The Chumash (Five Books of Moses)
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Two Sets of Tablets, Aaron and the Golden Calf
How long was it between the first and second tablets? Answer: Moshe went up to receive the first tablets on 7 Sivan and broke them on 17 tamuz. He prayed until 1 Elul and received the second tablets on Yom…
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So Many Details of the Tabernacle!
Why are there so many details on the building of the Tabernacle, yet hardly any details regarding the creation of the world and us? Answer: It is important to keep in mind that the Torah was given primarily for the…
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The Ark that Didn’t Take Up Space
Why did the Aron Hakodesh (The holy ark) in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) have no measurment or no space what so ever? What was the reason for that? Answer: Hi! The Aron haKodesh had no measurement because it was not a…
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Eye for an Eye vs. Turning the Other Cheek
My non-Jewish friends tell me that they think Judaism is wrong because it teaches one that an eye for an eye is the right way instead of turning the other cheek. Are they correct in their assessment of the Jewish…
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Lessons from the Manna
What is the significance of story of the Manna? Answer: Many commentaries explain that the story of the Manna teaches us about the mechanics of earning a livelihood. Although we must put forth an effort to obtain an income, our…
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Blood, Lice, and Gratitude
I noticed that Moses did not take part in bringing forth the plagues of Blood and Lice by not striking the Nile river or the dust. What could be the reason for this? Answer: You’re making an excellent point about…
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One Huge Frog
I once heard a Midrash that said that the plague of frogs in Egypt began with one huge frog. Can you tell me exactly how big this frog was according to the Midrash? Was it as big as a fully…
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How does a rationalist believe in miracles?
I have trouble believing in miracles. How can a rationalist believe that food fell from the sky and fed the Jewish people in the desert? That the red sea split? That frogs fell out of the sky? Thanks. Answer: That’s…
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Pharoah’s Hardened Heart and Free Will
Why did G-d harden Pharaoh’s heart? Are we to take this literally–that G-d effectively cancelled Pharaoh’s free will and made him nothing more than a puppet in the exodus of our people. Or, more likely, are we to interpret this…