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When I know what another user's question is based on, should I leave them a comment, telling them to edit this source into their question, or should I just go ahead and edit it?

This question, at least in its first (current) revision appears to be one of those. The question asks

Did Yael bear a son from the relations she had with Sisra? If so, was he a prophet?

A commenter asked

how do you know she had relations with him? I don't recall the pasuk saying so. Please edit in your responses.

to which I responded

Shoftim 5:27, according to the explanation found at Yevamos 103a (bottom, in the name of רבי יוחנן).

Should I leave that information in the comments, or should that be edited into the question?

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
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If you have the ability to improve the quality of the question without taking away from its intended meaning, you should go ahead and do so.

In this case, the question would certainly be improved by the addition of sources for its assumptions, as indicated by multiple comments to that effect. The only reason I can think of not to add a source would be if its possible that there are multiple choices of source available, and the one you're adding adds some undesirable effect, such as causing a distraction from the actual question, if it's a controversial source. Here, you're sourcing with the interpretation of a verse in Tanach by a passage in the Talmud, which is pretty basic, authoritative, and presumably without controversy. I say go for it.

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I think that that's important information that should be in the question body itself. Quite obvious, as i was the one who asked the OP to edit in the source. :)

From the help center:

When should I edit posts?

Any time you see a post that needs improvement and are inclined to suggest an edit, you are welcome to do so. The original author of a question or answer may always edit their own post, regardless of reputation level.

Edits are expected to be substantial and to leave the post better than you found it. Common reasons for edits include:

  • To include additional information only found in comments, so all of the information relevant to the post is contained in one place
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  • Hey! I was going to do that edit .....was just waiting to see if there would be any dissenting opinion here.
    – MTL
    Jan 29, 2015 at 0:25
  • It hit HNQ, i didn't want to leave it low-quality.
    – Scimonster
    Jan 29, 2015 at 4:10
  • Oh really? ....I didn't realize. Well done :)
    – MTL
    Jan 29, 2015 at 4:41

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