The Chumash (Five Books of Moses)
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Was Abraham Jewish?
Was Abraham a Jew? Answer: Hi! “Was Abraham a Jewâ€? is an interesting question, and one that may be impossible to answer. It comes down to definitions. He wasn’t a party to the covenant made at Mount Sinai, and thus…
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Why only 24 books in the Bible?
Why was it determined by the Rabbis that the 24 books of the Bible only include those books and not more?Why weren’t other holy books, written later in time, included in the Bible ? Answer: The Bible (Tanach) isn’t a…
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Did the Patriarchs Know the Torah and Observe It?
I’ve read that Jacob, Joseph, and his brothers were observing and studying the Torah. Wasn’t the Torah given to Moses after their time? Answer: Excellent question. The source of this is the Talmud (Tractate Yoma 28b) that writes that Abraham…
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Pharaoh or King of Egypt?
Throughout the Torah Portion of Shemos, Pharaoh is referred to as “Pharaoh” and other times as “the king of Egypt”. The contrast is most noticeable in ch.5: 1-5: 5:1 – Moses & Aaron said to Pharaoh… 5:2 – Pharaoh replied…
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Sabbath of Creation – Why No “Evening” and “Morning”?
In Gen 2:1-3. There is no evening and morning as in the other six days. Would it be right to say the sabbath has no ending? Answer: Hi! That is a really interesting way to look at it. I guess…
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Forbidden Fruit and the Apple Myth
In school we learned that the forbidden fruit that Adam and Eve ate from wasn’t actually an apple like I always thought, but grapes, figs, or wheat. So why then do so many people assume it is an apple? Are…
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Punishment for False Prophecy
What is the punishment for being a false prophet? Answer: The portion regarding the false prophet is found in “Re’eh” (Deut. 13:2-6). In verse 6 the Torah explicitly states that the false prophet shall be put to death (“yu’math”). However,…
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Eden’s Talking Snake
How did the snake communicate with eve? Answer: Hi! It’s a very interesting question. But you know, the world then was very different, in so many ways. It’s not too easy for us to relate to. The Da’as T’vunos by…
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Who Built the First Altar?
In Genesis, when Noah comes out of the ark (Gen 8:18-20) he immediately builds an altar to the Lord. I was just wondering how he knew to do this…. this seems to me to be the first time in scripture…