Tag: Halachah
Judaism is not a state of mind
Writer Jennifer Cox recently published an article about her decision to raise her family Jewish despite the outpouring of antisemitism since Oct. 7. The piece outlines many of the choices she and her husband have made...
Haredi coalition partner: Close Temple Mount to Jews
After more than 3,000 Jewish pilgrims visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem during the first days of the week-long Sukkot holiday, one of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's key ultra-Orthodox coalition partners on Wednesday...
New law allows Israeli hospitals to ban chametz during Passover
The Knesset plenum on Tuesday passed into law a bill to allow hospitals to ban chametz, or leavened foods, during the weeklong Passover holiday that begins on the evening of April 5.
Forty-eight Knesset members voted...
Historic first: Women take Israeli state exam in Jewish religious law
For the first time in Israel’s history, the Ministry of Religious Affairs administered an exam for women Torah scholars to test their expertise in halachah, or Jewish religious law.
In mid-November, 16 women sat for...
In revolutionary move, Israel to appoint female Halachic advisers
Israel’s Religious Services Ministry has announced it will open slots for female Halachic advisers, who will perform similar duties to community rabbis.
The revolutionary move will enable women to serve as community spiritual leaders, including...
A New York rabbi and medieval sage help revitalize struggling Israeli city of Tiberias
Rehabilitating a crack house in Tiberias was not exactly in the job description of Yamin Levy, rabbi of an orthodox synagogue in Great Neck, N.Y. But that house happened to be located right next...
Conversion bill delayed, but tensions over issues associated with Jewish law remain
The Knesset, which was to vote to revamp rules regarding Jewish conversion, has delayed the bill until the start of its summer session in May due to the political sensitivity of the issue. The...
Scroll of Esther written by 14-year-old Italian girl to be auctioned off in Jerusalem
A Megillat Esther (“Scroll of Esther”) written by a 14-year-old Jewish girl from Rome was revealed this week in Jerusalem.
The discovery, especially significant as Scrolls of Esther inscribed during that time period by women are few...
Jewish ethicist Rabbi Moshe Tendler, 95, leaves medical and religious worlds more enlightened
Listening to Rabbi Dr. Moshe Tendler, who died last week at the age of 95, one never knew what to expect. Laced in scientific language, with biblical quotes and references from the Talmud, the...
Rabbis: Unvaccinated worshippers may not pray in synagogue
Rabbis in Israel are launching a campaign against COVID-19 vaccine refusal, including a recent rabbinical ruling that unvaccinated individuals may not enter synagogues, participate in a minyan or be called to the Torah.
Chief Rabbi of Ramat...