Torah study – The Rebbe's answers on verses, Rashi, Gemara and Midrash

לימוד התורה – ביאורי הרבי בפסוקים, ברש"י, בגמרא ובמדרש

The Rebbe's answers to questions on verses of the Torah, Rashi and the commentators, the Gemara, Midrash, Zohar and Tanya — letters in which he resolves a difficulty in a text. Gathered here by subject (IK = Igros Kodesh letter number):

Rashi and the commentators. Rashi's choice of words and what it teaches about Torah study (IK 7153); Rashi's approach to peshuto shel mikra and his reliance on earlier sources (IK 9812); why Rashi omits "on this very day" regarding Avraham (IK 9253); "Beni bechori" and the soul's virtue (IK 9538); Rashi on damages, redundant phrasing and scribal errors (IK 10133); Rashi on Niddah 45b (IK 10750); Rashi and the approach to Torah study on Chanukah (IK 10035); Rashbam on "Dan yadin" (IK 6656); tradition versus innovation in commentary (IK 7558, 7804); on the Ramban's commentary, Torah Meirah and Tzafnas Paneach (IK 6603, 8306, 7022, 6903).

Verses and their meaning. Why Moshe's name is absent from Tetzaveh (IK 57); Moshe's request that the Shechinah dwell among Israel after the sin (IK 2073); why Moshe requested three days, and marriages before Matan Torah (IK 7678); Moshe's light and the elders (IK 9224); comparing Torah leaders to Moshe (IK 8556); Avraham's zeal at the Akedah (IK 2636); Yaakov Avinu did not die (IK 7765); sending angels created by mitzvos to Esav (IK 7527); Eldad and Meidad, and Amram's separation (IK 5537); "hanolad" — future or past (IK 1995); "maachah" (IK 201); "lashon nofel al lashon" and names (IK 10018); a verse whose second half is omitted (IK 10668); the repetition in Vayakhel (IK 10713); the Divine Name in "Awaken, why do You sleep" (IK 6723); allegory and poetic freedom with biblical figures (IK 9139); on Parshas Nitzavim (IK 10212); the source of "Eretz Yisrael will expand to all lands."

Gemara and halachah. Chazal's approach to astronomy (IK 1); hefker in Yovel (IK 5); the Rambam and Talmudic phrasing (IK 161); Hallel at the Korban Pesach and shofar on Shabbos Rosh Hashanah (IK 308); the status of a goses (IK 360); heavenly and earthly verdicts, and a gavra ketila (IK 361); Rashbi's passing and corrections in halachic works (IK 485); Avtalyon, Antigonus and the laws of gittin (IK 538); Pru U'rvu in the Zohar and Talmud (IK 602, 6661); a lion in Talmudic law (IK 3338); counting the mitzvos (IK 3783); Rosh Hashanah in Eretz Yisrael before Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai (IK 5619); mixing honey (IK 7383); the ox and its owner (IK 9083); chadash on entering the Land (IK 8618); the reason for Shalom Zachar (IK 8973); Chagigah and Pesach (IK 9823); the Hadran (IK 10029); charity with intentions and the complete tzaddik (IK 6791); the Tanchuma, and dogs in a shul (IK 6936); standing together on Rosh Hashanah and matanos laevyonim (IK 6833).

Korbanos and the Mikdash. Mumim for the eglah arufah (IK 4460); the bird of the metzora (IK 6171); sacrifices from an ir hanidachas (IK 8563); the Minchas Shmuel, Rashi and the Rambam on korbanos (IK 9037); Leviim on their watches and their platform (IK 10134); a missed Omer or Shtei HaLechem (IK 10535); the Kohen Gadol's role (IK 1054); the menorah's sixth and seventh lamps (IK 554); the crescent basin (IK 3040).

Tanya and Chassidus. "V'ed hu echad" in Shaar HaYichud VehaEmunah (IK 220); the source for many minor sins equaling a severe one (IK 221); Tanya commentaries and analogies (IK 543); tzaddikim and beinonim (IK 4549); mitzvos after Sinai (IK 8777); limbs, sinews and mitzvos (IK 1887); gifts to the chassan in Likkutei Torah (IK 1984); "opening with a jug and ending with a barrel" (IK 6604); chesed and gevurah in creation (IK 7320, 109); Nadav and Avihu in Torah Or and the Arizal (IK 7260); the effect of quoting Torah in this world and the next (IK 206).

Midrash, Zohar and Kabbalah. The angel over conception and its name (IK 1949, 2040, 2118); the Mechilta on Shabbos (IK 6962); "b'rogez ahavah tizkor" and Ne'ilah (IK 7046); Gehazi in the Zohar (IK 7303); the mouth and Pesach (IK 7627); Adam's expulsion (IK 8555); buzina d'kardunisa (IK 6225); the vowels in Kabbalah (IK 3435); the harp of Moshiach (IK 3145); Rashi on Shabbos 55a and Ana Bekoach (IK 2193); the tzimtzum and the name Tzevakos (IK 527).

Creation, faith and science. Continuous creation and Shabbos (IK 4139); can G-d do anything? (IK 3742); mazal, kelipas nogah and the source of evil (IK 3806); freedom from false gods (IK 2596); creation and the Torah's narratives (IK 5134); the sun and the earth's motion (IK 6877); Rabbi Chaim Vital's astronomy (IK 2975); creation and the Noahide laws (IK 541).

See also: Kabbalah – Tzimtzum: literal or not; Halachah and custom – Who decides halachah, and the Rebbe's halachic responses; Faith and Chassidus – Faith and reason, Torah and science; Accuracy – Torah texts and editions.

Shiurim in this topic

924. Clarifications on Zohar II 156a: Timing of Mincha, Nighttime Judgments, and Moses' Passing הבהרות על זהר חלק ב דף קנ"ו א, זמן מנחה, דיני לילה ופטירת משה

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1054. Explaining the Rebbe’s Statement on the Kohen Gadol’s Spiritual Role ביאור דברי הרבי על תפקידו הרוחני של הכהן הגדול

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1092. No Rejection in Spiritual Matters and Debate on Mitzvat Kevurah אין דחיה בענינים רוחניים ודיון במצות קבורה

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1281. Torah Reading, Ta’amim, and Responsibility for Chinuch קריאת התורה, טעמים, ואחריות לחינוך

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1565. Praise for Encyclopedia Talmudit and Its Value in Torah Study שבח לאנציקלופדיה תלמודית וערכה בלימוד תורה

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1887. Human Limbs, Sinews, Mitzvos, and Spiritual-Physical Unity אברי האדם, גידי האדם, מצוות, ואחדות רוחנית גשמית