Q. That’s a careful reading of the Chumash! You are right: Leviticus (Parshat Shmini) spells out the permissible of (certain) locusts, while Deut (Parshat Re’ah) does not.
And yes, it is true that certain species of locusts are permitted by … Read the rest
...A. You are right that the simple literal reading of the texts seems as if Aharon went along with it and was a willing participant in the idolatrous affair soon after the Giving of the Torah at Sinai.
Midrashic sources … Read the rest
...A. The Jews originally received the Torah in May/June during the festival of Shavuot. Moses spent 3 sets of 40 days up on the mountain (the first time around, the 2nd set was to get the Jews forgiven for the … Read the rest
...A. Of course it is possible, if his Bar-Mitzvah reading falls in the portion of Vayera, where this story is told. It’s usually read in November. In 1991 it was read on October 26th. www.Chabad.org/Calendar is a much more comprehensive … Read the rest
...A. While Moses had a speech impediment, it doesn’t say he was hard of hearing. The Talmud says this double expression is an expression of endearment. Usually this is reserved for when the calling is of tremendous significance, with Abraham … Read the rest
...A. Ah, the million-dollar question! Obviously, the issue of whose words they are has far-reaching implications. Reform Jews, much like secular academics, believe that a number of different human authors wrote the Torah. Conservative Jews believe somewhat the same, only … Read the rest
...A. Mixed feelings. He surely was not a descendent of the House of David and therefore traditionally unworthy of kingship, and the beginning of his reign saw much bloodshed when he killed much of the Rabbinic leadership. But later on, … Read the rest
...A. Talmud Rosh Hashanah 2b learns it from a juxtaposition of Shlomo’s royal reckoning and the reckoning from the Exodus. Rabbeynu Nissim explains this is because there would never be a Jewish King if we hadn’t left Egypt. In the … Read the rest
...A. It isn’t clear. Rashi seems to say that it did not. Tosefos commentary on Talmud Beitzah 2b quotes conflicting Medrash on this question.… Read the rest
...A. There’s a cycle of tractates, usually an eight-year rotation. Most Yeshivas study the 3 Bavas: Bava Kamma (damages) Bava Metziah (monetary disputes & doubts) and Bava Basra (real-estate, property disputes, zoning and inheritance). Also commonly learned are marital tractates … Read the rest
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