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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Earning a Reward in the World to Come
What must a Jew believe in order to go to Heaven? Belief in G-d is necessary for a Jew to merit a reward in the World to Come, but it isn’t sufficient; observance of G-d’s commandments is also essential. This…
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Mitzvos
What is a mitzvah? "Mitzvah" translates as "commandment", but it is sometimes used with the meaning of "good deed".
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Sustaining the World
What keeps the world going? "The world is sustained only because of the breath of schoolchildren" (Talmud, Shabbos 119b).
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Personal Power
What does the Torah say about developing personalpower over life? The Torah encourages self-control (Who is mighty? He who conquers his inclinations: Mishnah Avos 4:1) and values the spiritual over the physical (Not by strength, but by My spirit: Zechariah…
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Good Intentions
Is there a reward for good intentions? Here are three Talmudic sources about the importance of our intentions: Berachos 5b: People who do what they can, and have good intentions, are rewarded. Shabbos 63a: If someone intends to perform a…
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Improving People
Are we responsible for improving other people's behavior? We should try to improve others, but only if they're willing to accept our advice (Lev. 19:17; Talmud, Arachin 16b). If we aren't able to improve others, we are better off staying…
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Judging People
What attitude should we have toward people? The Rabbis tell us to judge everyone favorably (Avos 1:6) and to greet everyone with a smile (Avos 1:15). In effect, everyone should be presumed innocent until proved guilty, and everyone should be…
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Dreams
What is the significance of dreams? The Rabbinic view is that the overwhelming majority of dreams have no significance; as the Talmud says "A person is shown only what is on his mind" (Berachos 55b). In rare cases a dream…
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Why we say "Ha-Shem"
Why do we say "Ha-Shem" instead of pronouncing G-d's name the way it is written? In Biblical times the Tetragrammaton was pronounced the way it was written, and in the Temple it was pronounced by the Kohanim when they blessed…