Unanswered Questions
7,392 questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
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What is the source for Bitachon in the Torah?
The Chovos Halevovos's fourth שער, section, is on Bitachon. Since his sefer is "Duties of the heart", he clearly considers this a required "duty". Unlike some other areas, he does ...
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Why do we have different names today than in ancient Judaism?
There are definitely exceptions, but for the most part, it seems that from the Beis Hamikdash period up until the era of the Rishonim, the traditional names we use today were relatively uncommon (such ...
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Why do the Sages often believe that the word רוב mean "majority," when it clearly means "a lot"?
It seems clear that the word רוב in biblical Hebrew means "a large amount." For example, Bereshit 48:16
וְיִדְגּוּ לָרֹב בְּקֶרֶב הָאָרֶץ may they teem into multitudes in the midst of the ...
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Can a witness for a sinful action function as a witness for non sinful aspects of the action?
There is a wedding that is forbidden but still effective (the participants will actually be married). There are no kosher witness at the wedding. Two kosher witnesses walk in and warn the man that the ...
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How could Rachel Imeinu have revealed Yaakov's secret to Leah?
The Orchos Chaim L'Rosh (41) writes:
סוֹד אַחֵר אַל תְּגַל. גַּם אֶת הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶּׁר יְדַבְּרוּ
לְפָנֶיךָ שֶּׁלֹּא עַל דֶּרֶךְ סוֹד, טוֹמְנֵהוּ בְּקִירוֹת לִבֶּךָ -
Do not reveal the secrets of ...
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Uncovering criminal activity of a fellow Jew while preparing a civil case
Bs'D. If, while preparing a civil case in the secular courts (because there is no other alternative to respond), it is discovered that the opposing parties have committed very serious financial crimes ...
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Which Passuk goes here: ברוך ה׳ לעולם version
Having davened from a number of Nusach Ashkenaz siddurim over the years, I've noticed that one passuk seems to be inconsistent in the berachah of Baruch Hashem le'Olam/Yiru 'Eineinu.
In some siddurim, ...
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Why did Eisav's emotions turn on?
In בראשית לג:ד, the word "וַׄיִּׄשָּׁׄקֵ֑ׄהׄוּׄ" is dotted. Rashi explains that this is to tell us that Eisav kissed Yaakov with a full heart and not just for show.
What caused Eisav to ...
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When is it right to tell someone they’re wrong in a harsh way
Do the rabbis say there a time and place when one should confront someone who is guilty of serious sin. Say slander, adultery, etc.
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What kind of character traits is Mashiach supposed to possess?
There a some stories Chazal bring about men who were potentially going to be mashiach. A couple that come to mind are Bar Kochba (who Rabbi Akiva said would be Mashiach) and the man Eliyahu Hanavi ...
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Wearing functional cufflinks on Shabbos
This question might be a duplicate of
Wearing Watches on Shabbat
but my question is on other types of functional wearable items that may be considered Tachshitim.
What is the determining factor that ...
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Rebbe Maharash studying Nigleh during night
Is it correct to say, as I once heard, that the Rebbe Maharash would learn Oral Torah the entire night while standing? I don't how to understand this statement, because of two conflicting facts, ...
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Origin of the Conservation of Biblical Personalities principle
There is a discussion on this site which is defined by a principle of Conservation of Biblical Personalities, when the midrash or aggadeta would quote various persons under the same name. Rabbi Tzvi-...
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Did a fire come down from Heaven to consume incense in the Tabernacle?
My understanding is that in the Beit HaMikdash a fire (perhaps in the form of a lion or other animal) would come down from Heaven and consume the sacrifices on the altar (1 Kings 18). I would like to ...
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Meaning of "Who maintains faith to those asleep in the dust"?
This phrase appears in the 2nd bracha of the amida: "Who maintains faith to those asleep in the dust". What does the phrase mean? For example, does it refer only to good people. If so, ...
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