Torah Q&A
3130 answered questions with cited sources from the Sefaria library.
What does commentary say about why the israelites never complained about having to unexpectantly move without advance warning of the clouds of glory
The Israelites' acceptance of sudden, unannounced travel at the cloud's direction is actually a profound expression of bitachon (trust in God) and emunah (faith
When did the Jewish community start fasting for tammuz
The fast of the 17th of Tammuz (Shiva Asar b'Tammuz) has its roots going back to the Biblical era, with formal rabbinic codification during or after the Se...
Shabbat chazon how to see vision of third temple
Shabbat Chazon and the Vision of the Third Temple Shabbat Chazon (שַׁבַּת חֲזוֹן, "Shabbat of Vision") is the Shabbat immediately before Tisha B'Av, named after
Where in the torah is the requirement if universal peace that the meshiah will bring?
The concept of universal peace in the Messianic era is not found in a single verse but is woven throughout the prophetic books of Tanakh and developed extensive
If I didn’t hear a siyum but was in the building while it happened, can I eat meat in then9 days
Can You Eat Meat During the Nine Days if You Were Present at a Siyum But Didn't Hear It? Being physically present in the building where a siyum (completion of a
Can one eat chicken during the 9days
The custom (minhag) during the Nine Days (from Rosh Chodesh Av through Tisha B'Av) is to abstain from eating meat and poultry. Chicken is included in this prohi
The book of Enoch
The Book of Enoch is a fascinating and complex topic in Jewish tradition. It is an ancient Jewish text attributed to Enoch (Chanoch in Hebrew), the biblical fig
Can I put on makeup on the second day of Yom tov
Applying makeup on the second day of Yom Tov is subject to the same halachic debate as the first day, and the majority of contemporary poskim (halachic decisors
Look at the stars Abraham
"Look at the Stars, Abraham": The Vision of Genesis 15:5 When God commanded Abram to look at the stars in Genesis 15:5, it was one of the most profound moments
If someone gets engaged and I have information that the other person has serious character and personality flaws am I obligated to tell that person
This is one of the most important and practically relevant questions in the laws of lashon hara (forbidden speech). Yes, you are not only permitted but obligate
Can i braid a friendahip bracelet on tisha ba av
Making a friendship bracelet on Tisha B'Av is generally prohibited, both because it constitutes melachah (creative work/labor) and because it conflicts with the
Can athletic shoes with some leather trim allowed to be worn on tisha b'av?
Athletic shoes with leather trim occupy a debated area in halacha (Jewish law). The core prohibition on Tisha B'Av is wearing leather shoes, and most authoritie
Can I give him a birthday present
Yes, you can give your son a birthday present on Tisha B'Av. Since he is under bar mitzvah age, he is not bound by the restrictions of the day, and receiving a
Can a clothes line tied to a tree be used on Shabbat?
The use of a clothesline tied to a tree on Shabbat involves two distinct halachic concerns: using a tree on Shabbat, and the laws of eruv (enclosure) and carryi
Does it say that a Rebbe has to go with his talmud when he travels to Israel
The idea that a Rebbe must accompany his student when traveling to Israel is a fascinating topic rooted in Talmudic tradition. The Talmud in Ketubot 111a discus
IF I AT A MZONOT BREAKFAST CEREAL, DO I MAKE A SHEHAKOL ON THE MILK WITH IT
Great practical halacha question! The answer is: no, you do not make a separate Shehakol on the milk when eating a Mezonot breakfast cereal. The bracha of Mezon
Maharsha on haguiga 12b
The Maharsha (Rabbi Shmuel Eidels, 1555–1631) on Chagigah 12b addresses the famous Talmudic discussion about the creation of heaven and earth — specifically the
Does the mishnah hold eyin tachas ayin is mamon or mamash
The Mishnah definitively holds that "ayin tachat ayin" (עַיִן תַּחַת עַיִן — "an eye for an eye") means monetary compensation (mamon), not literal physical reta
DOES THE IDEA OF A YISSACHAR-ZVULUN BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP HAVE A BASIS IN THE TALMUD
The Yissachar-Zevulun partnership — where a businessman supports a Torah scholar in exchange for a share in the spiritual reward — has a strong basis in classic
If tisha b'av was on Thursday can the break fast meal be chicken?
Yes, if Tisha B'Av falls on a Thursday, chicken may be eaten at the break-fast meal immediately after the fast ends. The restriction on meat and wine during the
Did the מן come down on Yom Tov?
The man (manna) did not fall on Yom Tov (Jewish holidays), just as it did not fall on Shabbat. This is derived from the same biblical logic that explains the do
What are the differences between 10 commandments in exode and 10 commandments in vaetchanan?
The Ten Commandments appear twice in the Torah — once in Exodus 20 (Parashat Yitro) and once in Deuteronomy 5 (Parashat Va'etchanan) — and while they are largel
What does it mean bnot Israel yapot ham?
The phrase "bnot Israel yapot ham" refers to the "beautiful daughters of Israel" (bnot Yisrael yapot — יָפוֹת הַנָּשִׁים) mentioned in the Song of Deborah (Judg
Did every tribe have their own flag or was there 4 flags each for the groups of 3
Great question! This is actually a fascinating debate among the classical commentators, and the answer depends on how you read a key phrase in Numbers 2:2. Key
Could you explain 4.15 of the Vaetchanan
Pirkei Avot 4:15 — Analysis and Commentary The term "4.15 of Vaetchanan" could refer to two things. I'll address the most likely meaning — Pirkei Avot 4:15 — wh
Compare Rebbe Nachman and simcha Bunin for similarities in outlook
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and Reb Simcha Bunim of Peshischa: A Comparative Study Both Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772–1810) and Reb Simcha Bunim of Peshischa (176
Replacing a Broken Tzitzit String on a Tallit
Replacing a Broken Tzitzit String on a Tallit When a complete string (chatit) tears off from one corner of a tallit (four-cornered garment), the question of whe
Is there a day by day Kabbalistic practice in Elul
Kabbalistic Practice in Elul: Day by Day Elul is the most spiritually charged month of the Jewish year — the month of teshuvah (repentance) and preparation for
Could the Yovel law dictating the return to the original distribution be interpreted as favoring those who have become poor over those who have become rich, and if so, how is this consistent with the interpretation of "justice, justice shall you pursue" as saying that one should not in matters of law favor either the rich or the poor.
This is a profound question that cuts to the heart of Torah jurisprudence. The Yovel system does structurally benefit those who have fallen into poverty by rest
I recall, reading in Jewish literature that the physical part of the body the navel is an evil part of the body. Perhaps this is related to the Hebrew or Naval.
The Navel (Tabur) and the Word Naval: Exploring the Connection This is a fascinating question that touches on linguistics, anatomy, Kabbalah, and biblical theol