• The Feast of the Leviathan and the Sukkah of the Leviathan’s Skin by R. Tzvi Schwartz – What does it mean that the righteous will eat in a sukkah made of leviathin’s skin? A survey of interpretations.

Short Responsa

Machon Schlesinger

• Fertility Treatments for Someone Mentally Ill by R. Dr. Mordechai Halperin – Should a charity refrain from providing fertility treatments if one of the would-be parents is significantly mentally ill? If the couple themselves are asking (as opposed to their parents) and the man has not fulfilled the mitzvah to have children, then give them standard medical care but not extra treatments like artificial insemination.
• Kiddush and Challah For a Diabetic by R. Dr. Mordechai Halperin – A diabetic woman who lives alone for whom even a little wine or bread would be dangerous should not say Kiddush or eat Challah if it poses danger. She should pray (which includes Kiddush) and/or hear Kiddush in synagogue and/or say an abbreviated Kiddush on another drink.
• Egg Donation to a Kohen’s Wife by R. Dr. Mordechai Halperin – The child is not a challal (defiled kohen). If the halakhic mother is Jewish then the sperm donor’s status determines whether the child is a kohen.

Mishpetei Eretz

• Returning a Damaged Item – An expensive garment sheds. The store claims everyone knows it. The buyer wants to return it and let people on the Internet know about the issue. If the issue is common knowledge, the buyer cannot demand a return. The buyer can notify the public that the item sheds but only in a place where just people considering the purchase will see it and without exaggerating the situation. If the buyer wants to publicize that she was wronged, she may not.
• Damage to a Cellphone – A schoolgirl left her cellphone in the back of the classroom and her classmate damaged it. If both 1) it is unusual to put the phone there and 2) the other girl acted normally in the classroom then the damager is exempt from paying. Otherwise she must pay for the damage.
• Returning a Lost Item in School – A boy lost his soccer ball in school. Another boy found it on the roof. The owner wants it back but the finder wants to keep it. If the original owner admits he gave up on getting back the ball (ye’ush), the school acquired the ball and must return it to the original owner — unless the school has an explicit policy not to return most items. If the original owner can prove that he did not give up (e.g. he kept asking people if they saw the ball), then it belongs to him. If the original owner is a minor, it belongs to him no matter what.
• Writing a Negative Restaurant Review – You have to follow all 7 conditions of lashon ha-ra, which includes informing only people who might eat at that restaurant and benefit from a negative review. Do not post it to your Facebook feed. Post it to the restaurant’s feed or website (or a restaurant review website – GS).
• A Roommate Who Damaged the Property – Does he pay the owner for the damage or do all the roommates pay? If the renting agreement specifies, that determines who pays. The roommates are shomerim on the property and must protect it from harm. If they were negligent, then they all have to pay for the damage.

Mishpat La-Am

• Finding Coins Near Tzedakah Boxes by R. Ariel Bareli – If you can figure out from which box the coins fell, return them to that box (e.g. the closest one). If they are all the same distance, distribute the money equally to the boxes.
• Paying a Babysitter by R. Ariel Bareli – A mother was in an accident and is staying home. She paid the babysitter for the month in advance but no longer needs her services this month. Can she ask for her money back? She does not have to pay because the accident is unexpected (ones) but cannot ask for her money back if she paid in advance — but she can ask the babysitter to reach a fair compromise.
• Fictional Underpricing of a House by R. Ariel Bareli – You may not report a lower sales price to reduce the tax burden.
• Bidding to Rent An Apartment by R. Uriel Peretz – Can you offer a landlord higher rent to entice him to rent to you rather than the family currently there? If the apartment is unusual in some way (e.g. large for the neighborhood) so that the other family will be unable to find a similar situation, then no.

Kosharot

• Grape Infestations by R. Moshe Katz – This year, grapes in Israel have insect infestations. Each grape should be individually washed under strong water or small clusters should be soaked in soapy water for around 3 minutes. Additionally, check that each grape is whole (unpunctured) without soft spots or black dots.

Machon Ha-Torah Ve-Ha-Aretz

• Separating Terumos and Ma’asros on Erev Shabbos During Twilight by R. Shai Levi – If you really need the fruit and you forgot to separate terumos and ma’asros, you may separate them during twilight (bein ha-shmashos) but only if you the community has not yet accepted Shabbos.

Articles

• Laws of Terumos and Ma’asros For Trio Planters by R. Yoel Friedemann – A new hydroponic planter allows individuals to keep plants fresh at home. The company’s kosher authority says that product owners do not have to take terumos and ma’asros because it is taken at the factory. R. Friedemann says they should separate terumos and ma’asros (without a blessing) because what is taken at the factory doesn’t work since the plants are still in the water/ground and the plants grow more in the home. R. Moshe Kohen, the head of the kosher authority, writes in disagreement that the plants are not considered still in the ground and that the plants do not grow in the home but merely stay fresh (as determined after testing). R. Yoel Friedemann responsa together with an agronomist that the plants are still connected to some earth and that they do, in fact, grow in the home which they are willing to prove.
• The Obligation to Separate Terumos and Ma’asros in Jerusalem and the Temple by R. Netanel Oyerbach – Some interpret the Rambam as saying that terumos and ma’asros become biblically required when the majority of Jews move to Israel. Others interpret him as saying that the land requires a new sanctification. Some say that terumos and ma’asros are biblically required in Jerusalem today and some say rabbinically.
• Neta Reva’i Today and Within the Boundaries of the Returnees From Egypt by R. Shai Levi – The level of obligation of Neta Reva’i today depends on whether it is compared to Orlah (biblical) or Ma’aser Sheini (rabbinic).
• Orlah in Avocado Trees Cultivated for Rootstock Propagation From the Seed, and Not for Consumption by R. Avraham Sochovolsky – Does orlah apply when you don’t intend to eat the fruit? Is the seed part of the fruit? Because of debates, we should be strict.
• Assisting the Neutering of Animals by R. Yehuda Halevy Amichai – A veterinarian-in-training cannot assist in the neutering of animals even though the senior veterinarian is intentionally committing the act and can do so without the assistance.
• Raising Locusts for Human Consumption: A Halakhic Challenge In a Changing World by Agron. Shimon Biton – Insect consumption might solve the world’s hunger problem. For Jews, locusts (or locust powder) might be the solution.
• Kashrus of Unfertilized and Fertilized Eggs: A Widespread Halakhic Issue by Prof. Zohar Amar and Dr. Yaron Seri – In some places in the world, particularly the Far East, it is common to eat eggs that have been fertilized but have not yet hatched. These eggs are not kosher.

Koshrot

• Utensils for Both Regular Kosher Meat and Glatt Kosher Meat by R. Yitzchak Devir – Survey of views whether Sephardim who are strict about glatt can eat from utensils used for non-glatt meat — either yes, after 24 hours, or no. Harsh response by R. Shai Levi accusing the author of misrepresenting sources and encouraging people not to eat in other people’s homes. R. Devir responds puzzled by the harsh response because he isn’t talking about hosts and guests. I don’t understand the harsh response either but for a different reason. In my house, we regularly wait 24 hours without using the oven or specific pots/pans/etc. to accommodate friends and relatives who are more strict. Why is this so hard?
• Kosher Use of Induction Burners by R. Yitzchak Devir – Induction burners do not get as hot as normal convection burners. Therefore, they may not burn anything that drips on them as much as convection burners. After discussion, this article concludes that induction burners can be used for dairy and meat (separately) if wiped clean after spills and drips.

Torah and State Center

• ”Ghost Homes” in Israel by R. Tal Cohen – A halakhic analysis of the economic problem of Diaspora Jews buying homes in Israel that they leave empty most of the year. Based on Rashi (Menachos 44a s.v. mishum), argues that it is halakhically desirable to rent out empty homes in Israel. However, there is value in buying it regardless, and particularly from a gentile. And if it’s an apartment rather than a house, the land itself is inhabited even if one apartment is empty.

Mishpetei Eretz Institute

• The Money Indicates – The Price of a Transaction as a Cause for Interpreting the Agreement by R. Hillel Gefen – Under certain circumstances, when there is a question of what is included in a sale, the amount paid can serve as proof (i.e. no one would pay that much without the additional element).
• A Practical Guide to Connect a Contractor and Customer by R. Elazar Goldstein – The obligations and rights of a contractor and remedies of a customer.
• Suing an Insurance Company by R. Ariel Bareli – An insurance company refuses to pay the full damage to a car. The car owner can sue the insurance company in court for the full amount plus any other damages, emotional distress, legal expenses and a penalty but not interest.

Keter Institute

• The Transition from Synthetic ETFs to ETFs and its Halakhic Implications by R. Shlomo Ishon – Israel ended synthetic ETFs because in the case of bankruptcy, investors are merely creditors without any actual stocks as collateral. This poses a challenge to “kosher investment funds,” which avoid investments in companies that lend with interest or work on Shabbos. Synthetic ETFs were a solution because they only mimic the behavior of stocks without actually investing in them. The law allows for three options for kosher funds: 1) a synthetic transaction with a parallel fund that owns the underlying stocks, 2) a synthetic transaction with a bank, 3) investments in sovereign or consumer instruments. #1 is halakhically problematic.

Machon Puah

• Preserving Fertility in Cancer Patients by R. Gavriel Goldman and R. Menachem Borstein – Discussion of the various options, from minimally invasive treatment to freezing eggs and sperm, and more. Emphasizes the psychological importance of thinking about fertility — hope.

The Temple Institute

• Rabbi Eliezer and the Red Heifer by R. Azariah Ariel – The Mishnah of Parah begins with a statement of R. Eliezer and the midrash associates him with the laws of Parah Adumah. Why? R. Eliezer was devoted to tradition, as seen in many examples of his behavior. By maximizing reception of law, he minimized the human ability to understand and innovate Torah. Similarly, the Parah Adumah exemplifies the limitations of human understanding.

Kosharot

• Public Notice of Insect Contaminations in Jams and Preserves – A timeline of tests for whole insects in jams and preserves with surprising results.

Responses

• R. Meir Mazuz on the numerology of Psalm 20. Binyamin Henschke argues that yeshiva students do not qualify as “toraso umnaso,” who are exempt from prayer and from army service.

• • Ya’ankha Hashem Be-Yom Tzarah by R. Tzvi Schwartz – An analysis of Psalm 20 and its relation to war, with an amazing story from the Yom Kippur War.

Short Answers

• • An Incorrectly Labeled Product on a Store Shelf by R. Ariel Bareli (Mishpat La-Am) – You can take advantage of a lower price but if it is clearly a mistake and significantly lower than normal, you must follow the laws of Ona’ah which allow the seller to revoke the sale.
  • Sale of a Line of Juices by R. Ariel Bareli (Mishpat La-Am) – If someone sold his line of juices (with a non-compete clause) and the buyer retires the line, the originator can start a new line of juices.
  • Paying for Damage – On the Renter or the Landlord? by R. Ariel Bareli (Mishpat La-Am) – If a rented apartment is damaged by an unknown third party, the landlord has to pay to fix the apartment.
  • State’s Witness in Jewish Law by Mishpetei Eretz – A criminal who turns state’s witness is inherently invalid for testimony. However, the government can accept the testimony extra-legally in order to maintain society.
  • Damaged Rav Kav (Israel transit card) by Mishpetei Eretz – A driver can not waive your transit fee. If the machine is broken, you can ride for free. If your card is broken, even if the driver allows you to ride for free you should pay later.
  • Took Construction Rights Without Paying by Mishpetei Eretz – Complicated question about an overly aggressive contractor working in a jointly owned building. The answer is that the rabbi needs to hear both sides and that details make all the difference. But gives general principles.
  • Kosherizing Cloth by R. Yitzchak Dvir (Koshrot) – You can kosherize a tablecloth from forbidden food that spilled on it or for Pesach by washing it well, even in cold water. There is room to be strict and wash it with water at least as hot as water was spilled on it.
  • The Shade of Tekheiles by R. Avraham Kahana (Temple Institute) – Is there a specific shade of blue that is Tekheiles? No, it can vary within a range.
  • Olives Designated for Oil From Which Terumos and Ma’asros Are Taken by R. Ehud Achitov (Torah VeHa’aretz) – Terumos and Ma’asros were removed too soon. They should have been removed after the oil is made. You have to treat the olives that were removed as Terumos and Ma’asros. Also, Terumos and Ma’asros have to be taken from the oil, without a blessing.
  • Kosher Status of Pollen by R. Ehud Achitov (Torah VeHa’aretz) – Can pure pollen (ambrosia) from a beehive be used in food production? Royal jelly is bee secretion and only permitted for sick people. Pollen is collected by bees but not produced by them, so it is permitted with kosher certification.
  • The Short Formula for Removing Terumos and Ma’asros by R. Ehud Achitov (Torah VeHa’aretz) – Only for use in extreme situations. Memorize the regular text.

The Land and Its Commandments (Torah VeHa’aretz)

• • Ma’aser Ani Not Given to the Poor by R. Ya’akov Ariel – Unlike other Ma’asros which can be redeemed on a single coin, Ma’aser Ani is supposed to be given to poor people. That is a huge amount of produce that most farmers in Israel will not give away. Rav Ariel suggests exchanging the large portion of Ma’aser Ani, which the poor will never get, for a much smaller amount of money that farmers will be willing to actually give to the poor. Since the poor get a benefit, this can be done on their behalf by a third party.
  • ”Healthy Wine”: A New Challenge* by Dr. Mordechai Shomron – There is a new trend for “natural” vineyards in which grass is allowed to grow, or planting cover crops, in between the vines. This causes a problem of kilayim, a forbidden mixture of plants.
  • Leaving Weeds In a Vineyard* by R. Yehuda HaLevy Amichai – This is a real problem. You have to get rid of the weeds and grass.
  • Guidelines of the Chief Rabbinate and the Edah Charedis to Vinegrowers – Guidelines released by these two agencies earlier this year requiring removal of weeds and other crops while the grapes grow. The Chief Rabbinate adds that these guidelines are temporary while they try to find a technical and halakhic solution.
  • Insects in Flour* by R. Yoel Freidemann – In a previous issue, they discussed bugs that enter flour during transport and storage. Here they discuss bugs in flour before that, from the grain itself. Conclusion is that modern grain processing leaves even more room for leniency than Medieval methods, which the Terumas Ha-Deshen permitted.
  • The Possibility of Insects Hatching From Eggs Left in Flour* by R. David Eigner – Discusses modern factory techniques of creating flour and what the factories do to kill the insects and eggs. These include refrigeration, vacuum packing and replacing oxygen with nitrogen or carbon dioxide. Nothing is foolproof but they do a better job than ancient methods.
  • Making Dough That is Less Than the Quantity for Taking Challah by R. Netanel Oyerbach – You can’t intentionally break up a large batch into multiple small batches in order to avoid the mitzvah.

Kashrut and Halacha (Koshrot)

• • The Development of the Food Industry and Its Implications for Kashrus Observers* by R. Tzvi Ben Reuven – Overview of the massive changes in food technology that explain why we cannot just look at the ingredients, like people once did.

Torah Law

• • Are the Tribe of Levi and Anyone For Whom Torah Is His Occupation Exempted From Army Enlistment? by R. Yigal Kamenetsky (Torah and State Center) – Survey of the literature surrounding the Rambam’s view, including the challenges posed and the answers offered. Concludes that only two explanations remain viable, those of the Brisker Rav and Rav Kook.
  • Civil Law in the Rambam’s Teachings by R. Ratzon Arusi (Halichot Am Israel) – Focuses on the Rambam’s approach to exceptions within the laws of shomrim as a guide to an all-encompassing civil law.
  • Financial Obligations Fo A Dog Bite Today by R. Ariel Bareli (Mishpat La’Am) – Even though religious courts today cannot fine people because of the lack of traditional ordination, they still have to protect the public by fining when necessary.

Finances and Halacha

• • A Torah Perspective on the Struggle of the Disabled by R. Azriel Ariel (Chotam) – Excellent discussion of the competing concerns within a discussion of government stipends to the disabled. The best charity is by individuals but the government has much more ability. Family and friends have the first obligation. No poor person has a right to charity. There should not be a disincentive to work. There should not be an undue burden on the poor to receive charity. And more
  • Someone Who Agreed to Carry an Object to Someone Else But Refused to Accept Responsibity by R. Yaakov Hildesheim (Machon Keter) – If he immediately said he will not accept responsibility, you can’t force him to pay. But if he took the object and later said he doesn’t accept responsibility, he is still responsible.

Medicine and Halacha

• • Hysterectomy and Alternatives by R. Gavriel Goldman and R. Menachem Burstein (Puah) – Halakhic issues with hysterectomies, such as when it is allowed and the implications for nidah.
  • A Stain on a Transparent Garment by R. Meir Silman (Puah) – Is it considered a colored garment? Machlokes whether only a white garment forbids or only a colored garment permits.

Temple and Halacha

• • The Wood of the Arrangement and the Burning of the Res Heifer by R. Azariah Ariel (Temple Institute) – Discussion of details – from where does the wood come, must it be pure, when and where is it arranged?

• Communications by R. Dror Fixler and R. Yehuda Halevi Amichai – Debate over the permissibility of opening magnetic door locks on Shabbos.

• 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 the issue.
• Historical Revisionism by the Families of Rav Kook’s Disciples: Three Case Studies by Eitam Henkin hy”d – Conclusive proof of historical revisionism removing Religious Zionist affiliations of Rav Yitzchak Arieli, Rav Mordechai Ilan and Rav Yitzchak Schulzinger by their family, sometimes openly admitted.
• Rav Hildesheimer’s Response to Ultra-Orthodoxy by Gil Student – My annotated translation of Rav Azriel Hildesheimer’s response to the 1865 pesak din of Michalowitz, which arguably marks the beginning of the Charedi movement.
• Adversity and Authorship: As Revealed in the Introductions of Early Hebrew Books by Marvin J. Heller – An exploration of the personal tragedies of rabbinic authors, as described in the introductions to their books. (See also the introduction to Revid Ha-Zahav on the Torah.)
• A Tour of the Osler Library of the History of Medicine Through Jewish Eyes by Edward Reichman and Anna Dysert – Highlights of the contents of a Montreal library of rare historical medical books, as they relate to Jewish history and thought.
• Rav Soloveitchik’s New World View by David P. Goldman – Description of philosophical problems facing 19th and early 20th century philosophers, and how Rav Soloveitchik addressed it with a halakhic philosophy of time.
• Reinterpretation and Resistance to the Mitzvah of Tefillah by Asher Benzion Buchman – A careful reading of the Chinukh, Rambam and Ramban on the subject of prayer.
• The Gaon of Vilna, the Hatam Sofer, and the Hazon Ish: Minhag and the Crisis of Modernity by Benjamin Brown – Orthodoxy does not consist primarily of a response to modernity but a continuity of the past. The Charon Ish’s textualism was a facet of Litvish intellectual elitism, not a response to modernity. Although maybe the widespread adoption of this attitude is a response to modernity.
• Teaching Mussar at the FBI by Cary Friedman – How an Orthodox rabbi (my former colleague at the OU) teaches Slabodka Mussar to law enforcement professionals as a way of overcoming the extreme stress and disillusionment of the job — all without invoking religion.
• Why is there no kosher meat or poultry that is certified humane? by Heshey and Malky Zelcer – Requires stunning but a kosher alternative should be found
• Pareve Cloned Beef Burgers: Health and Halakhic Considerations by John D. Loike, Ira Bedzow, Moshe Tendler – Technical background on this hot topic. Concludes strictly on almost every halakhic question.
• Apprehending the Divine Through the Religious Act: Rabbi Yaakov Anatoli’s Introduction to Malmad HaTalmidim by David Guttman – An overview of a controversial Medieval Jewish philosopher’s introduction to his magnum opus. Full text in the Hebrew section.
• In Search of Nimrod: Nimrod and Esau as Parallel Figures by Geula Twersky- Explores in depth the parallel language and themes, using both traditional and academic sources.
• ”Our Salty Tears”: The History and Significance of an Interpretation of Dipping in Salt Water at the Seder by Zvi Ron – A thoroughly researched survey of reasons for using specifically salt water (and whether it is necessary).
• The Mitzvah of Visiting the Sick: The Differences Between a Visit and Its Substitutes (Hebrew) by Yossi Green – An examination of the underlying principles of the mitzvah to visit the sick, with attention to the practical implications.
• Introduction to Rabbi Ya’akov Anatoli’s Sefer Malmad Ha-Talmidim (Hebrew) by David Guttman – The annotated text accompanying the above English analysis.
• A Letter From Rav Eliezer Bloch to the Writer Shai Agnon Regarding the Reincarnation of a Soul in Germany (Hebrew) by Marc Shapiro – A rationalist German rabbi tells his famous former neighbor about a gentile woman in Germany who seemed to have a dybbuk inside her.

• 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 all confused people with love.
• Techum Shabbat and the Airport by R. Mordechai Millunchick – Overview of the laws of techum. What if you land in an airport just before Shabbos or on Shabbos? It’s complicated. He goes through a few major US airports and what can be done there — walk to the city or a hotel, or stay in the terminal.
• Donating Milk and Meat Cooked Together by R. Yaakov Jaffe – Are we forbidden to feed to a gentile all forbidden foods or just chametz?
• Tevillat Keilim of Electrical Devices by R. Dovid Cohen – Explains the halakhah and the engineering reality of immersing electrical devices in water. Critiques two proposals for avoiding the requirement of immersion.
• Chodosh in Chutz La’aretz by R. Yehuda Spitz – Reviews and critiques the different reasons to be lenient on new grain before Pesach.

• 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 factors may be forbidden because it is too dangerous. Interesting treatment of how Rambam dealt with this procedure, which in his day seemed medically impossible.
• An Orthodox Jewish Approach to Hospice Care by Dr. Edward R. Burns – Judaism demands prolonging a life in most cases, not just palliative care. Which treatments are mandatory for terminal patients and which can be waived?
• Hemophilia and Circumcision From Observation to Classification: Connecting a Talmudic Presumption to a Modern Diagnosis by Dr. Daniel Eisenberg – If a baby is diagnosed with hemophilia, should he be circumcised even if his two older brothers did not die from circumcision (as in the Talmudic case)? No. If clotting factors will prevent the danger, should he be circumcised? Yes.
• The Valmadonna Trust Broadsides: A Virtual Reunion for the Jewish Medical Students of the University of Padua by R. Dr. Edward Reichman – Using a reunion as a literary fiction to tell the story of the prominent Jewish alumni of theUniversity of Padua Medical School, the first such school to admit Jews.

• 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 in a flattering way. Also idols that are no longer worshipped or in reference to things named after the idols.
• Brushing Teeth on Shabbat: A Reevaluation in Light of Recent Research by R. Dr. Ephraim Rudolph – Some poskim permit using toothpaste on Shabbos. New research shows that toothpaste doesn’t only prevent tooth decay but heals it, to some degree. Mouthwash also. Is that prohibited as healing on Shabbos? R. Asher Weiss and R. Hershel Schachter permit for different reasons.
• The Quinoa – Kitniyot Conundrum by R. Yehuda Spitz – The views of different poskim and kosher organizations. Ends with R. Blumenkrantz as the moderate middle. You don’t see that too often.
• Teaching the Whole Truth in the Classroom by R. Chaim Burman – Must a teacher present the “whole truth” or can he omit certain facts? Depends on the circumstance but you teach people on their level without distorting the truth.
• In-Hospital Circumcision and the Mitzvah of Milah by Dr. Michael Oppenheim – What is the status of in-hospital circumcision performed by a gentile doctor before the eighth day. A range of views but contemporary poskim follow the Shach who requires hatafas dam beris.
• Letters by Dr. Samuel Dershowitz – A professor of the chemistry of dyes critiques contemporary claims of finding the biblical dye of techeiles.

• 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 Soloveitchik’s Lectures on the Guide by Heshey Zelcer – Intriguing breakdown of Rav Soloveitchik’s writings into three categories – Foundation (philosophical background), Development (how to develop a proper religious consciousness), Personality (description of the ideal Jewish personality). Describes key points in the Guide Lectures and differences from other works.
• “I am in the Middle”: Rav Aharon Lichtenstein’s Vision of Centrist Orthodoxy by Dr. Alan Jotkowitz – Rav Lichtenstein’s middle position in many key social-religious issues, drawing heavily on Mevakshei Fanekha. I take issue with the middle ground between the RCA’s statement on women in Orthodoxy and the IRF position. Rav Lichtenstein was instrumental in formulating the RCA’s statement!
• Rav Mordechai Breuer’s: “Doubts” That Aren’t translated by Betzalel Shandelman – Classic 1990 article by Rav Breuer attempting to reconstruct the history of the repetition of certain phrases in the Megillah and the word “zeikher” in Maftir Zakhor. He does heavy work but places a lot of stock in historical speculation. I think he unfairly dismisses Yaakov Ben Chaim because the latter converted to Christianity at the end of his life. Why does that taint his earlier work? That said, very convincing article.
• The Scientific Revolution and Modern Bedikat Tola’im Trends by R. Steven Adams – Traces increased concern for bugs to the invention of the microscope. This is about history, not practice. The author does not argue the halakhah (he directs readers to R. Eitam Henkin hy”d’s Lakhem Yihyeh Le-Okhlah for that) but in a lengthy footnote describes R. David Feinstein’s fairly lenient approach to checking for bugs.
• Did a Piyut Change the Halachah? The Curious Question of Circumcision on Rosh Hashanah by R. Dr. Yaakov Jaffe – On Rosh Hashanah, we perform a circumcision after the Torah reading, before the shofar blowing. Some medieval authorities argue this position based on legal concerns. After the First Crusade, we see a trend to argue based on liturgical and theological themes of sacrifice, martyrdom and blood.
• Women’s Aliyyot: le-Khattehila, be-di-Avad and bi-She’at ha-Dehak by R. Prof. Aryeh Frimer – Examines the unusual cases when women are called to the Torah and explains at length and in depth why these cannot serve as bases to permit the practice as a normal rule.
• Thieves and Robbers: The Ganav and Gazlan in Jewish Law by Asher Benzion Buchman – A thief is a heretic who doesn’t believe God is watching. A robber is someone who gives in to his passions. This explains a number of things including why Rambam includes the laws of robbery together with those of lost objects and not the laws of theft (Hilkhos Gezeilah Va-Aveidah).
• Malmad HaTalmidim: A Suppressed Medieval Provencal Groundbreaker by David Guttmann – An introduction to the obscure, controversial and influential philosopher, R. Yaakov Anatoli, son-in-law of R. Shmuel Ibn Tibon, who helped spark the Second Maimonidean Controversy. And an overview of one essay, which is published in the Hebrew section of this journal.
• The Religious Phenomenology of Maimonides by Bezalel Naor – The profound implications of Rambam’s comments on love and fear of God in Hilkhos Yesodei Ha-Torah 2:1-2 and Hilkhos Mezuzah 10:11. With the usual digressions that are fascinating (including a conversation with Heschel in the last year of his life about the source of the first Rambam).
• You Can’t Hurry Love by Yisrael Isser Zvi Herczeg – Explaining an Aggadic passage in Makos (11a) about David and Achitofel based on the teachings of Rav Tzadok.
• The Pool of Shlomo HaMelech and the Value of Pi by Morris Engelson – A survey of the attempts to resolve the approximation in the Bible and Talmud of pi to 3 and the resulting implications.
• Austritt–A Tale of Two Cities by Yisrael Kashkin – A critique of an essay by me on this website (“Happy Austritt Day?”) and one by R. Jay Kelman (“Reflections from Germany – Part 3”). I believe his critique of my essay consists of arguing that Rav Hirsch and Rav Hildesheimer agreed on Austritt. He neglects the points raised in David Ellenson’s article, “A Response by Modern Orthodoxy to Jewish Pluralism: The Case of Esriel Hildesheimer” in Tradition, Spring 1979.
• What is the Connection Between the Deaths of Aharon’s Sons and Forbidden Foods? The Sermon for Parashas Tazri’a of Rav Ya’akov Anatoli (Hebrew) – edited by Ya’akov David Guttmann

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 to women serving as a mara d’asra, and “rabbi” can indicate an ability to serve in that role. (He does not take a position on whether a woman can serve as a mara d’asra in a community that does not object to women serving in that role.)  He notes that learned women are currently called “rebbetzin” or “rabbanit” whether  or not their husbands are rabbis. He sees that title as a wiser choice.

I apologize for the mistake. At the end of his letter, Dr. Wolowelsky discusses whether a man with semikhah should use the title “rabbi” if he is not a pulpit rabbi or a full-time communal worker. He notes an OU resolution to that effect from 40 years ago. Tonight I will repost an article I wrote that addresses this issue. I believe that there are two views on this subject but, according to common custom, it is forbidden to fail to use a respectful title for a talmid chakham even if he is not your teacher.

• 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 R. Ari Zivotofsky – Very problematic
• Bourbon Owned by a Jewish Company over Pesach by R. Dovid Cohen – This was a big discussion in 2010. I was at the AKO conference when it was discussed in a boisterous way. This article summarizes the issues and the opinions of different authorities (footnote 4 has a list of the authorities but the article does not say who holds what). See also R. Yaakov Ariel, Be-Ohalah Shel Torah vol. 5 no. 40.
• The Halachic Status of Genetically Engineered Meat by R. Yehuda Spitz – Concludes that meat grown synthetically from a non-kosher animal’s cells are probably not kosher. Adds as a postscript that the meat uses calf blood as a growth medium, which should forbid the meat.
• Brit Milah Issues: Historical Controversies and Contemporary Halachic Issues by R. Eliyahu Asher Prero – Details on various problematic practices that can render a circumcision incomplete and require a second procedure.
• Letters – Brief discussion of how to understand the Chasam Sofer on whether the absence of the bigdei kehunah preclude the holy service.