Torah Q&A
3130 answered questions with cited sources from the Sefaria library.
What is the Amidah prayer?
The Amidah (lit. "the standing") is the central prayer of Jewish liturgy, recited three times daily while standing. It consists of nineteen blessings (orig...
What is blessings for hanukkah in hebrew?
The blessings recited on Hanukkah are well-established in Jewish tradition and have been standardized for centuries. There are two blessings recited every...
Drinking alcohol during 9 days
Drinking wine and other alcoholic beverages is restricted during the Nine Days (the first nine days of Av) as part of the mourning practices observed before Tis
What is the Jewish prayer for deceased parents?
The primary Jewish prayers recited for deceased parents are Kaddish (Kaddish Yatom — the Mourner's Kaddish) and Yizkor (the memorial prayer). Kaddish is re...
A Torah scroll with missing letters. What are the halachic implications of this?
A Torah scroll (Sefer Torah) with missing words is considered pasul (invalid/disqualified) for public reading, and this has been the case since the defect origi
Tell me the Sefer HaIkkarim that talks about tefilla changing the person
The Sefer HaIkkarim on Prayer Changing the Person The Sefer HaIkkarim (Book of Principles), written by Rabbi Yosef Albo (15th century Spain), contains a profoun
What are the rules of Shabbat?
The Rules of Shabbat Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest observed from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall, is one of the most comprehensive and detailed areas...
אם במקום 10 הדברות היה כתוב מתכון לביף וולינגטון על לוחות הברית איך זה היה נכתב?
שאלה מעניינת ומשעשעת! 😄 אמנם זו שאלה הומוריסטית, אבל אפשר להשיב עליה ברוח לימודית ומשעשעת גם יחד! --- 📜 מתכון לביף וולינגטון — בסגנון לוחות הברית בהתבסס...
Who is Joaquin in the bible?
There is no figure named Joaquin in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) or in Jewish scripture. However, this name is very likely a variant spelling or translation o...
What are the halachic considerations of drinking coffee
Coffee is permitted under Jewish law, though several important halachic considerations arise around its preparation and consumption. The core issues involve the
How are the Hebrew words for nothing and for the eyes related?
What a beautiful and penetrating question! This is a perfect example of how Hebrew etymology (shorashim — root words) reveals profound theological and philosoph
What is the Priestly Blessing (Birkat Kohanim)?
The Priestly Blessing (Birkat Kohanim, בִּרְכַּת כֹּהֲנִים) is a three-verse biblical blessing commanded by God to be recited by the Kohanim (priests) over...
Unusual engineering in the Jewish temple of Jerusalem
Unusual Engineering in the Jewish Temple of Jerusalem The Jerusalem Temple (Beit HaMikdash) was renowned in antiquity for remarkable architectural and engineeri
How many years did Adam spend in the Eden before Eve was created
The Torah does not specify an exact number of years — or any time period at all — between Adam's creation and Eve's creation. The account in Genesis 2 pres...
What is chanukah prayers in hebrew?
The primary prayers recited during Chanukah are Al HaNissim, added to the Amidah and Birkat HaMazon, and Hallel, recited all eight days. The central mitzva...
What is the Modi Ani prayer?
Modeh Ani (מוֹדֶה אֲנִי) is a short prayer of gratitude recited immediately upon waking each morning, thanking God for restoring one's soul after sleep. It...
What is the minimum amount of kiddish I need to drink at night and by day
The minimum amount of wine required for Kiddush (sanctification over wine) is melo lugmav (מְלֹא לוּגְמָיו) — a cheekful — both at night and by day. This is typ
What does the events and the result of Sinai teach the world, not just Jews?
The Revelation at Sinai stands as one of the most consequential events in human history, carrying a universal message for all of humanity: that God speaks to hu
Please translate this passage from the Talmud: "הקב״ה מתגלה בשלוש מאות ושלושים מיליון צורות"
This is a fascinating question, but I need to be straightforward with you as a responsible Torah study partner: ⚠️ This Passage Does Not Appear to Be a Gen...
What are the rules of keeping kosher?
The Rules of Keeping Kosher (Kashrut) Keeping kosher (kashrut) refers to the system of Jewish dietary laws derived from the Torah and elaborated by the Tal...
Faith in God and the structure of the brit
The Torah tradition offers a rich and nuanced understanding of this idea, rooted in the Hebrew concept of emunah (faith/trust) which is fundamentally relational
What’s the deal with anal sex
The halachic status of anal sex within marriage has been a subject of significant rabbinic debate throughout Jewish history. The mainstream position, as ruled b
What is chabad psalms?
Chabad Psalms refers to the Chabad-Lubavitch custom of dividing the entire book of Tehillim (Psalms) into a monthly cycle, recited collectively by Chassidi...
What is the Jewish evening prayer (Maariv)?
What is the Jewish Evening Prayer (Maariv)? Maariv (also called Arvit) is the Jewish evening prayer service, recited after nightfall each day. It consists...
Can one schedule a non-jew appliance repair mechanic to come on Shabbat to repair a refrigerator?
Scheduling a non-Jewish appliance repairman to come specifically on Shabbat to repair a refrigerator is generally forbidden according to halacha. The core prohi
כמה פעמים יש זונות במקרא
כמה פעמים המילה "זוֹנוֹת" מופיעה במקרא (כתיב מלא) המילה "זוֹנוֹת" בכתיב מלא (עם וי"ו) מופיעה במקרא פעם אחת בלבד — במשלי כ"ט, ג'. זהו עיקרון מסורתי שמביא רש...
What are several extensive Hasidic commentaries upon the amidah
Hasidic Commentaries on the Amidah The Amidah (the Eighteen Blessings, also called Shemoneh Esrei or Tefillah) has been a central focus of Hasidic thought, as p
What is torah books in hebrew?
The Hebrew word for Torah books is ספרי תורה (Sifrei Torah), referring to the sacred scrolls and books of Scripture. More broadly, the complete Hebrew Bibl...
Herod
Herod was one of the most complex and morally paradoxical figures in late Second Temple Jewish history. Though remembered as a ruthless, illegitimate ruler who
Torah
Shalom! It seems like you'd like to explore the topic of Torah itself — one of the most fundamental concepts in all of Judaism. The Torah is the foundational di