Jewish law

New study examines debate over brain-dead pregnant women kept on ventilator

The case that occurred in 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia, has just been described in “The halachic heartbeat at the edge of life: navigating maternal brain death and fetal life.”

Prof. John Loike (R), Prof Alan Kadish (M), and Rabbi Tzvi Flaum (L)
First responders at the scene where dozens of toddlers were suspected to have been badly poisoned at a daycare in Jerusalem. January 19, 2026.

High Court of Justice blocks autopsies of dead infants from Jerusalem daycare disaster

President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal, Katz Prize laureates, and members of the prize committee

Katz Prize honorees recognized at President’s residence

Rabbi Eliezer B. Diamond, who taught at the Jewish Theological Seminary for 35 years, died on Dec. 11 at 73.

Rabbi Eliezer Diamond, beloved Jewish Theological Seminary professor and author, dies at 73


The People's Talmud: Online Jewish law study and the pursuit of wisdom

The People’s Talmud entries are not cumbersome translations of the Talmud but narratives that express the Talmud’s point in the language of today.

 WALL POSTER by People’s Talmud, hung in schools.

Israel's Law of Return extends to widowers of eligible Jews, court rules

The Israeli branch of the Reform movement argued to the court that immigration rights should also extend to the widows of children and grandchildren of Jews.

NEW IMMIGRANTS from North America disembark at Ben-Gurion Airport after a flight arranged by Nefesh B’Nefesh.

Israeli rabbis are issuing guidance about how to adjust Jewish law during wartime

The opinions are almost all rooted in the core Jewish idea that pikuach nefesh, or the preservation of life, overrides nearly every other religious law.

 Head Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef seen with Chief Rabbi of Tzfat Shmuel Eliyahu at an inauguration ceremony for a new women's mikve, in the Northern Israeli town of Tzfat.

Do people with dementia have to follow Jewish law?

We see how Halacha seeks to keep people with dementia in the world of mitzvot for as long as possible, while always doing everything to protect their physical well-being.

 ONE SHOULD not hand a little child a cheeseburger.

Grapevine: Academics at Hadassah

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

The site of the former President Hotel on Ahad Ha’am Street. In a comic twist, the derelict sign now reads ‘Resident Ho.’

During the three weeks: Is it permissible to celebrate a wedding during these days?


Is quality of life a Jewish concept?

Judaism certainly places a premium on preserving life and usually calls upon us to do everything to save a life. Nonetheless, as Kohelet proclaims, “There is a time for death.”

 ‘TO PROLONG life is a mitzvah, to prolong dying is not.’ (Illustrative)

The Jewish humor of American illustrator Dick Codor

Summing up his career, Codor quips: “Drawing Jewish humor is a way of life. I didn’t choose it. It chose me. Judaism can be grim. Jewish humor makes you grin.”

 A selection of Dick Codor's artwork.

France gets its first Orthodox woman rabbi

Out of France's tradition of traditional, Orthodox Judaism, is emerging an invigorated movement of women who are looking to serve as rabbis for the Orthodox community.

Female rabbi being ordained (illustration)

This rabbi hopes to explain Judaism to millions with new website

The Jewish Tradition website is based on the content of a book with the same name, written by Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, head of the Har Bracha Yeshiva.

 Har Bracha Yeshiva