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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Marriage of Abraham and Hagar
When Sarah gave Hagar to Abram in order to fulfill what she thought was the prophecy that she would have a child, was he committing adultery by taking Hagar or just custom? Answer: Abraham was not committing adultery. Remember, the Torah was…
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“Brothers” and “Sisters”
Does the Bible ever use the word “brother” or “sister” for more distant relatives? Answer: Nieces and nephews were definitely sometimes called brothers and sisters. For example, Lot was Abraham’s nephew and Sarah was his niece (based on identifying Yiscah…
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Abraham Taking Lot with Him
When Abraham left his father’s house, was he allowed to take his nephew Lot with him? Answer: Abraham was told in Gen.12:1 to leave his land, his MOLEDES, and his father’s house. It’s possible to translate MOLEDES (from the root…
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First Fruits
How is the First Fruit offering practiced in today’s society? Answer: Great question! For the First Fruits, one would go out to the fields when the fruit buds would begin to grow and designate the first fruits. One could designate…
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Grace After Meals – Birchat Hamazon
What is the commandment for saying a blessing after a meal? What is the reason for reciting this blessing? Is it absolutely necessary to say the blessings in the form in which they are written after a meal? If I…
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The Torah Portion Named after Pinchas
Why is the Sedra (Torah Portion) Pinchas called Pinchas when the story of Pinchas was last week in [the Torah Portion of] Balak? Answer: A Sedra is always known by a significant word that appears at the beginning of the…
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Who Wrote Psalms?
Who are the authors of psalms? Answer: The Talmud (Bava Basra 14b) mentions ten people, in addition to David, who authored Psalms: Adam, Melchizedek, Abraham, Moses, Heiman, Yedusun, Asaf, and the three sons of Korach. Rashi explains that these were…
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The Shamir
What was the shamir, and why was it used in building the Temple? Answer: The shamir is one of the things created at sundown on the sixth day of Creation (Mishnah Avos 5:6). The Talmud (Pesachim 59a) tells about its…
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Mt. Sinai and the Burning Bush
What was the difference between G-d’s revelation to the Jews at Sinai and His revelation at the burning bush. Answer: There are several differences, but the main differences are: Moshe (Moses) saw the vision at the Burning Bush alone. The entire…