The Prophets and Writings
-
Doctrine of “Original Sin” & Psalm 51:7
I am curious as to what David is referring to when he says, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” More specifically, I know Judaism does not believe in the “original sin”…
-
Malachi’s Prophecy
Have there been any prophets since Malachi? If so, who are they? Malachi was amongst the last, but not necessarily the very last. Prophecy did stop in Malachi’s generation however. G-d determined that the time to end prophecy had arrived,…
-
The Author of the Book of Kings
When was the book of Kings written? Who wrote it? What was happening to the jewish people at that time? The Talmud records that the book of Kings was composed by the prophet Jeremiah. While it is difficult to determine…
-
Miriam’s Daughter
I wanted to find the name of Miriam’s daughter. I found that she was married to Caleb. Caleb had a daughter Achsah. Somewhere I read that Achsah was a child of Miriam and Caleb. Although our Sages teach us that…
-
The Feet and the Shoe of Boaz
Why did Ruth uncover Boaz’s feet (Ruth 3:4)? What is the significance of taking off the sandal (Ruth 4:7-8)? Boaz had intimated that he intended to marry Ruth. Now he needed to either do so, or make it clear that…
-
Ruth’s Conversion and Levirate Marriage
The Rashi commentary on Ruth (1:12) writes that Ruth converted after her husband died. How could there be a concept of Yibum (Levirate marriage) later on in the story when marriage to a non-Jew does not establish a bond that…
-
The Book of Job and Us
Was G-d so confident with Job when he let Satan test him so harshly? I also wonder personally, am I living through now the same experience that Job had? Why? Thank you for your very interesting question. The Torah works…
-
Biblical History, Post-Biblical History, The Chumash (Five Books of Moses), The Prophets and Writings
Dinah and Tamar
I recently came across the story of Tamar, the daughter of David, who was raped by her brother, Amnon. This reminded me of the story of Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, who was raped–though not incestuously. I can’t seem to find Torah…