Unanswered Questions
438 questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
19
votes
2
answers
387
views
Where did the incense-altar sweeper get his broom from?
Mishna, Tamid chapter 3:9, in a loose translation:
Those who merited removing the ashes from the inner altar and the candelabrum would precede. They had four tools in their hands: the basket, the ...
CommunityBot
- 1
11
votes
1
answer
152
views
Is there any connection between the Sotah, the Mizbeiach, and the Beis HaMikdash keychain?
In exactly three contexts, the Mishnah notes that there was an amah square marble slab with a ring, using exactly the same language each time.
The first is in Sotah 2:2, regarding the Sotah procedure:...
CommunityBot
- 1
9
votes
0
answers
154
views
Maharam Shiff’s Mnemonic indexes
The Wikipedia page (from Jewish encyclopedia) for Rabbi Meir Shiff states:
A mnemonic index to the Bible and the Talmud by him is also extant.
Where can I find such an index?
- 730
9
votes
1
answer
186
views
Establishing the relative order of Rashi's commentaries
In learning Masekhet Ketubot, I encountered Rashi's definition of בי שמשי on daf 103a. There, since the passage is clearly referring to twilight on erev shabbat in particular, Rashi explains why so ...
CommunityBot
- 1
8
votes
1
answer
183
views
Composed with the desire of our Father in heaven
Both the sefer Ohr Sameach and Meshech Chochmah, written by Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk, have on their title page the words
חובר ברצון אבינו שבשמים
(See http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=...
CommunityBot
- 1
8
votes
1
answer
277
views
Why do books say "ספר" on them?
Why do Jewish books often say "ספר" on the spine, cover, or cover page?
The word is synonymous with "book" in modern Hebrew, and some closely related concept like "document" or "scroll" in Tana"ch. ...
CommunityBot
- 1
7
votes
0
answers
225
views
Why are "Chiddushei" seforim rarely cited in the Nosi Keilim?
I noticed that when quoting Rishonim, Beis Yosef/Nosei Keilim tend to focus on Poskim (Rif (and main commentary)/Rosh/Rambam, Mordechai, Teruma, Rabbeinu Yerucham, etc.) and responsa.
Very rarely do ...
- 730
7
votes
0
answers
317
views
Early descriptions of the Foundation Stone
I am looking for early descriptions of the "Foundation Stone" (אבן שתיה) -- the huge flat rock now enclosed by the "Dome of the Rock," and believed by many Jewish scholars to have been the site of the ...
- 7,056
7
votes
2
answers
347
views
Obligation to leave through a different gate
The prophet Ezekiel (46:9) tells us of an obligation when visiting the Temple.
וּבְב֨וֹא עַם־הָאָ֜רֶץ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָה֮ בַּמּֽוֹעֲדִים֒ הַבָּ֡א דֶּרֶךְ־שַׁ֨עַר צָפ֜וֹן לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֗ת יֵצֵא֙ דֶּרֶךְ־...
CommunityBot
- 1
7
votes
1
answer
315
views
Where can I find a complete Shulchan Aruch without too many abbreviations?
I am looking to buy a Shulchan Aruch, but unlike Buying a Shulchan Aruch, I am concerned with different requirements
I don't want a lot of abbreviations. I have spent some time learning Yoreh Deah ...
- 65
7
votes
1
answer
501
views
Is the Nefesh HaChaim truly representitive of the Gra's position?
There's a popular understanding that the Gra asked R Chaim of Volozhin to write a sefer based on his teachings that would deal with many points that the sefer Tanya dealt with and this is the Nefesh ...
- 2,036
6
votes
0
answers
305
views
What software to use to write a multi-section sefer?
What software is available that allows Hebrew and English and multiple sections? i.e. the main section and then a footnote/pirush (section #2) on that, and then a 3rd section which footnotes items ...
- 785
6
votes
1
answer
217
views
Comparing the Heart and Luchot
I was reading in Mishlei (3:3, 7:3) the other day and noticed that our hearts are sometimes compared to tablets, and that on it the Words of HaShem should be inscribed. This reminded me of Yirmiyahu ...
CommunityBot
- 1
6
votes
0
answers
139
views
What kind of flute was used in the temple, according to the mishna?
In Mishna there are several mentions of the use of flute, there were used at the time of the Bet Mikdash, see below a few examples. I am interested to know if we have some knowledge about the type of ...
- 57k
6
votes
0
answers
108
views
How did R' Yaakov Risher arrive at the exact number of responsa that he published?
Volume 1 and 3 of Shvus Yaakov have 182 responsa in each, corresponding to the numerical value of the author's name, Yaakov. Volume 2 has 188 responsa. After responsum 182 of volume 2, the author ...
- 59.1k