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.
-
Contentment
How do we know that we should be satisfied with what we have? Since the world belongs to G-d (Psalm 24:1), all our possessions are gifts from Him, and we should be satisfied with what we were given.
-
Shunning Sinners
Should we shun a person who has sinned? It would make sense for people to shun a person who was guilty of a KARESS offense, so he is “cut off from his people”; but in practice we shun only someone…
-
Predestination
Do Jews believe in predestination? G-d knows what will happen; nevertheless, people have free will and can control their intentions and actions (Mishnah Avos 3:15). If people didn’t have free will, it would be unfair to reward them for being…
-
The Evil Inclination
Is there a good side to the evil inclination (YETZER HA-RA)? The Midrash (Gen.Rabbah 9) tells us that even the evil inclination is important, because if not for it, people wouldn’t build houses, marry and have children, or do business.
-
One who is Unable to Repent
What should we do if we are unable to repent? The Midrash Pesikta on Hosea 14:2 (Ch.45, Para.9) has a parable on this subject. A king’s son was 100 days’ travel from his father. His friends said to him “Return…
-
The Tabernacle of David
What is the “Tabernacle of David”? The Tabernacle (Sukkah) of David is referred to in Amos 9:11. The Targum translates it as referring to David’s dynasty, which will be restored when the Messiah comes.
-
Hell
What is hell? Who is punished there? Hell is a place of fire where sinners are punished after they die. Certain classes of people who deny religion receive eternal punishment there (Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Teshuvah 3:5-6), but most sinners are…
-
Jesus as the Messiah
Why didn’t the Jews accept Jesus as the Messiah? The Jewish view (Maimonides, Kings 11:4) is that the Messiah will be a descendant of David who will inspire the Jews to follow him, establish a monarchy in the Land of…
-
What Happens after Death?
What happens after a person dies? The soul is believed to stay near the body for a few days after death, and then go to the next world to be judged. After death the soul returns to G-d (Koheles 12:7).…