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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The Curtains of the Temple
How were the curtains in the Temple arranged? The Mishnah in Yoma 5:1 says there were two curtains spaced one cubit apart. The Mishnah in Shekalim 8:5 says that each curtain was a handsbreadth thick, 40 cubits long (i.e.,high) and…
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The Small “Mem” in “Mokdah”
Why is there a small “mem” in the word “mokdah” in Lev. 6:2? The Midrashim and early commentaries don’t mention or comment on the small mem. Possibly it’s an allusion to the fact that the parts of the sacrifices that…
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The Ephod
How was the ephod tied? Rashi (Ex. 28:6ff) uses the verb “choger” in reference to how the ephod is worn, i.e. “wrapped” behind the Kohen’s back, rather than in reference to how it is tied. Two verses later, Rashi refers…
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Lilith
Was Lilith Adam’s first wife? In early sources, Lilith is a demoness. There is also a medieval source, known as the “Alphabet of Ben Sira” (a small collection of epigrams and moral tales; not authored by the Ben Sira who…
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The Nephilim
Who were the Nephilim? The nephilim were giants (Num.13:33). They were the result of matings between human women and “Benei Elokim”. “Nephilim” can be translated as “fallen ones”.
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Methuselah
Who was Methuselah? Methuselah was the grandfather of Noah; he is listed in the genealogy of Adam’s descendents (see Gen. 5:21,25-27). The first ten generations in this genealogy were noted for their extraordinarily long lives — for example, Adam lived…
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The Date of the Flood
When did the Great Flood happen? The Great Flood happened when Noah was 600 (Gen.7:11). According to the chronology in Gen.Ch.5, Noah was born in the year 1056 after the Creation, so the flood took place in the year 1656…
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Nimrod
Who was Nimrod? Nimrod was a great-grandson of Noah (son of Kush, who was the son of Ham). His story is briefly given in Gen. 10:8-12, where he is called "a mighty hunter before Ha-Shem". He was king in Babylon,…
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Melchizedek
Who was Melchizedek? He was the king of Jerusalem (“Shalem”) in Abraham’s time (Gen. 14:18). The Targum and the Talmud identify him with Shem the son of Noah (Nedarim 32b). He was also a priest; the Rabbinical sources give no…