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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Dipping Apples in Honey
Why do we eat apples dipped in honey on Rosh Ha-Shanah? Only a few things are called “sweet” in the Bible; one is honey (in several places), and another is apples (Shir Ha-Shirim 2:3). Thus apples and honey are a…
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The Holiest Day of the Year
Is Yom Kippur the holiest day of the year? It doesn’t say in the Torah that Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year. In fact, the Bible doesn’t refer to any day as “holy” except for Rosh Ha-Shanah,…
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Lulav on Shabbos
Why don’t we perform the mitzvah of Lulav on Shabbos even on the first day of Sukkos? Why does the calendar allow the first day of Sukkos to fall on Shabbos? The mitzvah of Lulav originally applied for seven days…
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The World to Come
After our redemption from the exile (galus), will we be in paradise (gan eden)? “Redemption” generally refers to the arrival of the Messiah. According to Maimonides (and the Talmud in Berochos 34b and Sanhedrin 91b), in the time of the…
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The Fast of Gedaliah
What is the story of the Fast of Gedaliah? Gedaliah the son of Achikam was appointed by the Babylonian king to rule over the population that was left in Judea after the nobles and professionals were exiled. Because he was…
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Where is G-d?
Where is G-d? G-d is everywhere; but there are times and places where He seems closer to us (see Isaiah 55:6).
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Eating in the Sukka
Why must Jews eat in a Sukka on Sukkos? Stay in Sukkos (booths) seven days…So that it will remain known for generations that I housed the Jews in Sukkos after liberating them from Egypt” (Vayikra 23:42-43). Halachah (see Shulchan Aruch…
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Using a Live Tree as Schach
Can I set up a Sukka under my backyard tree, and use its branches for the schach? No. A tree, connected to the ground, is unfit for Schach, or Sukka roof. (Sukka _walls_ can be made out of any sturdy…
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Using a Skylight as a Sukka
Can I open my skylight and lay branches there for my Sukka? Yes, but your walls must be close enough to the skylight. If three of your walls stand within 6 feet of the skylight opening, then you probably have…