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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Leadership by Converts
Can a convert to Judaism be an official in a Jewish organization? The Talmud (Yevamos 45b, Kiddushin 76b), commenting on Deut. 17:15, says that any position of authority can be held only by a person of Jewish descent. But a…
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The Patriarchs' Names
What are the meanings of the names of the people who lived between Adam and Noah? Adam's name refers to the fact that he was made from earth (Adamah). Seth's name was given to him by Eve because he was…
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The Ten Plagues and the Hebrews
Did any of the Ten Plagues affect the Hebrews? Ibn Ezra (on Ex. 7:24) says that many of the plagues affected the Hebrews as well as the Egyptians; they were explicitly spared only from Arov, Dever, Barad, and Choshech.
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Tzelofechad’s Daughters
What do Tzelofechad’s daughters names mean? What happened to them? There’s no midrash that explains the meanings of Zelophehad’s daughters names. Machlah is probably related to Machol (dance), and Noah to (graceful) movement, while Choglah may be related to Igul…
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Baruch ben Neriah
Who was Baruch ben Neriah? Baruch ben Neriah functioned as Jeremiah's secretary. When Jeremiah was imprisoned, Baruch wrote out Jeremiah's prophecies and read them to the people in the Temple, but when he afterwards read them to the nobles, the…
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Rabbi Eleazar
What can you tell me about the Tanna R. Eleazar? R.Eleazar b.Shamua was one of R.Akiva's last disciples. He is referred to simply as "R.Eleazar" in the Tannaitic literature. He was one of the five famous disciples who were ordained…
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Self-Defense
Does Judaism permit self-defense? Self-defense not only permissible, but mandatory, because we are commanded to preserve life. As the Talmud puts it (Sanhedrin 72a), "If someone comes to kill you, kill him first".
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Exemption for Scholars
Are scholars exempt from community service? The Talmud (Shab.114a) says that only full-time scholars who have no other occupation are exempt from community obligations. The Talmud (Bava Basra 8a) derives the exemption of scholars from taxes from several verses. The…
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The Right of Succession
Does a son automatically succeed his father? The basic sources on right of succession to public office are Rambam, Hilchos Melachim 1:7, and Rema, Yoreh Deah 245:22. For additional references, including citations from the Israeli courts, see the article on…