Arba'a - mi yodeya?

Question

Who knows four?

Please cite/link your sources, if possible. After Shabbat, I will:

Upvote all interesting answers.
Accept the best answer.
Go on to the next number.

Previous: https://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/431/shelosha-mi-yodeya — Isaac Moses, Apr 24 '17 at 14:44
Next: https://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/474/chamisha-mi-yodeya — Isaac Moses, Apr 24 '17 at 14:45

Shalom · Accepted Answer · 2010-03-19T02:07:02.063

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Four are the sheep you give back for stealing and slaughtering/selling one. Bah!

Four is the minimum number of children (two boys, two girls) at which point Rabbi Yehuda Herzl Henkin and Rabbi Herschel Shachter would allow a couple to practice contraception indefinitely.

edited Mar 19 '10 at 02:07

answered Mar 19 '10 at 01:32

Shalom

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Way to expose important positions in an important area of Halacha. Of course people should make sure to consult their own Rabbi before acting on this information. – Isaac Moses Mar 21 '10 at 01:03

score 13 · Answer 2 · edited Jan 23 '14 at 18:05

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The number of columns (turim) of stones on the Choshen Mishpat. (Exodus 28:17)

Ironically enough, Choshen Mishpat is one of the Arba'a Turim. Which brings another answer: the number of sections in the Arba'a Turim and Shulchan Aruch.

edited Jan 23 '14 at 18:05

Double AA

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answered Mar 22 '10 at 14:03

Chanoch

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Ch"M is also the fourth Tur. +1 (I'd +4 if I could). – Seth J Jan 05 '16 at 15:36

score 13 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 25 '10 at 19:01

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Four men died without sins:

Binyamin, Amram, Yishai, Kil'av.

answered Mar 25 '10 at 19:01

Yahu

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Shabbos 55b is the source. – Bruce James Dec 08 '13 at 03:23

Yahu · Answer 4 · 2014-01-22T05:48:06.067

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... levels on which to understand the Torah: פשט- plain meaning, רמז- hints, דרש- exegesis, סוד- secret, hidden, underlying essential meaning

edited Jan 22 '14 at 05:48

answered Mar 25 '10 at 20:18

Yahu

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http://judaism.stackexchange.com/q/14750/759 – Double AA Mar 22 '12 at 00:56

score 11 · Answer 5 · answered Dec 15 '11 at 18:29

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I know we all like to provide out-of-the-box answers, but I'm disappointed that I have to be the one to give this answer, and nearly two years after the question was asked - 4 Imahoth (Matriarchs).

answered Dec 15 '11 at 18:29

Seth J

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score 11 · Answer 6 · answered Mar 21 '10 at 00:37

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the most popular number during the Passover Sedar. Four questions. Four sons. Four cups of wine.

answered Mar 21 '10 at 00:37

Ken

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score 10 · Answer 7 · answered Dec 15 '11 at 16:44

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4 shades of white that constitute tzara'at. (Snow, plaster, eggshell and wool)

(Negaim 1:1)

answered Dec 15 '11 at 16:44

Double AA

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score 10 · Answer 8 · answered Aug 07 '12 at 06:37

BS"D

Four rivers emgered out of Gan Edhen "וְנָהָר יֹצֵא מֵעֵדֶן, לְהַשְׁקוֹת אֶת-הַגָּן; וּמִשָּׁם, יִפָּרֵד, וְהָיָה, לְאַרְבָּעָה רָאשִׁים"

Four kingdoms allied and won the first great war " אֵת כְּדָרְלָעֹמֶר מֶלֶךְ עֵילָם, וְתִדְעָל מֶלֶךְ גּוֹיִם, וְאַמְרָפֶל מֶלֶךְ שִׁנְעָר, וְאַרְיוֹךְ מֶלֶךְ אֶלָּסָר--אַרְבָּעָה מְלָכִים, אֶת-הַחֲמִשָּׁה."

Four corners require SiSith "גְּדִלִים, תַּעֲשֶׂה-לָּךְ, עַל-אַרְבַּע כַּנְפוֹת כְּסוּתְךָ, אֲשֶׁר תְּכַסֶּה-בָּהּ"

score 10 · Answer 9 · answered Mar 19 '10 at 13:28

Four sons before Leah gave praise/thanks to Hashem (Yehuda). Four are the number of wives (mates) that Yaakov had. Twelve divided by Four equals Three sons per wife. Thus when Yehuda was born, Leah realized she got even more than her "fair share" and gave a special thanks.

score 10 · Answer 10 · edited Jan 23 '14 at 18:01

10

We take 4 Minim on Succos: Lulav, Esrog, Hadas, Arava (Leviticus 23:40)

edited Jan 23 '14 at 18:01

Double AA

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answered Jan 18 '11 at 04:37

Gershon Gold

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score 10 · Answer 11 · answered Jan 18 '11 at 23:08

10

4 holy cities, Yerushalayim, Chevron, Teveria, Tzefas

answered Jan 18 '11 at 23:08

Gershon Gold

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A source would be great here. – Seth J Jan 05 '16 at 15:37
@SethJ: Although I do not know the original source for this - here you can see the Lubavitcher Rabbi Zatzal discussing this concept. – Gershon Gold Jan 05 '16 at 15:49

score 9 · Answer 12 · answered Mar 19 '10 at 07:20

9

Four couples buried in Mi'aras HaMachpeilah in Kiryas Arba Hi Hevron.

answered Mar 19 '10 at 07:20

Yahu

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score 9 · Answer 13 · answered Mar 19 '10 at 13:48

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Four are the cubits of:

Separation
A real room
Transportation as creation
Divine residence in exile

answered Mar 19 '10 at 13:48

Isaac Moses

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And four are the handbreadths of a "private space." http://www.torah.org/learning/halacha/classes/class447.html
(If you just see the phrase "Dalet al dalet", you don't know if it's cubits or handbreadths; the former is "arba al arba [amot]", the latter "arba'a al arba'a [tefachim]"
– Shalom Mar 19 '10 at 14:04

score 9 · Answer 14 · answered Mar 19 '10 at 19:28

9

Four are the levels of the separative trop.

answered Mar 19 '10 at 19:28

Alex

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score 9 · Answer 15 · answered Mar 23 '10 at 00:52

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The kabbalistic worlds: atzilut, yetzira, beriya, and asiyah.

answered Mar 23 '10 at 00:52

Chanoch

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Can you please provide a source? – Seth J Jan 05 '16 at 15:37
What about Adam Kadmon? – Kfir Apr 11 '19 at 21:19

score 8 · Answer 16 · edited Mar 28 '18 at 19:11

8

There are four types of death by a Beis Din - Stoning, Burning, Beheading and Strangulation. (Sanhedrin 49b)

They carried out the four death sentences against him (Bilaam). - Sanhedrin 106b

edited Mar 28 '18 at 19:11

Re'eh

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answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:10

score 8 · Answer 17 · answered Jan 24 '14 at 02:39

8

Starting from the Shabbos before Rosh Chodesh Adar - or Adar2 in a leap year - we read what is known as the Daled Parshiyos - 4 special readings for the Maftir. Parshas Shekalim, Parshas Zachor, Parshas Parah, and Parshas HaChodesh.

answered Jan 24 '14 at 02:39

C. Ben Yosef

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score 8 · Answer 18 · edited Jan 23 '14 at 18:01

8

Arba'a Avos Nezikin, Arba'a Rashei Shanim Hem...

edited Jan 23 '14 at 18:01

Double AA

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answered Mar 19 '10 at 07:19

Yahu

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score 8 · Answer 19 · edited Jan 23 '14 at 18:03

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4 animals mentioned in the Torah that have only one Siman of Tahara and are thus Non-Kosher. (Leviticus 11:4, Deuteronomy 14:7)

edited Jan 23 '14 at 18:03

Double AA

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answered Jan 18 '11 at 04:39

Gershon Gold

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score 8 · Answer 20 · edited Jan 22 '14 at 05:49

8

We Daven four Amidos (colloquially known as Shemonah Esreis) on Shabbos, Yom Tov, and Rosh Chodesh

edited Jan 22 '14 at 05:49

Yahu

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answered Jan 18 '11 at 04:41

Gershon Gold

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score 8 · Answer 21 · answered Mar 25 '10 at 20:16

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... are the earthly elemental states according to ancient philosophy and Kabbalah:

Earth (solid), Air (gas), Fire (plasma), and Water (liquid)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_element,

Midrash Rabba, Bamidbar 14,12, טבעים,

Zohar I, 27a,

http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/zdm/zdm021.htm

answered Mar 25 '10 at 20:16

Yahu

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Related: http://judaism.stackexchange.com/q/22542 – msh210 Dec 03 '12 at 03:46

score 7 · Answer 22 · answered Mar 19 '10 at 19:29

7

Four are the levels of tum'ah applicable to non-sacred foods.

answered Mar 19 '10 at 19:29

Alex

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score 6 · Answer 23 · edited Jan 23 '14 at 17:58

6

There are four shomerim - שומר חינם, שואל, נושא שכר, ושוכר. (Bava Metzia 93a)

edited Jan 23 '14 at 17:58

Double AA

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answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:01

score 6 · Answer 24 · answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:44

Pirkei Avos Ch. 5:

4 times when pestilence increases - 4th, 7th, and year after shemitta, and after sukkos (12)

4 types of people - what's mine is mine etc... (13)

4 types of mindsets - angers easily cools off easily, angers slowly cools off slowly, angers slowly cools off easily, angers easily cools off slowly (14)

4 types of students - Understand quickly and forgets quickly, understands with difficulty and forgets with difficulty, understands quickly and forgets with difficulty, understands with difficulty and forgets quickly (15)

4 types of tzeddaka givers - gives himself and wants others to give etc... (16)

4 types of people who go to the Beis Medrash - goes and doesn't study, studies and doesn't go, goes and studies, doesn't go and doesn't study (17)

4 types of people who sit before chachamim - sponge, funnel, strainer, sieve (18)

score 6 · Answer 25 · answered Jan 23 '14 at 07:02

6

four letter of the tetragrammaton Y-H-V-H which is ultimately the source of most things four you will find in the torah. see shaarei kedusha.

answered Jan 23 '14 at 07:02

ray

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The Tetragrammaton does not consist of those ENGLISH letters. – Ephraim77 Jul 23 '19 at 19:31

score 6 · Answer 26 · answered Dec 07 '16 at 14:12

6

Four are the fasts for the Mikdash.

(Hat-tip: my daughter)

answered Dec 07 '16 at 14:12

Isaac Moses

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score 5 · Answer 27 · answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:35

5

Four expressions of redemption from Egypt.

answered Jan 22 '14 at 22:35

Y e z

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score 5 · Answer 28 · answered Jan 24 '14 at 02:35

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On Rosh Chodesh we have four Aliyos to the Torah.

answered Jan 24 '14 at 02:35

C. Ben Yosef

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Also Chol HaMoed. – Double AA Mar 21 '17 at 17:18

score 5 · Answer 29 · answered Jan 27 '14 at 20:01

Four is the number of cities King Nimrod sacrificed when he abandoned the cause of the Tower of Babel: Babel, Erech, Achad, and Kaleh.

Four is also the number of cities he was able to build as a reward once he got to Ashur: Ninveh, Rehoboth Ir, Kalah, and the great city, Resen.

(Gen 10:10-12, Targum Pseudo Jonathan ibid)

Gershon Gold · Answer 30 · 2012-05-08T16:34:42.607

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Moshiach has four names. Menachem, Shilo, Yinon, and Chanina which spells Moshiach

edited May 08 '12 at 16:34

answered Jan 18 '11 at 04:33

Gershon Gold

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-1 Eicha Rabbah lists "Tzemach" too. – HodofHod May 07 '12 at 23:16
Source?_________ – Double AA May 08 '12 at 17:53
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@DoubleAA: Eichah Rabbah 1:57. Though it then points out that צמח and מנחם count as the same thing because they have the same gematria. – Alex May 08 '12 at 19:37
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@HodofHod I don't know that it's -1 worthy. These are clearly all homiletic: if someone came and had all the rambam's characteristics of Mashiach and did all the things etc. but his name was Bob, I would still accept him as Mashiach. My point is there is no wrong answer for the name of Mashiach. – Double AA Jun 18 '12 at 03:49
@DoubleAA I don't disagree, but ultimately, if you want to count the names of Moshiach, and you leave out one, then you end up with the wrong number. If he'd said "4 are the names listed in " then I'd agree with you. – HodofHod Jan 22 '14 at 22:38

score 4 · Answer 31 · answered Feb 21 '14 at 11:33

4

There are four verses in Megillas Esther which the listeners read out loud.

answered Feb 21 '14 at 11:33

Machzor Vitri says this is אינו חובה ואינו מנהג אלא שמחת תינוקות – Double AA Jun 21 '17 at 22:22

score 4 · Answer 32 · answered Jun 19 '14 at 18:03

4

Four is number of angels, faces, wings and hands (on each angel) of Yechzkiel's vision

answered Jun 19 '14 at 18:03

Yishai

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score 3 · Answer 33 · answered Jul 23 '19 at 19:32

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There are four tzitzit on tallit.

answered Jul 23 '19 at 19:32

Ephraim77

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score 3 · Answer 34 · answered Aug 20 '20 at 18:05

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Sotah 42b - In reward for the four tears Orpah shed over her mother-in-law Naomi, she merited to bear four mighty men (Saph, Madon, Golyas & Yishbi Benov)

answered Aug 20 '20 at 18:05

Dov

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score 3 · Answer 35 · answered Jan 23 '14 at 22:29

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Four are the cardinal directions:

East/Qedem (Shemot 27:13)
South/Negev (Bereshit 24:62)
North/Tzafon (Yeshayahu 14:13)
West/Yam (Bemidbar 34:60)

answered Jan 23 '14 at 22:29

Lee

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score 3 · Answer 36 · answered Jan 23 '14 at 22:31

3

Four are the corners of the Mizbeahh.

answered Jan 23 '14 at 22:31

Lee

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score 3 · Answer 37 · answered Jan 24 '14 at 02:45

3

There are 2 which are subdivided into FOUR ways to move something from a private domain to a public domain on Shabbos (Shabbos Mishna 1:1)

answered Jan 24 '14 at 02:45

Y e z

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And two which are four remembrances of tumah, two which are four shevuos, and two which are four types of tzara'as (Shevuos 1:1, which also brings Yetzi'os HaShabbos). – DonielF Apr 14 '19 at 02:51

score 3 · Answer 38 · edited May 22 '15 at 09:43

4 exiles: בבל, פרס ומדי, יון. אדום.

These correspond to the letters of the word גשנה, which stands for גוף שכל נפש הכל.
גוף corresponds to גלות פרס ומדי.
שכל corresponds to גלות יון.
נפש corresponds to גלות בבל.
הכל corresponds to גלות אדום.

This is also connected to the 4 sides of the דריידל.

There are 4 sons of יבן (see 1 Chronicles 1:7 and Genesis 9:4)
There are 4 sons of חם (see 1 Chronicles 1:8 and Genesis 9:6)
There are 4 sons of ארם (see Genesis 9:23)
There are 4 sons of ראואל (see 1 Chronicles 1:37)
There are 4 sons of ראומה (see Genesis 22:24)

score 2 · Answer 39 · answered Jul 23 '19 at 15:18

4- are the number of things required for a "תנאי" --halachik stipulation/ condition-- to be considered valid (see Rambam, Hilchos Ishus 6:1-2).

1) שיהיה כפול - The stipulation must be "twofold," with both a positive and negative statement

Example: if you do x then we're married, and if you don't do x then we're not married (see Kiddushin 61a)

2) שיהיה הן שלו קודם ללאו - The positive stipulation must be stated before the negative stipulation

Ex: see example used in #1 (see Gittin 75b)

3) שיהיה התנאי קודם למעשה - the stipulation must be mentioned before the action

Example: "I'll give you $100 if you climb Mount Everest" would be invalid, since the stipulation precedes the action (see Bava Metzia 94a)

4) שיהיה התנאי דבר שאפשר לקיימו - the stipulation made must be possible for one to fulfill

Example: stating "I'll do this on condition you go all the way to the heavens" is obviously not possible and would thus be in valid (see Bava Metzia 94a)

score 2 · Answer 40 · edited Jun 16 '20 at 10:41

2

Four categories of Korbanos, according to the Rambam (Maaseh Korbonos 1:2)

וכל הקרבנות בין של צבור בין של יחיד ארבעה מינין: עולה וחטאת ואשם ושלמים

All Korbanos - both communal and personal - are of four primary categories - Olah, Chatas, Asham and Shelamim.

edited Jun 16 '20 at 10:41

Community

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answered Jul 23 '19 at 17:12

chortkov2

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score 2 · Answer 41 · answered Nov 07 '17 at 22:30

2

There are 4 types of creations: Domem (like stones), Tsomeach (plants), Chai (animals), and Medaber (humans).

answered Nov 07 '17 at 22:30

user16008

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_chain_of_being – Double AA Nov 07 '17 at 22:50

score 2 · Answer 42 · answered Nov 08 '17 at 00:47

Related: https://judaism.stackexchange.com/a/34936/

There are four things called “two which are four,” all of which are found in the first Mishnah of Shevuos. The below sources indicate other places where the teachings appear.

Carrying on Shabbos (Shabbos 1:1)
Colors of Tzara’as (Negaim 1:1)
Types of Shevuos (Shevuos 3:1)
Realizations of one’s status of tumah (...Nope, this one doesn’t show up elsewhere.)

score 1 · Answer 43 · answered Oct 08 '20 at 22:15

1

Mishna, K'resos 2:1:

Four people are wanting purification, and four offer a sacrifice for an intentional sin….

answered Oct 08 '20 at 22:15

msh210

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score 1 · Answer 44 · answered Nov 07 '17 at 20:32

There are four people called Chanoch in the Torah. Chanoch son of Kayin (Bereishis 4:17), Chanoch son of Yered (Bereishis 5:18), Chanoch son of Midyan (Bereishis 25:4), and Chanoch son of Re'uvein (Bereishis 46:9). As you can see, all four of these are found in Seifer Bereishis.

Re'eh · Answer 45 · 2018-03-29T21:23:34.753

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Four...

-...commoners have no share in the World to Come: Balaam, Doeg, Ahithophel and Gehazi. (Sanhedrin 90a)

...vessels Hashem knocked and found to be full of urine (worthless): Adam, Cain, Balaam, and Hezekiah. (Breshis Rabbah 19:11)
Biblical figures who vowed, 2 incurred loss (Yaakov and Jephtah) and the other 2 profitted (Hannah and Klal Israel) - Bereshit Rabbah 70:4

edited Mar 29 '18 at 21:23

answered Mar 28 '18 at 19:16

Re'eh

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score 1 · Answer 46 · answered Mar 28 '18 at 22:50

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4 sons referenced in the Haggadah: חכם, רשע, תם and שאינו יודע לשאול.

4 relationships with Hashem referenced in ידיד נפש: master-servant, romantic love, father-son, friendship.

4 types of worshippers referenced at the end of פסוקי דזמרה of Shabbos: ישרים, צדיקים, חסידים and קדושים.

answered Mar 28 '18 at 22:50

Dov F

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4 sons was mentioned earlier. – DonielF Mar 29 '18 at 00:54

score 0 · Answer 47 · answered Mar 06 '23 at 11:33

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I know four, the maximum number of times Rasha'im get reincarnated! Based on Amos 1:3 (see Assarah Perakim L'Ramchal 10:3)

answered Mar 06 '23 at 11:33

Rabbi Kaii

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score 0 · Answer 48 · answered Mar 06 '23 at 11:40

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There are four corners of the world, that man was created from (Yalkut Shimoni)

answered Mar 06 '23 at 11:40

Shmuel

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score 0 · Answer 49 · answered Feb 18 '14 at 19:20

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Four are the number of ages at which Chazal recommend that one should get married, each one more optimal than the next:

Fourteen, Sixteen, Eighteen and Twenty.

answered Feb 18 '14 at 19:20

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A citation would be great here. – Seth J Jan 05 '16 at 15:31

score 0 · Answer 50 · edited Aug 06 '12 at 22:51

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Four is the lowest age of chinuch for standard mitzvos.

edited Aug 06 '12 at 22:51

msh210

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answered Mar 19 '10 at 06:21

Yahu

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Can you cite a source? – msh210 Aug 06 '12 at 22:51

עמנואל-העבד · Answer 51 · 2020-08-20T19:32:09.640

Four is the number of the Chief-Archangels before the Divine Throne: Mikha'el, Rafa'el, Gavri'el and Uri'el.

In the Kabbalah, these Chief-Princes are set over the Four Elements: Mikha'el over Fire, Rafa'el over Air, Gavri'el over Water, and Uri'el over Earth.

Again they are set over the Four Seasons: Mikha'el over Summer, Rafa'el over Spring, Gavri'el over Winter, and Uri'el over Autumn.

Again they are also set over the Four types of Creatures: Mikha'el over Walking, Rafa'el over Flying, Gavri'el over Swimming, and Uri'el over Creeping.

These Four Great Malakhim also hold power and subjugation over the Four Demon Kings (who I will not name here).

These Holy Ones additionally are set over the Four Cardinal Directions: Mikha'el in the South, Rafa'el in the East, Gavri'el in the West, and Uri'el in the North.

Concerning the four letters of the Ineffable Name: Rafa'el connects to Yod, Mikha'el to Hei, Gavri'el to Vav, and Uri'el to Hei.

The name of the Great Archangel Rafa'el is also composed of four letters, over Wednesday the Fourth Day he is set.

The Great Archangel Mikha'el is also set over the Fourth Heaven: Ma'on. This is where the Heavenly Yerushalayim and Beit Ha'Miqdash reside.

The Holy One, blessed be he, also set these Heavenly Hosts over certain planets of our Galaxy: Mikha'el over the Sun and Mercury, Rafa'el over Mercury and the Sun, Gavri'el over the Moon and Stars, Uri'el over the Earth and Venus. (I should note that the other Archangel's also have planetary associations: Tzadqi'el over Jupiter, Caftsi'el over Saturn, Chamu'el and S..ama..el over Mars, Hani'el over Venus, Razi'el over the Zodiac and Saturn, The Chief-Prince Sandalfon over Earth, and The Chief-Prince Metatron over the Sun.)

Lastly it was also upon the Fourth Day of Creation, that Ha'Shem created the Sun, Moon, Stars and Planets. Of which he set his most Holy Angels over.

Arba'a - mi yodeya?

Who knows four?

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