Jewish Texts
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Location of Noah’s Flood
Is it true that in the Talmud it says that Noah’s flood was only in Babylon? The only explicit Talmudic reference is Tractate Zevachim 113a where there is an opinion that the Flood did not take place in the Land…
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Singing the Psalms
What Psalms do Jews sing? A friend tells me that Jews only sing the Hallel Psalms. Is this true? Psalms was composed by King David and others to be a vehicle of expression, praise, song and prayer to God. It…
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The Indispensable Oral Tradition
I am reading the Torah for the first time in about 10 years and have been considering it carefully over the past year. I have been wondering about the oral tradition and where it comes from. I have not yet…
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Jacob Called It Peniel but People Call It Penuel
I was in a class where it was stated that Genesis 32:31-32 is an example of scribal error. The contention was that the use of the word Peniel and then Penuel indicates scribal error. I had heard, a couple of…
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Choosing a King: Judah vs. Joseph
Why did Jacob anoint Judah, and not Joseph, as his heir apparent? Joseph clearly was Jacob’s favorite, and the one that Jacob was begging to see before he died. Instead, Jacob said that the kingdom of Israel would spring through…
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The Old Testament
How does the Christian Bible (Old Testament) vary from the Hebrew texts? I’m having problems with my Christian friends regarding their translations of the old testament. They think GOD is the same in both religions. Answer: Hi, thanks for this…
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Hanukah and the Burning Bush
What are the similarities between the burning bush and the Hanukah candles? Fascinating question. The burning bush describes the difference between something that’s burning, and a wick. If the bush were to be its own fuel, it would be quickly…
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Tracing Lineage to Biblical Times
Is it possible to trace the genealogy of Adam and Eve all the way to people today? If not, then does anyone have historical proof of the fact that they are at least from a specific tribe of the 12…
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Convert, Orphan & Widow
In the Torah the convert is often lumped with the Levite, orphan, and widow as someone who is in need of receiving tithes and the harvest that is ‘forgotten’. As well the mitzvah not to cheat a poor or destitute…