Any questions about Jewish religion, culture, or history?

[patrick457]

I have a question: What is up with all the H’s in Judaism? There’s Torah and Hannah and Mishnah and…so on and so forth. Is it because the letter H in the Hebrew alphabet is mystical, or is it just a favorite letter? And why do so many words end in H?

In modern Hebrew, the letter hei (aka he or heh) represents a voiceless glottal fricative. /h/ may also be dropped, although this pronunciation is seen as substandard.

Also, in many variant Hebrew pronunciations the letter may represent a glottal stop. In word-final position, Heh is used to indicate an a-vowel, usually that of qamatz (ָ), and in this sense functions like Aleph (aka Alef), Vav (aka Waw, Vau) and Yud (aka Yod, Yodh) as a mater lectionis (the use of certain consonants to indicate a vowel), indicating the presence of a long vowel.

Heh, along with the letters Aleph, Ayin, Resh, and Heth (aka Cheth, Khet, Kheth, Chet, Cheth, or Het), cannot receive a dagesh. Nonetheless, it does receive a marking identical to the dagesh, to form Hei-mappiq (הּ). Although indistinguishable for most modern speakers or readers of Hebrew, the mapiq (aka mappiq, mappik, mapik) is placed in a word-final Heh to indicate that the letter is not merely a mater lectionis, but that the consonant should be aspirated in that position. It is generally used in Hebrew to indicate the third-person feminine singular genitive marker. Today such a pronunciation only occurs in religious contexts, and then often only by careful readers of the scriptures.

 

[Valke2]

Is it true that The Jerusalem Talmud (Ta’anit 2:1) states explicitly: “if a man claims to be God, he is a liar.”?

I’m not as familiar with the Jerusalem Talmud. But I believe the quotation is correct.

 

[Valke2]

If you haven’t been educated in Judaism, how do you know that what he is telling you is the truth? My point is that none of us here ever really know who we are corresponding with do we?

And another thing, go to any Jewish website (chabad.org) for example and show me where it spells TORAH withouth the “H”. Also, it is either Shabbos or Shabbat not Shabbot.

WHo said I haven’t been educated in Judaism?

Top Bookshelf sample: Kabbalah; On the Book of Psalms; Exploring Exodus; A Code of Jewish Ehtics; Dead Sea Scrolls; RamBam’s "Commandments (Vol 1 & 2); Jewish Wisdom; On Judaism; Abraham; 3 torahs; Book of Psalms; Heschel’s “the Prophets”; Heschel’s “Heavenly Torah”; Lonely Man of Faith’ Halakhic Man; Walking the Bible; The Mishna, THe Case for Israel… that’s 1/2 of the top shelf. I have two bookcases with jewish texts and commentaries.

All the links i previously posted were to Jewish sites. Here is something you should keep in mind: All english transliterations of Hebrew words are just that. How they are spelled is not really important as long as they convey the proper pronounceation.

 

[patrick457]

I am not sure, but the word TORAH is derived from the word
hora’ah (instruction).

I did a simple search on how the words Torah, Menorah, and Mishnah (all ending with the Hebrew letter heh and are usually rendered as such in English) is rendered in a selection of other languages, and here are the results:

Danish: Tora, Torah / Menorah / Mishna
French: Torah, Thorah / Ménorah / Mishna, Mishnah
Finnish (Suomi): Toora/ Menora / Mišna
German: Tora, Torah, Thora / Menora / Mischna
Hungarian (Magyarul): Torá / Menóra / Misna
Dutch (Netherlands): Thora, Tora, Torah / Menora / Misjna
Italian: Torah / Menorah / Mishnah
Ladino: Tora / Menora / Misná
Polish: Tora, Torah / Menora / Miszna
Portuguese: Torá / Menorá / Mixná
Rumanian: / Menoră / Mişna
Slovak: / Menora / Mišna
Spanish: Torá, Tora / Menora, Menorah, Menorá / Misná, Mishná
Swedish: Tora, Torah / Menora, Menorah / Mishna

At least, the above shows us that rendering Hebrew words without the heh is not really much of a shock when compared to/viewed through the lens of other languages.

While we do have almost no way of knowing if Verus Israel is a Jew or not, why should we get caught up on the (rare yet apparently attested in English, if you’ll search it on a search engine) variant spelling of a word, if I may ask?

As for other English examples of the usage of ‘Tora’ (while these may not be from Jews, at least this shows us that the spelling is attested):

1.) There was once a book (published in 1900) by William Wallace Martin entitled The Tora of Moses: Being a critical study of Deuteronomy, its separation into two copies of the Tora, a refutation of higher criticism
2.) Abraham Zevi Idelsohn’s Jewish Liturgy and Its Development (originally published in 1932 and viewable in a limited form here) mostly spells Torah as ‘Tora’; by contrast, Torah is used only once (and in a Hebrew phrase at that)

When I searched for both ‘Tora’ and ‘Moses’ in Google Books, a lot of the English works that appear are usually written in the late 19th-early 20th century. So perhaps ‘Tora’ was more common back then than it is now?

 

[patrick457]

I’m not as familiar with the Jerusalem Talmud. But I believe the quotation is correct.

Which brings me to a question. Why did the Talmud Bavli become more widespread than Talmud Yerushalmi?

 

[Valke2]

Which brings me to a question. Why did the Talmud Bavli become more widespread than Talmud Yerushalmi?

A couple of reasons. At the time it was written, the Jews in that region were being persecuted by the Romans. So the final writing of the Yerushalimi Talmud was not as polished. Actually, it is incomplete. It is thus a harder text to interpret and understand. ALso, it deals more heavily with argicultural laws that are not so much of interest today.

 

[patrick457]

We just get into a minor quibble about the transliteration of a single word and this thread goes down. Huh.

A couple of reasons. At the time it was written, the Jews in that region were being persecuted by the Romans. So the final writing of the Yerushalimi Talmud was not as polished. Actually, it is incomplete. It is thus a harder text to interpret and understand. ALso, it deals more heavily with argicultural laws that are not so much of interest today.

Thanks for this Valke2. I’ve heard that the Jerusalem Talmud (obviously) puts a much more greater emphasis on the Land of Israel, which may be one of the reasons that this version never caught steam, as it was a bit too locally-oriented (perhaps?).

By the way, whilst I am aware that the original text of the Yerushalmi is up on the internet, are you aware of any English translations?

 

[Valke2]

We just get into a minor quibble about the transliteration of a single word and this thread goes down. Huh.

Thanks for this Valke2. I’ve heard that the Jerusalem Talmud (obviously) puts a much more greater emphasis on the Land of Israel, which may be one of the reasons that this version never caught steam, as it was a bit too locally-oriented (perhaps?).

By the way, whilst I am aware that the original text of the Yerushalmi is up on the internet, are you aware of any English translations?

I think you are correct that in part, it’s emphasis on laws as they apply to Israel (i.e., argicultural laws for Israel only) played a part in its failure to “catch steam”. ALthough in the last 50 years or so, there’s been a greater interest in it (due to the establishment of modern Israel). There are also large portions that have been lost. And the commentaries that were made to the text were generally only trying to show why a particular verse meant same thing as Bablyonian Talmud. The detailed and diverse commentaries in the Bablyonian Talmud make it an easier text to study.

I don’t think there is any english online version. There are very few english translations available in book form, and the ones that are available have their own flaws: Jacob Neusner’s contains many glaring inaccuricies; the Artscroll editions tries to harmonize it with the Bablyonian Talmud (and it isn’t complete yet); Guggenheimer’s translation is also incomplete and contains almost no commentary. (And good luck finding it).

(The info from the last paragraph was found on Google).

 

[patrick457]

I think you are correct that in part, it’s emphasis on laws as they apply to Israel (i.e., argicultural laws for Israel only) played a part in its failure to “catch steam”. ALthough in the last 50 years or so, there’s been a greater interest in it (due to the establishment of modern Israel). There are also large portions that have been lost. And the commentaries that were made to the text were generally only trying to show why a particular verse meant same thing as Bablyonian Talmud. The detailed and diverse commentaries in the Bablyonian Talmud make it an easier text to study.

I don’t think there is any english online version. There are very few english translations available in book form, and the ones that are available have their own flaws: Jacob Neusner’s contains many glaring inaccuricies; the Artscroll editions tries to harmonize it with the Bablyonian Talmud (and it isn’t complete yet); Guggenheimer’s translation is also incomplete and contains almost no commentary. (And good luck finding it).

(The info from the last paragraph was found on Google).

Thanks again.

Now, for another two questions (I have a lot of them, if you don’t mind): What is Aggadic midrashim?

And: What is the position Jews take on studying the Kabbalah? I understand that throughout history, some are against its study (there was even a ban against it) while others studied it, such as the Vilna Gaon or Nahmanides, if I remember correctly?

 

[Kelli_Gregori]

I did a simple search on how the words Torah, Menorah, and Mishnah (all ending with the Hebrew letter heh and are usually rendered as such in English) is rendered in a selection of other languages, and here are the results:

Danish: Tora, Torah / Menorah / Mishna
French: Torah, Thorah / Ménorah / Mishna, Mishnah
Finnish (Suomi): Toora/ Menora / Mišna
German: Tora, Torah, Thora / Menora / Mischna
Hungarian (Magyarul): Torá / Menóra / Misna
Dutch (Netherlands): Thora, Tora, Torah / Menora / Misjna
Italian: Torah / Menorah / Mishnah
Ladino: Tora / Menora / Misná
Polish: Tora, Torah / Menora / Miszna
Portuguese: Torá / Menorá / Mixná
Rumanian: / Menoră / Mişna
Slovak: / Menora / Mišna
Spanish: Torá, Tora / Menora, Menorah, Menorá / Misná, Mishná
Swedish: Tora, Torah / Menora, Menorah / Mishna

At least, the above shows us that rendering Hebrew words without the heh is not really much of a shock when compared to/viewed through the lens of other languages.

While we do have almost no way of knowing if Verus Israel is a Jew or not, why should we get caught up on the (rare yet apparently attested in English, if you’ll search it on a search engine) variant spelling of a word, if I may ask?

As for other English examples of the usage of ‘Tora’ (while these may not be from Jews, at least this shows us that the spelling is attested):

1.) There was once a book (published in 1900) by William Wallace Martin entitled The Tora of Moses: Being a critical study of Deuteronomy, its separation into two copies of the Tora, a refutation of higher criticism
2.) Abraham Zevi Idelsohn’s Jewish Liturgy and Its Development (originally published in 1932 and viewable in a limited form here) mostly spells Torah as ‘Tora’; by contrast, Torah is used only once (and in a Hebrew phrase at that)

When I searched for both ‘Tora’ and ‘Moses’ in Google Books, a lot of the English works that appear are usually written in the late 19th-early 20th century. So perhaps ‘Tora’ was more common back then than it is now?

Thank you Patrick. That is very interesting!. I wonder how these other languages spell “God” and “Christ”.

 

[Valke2]

Thanks again.

Now, for another two questions (I have a lot of them, if you don’t mind): What is Aggadic midrashim?

And: What is the position Jews take on studying the Kabbalah? I understand that throughout history, some are against its study (there was even a ban against it) while others studied it, such as the Vilna Gaon or Nahmanides, if I remember correctly?

Aggadah is the portion of Talmud that explains things through annecdotes, folktales, etc., as opposed to Halacha with is more legalisitc in nature. Example of Halacha: “A ruler is required to write a torah scroll.” Example of Aggadah: Hillel taught “if not me, then who? If not now, when?” Midrash is a way of teaching a lesson through story.

 

[Valke2]

Regardin Kabbalah, I don’t recallreading that there was ever a widespread ban against studying it, or more accurately studying jewish mysticism. Rabbis have always been concerned that studying Kabbalah without a firm grounding and understanding of the Jewish texts could lead to trouble. Which is why you hear about certain prohibitions many rabbi’s implemented (i.e, only men over 40, preferrable married, etc.).

 

[patrick457]

Okay. Thanks for the answers.

 

[StMarina303ad]

Hi! If you have any questions about our religion, our culture, or our history, please feel free to ask. I promise I won’t be offended!

Okay here is goes…

Is it true that in Traditional Judisim like found in Brooklyn, N.Y. that Jewish husband/wifes are not allow to come into skin to skin contact (holding hands, etc.) even having to remain fully clothed during pro-creation?

And is it also true that the women upon marriage must shave their heads and wear wigs for the rest of their life?

 

[Sepharad]

Okay here is goes…

Is it true that in Traditional Judisim like found in Brooklyn, N.Y. that Jewish husband/wifes are not allow to come into skin to skin contact (holding hands, etc.) even having to remain fully clothed during pro-creation?

And is it also true that the women upon marriage must shave their heads and wear wigs for the rest of their life?

No, this is not true. What you’re thinking of is tzniut, which is Hebrew for modesty. Before marriage Jewish men and women do not touch, and after marriage they are to refrain from touching each other during the days of impurity during the menstrual period and for a time after, but not during sex itself.

As as for the head shaving, only Hungarian Chasidim do that (its to make it easier to wear the sheitel, or wig they are required to wear.)

A married Jewish woman is not to reveal her hair to men other than her husband…this is why in Catholic statuary, Mary always wears a veil over her hair.

 

[patrick457]

If I could ask another question:

What are the proceedings in a ‘regular’ (that is, outside of holy days) synagogue service?

 

[Snow]

Hi! If you have any questions about our religion, our culture, or our history, please feel free to ask. I promise I won’t be offended!

At one time, anciently Judaism, or much of Judaism, believed in an anthropomorphic, embodied God.

What changed?

 

[Valke2]

If I could ask another question:

What are the proceedings in a ‘regular’ (that is, outside of holy days) synagogue service?

There are three prayer times daily. Ma’ariv (evening), Shacharit (morning) and Mincha (afternoon). The prayers are set down in a book called the siddur. So the order of prayers is pretty uniform.

THe evening service:
Evening Service (Ma’ariv)

1. Shema (Deut. 6:4-9, Deut. 11:13-21, and Num. 15:37-41).
2. Shemoneh Esrei, or Amidah. This is the core portion of the service. (Snapple religion: Some believe that JEsus’ Lord’s prayer is a synopsis of the Amidah). The AMidah was originally 18 blessings: 3 blessing of praise; 13 blessings that were petitions; and 3 blessings of thanks.
   You may notice that this is 19. An additional blessing was added at some point.
3. Aleinu : Praises to God for allowing us to serve Him. Wikipedia has an english translation of the prayer. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleinu

I’ll post the morning service later.

 

[patrick457]

There are three prayer times daily. Ma’ariv (evening), Shacharit (morning) and Mincha (afternoon). The prayers are set down in a book called the siddur. So the order of prayers is pretty uniform.

THe evening service:
Evening Service (Ma’ariv)

1. Shema (Deut. 6:4-9, Deut. 11:13-21, and Num. 15:37-41).
2. Shemoneh Esrei, or Amidah. This is the core portion of the service. (Snapple religion: Some believe that JEsus’ Lord’s prayer is a synopsis of the Amidah). The AMidah was originally 18 blessings: 3 blessing of praise; 13 blessings that were petitions; and 3 blessings of thanks.
   You may notice that this is 19. An additional blessing was added at some point.
3. Aleinu : Praises to God for allowing us to serve Him. Wikipedia has an english translation of the prayer. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleinu

I’ll post the morning service later.

Thanks. Checking the Shemoneh Esrei, the basic structure does seem to correspond with the Our Father; that is, God (and His Name) is praised first, then the petitions follow after that.

 

[Verus_Israel]

Salaam/peace

I was told in other Chirstian site that some or many jews think jesus was son of God. Is that true ? If a jew starts believing that , will s/he remain as a jew or become a Christian ?

Assalaam aleikum, sister.

To my knowledge, there are quite a few Jews who believe that Jesus was God’s “son.” While this is not a traditional Jewish belief (insofar as Jewish tradition extends back in time far before Jesus to the perennial source of Jewish tradition, Sinai) and difficult to reconcile with rabbinic Judaism, I would not personally consider such Jews to no longer be Jewish (although, from what I understand - and you would have to ask a Christian about this - Christians may consider such Jews to be Christian).

I hope that helps to answer your question!