G-d and Torah

What are the four ways of understanding the Torah? The classical four ways of understanding the Torah are PESHAT (the plain meaning); DERASH (meanings inferred by traditional rules of interpretation); REMEZ (hints or allegories); and SOD (“secret”, esoteric meanings). See…

What is the relationship between the angels and the nations of the world? There are 70 angels representing the 70 nations (the number of descendants of Noah listed in Gen.Ch.10). The angel of Esau, with whom Jacob wrestled (Gen.32:25-30), is…

What are the sources about the angel Rephael? The angel Rephael is not mentioned by name in the Bible, but he is mentioned in the Talmud (Yoma 37a and Bava Metzia 86b.) as one of the three angels who visited…

Why do we write “G-d” instead of spelling it out? We’re concerned that a document containing G-d’s Name might not be treated respectfully, so we don’t spell out the Name in full. Using an abbreviation isn’t disrespectful; it’s like using…

What is the subject matter of the Oral Law? Was it ever written down? Moses was given an Oral Law together with the Written Law. The Oral Law included many things that were necessary for effective understanding of the Written…

Why do we say "Ha-Shem" instead of pronouncing G-d's name the way it is written? In Biblical times the Tetragrammaton was pronounced the way it was written, and in the Temple it was pronounced by the Kohanim when they blessed…

Is the Torah mentioned in ancient sources? Aside from references to the Torah in other Biblical books, the earliest written sources that mention it date from about 2-300 B.C.E., over 1000 years after Moses. But the Jews have an unbroken…

What is Midrash? Midrash is a process that associates ideas with Biblical verses. The ideas need only be suggested by the verses; they needn't be their literal meanings.