Unanswered Questions
237 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
8
votes
2
answers
379
views
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 ...
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
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
0
answers
2k
views
Saying "Elokim" when not referring to Hashem
People often say "Elokim" instead of "Elohim" when speaking in order to avoid taking God's name in vain. I have observed, however, that some people always substitute the word "...
7
votes
0
answers
317
views
Source for not referring to Chanuka lights as a "menora"
Following up on this question about the use of the words "menora" or "chanukiya" to refer to Chanuka lights:
I find it interesting that the use of "chanukiya," popularized in 1897 through a secular ...
- 5,026
7
votes
2
answers
346
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
6
votes
0
answers
109
views
Why don't we say "please" (that often)?
The week day Shmoneh Esrei prayer has a series of requests during which we ask Hashem for many of our needs. In my siddur (Tefilla Hashalem) there is a subtle change made in the texts of 1 of the ...
- 38.7k
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
200
views
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.
- 73.9k
6
votes
1
answer
252
views
How was Chanukah celebrated at the Beis HaMikdash?
In the centuries between the Maccabean Revolt and the destruction of the Bayis Sheni, how was Chanukah commemorated at the Beis HaMikdash (other than the addition of prayers like Al Hanisim)?
Since ...
CommunityBot
- 1
5
votes
0
answers
64
views
Approximately how many Jews would make the pilgrimage for aliyas l'regel during its height? How large of a gathering was it?
I've seen some writers talk about the rally in D.C. being the largest single gathering of Jews since Sinai. I would think that is not accurate in that, at the very least, we may have had greater ...
5
votes
0
answers
99
views
Does treating a cohen's blemish permit him to serve?
The Rambam lists 140 blemishes that invalidate a cohen from serving (Hilchot Biyat Mikdash, perek 8). There are some that appear to be genetic traits that cannot be (easily) treated without extensive ...
- 11.6k
5
votes
1
answer
230
views
What Caused Jerusalem to be Destroyed?
The Gemara states the following:
Abaye said: Jerusalem was destroyed only because people desecrated the Shabbos in it (Shabbos 119b)
Rabbi Abbahu said: Jerusalem was destroyed only because its ...
CommunityBot
- 1