Post-Biblical History
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The Preservation of the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin
What were the merits of Benjamin, so that his tribe, in addition to Judah’s, was preserved into modern times? Answer: Thank you for your interesting question! I think it’s important to point out that all the tribes were preserved. The…
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Repetition of the Amida
Why is the amidah repeated? Due to the growing inability of many Jews to formulate their own prayers, and perhaps also due to the lessening primacy of the Hebrew language during the 2nd Temple era, the precise text of the…
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Origins of the Sefer Hachinuch
Who wrote the Sefer HaChinuch, and in what context? The author of Sefer HaChinuch wished to remain anonymous (as did most medieval Jewish scholars). Yet, it is widely assumed that his name was Rabbi Aaron Halevi from Barcelona (Spain), and…
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Modern Descendants of Esau
I would like to know who you feel are the descendants of Esau in today’s world? Could they be the Edomites who became the Catholic peoples? The verse in Genesis (25:30) informs us that Esau himself was called Edom: “And…
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Poland and the Holocaust
What is the Jewish point of view on the the antisemitism of the Polish and the way they treated the Jews in the Holocaust? That is an excellent question. I believe that there are two perspectives, and although they may…
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Biblical History, Post-Biblical History, The Chumash (Five Books of Moses), The Prophets and Writings
Dinah and Tamar
I recently came across the story of Tamar, the daughter of David, who was raped by her brother, Amnon. This reminded me of the story of Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, who was raped–though not incestuously. I can’t seem to find Torah…
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Dead Sea Scrolls
What is the Jewish opinion on the Dead Sea Scrolls? The Dead Sea Scrolls are a curiosity. Nothing in them could change Judaism especially as the authors are unknown. Who is to know if they had any authority.
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Yehudit
What is the meaning of the name Yehudit? Where is her name found in the bible? Yehudit means a Jewess. It is from the Torah and its male counterpart is Yehudah, which was one of the tribes is Israel, but…
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Bar Kochba and Rabbi Akiva
During the Bar-Kochba uprising Rabbi Akiva supported its leader. But once Bar-Kohba refused to obey Rabi Akiva when he forbade being friendly with Samaritans. As a result Rabi Akiva left Bar-Kohba and his followers. My definition of this situation is…