The Land of Israel
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The Size of the Land
What is the extent of the Holy Land? The maximum extent of the Holy Land is from the Nile to the Euphrates and from the Mediterranean Sea to the desert; this was the land that G-d promised to Abraham (see…
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Animal Tithes
When and how were animal tithes given? A general principle about tithes is that each year’s “crops” must be tithed separately. This is true for the animal tithe, just as it is for agricultural tithes. Thus there must be a…
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Challah
What is Challah? The word “Challah” in the Torah means “loaf” (of bread). In the Talmud, the word specifically refers to the dough-offering (Num.15:17-21).
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Non-Levite Kohanim
Were the Kohanim ever non-Levites? Was Samuel a Kohen? Before the Torah was given, the first-born served as priests; thus in those days each family had its own priest, who was not a Levite unless the family was from the…
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The Tachash
What animal was the Tachash whose skin was used in the Tabernacle? The Talmud (Shabbos 28:a-b) tells us that it was a multicolored kosher animal that had one horn, and that it has not existed since Moses’ time. Some scholars…
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The Scapegoat
Was the scapegoat sent away to wander freely in the desert? The Torah, in referring to the sending away of the scapegoat in the desert (Lev.16:22), uses the term “eretz gezerah”. Targum Onkelos translates “gezerah” as “uninhabited”, but Targum Yonasan…
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The Fire on the Altar
How was a fire kept buring permanently on the Altar? A large supply of wood was kept on hand, and the ashes were periodically cleaned away. There was plenty of room on the altar to keep the fire burning in…
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The First Fruits
When were first fruits brought to the Temple? First fruits could be brought to the Temple at any time between Shavuos and Chanukah.
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The Sin Offering of the Leper and Yoledes
Why do a leper and a woman who has given birth have to bring a sin offering? The sages say that "leprosy" is a consequence of slanderous speech; this is a spiritual cause, not a medical cause, and it may…