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Dear Rabbi Can angels appear in the shape of animals, such as a dog or cat or goat? Regards Gary

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Abraham was the 1st Jew. When did Abraham first receive the Jewish soul? At the time of birth? Or when he find out the only living God, HaShem?

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Is there a belief in predestination in Judaism, i.e. was Joseph predestined to go Egypt? A related question would then be did God arrange all the events of Joseph’s life or did God just take advantage of events that took place?

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Is there a belief in predestination (not Calvinism) in Judaism? For example, was Joseph predestined to go Egypt? A related question is: Did God arrange all the events of Joseph life or did God just take advantage of the events that took place?

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Can you give some tips how I can work on my self-confidence? Are there Jewish sources that address this issue? Thank you very much.

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shalom aleichem dear Rabbi 1) What are “Hillak” and “Billak” in this text? “Rav Giddel says that Rav says: The Jewish people are destined to eat from the bounty of, i.e., enjoy, the years of the Messiah. Rav Yosef says: Isn’t this obvious? And rather, who else will eat from them? Will Ḥillak and Billak, two shiftless characters, eat from them?” 2) who is "Rav" when Rav Giddel said: "Rav says" ? 3) What is the difference between "Rav" and "Rabbi"? 4) who is Rabbi Hillel in this text? Is he the same “Hillel the elder”? “The Gemara explains that Rav Giddel’s statement serves to exclude the statement of Rabbi Hillel, who says: There is no Messiah coming for the Jewish people, as they already ate from him, as all the prophecies relating to the Messiah were already fulfilled during the days of Hezekiah.” 5) was hezekiah the same messiah according to hillel’s commantry? why Rabbi Hillel said this sentences? was he wrong?! And How his opinion more accepted rather than Beith Shammai ? 6) Who founded the Beit of Hillel? Rabbi Hillel? 7) in Targum Jonathan on Isaiah 43:10 we read: אַתּוּן סַהֲדִין קֳדָמַי אֲמַר יְיָ וְעַבְדִי מְשִׁיחָא דְאִתְרְעֵתִי בֵיהּ בְּדִיל דְתִידְעוּן וּתְהֵימְנוּן קֳדָמָי וְתִסְתַּכְּלוּן אֲרֵי אֲנָא הוּא דְמִלְקַדְמִין אַף עַלְמֵי עַלְמַיָא דִילִי אִינוּן וּבַר מִנִי לֵית אֱלָהּ: is this translation correct? Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant, the Messiah, in whom is my delight, in order that ye may know, and that ye may believe in me, and understand that I am He who was from the beginning; yea, ages after ages are mine, and beside me there is no god. with blessing

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shalom aleichem in rashi's commantry on Daniel 7:9 we read: ועתיק יומין יתיב. הקב"ה יושב למשפט על המלכות הזו ועל שלפניה שהכעיסו לפניו והציקו לבניו: and in this translation we read: and the Ancient of Days sat: The Holy One, blessed be He, was sitting in judgment on this kingdom and on those before it, who provoked Him and oppressed His children. Question: does this word "שלפניה" in hebrew text, means "before it"? i think word of "before" have several meaning for example "forth", please help me. i'm confused

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Shalom aleichem dear Rabbi 1) In midrash tanchuma buber, toldot 6:2 we read: וראה מלך המשיח, שנאמר חזה הוית עד די התגזרת אבן וגו’ (דניאל ב לד), אמר ריש לקיש זו מלך המשיח is this translation correct? And had seen the Messianic King, as stated YOU LOOKED ON UNTIL A STONE WAS CUT OUT WITHOUT THE USE OF HANDS (Danial 2:34), Resh Laqish said: This is the Messianic King. 2) in Targum Jonathan on isaiah 42:1 we read: הָא עַבְדִי מְשִׁיחָא אֶקְרְבִינֵהּ בְּחִירִי דְאִתְרְעֵי בֵּיהּ מֵימְרִי אֶתֵּן רוּחָא דְקוּדְשִׁי עֲלוֹהִי דִינִין לְעַמְמִין יְגַלֵי: is this translation correct? Behold, my servant, the Messiah, whom I bring, my chosen in whom one delights: as for my Word, I will put my Holy Spirit upon Him; He shall reveal my judgment unto the nations.