Torah Q&A
3290 answered questions with cited sources from the Sefaria library.
Cain and Abel: How does the story of Cain and Abel address themes of sibling rivalry, jealousy, and the consequences of sin?
The story of Cain and Abel is one of the Torah's most profound explorations of the human capacity for jealousy, moral failure, and divine accountability. The na
What are common Jewish blessings?
Jewish blessings (brachot, singular: bracha) are formalized expressions of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's role in daily life. The standard formula f...
Why is the shemitah year referred to as a Shabbat Shabbaton?
The shemitah year is called Shabbat Shabbaton (שַׁבַּת שַׁבָּתוֹן) — literally "a Sabbath of complete rest" — because it represents the most intense, absolute f
How many years did Adam spend in the Eden before Eve was created
The Torah does not specify an exact number of years — or any time period at all — between Adam's creation and Eve's creation. The account in Genesis 2 pres...
Vegetables cooked in meat poy
Vegetables Cooked in a Meat Pot Vegetables cooked in a meat pot (ben yomo — a pot used for meat within the last 24 hours) absorb meat flavor and status, making
What is the meaning of hamotzi?
The brachah (blessing) known as Hamotzi is the blessing recited over bread before eating. Its full text is: "Baruch Atah Hashem, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, h...
What is chabad org daily tanya?
The Chabad.org Daily Tanya is a structured program of daily study of the Tanya — the foundational Chasidic text authored by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (...
The book of Enoch
The Book of Enoch is a fascinating and complex topic in Jewish tradition. It is an ancient Jewish text attributed to Enoch (Chanoch in Hebrew), the biblical fig
Can a clothes line tied to a tree be used on Shabbat?
The use of a clothesline tied to a tree on Shabbat involves two distinct halachic concerns: using a tree on Shabbat, and the laws of eruv (enclosure) and carryi
What is hebrew morning prayer in english?
The Hebrew morning prayer, known as Shacharit (שַׁחֲרִית), is the first of three daily Jewish prayer services, recited each morning from sunrise until midd...
Puedo prender fuego en shabat
¿Se puede prender fuego en Shabat? No, está prohibido encender fuego en Shabat. Esta es una de las prohibiciones más explícitas de toda la Torah, mencionada dir
Sleeping in a talis at night-- what are the opinions?
The question of sleeping in a tallit (prayer shawl) at night touches on several halachic issues — primarily whether tzitzit (fringes) are obligatory at night, a
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...
What is blessings for hanukkah in hebrew?
The blessings recited on Hanukkah are well-established in Jewish tradition and have been standardized for centuries. There are two blessings recited every...
Is a bracha required if changing to a different tallit katan for sleep at night
The question of whether a new bracha (blessing) is required when switching to a different tallit katan (small four-cornered garment) for sleep is a practical ha
Is there any source that would encourage preparing a dish or food for shabbos that we should refrain from eating on weekdays?
Yes, there is a direct Talmudic and halachic basis for this practice. The principle of Shammai the Elder — saving the best food specifically for Shabbat — is we
What is prayer for the jews?
Prayer in Judaism is a rich, multifaceted practice that goes far beyond simply "asking God for things." It is fundamentally understood as avodah shebalev (...
What is jewish healing prayer misheberach?
The Mi Sheberach (מִי שֶׁבֵּרַךְ, "May He who blessed") is a traditional Jewish prayer invoking divine blessing and healing, recited on behalf of someone w...
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
Can I swim in a lake on shabbat
Swimming in a lake on Shabbat is not permitted according to mainstream halachic practice, for several overlapping reasons. While bathing in water is genera...
What is chabad women?
Chabad women refers to women who are part of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement, one of the largest and most influential Jewish outreach organizations i...
Mammon and the Theology of Free Choice
Mammon and the Theology of Free Choice You have identified something profound. Mammon (מָמוֹן) — typically translated as "wealth" or "material gain" — functions
What is the Kiddush (blessing over wine)?
Kiddush (קידוש, literally "sanctification") is the formal declaration of the holiness of Shabbat or a Jewish holiday, recited over a cup of wine. It fulfil...
Sérah bat Asher — Gardienne des Secrets Sacrés
Sérah bat Asher — Gardienne des Secrets Sacrés --- Sérah bat Asher n'était pas seulement une survivante extraordinaire — elle était une dépositaire de connaissa
What is torah blessings in hebrew?
The blessings over the Torah (Birkhot HaTorah) are a set of Hebrew blessings recited each morning before engaging in Torah study. They are among the most f...
What part of the tamud or tanakh talks about an eternal Covenant between Israel and god
The concept of an eternal covenant (brit olam) between God and Israel appears in multiple places across both Tanakh and Talmud. Most prominently, it is expresse
Do ashkenazim cut their hair during the 3 weeks?
Haircuts During the Three Weeks for Ashkenazim Yes, Ashkenazim generally refrain from cutting hair during the Three Weeks, though the exact parameters depe...
What is the Jewish prayer for forgiveness?
The Jewish Prayer for Forgiveness The central Jewish prayer for forgiveness is the Selichot (סְלִיחוֹת — penitential prayers), a collection of supplication...
What is shabbat candle blessing chabad?
The Chabad (Ashkenazic nusach / liturgical tradition) blessing for Shabbat candle lighting is: "Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid'shan...
What is the blessing in hebrew?
The question "what is the blessing" is broad, so I'll address the most fundamental Jewish blessing — the core Birkat HaTorah (blessing over Torah), which a...