Jewish Texts
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Gematria
What is Gematria? Where can I obtain a course in it? Gematria is a system of numerical values and mystical significance for each letter, word, phrase, chapter, and parsha of the Torah, Prophets and Writings. It is something that occasionally…
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Book for Basic Daily Practices
I grew up Reform but I am now trying to learn and incorporate more into my daily life. I need to find a source that says exactly when and what is done and in what order in daily life. I’m…
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Hulda the Prophetess and King Josiah
Hulda told King Josiah to refuse Pharaoh’s request to cross Israel to fight other enemies; this led to the King’s death. I also read, I don’t remember where, that she advised Gedaliah not to worry about an assassination threat. According…
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“Men began to call” … or “profane”
I really want to know about the translation of the verse Genesis 4:26 (quoted below) . The word in question is at the end of this verse. I have heard that it is either chalal or qara referring to, I…
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Division of the Torah into Portions
I was wondering who created the division into Torah Portions? What was it based on? Was it done before or after the introduction of verses and chapters? Hi! I don’t know exactly when the portions were divided, but the Talmud…
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The Writing of the First Torah
Where and when was the first Torah written? In what form? Did Moses write the Torah in the form of a diary of events as they happened? Answer: There are two different opinions in the Talmud. One is that the…
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Breastplate of the High Priest
Could you please tell me how the Urim and Tumin (the High Priest’s breastplate) worked? The Urim and Thummim were 12 precious (or semi precious) stones which were attached to a breastplate worn by the Kohein Gadol (High Priest). Each…
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Plague of Darkness and Egyptian Possessions
During Egyptian plague of darkness did the Jews ransack Egyptian homes for gold/jewelry because G-d had said they would not leave Egypt poor, but rich? Isn’t this stealing? During the plague of darkness the Jews did not ransack the Egyptian…
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Let US make man II
Genesis 1:26 reads “And G-d said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..” I know that G-d is one, but I don’t understand why this verse says “us” if he is one. I don’t know if this…