Category: Halakha & Modernity

The Wedding Night- Joy of Text 2:8

Rabbi Dov Linzer (Posted on June 5, 2017)
From the Lindenbaum Center for Halakhic Studies

In this episode, recorded LIVE at the JOFA Conference 2017, we ask: Must a bride and groom have intercourse on their wedding night or should they allow themselves a few days of sexual touch first? And does a woman always enter niddah after first intercourse?…

The Childbirth Episode- Joy of Text: 2:3

Rabbi Dov Linzer (Posted on May 23, 2017)
From the Lindenbaum Center for Halakhic Studies

In this episode of The Joy of Text we will discuss the laws of touch during a natural birth, and we will be joined by Gila Block, founder of Yesh Tikvah, to discuss infertility issues in Orthodox communities. We will ask: Can a husband touch his wife while she is in labor?…

Birkat Erusin- Joy of Text 2:2

Rabbi Dov Linzer (Posted on May 23, 2017)
From the Lindenbaum Center for Halakhic Studies

What are the words of the first blessing said under the huppah? Why do we open the wedding ceremony by mentioning the prohibition against arayot? How does this blessing reflect the bond being formed between two individuals under the huppah? Listen to this mini text episode to find out!…

Playing God: The Theology of Genetic Engineering

by Rabbi Haggai ResnikoffPosted on May 12, 2017

How do the Torah and rabbinic sources view the idea of genetic engineering, specifically as it relates to plants? The following sources are meant to prompt a discussion regarding this question. 1. VaYikra 19:19 אֶֽת־חֻקֹּתַי֮ תִּשְׁמֹרוּ֒ בְּהֶמְתְּךָ֙ לֹא־תַרְבִּ֣יעַ כִּלְאַ֔יִם שָׂדְךָ֖ לֹא־תִזְרַ֣ע כִּלְאָ֑יִם וּבֶ֤גֶד כִּלְאַ֙יִם֙ שַֽׁעַטְנֵ֔ז לֹ֥א יַעֲלֶ֖ה עָלֶֽיךָ׃ You shall observe My laws.…

Who Teaches Torah to Your Nation Israel

by Rabbi Dov LinzerPosted on April 4, 2017

This is a speech delivered by Rabbi Dov Linzer at the YCT Annual Tribute Dinner in March 2017 Barukh atah Hashem ha’melamed Torah li’amo Yisrael. Blessed are You God who teaches Torah to your nation, Israel. This second birkhat ha’Torah follows אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו לעסוק בדברי תורה, the mitzvah-blessing for Torah study.…

Eating the Placenta: A Halakhic Option?

Rabbi Dov Linzer (Posted on March 22, 2017)
From the Lindenbaum Center for Halakhic Studies

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Divine Sparks: Shabbat, Electricity

by Rabbi Dov LinzerPosted on March 8, 2017

This is a source sheet to accompany the panel that took place in Jerusalem on January 5, 2017 titled, “Divine Sparks: Shabbat, Electricity” To listen to the audio from the panel, click on the following audio link: https://library.yctorah.org/files/2017/03/Shabbat-and-Electricity-Bin-Nun-Cherlow-Linzer.mp3 Below is a summary of the main ways in which poskim have tried to put the use of electricity, when it does not involve any other melakha (e.g., the turning on of incandescent lights, which would be considered a fire since it burns a piece of metal generating heat and light).…

Between the Ideal and the Real – Before and After the Wedding

by Rabbi Dov LinzerPosted on March 8, 2017

This is a source sheet to accompany the panel that took place in Jerusalem on January 4, 2017 titled, “Between the Ideal and the Real: Challenges in Halacha and Sexuality Before and After the Wedding.” To listen to the audio from the panel, click on the following audio link: https://library.yctorah.org/files/2017/02/Between-Ideal-and-Real-Before-Wedding-and-After-Linzer-Lau-Rosenfeld-Rosenbaum.mp3 It is Torah, and Learn it We Must Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 62a: רב כהנא על, גנא תותיה פורייה דרב.…