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 Symbols of the Tribes
What were the symbols of the Tribes of Israel? According to the Midrash (on Num. 1:52 and 2:2), the symbols of the tribes which were embroidered on their banners were as follows: Reuven: Mandrake. Shimon: City of Shechem. Levi: Urim…
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Joshua “bin” Nun
Why is “the son of” in Joshua’s name punctuated “bin” rather than the usual “ben”? Nachmanides (on Ex. 33:11) suggests that the “bin” in Joshua’s name is an allusion to his great wisdom (binah). Another explanation is as follows: The…
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Jabez
Who was Jabez? The Talmud (Temurah 16a) identifies Jabez with Osniel son of Kenaz (Joshua 15:17; Judges 3:9). In Joshua and Judges he is a warrior, and in 1 Chron. 4:9-10 he is blessed with Divine favor, but 1 Chron.…
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Hannah
Who was Hannah? Hannah was the mother of the prophet Samuel. Her story is told in Chs.1-2 of I Samuel. She was childless; when her prayer for a child was granted, she dedicated him to the service of G-d, and…
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The Reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon
How long were the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon? Saul reigned for only three years (Talmud, Temurah 15a). The Talmud implies that he reigned for two years after Samuel’s death; but the Seder Olam (Ch. 13) says that reigned…
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Jonah
Why was Jonah chosen to prophesy against Nineveh? Jonah was a major prophet in Israel (the Northern Kingdom); according to the Midrash (Pirkei Rabbenu Ha-Kadosh) he was a disciple of Elijah. The Assyrians (whose capital was Nineveh) were the major…
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Habakkuk
What is known about the prophet Habakkuk? The Jewish sources on Chavakuk ("Habakkuk") are sparse. The Seder Olam (Ch. 20) says that he prophesied in the days of King Menasheh; see also Yalkut Shimoni on 2 Kings 21. The Zohar…
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The “Key” in Isaiah 22
What is the meaning of the “key” in Isaiah 22? The prophecy in Isaiah 22:15ff is addressed to Shevna, who was in charge of the king’s house (and perhaps of the Temple), telling him that he would be replaced by…
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The Killing of Isaiah
How was Isaiah killed? The Talmud (Yevamos 49b) tells us that King Menasheh accused Isaiah of sacrilege for claiming to have seen G-d (Is.6:1). Isaiah tried to escape by hiding inside a cedar tree, but he was detected (Yerushalmi Sanhedrin…