65
votes
Accepted
Why do Jedi use lightsabers?
Obi Wan explains this in the novelization of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope:
"This was the formal weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster. More skill than simple sight ...
- 68.6k
65
votes
Accepted
How can Jedi learn to use tutaminis without hurting themselves?
Blasters have stun settings, and the Jedi use training droids and training lightsabers which have limited power. Presumably Jedi practice tutaminis with these before attempting to block blaster bolts ...
Null♦
- 69.4k
64
votes
Why did the Jedi serve a corrupt Republic?
False Premise
Surely the Jedi knew the Republic was a democracy in name only
This isn't correct. It was a democracy. A corrupt democracy at times, sure, but a democracy nonetheless.
The fact that it ...
- 13.4k
54
votes
Accepted
Was killing Dooku actually the 'Jedi way'?
Obi-Wan was unconscious when Anakin killed Dooku (Obi-Wan had been knocked out earlier in the fight), so he didn't see that Anakin executed Dooku. Obi-Wan praised Anakin for his victory over Dooku ...
Null♦
- 69.4k
53
votes
Accepted
How did a Jedi die during the Battle of Geonosis?
According to Dooku, the Jedi were outnumbered by a thousand battle droids to each Jedi. There's really no good reason to assume that he was exaggerating.
“I don’t think so,” Mace countered. “The ...
- 666k
52
votes
Accepted
Why not Jedi Lords and Sith Knights?
Jedi Knights have been using that title since before the creation of the Old Republic 25,000 years BBY. The title presumably reflects their role in the galaxy as protectors & guardians.
To ...
- 62.6k
50
votes
Accepted
Why did the Jedi serve a corrupt Republic?
I love this question. It is one of the most fascinating dynamics of Star Wars, in my opinion.
Summary answer first, then I'll back it all up.
SUMMARY
The Jedi knew the Republic was corrupt, but ...
- 624
50
votes
Accepted
Did Aunt Beru and Uncle Owen know that Obi-Wan Kenobi was a Jedi?
Yes, Beru and Owen were aware that Kenobi was a Jedi, at least according to the story told from her perspective in the (canon) anthology book Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View
Still, there’ve ...
- 666k
47
votes
Accepted
Why send Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan with Queen Amidala?
There are multiple answers to your question:
First, Qui-Gon is quite "powerful" at the time of The Phantom Menace. It is said in the film that, had he followed the code of the Jedi perfectly he would ...
- 864
45
votes
Accepted
Can the Jedi retire?
Yes
Count Dooku was once a Jedi. When he left the Jedi Order, he wasn't punished, hunted down, or even bad-mouthed by the Order. The Jedi held him in high regard and continued to respect him, even ...
- 35.4k
41
votes
Accepted
Did Sidious not believe that Anakin would destroy the Sith and bring balance to the Force?
The prophecy of the Chosen One is a Jedi prophecy. As a Sith, Sidious has no reason to believe that it would come true in a way that favored the Jedi. He would regard it as no more than wishful ...
Null♦
- 69.4k
40
votes
Why was Darth Vader more of a Jedi than Anakin?
I think there is evidence that for the Sith, passionate fiery anger initially leads them to fall to the dark side, but this eventually tends to solidify into more of a cold contempt for others, a kind ...
- 56.1k
39
votes
Accepted
What is the first use of the word "Padawan"?
In the current canon, the first time the word 'padawan' shows up is in Phantom Menace, where Qui-Gon calls Obi-Wan that.
According this rough draft by Lucas in 1974 (page 18) we see the first ever ...
- 19.5k
38
votes
Other than better PR, what is the difference between the Jedi and the Sith?
The main differences are:
How they access the Force.
Jedi's access to the Force is more passive. They let the Force guide them.
Sith's access is far more active. They make the Force do their ...
- 341k
37
votes
Accepted
Was Chirrut Îmwe a Jedi, Force-sensitive, lucky, or something else?
He's not outright stated to be Force sensitive, but he sure does things that can lead no other conclusion. Quacks, walks, and swims like a duck Force Sensitive.
All quotes below are from Alexander ...
- 341k
37
votes
How did a Jedi die during the Battle of Geonosis?
In addition to being outnumbered, trapped, and in an open space where they don't work best....
All Lightsaber forms are not created equal
While it is true that we see the protagonists of our story ...
- 5,195
36
votes
Accepted
What Happened to Jedi Masters Yaddle and Yarael Poof?
Disney Canon
No explanation has been given for either Jedi Master's absence (although Yaddle's Databank entry confirms that she was no longer on the council). It is unlikely that we will ever get an ...
- 51.4k
36
votes
How did Jabba kill Jedi "Back in the old days"?
In issue 12 of the Legends comic series Star Wars: Republic, Jabba the Hutt's agent Aurra Sing killed Jedi Sharad Hett. While Sing had personal reasons for killing Jedi, she was on Jabba's payroll and ...
- 66.5k
36
votes
Accepted
Why was the first Jedi Temple built on top of a Dark Side cave?
It would appear that the ancient Jedi weren't warriors of light, instead worshipping balance. That evidently included studying and possibly even embracing their dark urges. It was only in latter years ...
- 666k
35
votes
How does taking-a-Force-sensitive-youngling-to-the-Jedi-Temple go down?
According to the (alas, no longer strictly canon but still excellent) 'The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force' factbook, the answer is that it often did not go well, especially when the ...
- 666k
35
votes
Accepted
Jedi: Force-controlled clothing?
Most lightsaber fighters have their sleeves cut above the hand, and/or tuck them into their gloves, bracers or other hand/wristwear.
But notice how during lightsaber battles (such as in the videos ...
- 34k
34
votes
Accepted
Would fewer Jedi be more powerful?
That's not how the force works! or why the Rule of Two works. The Rule of two was created by Darth Bane to allow the Sith Order to operate in secret, because greed and fighting amongst many Sith Lords ...
- 20.2k
33
votes
Accepted
What made Qui-Gon Jinn really believe that Anakin Skywalker was the chosen one?
Qui-Gon Doesn't Believe In Accidents
There were a number of factors that led Qui-Gon to believe as he did. The first and main trigger for his suspicion was the chosen one prophecy itself:
"A ...
- 15.7k
32
votes
Accepted
Why wasn't Master Yoda able to beat Palpatine?
As Null points out, your question is probably flawed, in that Windu didn't actually beat Palpatine, and it is likely that Palpatine allowed Windu to disarm him. However, I'm willing to answer the ...
- 68.6k
32
votes
Why was Anakin allowed to wear black robes?
You do see a lot of brown robes in the Jedi Order, but there are several exceptions that no one seems bothered about. It seems like Anakin was just another exception that everyone was okay with.
The ...
- 4,407
31
votes
Accepted
How did Satele Shan block this lightsaber thrust?
It is a skill named tutaminis (sometimes called Force Absorption or something similar). Satele's mastery of the Force allowed her to dissipate the lightsaber's energy. It is the same skill Yoda used ...
Null♦
- 69.4k
31
votes
Accepted
Why don't all Jedi stick around as force ghosts?
Before his death, Qui-Gon Jinn discovered how to "preserve your mind through the living Force" (or something like that) after death. He only managed to stick around as a voice. That's why we ...
- 7,083
31
votes
Accepted
Can Sith crystals be "bled" by Jedi?
They can be unbled, as done by Ahsoka Tano
The crystals that had powered his lightsaber were no longer contained by metal, but their song had not dimmed. She held them in one hand, almost shaking as ...
- 39.9k
30
votes
Accepted
Why did Luke use a synthetic crystal in his lightsaber and what were the implications of this choice?
According to the Legends novel "Shadows of the Empire", Luke did not have the time or resources to find a natural crystal. He instead built his own synthetic crystal using instructions (and equipment) ...
- 62.6k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible