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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The Imperfection of the World
Why isn't the world perfect? G-d doesn't choose to make the world a perfect place; it contains much evil and suffering. One of the consequences of this is that we are able to improve ourselves (and the world) by doing…
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Kallah Months
What is a "Kallah month"? It refers to a practice in the Babylonian Yeshivos, when large groups of students attended special intensive study sessions during the months of Adar and Ellul.
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Abraham's Bosom
What is "Abraham's bosom"? "Abraham's bosom" is a metaphor for "heaven". The term is used by Josephus (Discourse concerning Hades), and can also be found in the Talmud (Kiddushin 72b).
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Nimrod's Death
Who killed Nimrod? According to the Targum Yonasan (on Gen.25:27) and the Midrash Bereishis Rabbah (on Gen.27:15), Nimrod was killed by Esau.
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The Golden Calf
When the Jews worshipped an idol at Mount Sinai, why did they choose to worship a golden calf? The calf symbolized Egypt; see Jeremiah 46:20.
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Jewish Denominations
How do Orthodox Jews differ from other Jewish denominations? Orthodox Judaism believes that the Torah is of Divine origin and that its interpretation is entrusted to the Rabbis (Deut.17:10-11). Other Jewish denominations believe that the Torah can be brought up…
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Abbreviations on Tombstones
What do the Hebrew abbreviations on tombstones stand for? “Peh nun” is an abbreviation for “po nitman” – “here is hidden” (i.e., buried). “Tav nun tsadi bes hei” is an abbreviation for “tehei nafsho tzerurah bi-tzeror ha-chayim” – “may his…
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The Haggadah
How old is the Haggadah? The Haggadah has had close to its present form for at least 2000 years; large parts of it are quoted in the Mishnah. The first seder was held in Egypt, just before the Exodus.
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The Seder and the Haggadah
What is the Seder? What is the Haggadah? The Seder has two origins: The festive meal at which the Passover sacrifice was eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs (Ex.12:8), and the requirement to tell children the story of the…