Questions tagged [commentaries]

Questions related to Jewish commentaries, their meaning and their origin.

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Looking for Passages of harsh criticism in the Shakh

Notwithstanding the fact that the Shakh includes a passage in the introduction to his Nequdat Kesef, claiming that his objections to other scholars are meant only respectfully, I have heard it said that several of his remarks were rather caustic.…
Shimon bM
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Metatron referred to as YHVH Katan?

Could someone explain me the meaning of יקוק קטן as a reference to the Metatron? Why is the Metatron ‘described/entitled this way? I’ve found many writing about this online quoting Sanhedrin 38b, Yevamot 16b, Zohar and other sources. But I’m not…
Y.Talmid
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Sterilization permissible?

After a man and wife had several children, would it be permissible for a man or woman to be sterilized? Any scriptural proof to show whether or not it is allowed?
Levi
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What is the lashon in Rabbeinu Yona, Iggeres Hateshuva?

What is the exact lashon of Rabbeinu Yona in Iggeres Hateshuva (Hadrash Hashlishi) that says, "they send the children to school and look after them when they return home. they influence their children with pleasant words and develop in them a desire…
user16618
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Help Finding the Radak's Introduction to His Commentary on Torah

Rabbi Eliyahu Munk wrote an English translation of various Biblical commentaries called Hachut Hameshulash: Commentaries on the Torah by Rabbeinu Chananel, Rashbam, Radak & Seforno-4 Vol. Set. ISBN-13: 978-9657108345. ISBN-10: 9657108349. At the…
Chaim
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What's the symbolic meaning of stones in the Tenach?

Whether it are stones being erected, building blocks for the Temple, stones being used for the breastshield, the stones that became one etc. Stones seem to represent lots of meanings. So what exactly do they represent, what is the symbolic meaning…
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Unexplained repetitions in Torah

Nothing in the Torah is superfluous. So, when there are repetitions, our Sages explain why the repetition is necessary. But there is one very frequent instance where I could find no explanation for the repetition. We often read: וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר…
Maurice Mizrahi
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The תמונה יהוה?

Devarim/Deuteronomy 4:12 says: ‘ותמונה אינכם ראים’, the people perceived no shape / saw no shape. Devarim/Deuteronomy 4:15 even states the prople should watch themselves for they did not perceived any shape / see any image. P.s. one could also look…
Levi
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Kli Yakar Introduction - Three Lands

"מנהיגי שלש ארצות יצ"ו" In his introduction, Kli Yakar mentions leaders of three lands who "dwell first in the Kingdom of Heaven". Is he mentioning three actual people who helped him print his sefer? Or something else?
flips
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Tet-Bet = to prepare something to receive?

I came across a online teaching in which it was stated that the root for the Hebrew word 'tov' is tet-bet, which would mean 'to prepare something to receive'. It seems the writer quotes of The Maharal M’Prague’s Explanations on Pirkei Avos. I would…
Levi
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Question on Rabbeinu Ephraim's commentary

Related to this question on werewolves and subsequent answers. Also to these posts by Rabbi Slifkin. I know this is an odd subject, but apparently, Rabbeinu Ephraim ben Shimshon, one of the Tosafists, thought that Binyamin was a werewolf…
Harel13
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Interpret a command differently from the way it’s literally described?

Looking atDeuteronomy 21 which talks about the wayward, stubborn and rebellious, defiant son who at a certain point (and after he went to trial before the court) should be stoned to death. Or Deuteronomy 22:28-29 in which a rapist should marry his…
Y.Talmid
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