12
votes
I'd love to but Hashem doesn't let
The Rambam in Shemoneh Perakim, ch. 6, discusses the preferable attitude towards avoiding aveiros, and references this midrash.
After citing sentiments of the Nevi'im, such as (Mishlei 21:10) "נֶפֶשׁ ...
- 59k
8
votes
Accepted
What does the act of cursing one's parents entail?
He says "may G-d strike you" or the like, using one of the 7 names that cannot be cancelled, as below.
(following Mishna 7.5) (1)
Mishna Sanhedrin 7:8
המקלל אביו ואמו, אינו חייב עד שיקללם ...
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6
votes
Does the biblical prohibition against bestiality apply to an animal carcass
It is my understanding that an act of necrophilia with a dead animal or a dead human would be subject to the same general rules under Jewish Law.
IOW, there is no difference if the OP asked about an ...
- 11k
6
votes
Accepted
Haftarot for Acharei Mot and Kedoshim
The Babylonian annual Torah cycle portions Acharei and Kedoshim traditionally were associated with haftara readings from Ezekiel 22 and Ezekiel 20 respectively. Both those readings speak about sexual ...
- 100k
5
votes
Accepted
The figure of "your enemy" in Exodus 23:4-5 according to Jewish Tradition
Artscroll's commentary explains
Under ordinary circumstances it is forbidden to hate a fellow Jew
(Vayikra 19:17). Therefore the Sages explain that the verse speaks
about someone whom it is ...
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5
votes
Accepted
Mishkav/Mishkave... , Is there a difference?
The phrase means literally "the lying of a man" and is euphemistic for intimate relations as performed by a man, which is how it is generally translated in the verses (Numbers 31:17-18) you ...
- 17.9k
5
votes
why love your neighbor as yourself?
Rabbi Aqiva and Ben Azzai have a dispute as to what is the overriding principle behind the Torah. According to R' Aqiva, it is "love your peer as yourself", and according to Ben Azzai, it is "these ...
- 9,911
4
votes
Miswa of Lifne Iwer isn't what the words mean literally?
Minchas Chinuch 232:4 discusses this, and raises the possibility that maybe he would be violating this lav by doing so. On the other hand, he also comments (quoting Korban Aharon) that if the verse ...
- 10.1k
4
votes
Accepted
"Riot Act" Haftarah for Kedoshim -- When Will We Read it Again?
This haftarah is only read in year type זח"ג, which next occurs in 5801 (2041).
(The linked Hebrew Wikipedia page is as good a place as any to look this kind of stat up, I guess.)
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4
votes
Distinctive form of "לאהוב ל-" instead of "לאהוב את"
Haamek Davar (to Deut. 6:5) explains that "to feel and act with love" is with את whereas "to act with love" alone is with ל־.
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4
votes
Distinctive form of "לאהוב ל-" instead of "לאהוב את"
Bechor Shor explains that ואהבת את רעך כמוך would imply you're obligated to value others as entirely equal to yourself, when in fact the Torah obligates you in self-preservation before saving another. ...
- 4,804
3
votes
Distinctive form of "לאהוב ל-" instead of "לאהוב את"
Several commentators suggest that the distinction is between loving the person (את) and loving things or attributes relevant to the person (—ל).
E.g., Ibn Ezra:
״כמשמעו שיאהב הטוב לחברו כמו לנפשו״.
&...
- 141
3
votes
"Riot Act" Haftarah for Kedoshim -- When Will We Read it Again?
For the years 1900 - 2100 :
The longest we ever go without reading it is 27 years but there are 3 times they are only 3 years apart.
1902 (5662)
1919 (5679)
1943 (5703)
1946 (5706)
1970 (5730)
1973 (...
- 111
3
votes
Mishkav/Mishkave... , Is there a difference?
Simple answer is yes there is a very good reason, though sorry, it's somewhat graphic.
"Mishkevei isha" (plural) refers to vaginal and anal; only one of those applies to males. This is in fact the ...
- 135k
3
votes
Why mention the ger in Lev 19:10, 23:22?
I'm throwing this out as a possible answer (more of a thought, really) without really doing any research to see if it actually fits.
The Talmud, Yevamos 47b, tells us that when one accepts a convert ...
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2
votes
Looking for Source for explanation in Chafetz Chaim
Shout out to Matt for the sources.
In Yom Shekulo Shabbos page 18-19, and Imrei Chein page 243 (I think this is it, but don't see the quote) it has this quoted in the name of the Chafetz Chaim.
- 21.2k
1
vote
Does the biblical prohibition against bestiality apply to an animal carcass
The Rambam (Issurai Biah 1:12) says that there is no death penalty:
וְהַבָּא עַל הַטְּרֵפָה אוֹ שֶׁשָּׁכַב עִם בְּהֵמָה טְרֵפָה חַיָּב. חַי הוּא אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁסּוֹפוֹ לָמוּת מֵחלִי זֶה. וַאֲפִלּוּ ...
- 3,530
1
vote
Does anybody link being Kadosh to honoring parents?
The Alshich makes a nice link.
He writes:
איש אמו ואביו תיראו וכו'. הנה צויתי תהיו קדושים להביאכם לחיי העה"ב והנה אביכם ואמכם הביאו אתכם לעולם הזה כי הם נתנו החומר עם כל זה אם לא באתם על ידם אל ...
- 33.9k
1
vote
Does anybody link being Kadosh to honoring parents?
If you use Rabbi Micha Berger's approach in his Sefer Widen your Tent, then you will have an answer.
If I can paraphrase it correctly (I doubt that I can):
Kedusha is dedication, specifically -- ...
- 44.1k
1
vote
What is the difference between Ish and Zachar in Leviticus 20:13?
The Torah Temimah explains the difference by citing from the Talmud hat the word "ish" is used to exclude a minor and "zachar" to imply whether this is an adult or a minor.
- 7,064
1
vote
Miswa of Lifne Iwer isn't what the words mean literally?
According to the Rambam hilchos Rotzeach 11,4 quoting Bava Kama 15b one would transgress לא תשים דמים (Devarim 22,8) if by placing the stumbling block in front of a blind man or anyone else as he's ...
- 11.5k
1
vote
Rabbi Akiva's students died because lack of respect, but he said Veahavta Lireacha Kamocha is Klal Gadol?
Rav Asher Weiss addresses1 this question in his article on B'har of תשע"ח (toward the bottom, after the headline topic). He suggests that the students of Rabbi Akiva were divinely held to a much ...
- 23.9k
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