Take the Spies Debacle Quiz

Where are. The answes? Right in each question of the quizzes themselves, once you answer them Reply

Excellent question, you are correct that since Levi is usually excluded from tribe-wide things (such as the spies, and also when Bnei Yisrael inherited the land of Israel) there should only be 11 tribes counted, the answer to this is that Yosef (the second to youngest son, prince of Egypt) was split into two tribes himself for his two sons Menashe and Ephraim. So when the tribes are counted as twelve, this number includes two tribes for Yosef instead of just one, making the total number 12 again leaving room for Levi to be left out of the count as while Levi was one of the brothers he wasnt a tribe (instead being spread out amongst the tribes) Reply

Shalom, good job! Reply

Have a look at the article linked to the question about the 9th of Av. The people did not trust that God’s plan for them was ultimately for their good. After hearing the spies’ report, they spent the night crying in fear and despair without sufficient cause. According to the Talmud, God said, “You cried a needless cry tonight; I will establish for you a cry for generations.” Since God knew that the destruction of both Temples and other national tragedies would eventually occur, those events were destined to happen on that same date, transforming the people's baseless tears into a day of genuine mourning throughout Jewish history. This is why Tisha B’Av became the saddest day in the Jewish calendar. Reply

DS: Thank for you answer, and sorry for the typos that appear without my permission . Your response makes sense .but given the fact that I was not allowed to study Talmud this part of scripture was not known to me. I learned something new, and I am grateful to you. Yes, sadly, it makes sense that then the 9th of Av. is the saddest day. While it is nice to see how people do in the quiz I wished that more in depth discussions should be in the responses, so that we all learn something new. B'shalom im kol tuv. Reply

Women are not absolutely forbidden to study the Talmud. It's just that it is not encouraged, as Talmudic discussions get very intricate and involving, which means a lot of time, and it is thought that bringing up children takes priority over all of that Reply

Raymond: YES! I know that. Yet. let me tell you a story; i was about 9 years old, and we were in Pesach with the main Rabbi. The boys stood to say the brachot, and I got up too. The older men in the table hushed to say "me tor nisht. me tor nisht I was sitting near the Rabbi, and he said to me "You know the brachot ? I assented , so he continued: ".you say them too"! I can't tell you how proud I was! There were many years before I married and had kids=so there was, indeed, time for me to study Talmud, if -as you say- not forbidden. I am a grandmother now, and I have time to study again with no obligations of time, and still took me an effort to find a willing Rabbi to do so. I learned with a lot of Aramaic and the issues regarding property in the Mishna. I was fascinated, and eager to learn more, but COVID intervened, that ended it all all, and then the Rabbi left; so. again, I just learned a little bit and that was that.. Your advice is way too late ! Reply

It is 12 sons including Joseph. But Ephraim and Manasse are counted as two tribes, making it 13 in total. Reply