Both Sukkos and Simchas Torah are associated with series of seven that culminate with Dovid haMelech.[1] On Shavuos, we read Megilas Rus that recounts the events leading to the birth of Dovid haMelech. The...
On Simchas Torah, the Minhag is to call every person up to the Torah for an Aliya, including children. Those too young to recite the Brachos themselves are called up together for Kol haNe’arim...
Halachos and Minhagim of Tishrei:Guidelines for Hospital Patients, Visitors, and Staff – Part III[1] The First Night of Sukkos On...
A. General Guidelines Medical tests to determine whether a Choleh can fast A patientin a state of Safek Pikuach Nefesh can sometimes clarify whether he can fast safely through medical testing before Yom Kippur...
Aseres Yemei Teshuva Slichos[2] The ideal time to say Slichos is from Chatzos haLaila until Alos haShachar. If someone cannot recite them then, he should do so in the morning. Bedieved, Slichos can be...
Question: Dear Rabbi Sprung, I work the morning shift and must arrive very early at the hospital. It is impossible to attend the entire recitation of Slichos in Shul, and even if I Daven alone, I can only recite some of...
Erev Rosh Hashana Some individuals have a custom to fast on Erev Rosh Hashana. Individuals who are weak or ill, however, need not fast. If one has generally observed this custom, performing Hataras Nedarim to...
לא תראה את שור אחיך או את שיו נדחים והתעלמת מהם, השב תשיבם לאחיך. ואם לא קרוב אחיך אליך ולא ידעתו, ואספתו אל תוך ביתך והיה עמך עד דרוש אחיך אותו והשבותו לו. וכן תעשה לחמורו, וכן תעשה לשמלתו, וכן תעשה לכל אבדת אחיך אשר...
By the Rabbanim of the Beis Medrash Gavoha l’Halacha u’Refua Shli’ach Tzibur 1. The Shli’ach Tzibur must stand throughout the Tefila, not just Chazaras haShatz.[1] Therefore, a weak or elderly person shouldn’t serve as...
In the past month, the Charedi community in Israel experienced two tragic losses when young, unvaccinated infants died from measles infections. Unfortunately, a troubling attitude has emerged in recent years that...
The effects of new medical discoveries and technologies on established Halachic principles have generated extensive debate. In certain areas, such as determining paternity or maternity through genetic testing...
Many nurses have asked recently about performing the newborn metabolic screening test on Shabbos. Newborn screening is intended to detect an extensive list of serious but treatable medical conditions.[1] Early diagnosis...
During this period, the question frequently emerges regarding the permissibility of listening to music for alleviating anxiety or for other therapeutic reasons. This essay will present the perspectives of various Poskim...
Five things befell our ancestors on the 17th of Tamuz… the Luchos were broken, the [daily offering of the] Korban Tamid ceased, the [walls of Jerusalem were]breached, Apostomus burned the Torah, and he set up an...
Patients receiving cancer treatment frequently experience hair loss, which can present various halachic challenges. For example, we have previously examined the permissibility of permanent eyebrow makeup in these...
A substantial portion of contemporary communication occurs through instant messaging on platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram. Professionals in medical, emergency, and rescue services commonly use WhatsApp...
Thousands of patient meals are prepared daily in the kitchens of the Shaare Zedek Medical Center. All food preparation is conducted according to the highest Kashrus standards. Aside from ensuring the kosher status of...
Our Beit Medrash is actively involved in some of the most comprehensive research and study of medical halacha and medical ethics in the world today.
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Rabbi Yosef Sprung
Rabbi Yosef Sprung
הרב ישראל מאיר מלכה