Rabbi Yosef Sprung
Speech is among the most basic human faculties. It enables people to communicate, express thoughts and emotions, and fulfill core elements of Avodas Hashem – including Tefila, Brachos, Krias Shema, and Talmud Torah...
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It’s Hot in Here – Part 2
[Editor’s note: In last week’s essay, we began the discussion of activating air conditioning systems during a hot summer Shabbos (or heating during a cold winter Shabbos) when necessary. We reviewed the principle that...
Halachic Implications of Prostate Surgery
Background The treatment of urinary symptoms in males, such as difficulty urinating, a persistent sensation of incomplete bladder emptying, or urinary retention, usually begins with medical management. When medication...
A Hairy Situation – Part 1
Women may experience partial or complete hair loss due to various medical reasons. Some have conditions that lead to significant hair thinning, while others experience temporary or permanent hair loss from medical...
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Nachamu Nachamu
As we emerge from Tisha b’Av and read the seven Haftaros referred to as “Shiva d’Nechemta” on the Shabbosos until Rosh Hashana, we present the following thoughts on the meaning of Nechama – a subject that is...
Do No Harm
Drawing blood for laboratory tests is one of the most common medical procedures. Usually, after the minimum required amount has been collected, blood often keeps flowing into the vial for a few extra moments – whether...
Proving Paternity – Part 1
Identifying a person’s father and mother is of great significance in Halacha. A father is obligated to provide for his children; a child is commanded to honor both parents; and after the parents’ passing, the...
A Hairy Issue
Question: Is it permissible to use the product “Minoxi” (minoxidil) on Shabbos for hair loss prevention? The therapy requires daily application of a liquid to the scalp for optimal effectiveness. This situation involves...
The Final Blow
There are numerous Halachos concerning an individual identified as a Goses, which refers to a person in the final stages of life. An intriguing, lesser-known discussion appears in the Gemara in Sanhedrin (78a): If ten...
Who Decides? Priorities in Kidney Donation
Living kidney donation exists at the intersection of medicine, ethics, and Halacha. In Israel, as in many nations, a system has evolved with the dual purpose of saving lives while maintaining fairness, safety, and...
