On The Prophets and Scriptures

Psalms is a most beloved book, filled with prayers, praises, and prose. Compiled by David, it is an essential part of the Jewish Canon.

I was always under the impression that King David was the author of the book of Psalms (Tehillim). But as I read through the psalms, I saw that many of them are attributed to other composers: Moses, Asaph, Heiman, and others. What’s the deal?

In Judges the verse (3:15) says that Ehud was left handed. Why was that point brought out in the scriptures?

I read, with great interest, chapters 40-48 of Ezekiel in the Bible. Is it true that the Jews never built the Temple that is described there? If it is true, why did the Jews disregard Ezekiel’s prophecy when they built the second Temple?

I was reading the book of Daniel, which is filled with extraordinary and apocalyptic visions. I was amazed to learn that it is not included in the section of the Bible known as the Prophets, and that the Talmud does not even consider Daniel to have been a prophet. What am I missing?

Our retelling of the Exodus on Passover ends when we close the Haggadah text. But when did the story really end?

I read that it was the letter “vav” of the word “gachon” (Leviticus 11:42). My friend says that that is incorrect. Can you help us out?

Queen Esther wrote this book with Mordechai and petitioned the sages to have it included in Scripture. The Men of the Great Assembly then rewrote it.

Within the fold of the High Priest’s breastplate were the Urim and Thummim (lights and perfections), which served as an oracle, divining whether or not the Jewish people should take a certain course of action.

The Talmud states that Ravshakeh was a Jewish apostate, meaning a renegade Jew who had disowned his own religion and people.