Rabbi Azriel Schreiber
855 answers
Whenever possible, JewishAnswers.org tries to include the name of the author on every post. However, at certain times, we make significant changes to the answers posted. In that case, we will often sign the post with our generic “pen name” – Rabbi Azriel Schreiber. This “pen name” may also be used when a writer declines to have his name published.
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How Long Were the Ten Plagues?
How long did the ten plagues last? Answer: According to the Mishnah (Eduyos 2:10), the punishment of the Egyptians lasted for 12 months. This implies about a month for each plague; some say that each plague lasted for a week…
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Mixtures of Fibers
Does the Torah forbid all mixtures of fibers? Answer: The “shatnez” mentioned in Lev.19:19 is defined more precisely in Deut.22:11. The prohibition applies only to mixtures of wool and linen; mixtures involving other types of natural or synthetic fibers are…
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Personal Health and Hygiene
What are the specific needs that people who follow Judaism have in relation to personal care? Answer: I’ll assume by “personal care” you’re referring to the full complement of activities associated with health and hygiene that are required by Jewish…
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Studying the Laws of Taharah and Tumah
What is the purpose of studying the laws of ritual purity (TAHARAH), such as the laws about the “red cow” (PARAH ADUMAH; Num. Ch. 19)? Do these laws have any relevance nowadays? Answer: These laws have no practical relevance for…
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The Laws of Impurity
What is an impure person forbidden to do? Can such a person become pure again? Answer: An impure person is forbidden to enter the Temple or eat sacred foods, but currently those things don’t exist. For more than 2000 years…
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Dairy Foods on Shavuos
What is the reason for the custom of eating dairy foods on Shavuos? Answer: There are numerous explanations given for this interesting custom. Here are just a few. These undoubtedly contain allusions to deeper concepts beyond the scope of this…
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Maror – Bitter Herbs
Why do we eat the Maror (Bitter Herbs) on Passover? Answer: God commanded us to eat 3 foods on the first night of Passover to remember 3 aspects of the miraculous way we were freed from Egyptian slavery. The Matzah…
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Leprosy in the Bible
Where is leprosy mentioned in the Bible? Answer: “Leprosy” is mentioned in the Bible in many places. The principal place in the Torah is Lev.13-14, but see also Ex.4:6, Num.5:2 and 12:10, and 2 Kings 5:1, 7:3 and 15:5. The…
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Judging Favorably
I’m having trouble understanding “judge everyone favorably”. If I turn a blind eye and I don’t use my mind and say “he’s a honorable, he’s correct he only does what’s right, he doesn’t have bad character”, then that means I…