Jewish Texts
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Why Moses Sent Spies in Canaan
In the Torah Portion of Shelach (Numbers 13:17-21) why is it that Moses seemed scared to commit to the promised land? Why didn’t he want to trust G-d? Answer: Excellent question, which the eminent medieval commentator Nachmanidies addresses. Moses trusted…
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Samson and the Donkey Jawbone
Why did Shimshon (Samson) specifically use the jaw bone of a donkey to fight the Philistines. Was it considered a miracle. Why didnt he use a sword or weapons of war? Answer: That’s an interesting question. In the simple understanding, I’d…
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Today’s Judaism Compared to Biblical Judaism
I have a hard time believing that Orthodox Judaism as it is practiced today is exactly what Hashem (G-d) wants. He hasn’t revealed Himself to us since the days of biblical Judaism, and although I know that the rabbis were given the…
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Moses and His Uncircumcised Son
Why was G-d trying to kill Moses (Exodus 4:24-26) on his return to Egypt with his wife and son? Was it due to him not circumcising his son yet? Answer: Moses was in a bit of a quandary – his…
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Origin of the Name Moses/Moshe
Was Moshe (Moses) originally an Egyptian name or a Jewish name? I have heard that it is both. I would appreciate a clarification. Thank you. Answer: Thank you for sending us your question. I don’t know if you’ll get a…
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Influencing the World
I was speaking to someone who knows Matisyahu, a Hasidic performer. One thing he remembers Matisyahu showing him is somewhere in the Torah where it says “do not let the world influence you, but let the world be influenced by…
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Names of the Torah Portions
Who named the Torah Portions and when did this start? Answer: Hi! You’re asking an interesting and difficult question. I’m not sure that anyone named the portions. We don’t even really know where they came from; the Torah itself doesn’t…
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Abraham’s “Only Son”?
In Genesis 22:12 and 16 G-d addresses Abraham regarding Isaac as “your only son”. What about Ishmael? Is he not Abraham’s first born son? Answer: Hi! Interesting question you’re asking. To add to it, G-d uses the phrase before these…
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Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
What were the reasons God destroyed Sodom & Gomorrah? In verse 5 were the men asking Lot to send the angels out so they could commit homosexual acts with them? Answer: That indeed was their intention, but homosexuality is not…