New Periodical

The Tishrei 5779 issue of this journal published by Torah VeHa’aretz Institute, in conjunction with Puah, The Zomet Institute, Machon Keter, Mishpetei Eretz Institute, Mishpat La-Am, Koshrot, The Temple Institute, Halichot Am Israel Organization, Torah and State Center, and Chotam. The journal is in Hebrew but recently started a section of English summaries of key articles. I will list here ...

The Tammuz 5778 issue of this journal published by Torah VeHa’aretz Institute, in conjunction with Puah, The Zomet Institute, Machon Keter, Mishpetei Eretz Institute, Mishpat La-Am, Koshrot, The Temple Institute, Halichot Am Israel Organization, Torah and State Center, and Chotam. The journal is in Hebrew but recently started a section of English summaries of key articles. I will list here ...

Spring 2018 issue of Hakirah (no. 24): Letters – R. Nati Helfgot and R. Yehoshua Pfeffer on Charedim in the army. R. Yehuda Henkin and Prof. Aryeh Frimer on calling women to the Torah, particularly regarding hosafos. Alan Messner, R. Moshe Wiener and Dr. Jeremy Brown on solar eclipses, a Gemara in Sukkah and the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s final explanation of ...

New issue of the Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society, no. LXXIV (Succot 5778, Fall 2017): Transgenders in Jewish Law and Thought by R. Alfred Cohen – Surgery is forbidden. Dressing and making one’s body look like the opposite gender is forbidden. Changing gender is tampering with Creation. Mental anguish does not set aside biblical prohibitions. But we must treat ...

Special 250th issue of OU Kosher’s Daf HaKashrus.

New issue of The Journal of Torah and Medicine of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Synagogue and the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (vol. VII): VBAC in Jewish Law: Halakhah, History and Philosophy by R. Dr. Yaakov Jaffe – Normal childbirth after a C-section — mentioned in the Mishnah — is now fairly common. However, depending on the risk ...

New issue of the Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society, LXIII (Pesach 5777, Spring 2017): Uttering the Names of Idols by R. Reuven Chaim Klein – You aren’t allowed to say the names of idols although there are a number of leniencies, such as when mentioned in the Bible or in the context of Torah study, as long as not ...

New issue of Hakirah, vol. 22 (Spring 2017): Letters – Prof. Yitzchok Levine and Prof. Yehuda Brandes discuss whether children today should follow the Talmudic schedule for learning Torah A Populism of the Spirit by R. Dr. Shimon Cowen – A theological-political critique of the political parties that represent hedonistic materialism, in contrast to an ethical populism. Review Essay: Rabbi ...

In a summary of a recent issue of Tradition, I incorrectly described Dr. Joel Wolowelsky’s article. In the latest issue, he responds and clarifies his view. He explains that he believes semikhah is certification of knowledge and therefore would be appropriate for religious learned women, too.  But, he said, it is distracting for them to use the title “rabbi” because some object ...

New issue of the Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society: Tearing Keriah in the Presence of Death by R. Sariel Malitzky – Who tears keriah and on whom? Must doctors tear keriah? R Moshe Feinstein says yes but many others say no. Article includes a number of other details. Shabbat Morning Kiddush over Schnapps in a Plastic Shot Glass by ...