was now bestowing hi …

Good question. And I have asked that question a dozen times. When Isaac realized it was Jacob, why couldn't he retract the blessing? Aren't blessing allowed to be nullified? What is a blessing? Do ble …

It is possible, and this is only speculation, that Jacob wanted the blessing instead. Just as a prince might deceive his father in order to steal the title of a king from the rightful heir. True, Rebe …

The Akivian methodology suggests that what G-d "says" and "thinks" are two different things. Whenever the Bible repeats or adds a word, it must be there to teach a lesson. Rabbi Ishmael disagreed. He …

Although the Torah will endure, how it is interpreted will change. Judaism today is not Torah Judaism but Rabbinic Judaism. For example, we no longer practice sacrifices and slavery. Maimonides knew t …

Actually, G-d does not need helpers. Angels are anything that provides the Divine Will of G-d, for example, the rain, wind, and snow are angels. Even good people can be called angels, for example, the …

The curse of Ham Judaism has always advocated equality as all people were created in "the image of G-d." In Genesis 9:20-27, we are told that Noah plants a vineyard and became drunk. After some cer …

Are Chazal always right? It is true that Chazal say that a temple could not be built until Israel went to war with Amalek. Amalek, although a war-like nation, should not be attacked until a peace off …

To fully grasp why Lot married the woman he married we must first understand Lot. G-d tells Abraham that He will destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. We read in chapter 19, that Lot shows the visitors (angels …