Question
Ayin~Tav~Nun~Yud spells Otnniy, "lion of YHVH" - a Levi, son of Shmayah , the first-born son of Obed-Edom. Usually I can see the meaning of a word in the "essence" of each holy letter. However, Ayin~Tav~Nun~Yud spells Otnniy, "lion of YHVH" is perplexing! What letters spell "lion"? What letters spell YHVH? Thanks

Question
Isaiah was the greatest of the Hebrew prophets but little is known about him. If he was such a great prophet, why is his personal history unknown? Joel, Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Malachi are entirely unknown figures; possibly some are pseudonyms.

Question
Jews have been scattered among nations for most of their history. Babylon, Spain, Eastern Europe, Turk empire, and so on. In fact, HaShem said in Torah that He will scatter Jews. Why are Jews scattered in a certain era and in a certain region? Why are Jews in 17th century in Eastern Europe? Is there any reason that Jews have been in a specific region in a specific era?

Question
Nchemyah 13:3 says the Torah was heard and Yisrael separated from the mixed multitudes. Do the multitudes represent spiritual darkness? Is Torah the Spiritual light that abides in the children of Yisrael? Exodus 10:23 says, "They saw not (spiritual darkness) one another, neither rose any from his place for three days; but all the children of Yisrael had light (Torah) in their dwellings."

Question
1 Chronicles 5:1: Now the sons of Rueven, the first born of Yisrael, but for as much as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Yoseph the son of Yisrael: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. Would you explain the impact this would have on the sons of Rueven? Would they have any inheritance? Did the sons of Yoseph have double the inheritance?

Question
There were 72 people going to Egypt. In Numbers 3:17 and 26:59 we see that Moses was Levis grand grandchild. The fourth generation. Josef is said to have been 30 years when he entered into power - Genesis 41:46 and 110 years when he died in Genesis 50:22 and saw his grand grandchildren, who probably were those who were in Exodus. In Exodus 12:40 it says that Israel’s children lived in Egypt during 430 years and it says in verse 37 that there were 600,000 men AND women and children. I can’t see they were really in Egypt during 430 years and can’t possible understand how 72 people could turn into, maybe, 1,2 million in FOUR generation - and in 430 years? How do you understand that? (I am a believing Christian who loves to read the bible.)    

Question
Bs"d I have heard from some people that they are under the assumption that King Herod built our second Temple. He is kn own for being the greatest master builder. I find this hard to beleive because he is known in history for being evil and committing murder. Was it not Ezra and Nechamia who built the second temple? David did not build the temple because he was forced to go to war. I am confused on this subject. A holy house I think was built by holy people Please respond to Devora at Debradzr@aol.com Thank you stay safe and have a good Shabbat  

Question
Isaish 60:9-10 Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. 10 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. Is the "isle" in this verse "Britian" aka "Tarshis"? If this refers to the return of the Jewish people to their homeland "israel" by "ships" wouldn't this be referencing their return after 1948? Britain is an isle so in past history did the Jewish people ever return to their home in ships from any other nation?

Question
Dear Rabbi, the recent attack (January 14, 2022) on a Texas synagogue got me thinking: What was the first incident of an anti-Semitic act? And when will it end? Thank you and may God bless and protect us all from anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred!