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The Torah Learning Library of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah

Iggros Moshe

Episode 20: Fertility – A Science and Halakha Teshuvah about Testicular Biopsy

by Rabbi Dov Linzer
Posted on January 7, 2019

(The teshuvah is EH 2-3) Rabbi Linzer looks at a teshuvah about whether a testicular biopsy for the purpose of aiding a man’s fertility makes him a petzuah daka – injured in a way that would prohibit him from marrying. Along the way, Rav Moshe makes astonishing claims about the relationship between science and halakhic change.…

Episode 19: Fertility – Permissibility of Procuring Semen for AI

by Rabbi Dov Linzer
Posted on January 2, 2019

Last episode Rabbi Linzer dealt with Rav Moshe’s landmark approval of artificial insemination to allow a woman to conceive with the sperm of a man who is not her husband. This episode, teshuvot about how to halakhically procure the semen of her husband for testing or insemination when medically indicated.…

Episode 18: Fertility – Artificial Insemination

by Rabbi Dov Linzer
Posted on December 31, 2018

Rabbi Linzer looks at some of Rav Moshe’s most groundbreaking and famous teshuvot around fertility and artificial insemination. In them, Rav Moshe takes a practical approach to halakhic ruling that isn’t concerned about cultural discomforts.…

Episode 17: Education; Rav Moshe on College

by Rabbi Dov Linzer
Posted on December 24, 2018

Rabbi Linzer looks at two teshuvot about going to college. Can yeshiva students take college classes in the summer? What about students who are not succeeding in yeshiva – can they pursue secular studies?…

Episode 16: Education; Girls’ Torah Education/Coeducation

by Rabbi Dov Linzer
Posted on December 20, 2018

How important is it to educate your daughter in Torah compared yo your son according to Rav Moshe? Is coeducation ever permissible? Rabbi Linzer finds out.…

Episode 15: Education; Rav Moshe’s Philosophy of Education

by Rabbi Dov Linzer
Posted on December 18, 2018

Rabbi Linzer studies a long letter that Rav Moshe wrote in teshuvah form that expresses his philosophy of education – especially when confronting the challenges of educating Jewishly in America.…

Episode 14: Denominations; Interacting with Reform and Conservative Institutions

by Rabbi Dov Linzer
Posted on December 14, 2018

Rabbi Linzer looks at teshuvot about interacting with Conservative and Reform institutions. Can you take a job teaching at a Conservative school? What about renting space for a minyan in a non-Orthodox shul? Lastly, can I get married in a non-Orthodox shul?…

Episode 13: Denominations; Conversions and Marriages of Conservative and Reform

by Rabbi Dov Linzer
Posted on December 12, 2018

Rabbi Linzer tackles a host of teshuvot about Conservative and Reform marriages and conversions. Rav Moshe often invalidated these to solve agunah problems, but on what basis?…

Episode 12: Denominations; Can you give kibbudim to Conservative and Reform Rabbis?

by Rabbi Dov Linzer
Posted on December 11, 2018

Rabbi Linzer looks at Rav Moshe’s harshest teshuvot about Conservative and Reform Rabbis, where Rav Moshe suggests that brachot from these rabbis are not considered brachot, and that it is inappropriate to give them any kibbudim.…

Episode 11: Conversion; Can I Convert Without Total Observance?

by Rabbi Dov Linzer
Posted on December 9, 2018

Rabbi Linzer unpacks two teshuvot about conversions that may not be totally kosher.…

Episode 10: A Chanukkah Special on lighting for another

by Rabbi Dov Linzer
Posted on December 6, 2018

Rabbi Linzer takes us through a long, halakhic teshuvah about which brachot to make if you are lighting on behalf of someone else. Another key question addressed – what about women lighting for men, how does their obligation compare?…

Episode 9: Conversion; Conversion of a Conservative Rabbi

by Rabbi Dov Linzer
Posted on December 4, 2018

This week we’re finishing C is for Conversions with two more episodes and starting D for Denominations.…