Halacha

Basic Law: Debasing Torah - opinion

The proposed Basic Law: Torah Study would grant constitutional status to Torah study, but in practice it would turn a sacred obligation into a political and legal instrument. That would harm Torah...

|BySHUKI FRIEDMAN
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from the Vizhnitz Hasidic dynasty study Torah outside the Justice Ministry in Jerusalem during a silent protest against the imprisonment of yeshiva students who failed to comply with military recruitment orders, July 1, 2026; Illustrative.
Second Temple Model

Beyond mourning: Rebuilding the Temple starts with rebuilding Israeli society - opinion

The Temple's restoration begins with restoring unity, justice, and shared responsibility in society.

|ByKENNETH BRANDER
Sephardi Chief Rabbi David Yosef, December 28, 2025; illustrative.

Rights org. files complaint after Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yosef shames women for private mikveh use

Religious rights organization ITIM said Chief Rabbi David Yosef's comments shaming women who want to use a mikveh privately were "halachically harmful."

|BySARAH BEN-NUN
Buildings in old city, Safed, Northern District, Israel.

Safed Rabbinical Court may close this fall despite strong local demand

Several rabbis wrote a letter to the chief rabbi opposing the decision, and the Rabbinical Courts Administration said it is doing everything "in its power" to stop the closure, the report said.

|ByLEO FEIERBERG BETTER

A Valentine’s Day gift that lasts: The case for a halachic prenup – opinion

Celebrate love this Valentine's Day by committing to mutual respect and security with a halachic prenup.

FEBRUARY 14, 2025ByPNINA OMER
An engaged couple show their halachic prenuptial agreement after signing it.

Rabbi Yoel Pinto in a Special Meeting with Rabbi Meir Mazuz

FEBRUARY 6, 2025ByDAVID BERGER

IDF soldiers’ wives at risk: The urgent case for conditional divorces

The Israel-Hamas War has increased the risk of women becoming "chained" in their marriages because they can't get a Jewish divorce.

JANUARY 25, 2025ByEVE YOUNG
THE POSSIBILITY that a woman whose husband is in the IDF reserves can become ‘chained’ became an increasing problem after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas War.

What does Jewish law say about administering pain medications toward end of life?

Even if pain medications would incur a risk of hastening death, Jewish law permits – and even mandates – administering the therapies necessary to address the pain.

JANUARY 24, 2025BySHLOMO M. BRODY
View of medication. (Illustrative).

The Halachic lessons of a raging fire

JANUARY 16, 2025ByMARK FISH

'Uncovered': Examining Halacha through a female lens - review

Each of its nine chapters includes source material from biblical verses, Talmudic discussions, and classical and contemporary responsa, in Hebrew/Aramaic and English, presented chronologically. 

DECEMBER 21, 2024ByRIVKAH LAMBERT ADLER
‘SHEKHINA’ is a book of photographs by Leonard Nimoy (aka Mr. Spock) that includes this picture of a woman wearing an arm phylactery.

Halitza: The Jewish ritual for widows and how it is carried out in wartime - explainer

On an average year, it is estimated there are 15 to 20 such cases in Israel and a couple in the United States. During wartime, that number goes up.

DECEMBER 7, 2024BySHLOMO M. BRODY
An illustrative image of sandals.

Respecting our wives: Honoring ourselves

DECEMBER 3, 2024ByMARK FISH

Following up on our Yom Kippur prayers – opinion

We need to remember the commitments we made on Yom Kippur every day, not just during the confessional.

OCTOBER 16, 2024BySHERWIN POMERANTZ
Masses gather at the Western Wall last week, during the days leading up to Yom Kippur. The prayers we recited and the commitments we made on Yom Kippur are lacking in value without follow-up, the writer asserts.

Detailed Halachot of building a Sukkah

OCTOBER 15, 2024ByMARK FISH