Question
Hello, I hope you are well. I have been searching for an answer to a literary question. It's one that has various answers across the internet and I cannot find a consensus. It's regarding Steinbeck's East of Eden. In the book, he threads the idea of a word he claims has been mistranslated in Christian bibles, Timshel. He says that some scholars translate it as, "thou shalt," and others as, "do thou," but the true translation is "thou mayest." The word appears in Genesis 4:16 according to Steinbeck. Here is a link to the passage in the book, http://timshel.org/timshel.php In my research, I've had scholars tell me that he's correct, or that "thou shalt" is the correct translation, and even that the word Timshel is not a real word in Hebrew. I love the passage and the sentiment in the book and would like to know if I should love it from a historical/faith perspective or only a literary perspective. Thank you for your time

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Did the Old Testament's sacrificial lamb have to be white or could it be a black or brown lamb? Please note the Book and verse. Thank you.

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Hi Rabbi, Is Judaism able to identify the descendants of King David in the modern world? If 'Yes' — who are they? And if not, when did the line end? Thank you.
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"Nadab and Abihu, however, died before the Lord, when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before Him in the Desert of Sinai. They had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron." (Numbers3:4). What is meant by "unauthorized fire"?

Question
Dear Rabbi, every Friday I make Challah for Shabbat. But I have no idea why I braid the Challahs I make, other than that’s what everyone else does! Is there any significance to braiding Challah?
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