Last week, we began our discussion of the reliability of paternity testing in Halachic matters. We examined various sources, but none provided a definitive conclusion. This week’s essay will move...
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’...
Many medical procedures involve actions that fall under the Melacha of “Lash” (kneading). In modern medicine, these are part of routine...
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...
Among the common Halachic questions that arise in cases of patients who need to be taken to the hospital on Shabbos, aside from those regarding methods of transport and the specific Halachos about traveling in...
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...
Everyone is required to observe the Mitzvos of Purim, which include reading the Megila, giving Mishloach Manos, providing Matanos la’Evyonim, and partaking in the Seuda. However, these obligations can be difficult for...
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...
A relatively uncommon topic within the realm of kashrus pertains to laxatives. These medications are used in various clinical situations to clear the bowels. The primary indication is to facilitate the evacuation of...
Glycerin is a very common ingredient in the modern food and drug industry. The food industry commonly uses it to thicken, stabilize...
Lactose, also referred to as “milk sugar,” is a common ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry. Its widespread use in various medications prompts important halachic considerations. Central among these are questions...
In hospital environments, it is common for people to stay awake throughout the night. Medical and nursing staff are frequently required to work overnight shifts, ensuring continuous patient care and the ability to meet...
Striking[Editor’s note: Nearly 15,000 nurses across New York City launched a strike on January 12, 2026, making it one of the largest nursing strikes in the city’s history. This industrial action was initiated...
The issue of whether to tell the truth or withhold it frequently arises in medical practice, especially when doctors must give difficult news to patients or their families. Typically, the choice involves either sharing...
Rav Itiel Katz Question: Does a woman become a Nida after undergoing a hysteroscopy? Answer: To answer this question, further clarification is needed, including: Was the procedure performed a hysteroscopy (via the...
Last week, we examined the use of electrical devices that deactivate immediately upon cessation of human effort. We shall conclude our discussion with an additional application: electric doors. Rav Moshe Sternbuch...
In Toras haAdam (Inyan haSakana), the Ramban discusses a physician’s exemption from liability for errors that occur during medical treatment: [The exemption] was only granted to a Baki (an expert) who knows the wisdom...
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.
Copyright © 2026
Rabbi Yosef Sprung
Rabbi Yosef Sprung