Jewish Texts
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Egyptians Killed at the Splitting of the Sea
Why did god kill the Egyptians when the Israelites were crossing the Red Sea? Answer: Thank you for asking this question. In order to really understand the situation well one really needs to study it with the classic commentators. If…
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Blessing Joseph’s Sons Separately
Why were Joseph’s sons blessed separately from the other tribes? If Joseph’s sons were made equal to the other tribes wouldn’t it make sense to have them blessed together leaving no doubt of their new elevated status? Answer: I don’t…
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Abraham’s Eulogy for Sarah & Eshet Chayil
I was under the impression that Eshet Chayil (“Woman of Valor” traditionally recited before the meal on Sabbath Eve) came from the scriptural book of Proverbs but I was told that it also comes from a Midrash. Specifically Abraham writes…
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Soap as a Metaphor
Where are the scriptures that explain the exact ingredients that Noah used to make the lye soap for bathing in the Torah? Answer: I can tell you a little about soap when used Biblically, such as in Malachi 3:2. There…
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Where Was the Covenant Between the Parts?
I am wondering if there is a reference or tradition that states where Abraham was located during the Genesis 15 covenant episode. Was his encounter with Gd, and the splitting and arranging of the animals located at Beit El? Moriah?…
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The Oral Tradition of Chanuka
Why can’t I find anything written in the Torah about Hanukkah? I was told that the events of Hanukkah occurred after the Torah was written but how do people know about the story? Was the story of Hanukkah only verbally…
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The Love of David and Jonathan
Recently I was discussing King David with a guy and he claims that King David and Jonathan were homosexual lovers. Is this true and if not can you tell me where to find the answers to refute his remark? He…
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Other Flood Stories
A friend told me there is a story from way before the Torah was given that talks about the early days of man and then says there was a flood. Only one man and his family and animals survive the…
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Live Well. It is the Greatest Revenge.
We’re doing a report and want to use this quote as the title, “Live well. It is the greatest revenge”. Several websites have said it is from the Talmud and later referred to in a book by an English Clergyman,…