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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Ishmael's Repentance
Did Ishmael become righteous? When Abraham was buried (Gen. 25:9), Ishmael gave precedence to Isaac, so it seems that he became righteous.
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Coveting
What is “coveting”? “Coveting” means desiring things that belong to other people. Desire for permissible things is commendable; if not for desire, people wouldn’t eat well, marry, or do productive work (Midrash Bereishis Rabbah on 1:31).
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“Cutting Off”
What is the punishment of “cutting off”? “Cutting off” (KARESS) is understood by the Rabbis as dying young; see Sifra Emor 14 and Talmud Moed Katan 28a. It is never interpreted in the Rabbinical sources as expulsion or excommunication.
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Revenge
Are we allowed to take revenge on a person who has wronged us? We shouldn’t be vengeful; if someone who deserves punishment can’t be brought to justice, we should trust in G-d to punish him. See Lev.19:18 (“Do not take…
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The Requirement of Forgiveness
What is the source for the requirement to forgive those who have wronged us? Answer: In Gen.Ch.20, Abraham prays that Avimelech be forgiven for taking Sarah; this shows that we must forgive those who wrong us. Joseph forgave his brothers…
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Honoring Parents
Must a parent be honored even if he behaves improperly? Parents are not allowed to abuse their children (Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 240:19-20), but they must be honored even if they behave offensively (240:3) unless their behavior becomes unbearable (240:10).…
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Respecting a Father-in-Law
How do we know that a father-in-law must be respected? Moses went out to greet his father-in-law and bowed to him (Ex. 18:7), and David called his father-in-law Saul “my father” (1 Sam. 24:11).
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Keeping Dogs
Are Jews allowed to have dogs? The Talmud (Bava Kama 83a) says that keeping dogs is permissible for Jews who live close to non-Jews.
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Ways of Understanding the Torah
What are the four ways of understanding the Torah? The classical four ways of understanding the Torah are PESHAT (the plain meaning); DERASH (meanings inferred by traditional rules of interpretation); REMEZ (hints or allegories); and SOD (“secret”, esoteric meanings). See…