Jewish Texts
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Counting the Tribes, Multiples of 100
When the tribe’s population numbers are recorded, all but two of them are multiples of 100 (in the previous count all but one, I think). Is there a reason, a meaning or an interpretation for this particular fact?I have struggled…
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The Form of the Original Torah Text
I have heard that the Oral law tells us which vowels go where in the Torah and how the words were divided, since originally the Torah was written without spaces between words. Can you provide any sources for this? Perhaps…
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Exodus and Egyptian clothing
It says that there are three things that the Jews did not change in Egypt. and one of them is their clothing. if so how did they borrow the Egyptian’s clothing? Perhaps there were some clothes which the Egyptians had…
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Moses and Pharaoh
Why did Moses tell Pharaoh he only wanted to stay three days in the desert with the people, instead of telling him outright he would leave Egypt forever? Didn’t he have the full power and mandate of the Creator behind…
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Job’s Name
What does the name Iyov (Job) mean? I’ve heard it suggested that Iyov comes from the word “oy”, which is the Hebrew cry of sorrow. The Hebrew word “Ov” means to fill up and “Yaev” means to desire, so another…
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Biblical Candelabra
I have been searching for a picture or description of a biblical age candelabra. i am under the impression that is was of gold made into tubes through which flowed olive oil. It did not have tubes but was from…
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Snake on the pole
Why was the snake chosen to be looked upon for healing (the bronze snake on a pole-Moses). I would think another type of symbol would be used for healing, rather one that represents evil. Why not a lamb or a…
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Cain’s Wife
Genesis 4:17 says ‘And Cain knew his wife’. Who can this wife be if Adam and Eve only had 3 sons! The Medrash writes that together with Cain and Abel were born three girls. Each married one and according to…
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Did Moses write about his death?
If Moses wrote down the Torah how could he write about his death? The Talmud asks this question. Typically Talmudic, there are 2 opinions: Yes, “with tears in his eyes” and No, Joshua did. To my knowledge there is no…