Jewish Texts
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Hell and Satan
Is Satan mentioned in the Torah? And do we as Jews believe in satan/hell? Answer: Satan is mentioned in the Bible, see the first few chapters of Job (and a few other places). However, it’s clear in the verses I…
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Moses’s name
We are taught that Moses was named by Pharoh’s daughter from the Egyptian word Moses meaning draw from the water. Are we ever told of the Hebrew name given by Yocheved when he was born? Answer: We are told that…
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Who did Jacob’s son’s marry?
Who did Jacob’s son’s marry (beside Joseph when the Torah tells us)? The Cannanities were looked down upon and were to be strongly avoided in the case of Isaac and Jacob. After Jacob’s encounter with Laban, I don’t think he…
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Two Pharoahs
Is Pharoah the same Pharoah that raised Moses? According to the strict interpretation of the verse “And Pharoah died” stated in Parshat Shemot, Moshe was dealing with a new Pharoah and not the one that raised him. Rashi does bring…
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People in Tanach
who are two biblical personalities who were involved actively in fulfilling the same interpersonal (ben adam lechavero) mitzvah? Avraham & Yitzchak both had similar situations where they had to Pray for their wives since they were Akaros, barren. Another instance…
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Torah Numbers in Base 10
Why are numbers in the Torah (= in Biblical Hebrew) in base ten? (I.e., why are they represented in multiples of ten, like 127, one times ten squared plus two times ten plus seven, rather than calling that same number…
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Interpreting the Book of Genesis
How are the Jews taught to interpret Genesis? Literally? Figuratively? Thank you. Shalom, That happens to be a very important question. The Torah is an outline, and there is a vast amount of information which supplements the outline for proper…
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Does the Torah change?
Within the parameters of classical Judaism, has the writings of the Torah changed since Moses wrote it? The Torah, that is the 5 Books of Moses are unchanged and will remain that way as it is a basic tenet of…
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The Book of Life
I was asked by someone if the Book of Life is mentioned in the bible. I’m not sure if it is mentioned in the Torah or the New Testament, or if it is mentioned in the Psalms. Can you help…