Tanakh Commentary

Classical and modern commentaries on the Hebrew Bible.

78 questions answered

What is jewish red string prayer?

The red string (chut adom) practice in Judaism involves tying a red string around the left wrist as a protective amulet against the ayin hara (evil eye), o...

KabbalahZoharMishnah Commentary93 views

What is jewish psalm 91?

Psalm 91 is one of the most beloved and powerful chapters in the entire Book of Psalms (Tehillim), known as the great psalm of divine protection and securi...

TalmudBavliSeder Nezikin24 views

How many wives did Shlomo HaMelech have?

King Solomon (Shlomo HaMelech) had 700 wives and 300 concubines, for a total of 1,000 women in his household. This is stated explicitly in the Book of King...

Modern Commentary on TanakhSteinsaltzWritings24 views

How many animals offered in sukkot feast?

The Torah prescribes a detailed and elaborate sacrificial schedule for Sukkot, making it the most sacrifice-intensive holiday in the entire Jewish calendar. Ove

Rishonim on TanakhAbarbanelProphets22 views

What is the stance on homosexuality in the torah

The Torah explicitly prohibits male homosexual intercourse in two verses in Leviticus, classifying it as to'evah (תּוֹעֵבָה — abomination/abhorrence). This...

Rishonim on TanakhRashiTorah21 views

What is jewish blessing may the lord bless you?

The blessing you are referring to is Birkat Kohanim (the Priestly Blessing), one of the most ancient and sacred blessings in all of Judaism. It consists of...

TanakhTorahMishnah21 views

What does the Talmud say about honesty?

The Talmud presents honesty — particularly emet (truth) — as one of the most foundational values in Jewish life, so central that Hillel summarized the enti...

MishnahSeder NezikinTalmud20 views

What is psalm 130 in hebrew?

Psalm 130 in Hebrew is Shir HaMa'alot (שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת), "A Song of Ascents." It is one of the most beloved tehillim (psalms) in Jewish tradition, expres...

MishnahSeder MoedTanakh19 views

What is jewish bedtime shema?

The bedtime Shema (Kriat Shema al HaMita — the recitation of Shema upon one's bed) is a Jewish nighttime prayer practice performed just before going to sle...

Rishonim on TanakhRashiTorah18 views

Was Water Created Before Heaven and Earth

Was Water Created Before Heaven and Earth? This is one of the most profound and ancient questions in Torah commentary. The verse in Genesis 1:2 seems to imply t

TanakhTorahRishonim on Tanakh17 views

What is psalm 145 hebrew?

Psalm 145 in Hebrew is the famous Ashrei prayer — an acrostic poem by King David praising God's greatness, kingship, and compassion. It is one of the most...

KabbalahZoharTanakh17 views

Explain the hidden meaning of the three opinions of what was the etz hadaat (wheat, grapevine, fig)

The identity of the Etz HaDa'at (Tree of Knowledge) is one of the most fascinating aggadic debates in the Talmud, and the three opinions — wheat, grapevine, and

TanakhTorahRishonim on Tanakh16 views

What does the Hebrew name Leah translate as?

The name Leah (לֵאָה) most likely translates as "weary" or "exhausted" in Hebrew. This meaning is directly supported by the biblical text and commentaries, and

TanakhTorahProphets15 views

Proves that god exists

The question of God's existence is one of the most profound in all of human thought. Jewish tradition does not rely on a single "proof" but offers a rich c...

MishnahSeder NezikinTalmud14 views

What is traditional tallit?

A tallit (טַלִּית) is a traditional Jewish prayer shawl worn during worship, designed with four corners upon which tzitzit (fringes) are attached in fulfil...

TanakhTorahRishonim on Tanakh14 views

Give me all the places the phrase ויאמרו לאמור appears in the Torah

ויאמרו לאמור — "They Said, Saying" in the Torah Excellent question! This is a fascinating grammatical construction. Let me provide you with the occurrences...

TanakhTorahProphets14 views

How was Bilaam killed?

Bilaam (Balaam) was killed by the sword during Israel's war against Midian, as explicitly stated in Numbers 31:8. The verse lists him alongside the five ki...

Rishonim on TanakhDa'at ZekenimTorah14 views

What is the summary of Parshat Vayishlach?

Parshat Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4–36:43) is one of the most dramatic and spiritually rich portions in the Torah, chronicling Jacob's return to Canaan, his t...

Acharonim on TanakhGur AryehTorah13 views

Can you please summarize the life of Eliyakim ben Chilkiya with sources

Eliyakim ben Chilkiya: A Summary of His Life Eliyakim ben Chilkiya was a senior royal official in the court of King Hezekiah (Chizkiyahu) of Judah, serving...

TanakhProphetsRishonim on Tanakh13 views

What are the 613 commandments?

The 613 commandments (taryag mitzvot — תרי"ג מצוות) are the full body of biblical commandments given by God to Israel through the Torah. They consist of 248 pos

HalakhahSifrei MitzvotSefer HaMitzvot12 views

What is the summary of Parshat Behaalotecha?

Parshat Behaalotecha — Summary and Overview Parshat Behaalotecha (Numbers 8–12) is one of the richest and most varied portions in the Torah, covering a wid...

MishnahSeder MoedRishonim on Tanakh12 views

What are the rules of Shabbat?

The Rules of Shabbat Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest observed from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall, is one of the most comprehensive and detailed areas...

TanakhTorahHalakhah12 views

What is the summary of Parshat Chukat?

Parshat Chukat: Summary and Overview Parshat Chukat (Numbers 19–21) is one of the most dramatic portions in the Torah, covering the enigmatic law of the Re...

TanakhTorahTalmud12 views

What is the summary of Parshat Vayakhel?

Parshat Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1–38:20) describes Moses gathering the entire Israelite nation to transmit God's commands regarding Shabbat and the constructio...

Rishonim on TanakhRambanTorah12 views

What is the summary of Parshat Haazinu?

Parshat Haazinu: Summary and Overview Parshat Haazinu is Moses' magnificent farewell poem to the Jewish people, delivered just before his death, serving as...

TanakhTorahAcharonim on Tanakh12 views

Unidad de Dios, Panteismo, Israel, Dios para la creacion?

La Unidad de Dios en el Judaísmo: Monoteísmo vs. Panteísmo La Torah enseña que Dios es absolutamente Uno — no como una unidad numérica simple, sino como una uni

TanakhTorahProphets12 views

Does the mishnah hold eyin tachas ayin is mamon or mamash

The Mishnah definitively holds that "ayin tachat ayin" (עַיִן תַּחַת עַיִן — "an eye for an eye") means monetary compensation (mamon), not literal physical reta

TalmudBavliSeder Nezikin11 views

What is the Priestly Blessing (Birkat Kohanim)?

The Priestly Blessing (Birkat Kohanim, בִּרְכַּת כֹּהֲנִים) is a three-verse biblical blessing commanded by God to be recited by the Kohanim (priests) over...

MishnahSeder MoedRishonim on Tanakh11 views

Simcha Bunim

Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa was one of the most influential and distinctive Hasidic masters of the early 19th century, known

Modern Commentary on TanakhChasidutOther Chasidut Works11 views

What is the summary of Parshat Chayei Sarah?

Parshat Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1–25:18) narrates the final chapters of Sarah's life and the transitional period of the Patriarchal era, covering Sarah's...

TanakhTorahRishonim on Tanakh11 views
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