All Questions
22
questions
3
votes
1
answer
36
views
Midrashim that explore the exact meaning of "tov" in Genesis 1?
It's no secret that "good," in English as well as in Hebrew, is rather polysemous: on the one hand, it can mark the degree to which a given thing satisfies its purpose or relevant ideal (as ...
- 31
2
votes
0
answers
42
views
Source for the practice of messianic interpretation of calamity
I seem to recall a Rashi somewhere in Nach which explains a Pasuk as praising B’nei Yisrael, who see every calamity that befalls them as heralding Mashiach.
Can anyone source this?
- 226
1
vote
1
answer
60
views
Death as a key flaw in existence -- where is this from?
I recall learning at one point the idea to effect: Death is the key imperfection in human existence
What are the sources under this?
1
vote
0
answers
72
views
Are there any compliations of ancient/medieval Jewish comments on Scripture?
Is there any book or website where I can look up ancient/medieval Jewish teaching on any given verse in the Tanach to see what the Talmud, Midrash, Rashi, etc. says about the verse? Something akin to ...
- 355
2
votes
0
answers
32
views
Are the stories in the Midrashim and Targumim meant to be historical? [duplicate]
The Midrashim and Targumim contain stories meant to further elaborate on the accounts in the Hebrew Bible. Are these stories meant to be historically accurate?
Further reading on this issue would be ...
- 247
3
votes
0
answers
78
views
Looking for a midrash mentioned by Falaquera
When Noah recovered from his wine, he enslaved his grandson Canaan to his sons Shem and Japheth. The relationship he envisioned for his sons Japheth and Shem is spelled out in Gen 9.27:
יפת אלהים ...
user19234
1
vote
2
answers
296
views
Rabbits in the Torah
Are there are quotes about Rabbits in Tanach, Midrash, Gemara etc..
I am looking for somewhere which speaks about them.
- 1,162
6
votes
3
answers
517
views
If the nations' ministers are all appointed by Hashem, why is it idol worship? [closed]
I apologize if this is a stupid question, but I was pondering it today and I hope you will find it as interesting as I do. Every Rabbinic opinion I've seen, although there are plenty I haven't of ...
- 371
5
votes
2
answers
113
views
Yehoshua 5:15 - Why is the ground considered holy?
"וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ שַׂר־צְבָ֨א יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ שַׁל־נַֽעַלְךָ֙ מֵעַ֣ל רַגְלֶ֔ךָ כִּ֣י הַמָּק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתָּ֛ה עֹמֵ֥ד עָלָ֖יו קֹ֣דֶשׁ ה֑וּא וַיַּ֥עַשׂ יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ כֵּֽן:"
"And the ...
- 241
2
votes
1
answer
173
views
Hatzlelponi and Tzelelponit
In Bamidbar Rabbah 10:5 it says that Shimshon's mother was called Hatzlelponi:
"אִמֵּיהּ דְּשִׁמְשׁוֹן הַצְלֶלְפּוֹנִי שְׁמָהּ, וְהִיא מְיֻחֶסֶת עַל שֵׁבֶט יְהוּדָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברי הימים א ד, ...
- 26k
1
vote
0
answers
67
views
Do any Jewish sources give a non-literal interpretation of the census in Bamidbar?
Are there any classical commentators that state that "elef" didn't literally mean 1 thousand, or something else to that effect, that would result in a smaller number? I am reading Ani Maamin ...
- 139
7
votes
0
answers
66
views
Why does Pirkei d'Rebbi Eliezer only connect certain berachos of Shemoneh Esrei to events in Tanach?
According to Pirkei d'Rebbi Eliezer:
The first beracha of Shemoneh Esrei, "Blessed are You, Hashem, Protector of Avraham," refers to Hashem's protecting Avraham during the war with the four kings (ch....
- 34.5k
1
vote
0
answers
64
views
What is the source for the midrash about Jewish soldiers escaping to Romania?
Specifically, looking for the midrash quoted by Radaq to Shoftim 20:15 as saying that the missing 1,000 Jewish soldiers "escaped to Romania."
Thanks!
- 373
4
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Does Satan have 12 wings?
Someone told me that according to Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer, Satan has 12 wings.
Is it true?
The tanakh doesn't say anything about Satan's look then where does it come from?
2
votes
2
answers
73
views
Sources for receiving blessing through Mitzvot
I am searching for sources for the concept that a Jew keeping the Mitzvot will ultimately bring blessing to / not keeping the Mitzvot will bring destruction to:
A) himself/herself
B) the Jewish ...
