Halacha

‘Years of hell’: Jewish women describe the fight to obtain a religious divorce

New documentary, Get Up: Breakthroughs in the Battle for Jewish Divorce, examines the impact of religious divorce refusal, a practice recognized in many countries as a form of domestic violence.

Caroline Maxwell
Ultra-Orthodox men line up to partake in the kapparot tradition in Mea She’arim in 2025.

Unnecessary and cruel: Using chickens for kapparot on Yom Kippur violates Jewish values – opinion

Police officers stand by as ultra-Orthodox men block a road during a protest against conscription into the IDF in Bnei Brak in August.

Is there a halachic basis to refuse to serve alongside a female paramedic? – opinion

HONEST ACCOUNTING cannot be selective

Parashat Ki Tavo: The finest generation


'Uncovered': Examining Halacha through a female lens - review

Each of its nine chapters includes source material from biblical verses, Talmudic discussions, and classical and contemporary responsa, in Hebrew/Aramaic and English, presented chronologically. 

 ‘SHEKHINA’ is a book of photographs by Leonard Nimoy (aka Mr. Spock) that includes this picture of a woman wearing an arm phylactery.

Halitza: The Jewish ritual for widows and how it is carried out in wartime - explainer

On an average year, it is estimated there are 15 to 20 such cases in Israel and a couple in the United States. During wartime, that number goes up.

 An illustrative image of sandals.

Respecting our wives: Honoring ourselves


Following up on our Yom Kippur prayers – opinion

We need to remember the commitments we made on Yom Kippur every day, not just during the confessional.

 Masses gather at the Western Wall last week, during the days leading up to Yom Kippur. The prayers we recited and the commitments we made on Yom Kippur are lacking in value without follow-up, the writer asserts.

Detailed Halachot of building a Sukkah


Rabbi Ido Pachter: Making a new tradition of Jewish law for modern Israel

Jerusalemite of the Week: Rabbi Ido Pachter of Beit Midrash LeMa'ase is attempting to reframe how we approach Jewish law to create something new: Halachat Yisraeli (Israeli Jewish law).

 Rabbi Ido Pachter is seen alongside colleagues at Beit Midrash LeMa'ase in Jerusalem.

Navigating Halachic challenges in the Shofar blowing


What does Jewish law say about medical experimentation? - explainer

Generally, Halacha permits only medical interventions whose efficacy has been proven. Yet even with tested treatments, one cannot be sure that the intervention will succeed.

 A woman is seen preparing a dose of the COVID vaccine.

The Jewish state is bad for Jews: Jewish life in Israel is hijacked by cultists, politics - opinion

Religion has been hijacked by cultists with long white beards in long black coats, and they have sullied it. Politics and religion simply shouldn’t mix; the result is a toxic mess.

 National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visits the Temple Mount on August 13, 2024, in this screengrab obtained from a handout video by the Temple Mount Administration.

Step by Step: Exploring the concept of Techumim