Generally refers to Avraham (Abraham), Yitzchak (Isaac), and Yaakov (Jacob); the three patriarchs of the Jewish People.
Questions tagged [avot-patriarch-fathers]
351 questions
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What was Bilhah and Zilpah's ancestry?
While the forefathers were very cautious in choosing their spouses from Avraham's family, the Torah says nothing about Bilhah and Zilpah's ancestry.
What nation/family were they from and why does the Torah not see the importance of telling us about…
Al Berko
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Did anyone recognize (pray, follow, worship) God between Adam and Avraham?
As I understand it, God created Adam, who had direct communications with God.
According to the questions and answers in these four questions, at the time of Avraham the existence of God had been lost to humanity.
When did Avraham Avinu become…
James Jenkins
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Why wasn't Yosef's wife counted in the 70 people of Yaakov's family that went down to Egypt?
Some say that they were 66 and that the missing 4 are: Yocheved, Yosef and his 2 sons. How about Osnas (Dina's daughter, Yosef's wife). If Yosef and his children were counted why not Osnas?
Sarah
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Meaning of מעשה אבות סימן לבנים
I have heard the phrase מעשה אבות סימן לבנים (Don't recall its source).
Does it mean:
The actions that our forefathers performed serve as signs for the children's actions (I.e. - we should emulate their behavior)?
Whatever events occurred to our…
DanF
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Yitzchak's description
A response to "matza significance" referenced the 3 Patriarchs and included:
"Yitzchak of Gevurah (stern discipline).... Yitzchak's harshness needs to be broken to allow people leeway in their approach to G-d."
From what/where are the descriptions…
Ya'akov
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Did the Patriarchs worship in a temple?
Would Abraham have gone somewhere specific to worship? Or any of the pre-Moses figures? Noah?
If so, what would that structure have looked like? Were there decorations? Sacred objects?
Also related, maybe: in Exodus, if the people were worshiping a…
crowhill
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How many stones did Yackov take to sleep on and what are their significances?
How many stones did Yackov take to sleep on and what are their significances? (Genesis 28:11)
SimchasTorah
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What did Avraham Avinu's tent look like?
What did Avraham Avinu's tent look like? Is there an actual source for the idea that his tent had four doors - one on each side?
Mark A.
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When does Torah attribute birth to the mother and when to the father?
I spot two approaches to informing a birth in the Torah:
attributing it to the mother, for example: "... הִנֵּה יָלְדָה מִלְכָּה גַם־הִוא בָּנִים לְנָחוֹר אָחִיךָ׃", “Milcah too has borne children to your brother Nahor":
attributing to the father,…
Al Berko
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What would have been the Godly way to address the rape of Dinah?
Why were Shimon and Levi the ones to hear about Dinah's rape and not Yaakov?
Where does it mention Yaakov's actual emotive state?
And finally, what would the Torah have mandated to have done in such a case as the person committing the crime being a…
JSarai
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Limited procreation of the patriarchs
Why our forefathers did not have more children:
Why did Avraham stop after a single child with Sarah?
Why did Itzhak stop after the twins?
Why (and how) did Yaakov stop after having the 12 tribes, where his wives were in their twenties?
I assume…
Al Berko
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