The Chumash (Five Books of Moses)
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Locations of Adam and Abraham
Where is Adam’s paradise described in the Torah? Is it on the earth or in the sky? Answer: If you are referring to the Garden of Eden, it is on Earth, but I cannot tell you precisely where it is,…
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Teaching the Egyptians About G-d
In Exodus 14:4 it says “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart and he will come after them. I will triumph over Pharaoh and his entire army, and Egypt will know that I am God.’” Why would God want to show the…
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Historical Pharoah of the Exodus
Who was the historical Pharoah at the time of the Exodus? Was it possibly Tutankhamen? Answer: There are 2 schools of though regarding the Egyptian Pharaoh at the time. Some, based on the reference to the cities of Pithom and…
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The 10 Names of Moses
Can you please tell me the 10 names of Moses/Moshe? who called him what? what is the meaning and in which book can you find it? Answer: The names are: Yered, Chever, Yekusiel, Avigdor, Avi Socho, Avi Zonoiach, Tuvia, Shmaya, Ben…
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40 Years in the Desert
Why did it take 40 years for the Jewish to go from Egypt to the Holyland? Answer: The Jews should have gone into Israel once they left Mount Sinai, but the spies they sent to Israel took 40 days to bring…
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Why Moses Sent Spies in Canaan
In the Torah Portion of Shelach (Numbers 13:17-21) why is it that Moses seemed scared to commit to the promised land? Why didn’t he want to trust G-d? Answer: Excellent question, which the eminent medieval commentator Nachmanidies addresses. Moses trusted…
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Moses and His Uncircumcised Son
Why was G-d trying to kill Moses (Exodus 4:24-26) on his return to Egypt with his wife and son? Was it due to him not circumcising his son yet? Answer: Moses was in a bit of a quandary – his…
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Origin of the Name Moses/Moshe
Was Moshe (Moses) originally an Egyptian name or a Jewish name? I have heard that it is both. I would appreciate a clarification. Thank you. Answer: Thank you for sending us your question. I don’t know if you’ll get a…
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Influencing the World
I was speaking to someone who knows Matisyahu, a Hasidic performer. One thing he remembers Matisyahu showing him is somewhere in the Torah where it says “do not let the world influence you, but let the world be influenced by…