Basics of Judaism
- Basic Values and Morality
- Chosen People
- G-d and Torah
- Heaven and Hell
- Other Denominations
- Reward and Punishment
- Science and Torah
- Sin and Repentance
- The Messiah
- Who is a Jew?
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Cleaving to G-d
How does one "cleave" to G-d? The Torah (Deut. 11:20) speaks about "cleaving" to G-d, but the Talmud (Kesubos 111b, Sotah 14a) points out that this isn’t possible in a literal sense; rather, it means that one should "imitate" G-d…
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Black People in the Torah
Does the Torah mention black people? The Torah speaks about Ethiopians (Kushites), but doesn’t explicitly mention their skin color. Kush was a son of Ham, one of Noah’s sons.
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The Fruit that Adam and Eve Ate
What was the “fruit” that Adam and Eve ate? The Talmud (Berachos 40a; Sanhedrin 70a-b) records three opinions about it. According to R.Meir, it was grapes; according to R.Yehudah, wheat; according to R.Nehemiah, figs. The idea that it was an…
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The Bodies of Tzadikim Decaying
Do the bodies of the righteous (tzadikim) decay? Moses took Joseph’s bones out of Egypt; does this mean that his body had decayed? The statement about the bodies of tzadikim is found in the Midrash Tanchuma, where it says that…
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The Four Families in Zechariah
Who are the four families listed in Zechariah 12:12-13? Rashi on Zechariah 12:12-13 points to 2 Samuel 5:14, which lists four sons born to David in Jerusalem: Shamua (called “Shimei” in Zechariah), Shovav (not mentioned in Zechariah), Nathan, and Solomon.…
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SHLITA
What does SHLITA mean? “Shlita” is short for “SHe-yichyeh LI-yomim Tovim Aruchim” — “May he live days that are pleasant and long”.
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The Elders in Devarim
Who are the elders that Moses is referring to in Deuteronomy 32:7? Answer: “Elders” can be translated literally as “old people”, as in Targum Onkelos. It can also refer to Torah scholars, or to the Torah itself; see Targum Yonasan…
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The Name Nissim
What is the source of the name "Nissim"? The name doesn’t seem to have been used by any of the sages of the Talmud or by any of the Geonim; it seems to be of Persian origin. There were several…
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Patience and Self-Discipline
Where does the Bible teach us about patience and self-discipline? On patience, see Ecclesiastes 7:8; on being slow to anger, see Ecclesiastes 7:9 and 11:10; on self-discipline see Ex. 6:9 and Ecclesiastes 10:4.