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 Luchos
Where were the luchos kept before the Mishkan was built? The second luchos were put into a wooden ark as soon as they were given; see Deut.10:1-5. The broken first luchos were also kept in the ark; see Berachos 8b.
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Adding to the Torah
How do we know that nothing will be added to the Torah? It's explicit in the Torah that WE can't add to or subtract from it (Deut.4:2, 13:1). The idea that G-d won't add to the Torah is deducible from…
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Moses and the Oral Law
How much of the Oral Law was taught to Moses? The Talmud says that "Even what a diligent student was destined to teach before his master was already said to Moses at Sinai" (Yerushalmi Peah 2:6), but this may not…
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Festivities for a Week
Why do wedding festivities last for a week? The origin of the seven-day celebration of a wedding is Gen.29:27-28, where Jacob waited a week after marrying Leah before he married Rachel.
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Isaac's Age at the Akedah
How old was Isaac at the Akedah? The tradition is that Sarah died of shock when she heard that Isaac was to be sacrificed but hadn't yet heard that he was saved at the last moment. Since she was 90…
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Seven-Branched Candelabra
Is a seven-branched candelabra permitted? Making a seven-branched menorah is prohibited by the Talmud (Menachot 28a, Avodah Zarah 43a), the Rambam (Beit ha-Bechirah 10:7), and the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 141:8). This applies only to a metal menorah. The Shulchan…
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Visiting a Cemetery
When is it customary to visit a cemetery? It's customary to visit the cemetery on fast days (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 559:10) and before Rosh Ha-Shanah and Yom Kippur (581:4, 605).
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Sending Flowers to a Mourner
Why don't Jews send flowers to funerals? They don't last, and sending them is a Christian custom.
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Jews
What is the origin of the word "Jew"? Abraham and his descendants were called "Hebrews". When Solomon died, his Kingdom was divided into a Southern Kingdom, called "Judah" because most of its people were from the tribe of Judah (though…