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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Who Can Say Kaddish
Can anyone recite the Kaddish? The kaddish is supposed to be recited only in the presence of ten adult Jewish males. No one is forbidden to recite it, but the obligation of reciting Kaddish for a deceased Jew can only…
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The Sabbatical Year
When does the Sabbatical Year occur? It occurs every seventh year, counting from the creation. For example, 5761 = 7×823 is a Sabbatical Year.
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Self-Incrimination
>What does Jewish law say about self-incrimination? Jewish law goes beyond protecting against self-incrimination; a person who confesses to having committed an illegal act is not believed. The Talmudic principle is "ein adam meisim atzmo rasha" — "a man cannot…
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The First Fruits
When were first fruits brought to the Temple? First fruits could be brought to the Temple at any time between Shavuos and Chanukah.
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The Sin Offering of the Leper and Yoledes
Why do a leper and a woman who has given birth have to bring a sin offering? The sages say that "leprosy" is a consequence of slanderous speech; this is a spiritual cause, not a medical cause, and it may…
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Uncleanness in Jewish Law
What is the significance of “uncleanness” in Jewish law? Many things make a person “unclean” according to Jewish law — contact with a corpse, for example. An unclean person was not allowed to enter the Temple; but since the destruction…
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The Name of Ethiopia
What is the meaning of the name Kush (Ethiopia)? The word “Kush” doesn’t seem to have an etymological explanation; Ethiopia was called by that name in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Persia. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, some people believe that…
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The Reconciliation of Brothers
Were Isaac and Ishmael reconciled? What about Jacob and Esau? Answer: The Midrash deduces that Ishmael “reformed” from the fact that he gave precedence to Isaac at the burial of Abraham (Gen.25:9). Jacob and Esau had an apparently friendly meeting…
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The Duration of the Flood
How long did the Flood last? The Flood began on the 17th of Cheshvan (see Gen. 7:11); the earth became dry on the 27th of that month, the following year (Gen. 8:14). Since 12 lunar months are about 354 days,…