Iggros Moshe A to Z

What halakhicly constitutes Tfillah biTzibur - our silent Shmoneh Esrei that we all say together in a minyan, or the repetition of the Shmoneh Esrei that the Shaliach Tzibbur says on our behalf? Are we a collection of distinct individuals or a single, undifferentiated unit? Hear how Rav Moshe rules on this issue and how this impacts questions such as whether to skip when one comes late, may on daven with a different nusach from everyone else, does starting Shmoneh Esrei after everyone else has already started count as tfillah bi’tzibbur, and whether you need 6 men or 10 men to be davening at the same time for it to be considered tfillah bi’tzibbur.

Men often receive the message that they are required to attend a daily minyan. But is this really true? This question is particularly poignant nowadays when the ability to participate in a minyan cannot be taken for granted. Join us as we explore the perspective of Rav Moshe Feinstein on this issue, and see how, for him and for this issue, theology translates into halakha.

How do we determine if someone is truly dead? This question is central to the ability to donate and receive organs, and to determine when a dying patient can be taken off of life support. If brain death is considered to be death according to halakha, organ donation becomes a possibility. But if the Talmud never discusses the brain in this context, what could be the halakhic basis for this? See how Rav Moshe deals with this and how his approach to permitting heart transplants changed over time. Learn more in the latest episode of Iggross Moshe.

Can you derive benefit from harvesting an organ from a dead body? Can kohanim, who are halakhically forbidden from interacting with corpses, be organ transplant recipients if those organs originate from dead bodies? Find out how Rabbi Moshe Feinstein ruled on these fascinating questions in our latest episode of Iggros Moshe At to Z, featuring host Rabbi Dov Linzer.

Is it a mitzvah to donate one’s organs? What differences might there be between live donations, such as a kidney, and donations after death? Does halakha require or even allow me to sacrifice part of my body or expose myself to a possible risk of life in order to save the life of another person? Find out how Rav Moshe answered these questions in the newest episode of Iggros Moshe A to Z with host Rabbi Dov Linzer.

The reforms introduced by Vatican II brought new opportunities for the Orthodox Jewish community to engage in interfaith councils and dialogue with Christians. While some welcomed these opportunities to bridge the gaps among religious communities, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein believed strongly that these threatened the once-firm boundaries around observant Judaism. He felt that resisting these councils was so critically important that he enlisted the help of Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik in decrying these councils. Learn more in our newest episode of Iggros Moshe A to Z with host Rabbi Dov Linzer.

What type of boundaries must be drawn between Jews and non-Jews? In a series of teshuvot, Rav Moshe lays out an approach that would protect non-Jewish incursion into Jewish territory and vice-versa. Listen in to see how he applies this to the questions of whether a non-Jew can do mitzvoth, whether Jews can learn or teach about ancient pagan religions, and even whether a non-Jew can host a parlor meeting in his home to raise money for a yeshiva. All of this and more on our latest episode of Iggros Moshe A to Z, with host Rabbi Dove Linzer.

In 1962, the Supreme Court ruled that prayer in public schools was a violation of the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. Many religious groups, including segments of the Orthodox community, responded by fighting for a constitutional amendment that would permit such prayer to be said. What was Rav Moshe’s view of school prayer and what his response to this political battle from a halakhic and policy perspective? And how did his approach differ from that of the Lubavitcher Rebbe? Find out in the latest episode of Iggros Moshe A to Z with host Rabbi Dov Linzer.

In this third and final episode on medical ethics, Rabbi Dov Linzer explores Rav Feinstein’s rulings on the halakhic ethos that should guide medical professionals in matters of triage and priority of care. Should we operate on the principle that all life is of equal and infinite value, or should we prioritize medical treatment based on the status, sex, or religion of the patient? Hear how Rav Moshe deals with some challenging texts and how his final rulings on this topic Influenced later poskim. Listen now.

If a person is dying of a terminal illness and is suffering, must a doctor intervene to extend the life for a short time or can the person be allowed to die? And what is the role of patient choice in such a case? Rabbi Moshe Feinstein comes down strongly on the side of allowing a death to take place, and yet at other times he prioritizes the principle of saving a life. Find out more in our latest episode of Iggros Moshe A to Z, now live.

Jewish tradition holds that we have a mandate to preserve life, and that we do not have ownership over our bodies. But when a patient must choose whether to undergo a risky procedure that may extend but may foreshorten life, how is she to choose? Find out how Rav Moshe addressed these cases and in so doing opened up a space for patient autonomy within halakha, on our newest episode of Iggros Moshe A to Z, now live:

If a couple doesn’t plan on upholding the laws of family purity, can an Orthodox rabbi marry them? What about a kosher catering hall hosting a wedding that will feature mixed dancing? Rabbi Dov Linzer explains Moshe Feinstein’s rulings on both situations in our newest episode of Iggros Moshe A to Z:

Can you invite a non-observant Jew to your house on Shabbat if he will drive to get to you? Find out in our latest episode of Iggros Moshe A to Z featuring host Rabbi Dov Linzer!

How binding is the minhag of gebrochts in a family? What if nobody else in your community is upholding it? Rabbi Linzer looks at a teshuvah that answers these questions.

Are peanuts kitniyot? What makes something kitniyot? Rabbi Linzer asks and Rav Moshe answers.

How does Rav Moshe feel about eating the afikoman after midnight? Rabbi Linzer finds out in our third pre-Pesach episode.

Rav Moshe addresses the obligations of women in the mitzvot of the night of Pesach. How far does 'af hein hayu beoto haneis' go? Can a woman be motzi her husband in reading the Haggadah?

Rabbi Linzer looks at a teshuva about making a siyum on a book of Tanakh for Taanit Bechorot on Erev Pesach. Is it allowed? What is the source?

Rabbi Linzer looks at teshuvot about Lifnei Iver, or Leading astray. In what ways does this principle regulate our behavior with non-observant Jews. Can you give them food that they won't wash or bench on? Can you light someone's cigarette?

Blended whiskey usually has some wine mixed in to raise the alcohol content. Does this treif it up? Dive into bitul in Rav Moshe with Rabbi Linzer.

Rabbi Linzer looks at Rav Moshe's approach to cholov yisroel, and his reliance on government supervision to be sure the milk we are drinking is kosher. Rav Moshe even goes so far as to claim that all the milk in the United States is cholov yisroel. How does he make this case?

How binding is the minhag of gebrochts in a family? What if nobody else in your community is upholding it? Rabbi Linzer looks at a teshuvah that answers these questions.

Are peanuts kitniyot? What makes something kitniyot? Rabbi Linzer asks and Rav Moshe answers.

How does Rav Moshe feel about eating the afikoman after midnight? Rabbi Linzer finds out in our third pre-Pesach episode.

Rav Moshe addresses the obligations of women in the mitzvot of the night of Pesach. How far does 'af hein hayu beoto haneis' go? Can a woman be motzi her husband in reading the haggadah?

Rabbi Linzer looks at a teshuva about making a siyum on a book of Tanakh for taanit bechorot on erev pesach. Is it allowed? What is the source?

Why do we say shehecheyanu on Purim day but not on Chanukkah? Does the perfunctory announcement that the shehecheyanu should be on all the mitzvot of the day make sense? Rabbi Linzer explains Rav Moshe's approach.

What does Rav Moshe think about gelatin, a critical question for modern kashrus? Rabbi Linzer takes a look at some teshuvot.

Rav Moshe has a series of surprising responses to questions about Jewish names, and the importance of holding onto this distinction. Rabbi Linzer explains that Rav Moshe chose a strict and rational halakhic perspective instead of giving weight to the midrashic tradition of "lo shinu et shemam."

Rabbi Linzer looks at teshuvot about times when you may be inclined to remove your kippah and asks whether you should. Also addressed - the association between the kippah and davening.

What are the halakhot of wearing a kippah? Is it a minhag chasidut or a halakhic obligation? Can you accept a job in a place where you can't wear a kippah? Rabbi Linzer looks at Rav Moshe's answers to these questions and more.

Rabbi Linzer looks at a teshuvah about wearing clothes that conform to social norms or preserving "Jewish" dress.

Rabbi Linzer looks at some teshuvot about different kinds of chatzizot. How does Rav Moshe's conceptual understanding of halakha shape his psak in these cases?

Rav Moshe stakes out dramatic positions against major poskim on two questions: Can a woman shower after the mikvah? Can a woman go to the mikvah during the day on day seven, if she won't be able to go at night? Rabbi Linzer leans on extensive experience paskening these very practical issues to unpack these teshuvot.

Rabbi Linzer looks at a host of teshuvot about mikvaot and the creative tools that Rav Moshe employs to assume that someone with parents who were not observant was not conceived during niddah.

Rabbi Linzer looks at a wide range of teshuvot to demonstrate a critical component of Rav Moshe's philosophy of psak - a dual emphasis on paskening based on svara and based on circumstance.

Rabbi Linzer looks at two teshuvot - about a Cohen going to medical school and a woman going to the mikvah wearing earplugs - to identify the limits and features of Rav Moshe's philosophy of halakha and psak.

Rabbi Linzer looks at Rav Moshe's introduction to his responsa, in which he outlines his philosophy of halakha and psak, and explains how he feels comfortable publishing his teshuvot.

Rabbi Linzer looks at a famous teshuvah of Rav Moshe that takes on the challenge from feminism to the role of women in halakha and Jewish life. Why are women not obligated equally? Can halakha change to accommodate shifting social realities? Spoiler alert: it can't.

Two teshuvot about a woman serving as a mashgicha - granting hashgacha to a restaurant. Is it allowed? Is there a concern about serarah? Rabbi Linzer asks and Rav Moshe answers.

A begged isha episode - what does Rav Moshe think about men using mirrors or dying their hair? Also, a begged ish question - can a woman bear arms?

(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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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