The Chumash (Five Books of Moses)
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Number of Judges
In the weekly portion of Yitro, Moses appoints judges over 10’s, 50’s, 100’s, and 1000’s (see Exodus 18:25). With the exception of the judge over 50, each judge was in charge of a group of 10. Why was there a…
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Pharaoh in Ninveh
Can you tell me the story of Pharaoh ruling over the city of Nineveh & its source? A hint to the idea that Pharaoh did not die at the splitting of the Reed Sea can be found in Exodus 14:28.…
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Debating With G-d
Why does Abraham debate with G-D over the destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah but offers no plea when commanded to offer his son Isaac? I think that the answer lies in the way you phrased your question – “but offers…
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Moses, Circumcision, and Penalty of Death
Please explain Exodus 4:24 to 4:27. Thanks The Torah describes a very unusual course of events in these passages. Moses stops off at an inn on his way back to Egypt. Suddenly, we find that G-d seeks to kill him,…
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Guilt Extending Over Generations
Does Judaism believe in the idea that the guilt of an individual or group can be carried from one generation to the next? What does it mean when the Bible says, “Unto the Fourth Generation”? Your question refers to the…
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Moses, Aaron, and Exodus 2:1-2
Exodus 2:1-2 states: “And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid…
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Famine in the Land
In Genesis 43:11, Jacob told his sons to take honey, lotus, nuts and other things to give to the Viceroy of Egypt (who was, unbeknownst to Jacob at the time, Joseph). Now, if there was a famine in the land,…
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Two Creation Narratives
Does Genesis Chapters 1 & 2 tell the story of two creations (i.e. one spiritual and one physical)? If not, please explain the following: A. Genesis 1:3 in contrast to Genesis 1:16; B. Genesis 1:25-27 in contrast to Genesis 2:18-19;…
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Satan and the Serpent
As I read Genesis, I find the description of the serpent to be not that of Satan, but of a snake. What is the Jewish position on this subject: Snake or devil? And, if the devil, why should the snake…