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.
-
The Kohen Gadol in the Holy of Holies
What would have happened if a Kohen Gadol had died in the Holy of Holies? The Talmud (Yoms 53b) tells about the people worrying about a Kohen Gadol who spent too much time (praying) in the Holy of Holies; this…
-
Candles and Incense
Why were candles lit and incense burned in the Temple every day? Kindling lights and burning incense are expressions of joy; see Proverbs 27:9).
-
The Kiyor
In the desert, which Levites carried the Kiyor? Since the Kiyor was located between the Mizbeach and the Ohel Moed, and the sons of Kehos Carried the Mizbeach as well as all the Kelim in the Ohel, it would be…
-
Illegitimacy
Does the Torah say anything about bastards? The Hebrew word usually translated "bastard" is MAMZER (Deut.23:3). A mamzer is a child born from an incestuous or adulterous union; a child born to an unmarried woman is not a mamzer.
-
Moses not Entering the Promised Land
Why was Moses forbidden to enter the Promised Land? The Midrash Tanchuma on Deut. Ch. 3 points out that Moses sinned six times: (1-2) By saying “Send whomever You send” (Ex. 4:13) and “From the time I came to Pharaoh…
-
The Name Solomon
What does the name "Solomon" mean? In 1 Chron. 22:9 David tells his son Solomon (Heb: Shelomoh) that G-d had said to him "A son will be born to you… and Shelomoh will be his name; and I will give…
-
Jeremiah
What can you tell me about the prophet Jeremiah? Jeremiah is identified (in the first verse of the Book of Jeremiah) as a Kohen from the city of Anasos in the territory of Benjamin. He is said (Talmud, Megillah 14b)…
-
The Royal Horse
What was the name of the horse on which Haman led Mordechai around? It was the horse that the king had ridden on the day he became king. The name of the horse is given in the Targum Sheni to…
-
History of the Haftarah
When and in what country did the practice of reading the Haftarah begin? The halachic work Abudraham (on the liturgy) seems to have been the first to suggest that the practice of reading the Haftarah originated at the time of…