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On Changes in Judaism (1845)
Rabbi Zecharias Frankel in 1845 explores the nature of Judaism as it faces progress and highlights the nature of change in Judaism.
Rabbi Zecharias Frankel z''l
July 17, 2024
Conservative Judaism
Core Conservative Judaism Ideas
The Jewish Status of a Child Born Using a Gestational Carrier
In a recent teshuvah, the CJLS answers the question, "what is the Jewish status of a child born using a gestational carrier?"
Jessica Chod
July 5, 2024
Child Birth
CJLS
Democracy in Post-Biblical Judaism (1948)
Rabbi Greenberg writes, many ideas matured in rabbinic thought, particularly "group of ethical values usually associated with the concept of Democracy."
Rabbi Simon Greenberg z''l
July 2, 2024
CJ Journal - 1945-1959
Conservative Judaism
The Biblical Basis of Democracy (1948)
Rabbi Gordis writes, "the main current of Biblical thought and Jewish tradition is fundamentally democratic..."
Rabbi Robert Gordis z''l
July 2, 2024
CJ Journal - 1945-1959
Conservative Judaism
What blessing do I recite over an eclipse?
A solar eclipse is certainly a unique natural event that causes us to ponder our place in the universe. What blessing do I recite?
Exploring Judaism
April 4, 2024
Blessings
CJLS
Pesah and Continued Kashrut Slavery: A Conceptual Reflection
A conceptual reflection of Pesah and Kashrut can bring more meaning to how we follow the halakhah of food on Pesah.
Rabbi Aaron Alexander
March 12, 2024
Holidays
Passover
Women and Headcovering
In a written teshuvah, Rabbi Jane Kanarek explains the answer to the question, "Should women and girls wear a headcovering?"
Reena Bromberg Gaber
January 3, 2024
CJLS
Halakhah
What does Judaism say about Abortion?
An overview of what Judaism says about abortion based on the decisions and analysis of the Rabbinical Assembly.
Rabbi Susan Grossman
,
Rabbi Avram Israel Reisner
December 10, 2023
CJLS
Halakhah
Non-Fasting Sh”tz on Yom Kippur
When should we use a non-fasting sh"tz on Yom Kippur? This CJLS teshuvah, originally written by Rabbi Gail Labovitz, explains.
Reena Bromberg Gaber
September 28, 2023
CJLS
Halakhah
Halakha and the Assessment of Risk
Halakha can be used for the assessment of risk; this can be relevant for pikuach nefesh (saving a life) or kashrut.
Rabbi Avram Israel Reisner
September 7, 2023
Ethics
Every Day
Distinctive Emphasis in Conservative Judaism: Vis-a-Vis the Halakha (1952)
Rabbi Max L. Forman z"' wrote: "the formulation of a dynamic approach to Jewish law; not to a corpus or platform, but to a methodology."
Rabbi Max L. Forman z"l
June 29, 2023
CJ Journal - 1945-1959
Conservative Judaism
Conservative Judaism as a Unifying Force (1949)
Rabbi Max Arzt z"l wrote, "Its realistic and reverential attitude to tradition is animated by a profound concern for Jewish unity..."
Rabbi Max Arzt z"l
June 28, 2023
CJ Journal - 1945-1959
Conservative Judaism
A Jewish Lens on Investing and Gambling
What special ethical concerns arise as the distinction between company owners and customers is blurred by equity investment?
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal
,
The Observant Life (Book)
May 25, 2023
Business Ethics
Commerce
Three Types of Prohibited Speech According to Jewish Law
It is largely agreed upon that the types of speech encompassed by the biblical prohibition fall into three categories of increasing severity.
The Observant Life (Book)
May 19, 2023
Every Day
Human interactions
Creating a Sacred Physical Space
Halakhah demands that we invoke God’s name in prayer only in settings that are worthy of the sacred enterprise of prayer.
Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed
,
The Observant Life (Book)
May 16, 2023
Every Day
Prayer
Planning my Queer Halakhic Jewish Wedding
Making the choices for our queer wedding ceremony including the ceremony, ketubah, sheva berachot, circling, and breaking the glass.
Rabbi Becca Walker
May 15, 2023
LGBTQ+
Lifecycles
A New Egalitarian Divorce
Rabbi Barmash's new teshuvah empowers women and infuses the rites of marriage and divorce with more equality and dignity for both partners.
Rabbi Deborah Megdal
May 8, 2023
CJLS
Divorce
When Can a Passover Seder Start Early? Other Festivals?
When is the earliest time that we can begin observing Jewish festivals, on first or second day of Yom Tov, in particular, the Passover seder?
Exploring Judaism
March 19, 2023
CJLS
Halakhah
Fixing Common Errors in a Kosher Kitchen
Mistakes will happen in a kosher kitchen. While some are easily corrected, others require a bit more effort. Here's what you do.
Rabbi Paul S. Drazen z"l
,
The Observant Life (Book)
February 8, 2023
Every Day
Guidelines for a Kosher Kitchen
Is Alcohol the best way to celebrate Purim?
According to a well-known custom, drinking – and drinking to excess – on Purim is required for Jews celebrating the holiday. What is the origin ...
Rabbi David Golinkin
,
The Schechter Institutes
February 5, 2023
Halakhah
Learning
Tefillin: A Reminder of What is Holy
Rabbi Julie Schwarzwald on wearing Tefillin: As I go about my work and my mundane routine, I am regularly reminded of what is holy.
Rabbi Julie Schwarzwald
January 25, 2023
Accessories for Prayer
Every Day
Rituals of Sukkot
Sukkot, one of the shalosh r’galim, the three pilgrimage festivals is celebrated five days after Yom Kippur.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 14, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Erev Yom Kippur and the Customs Preceding It
Preparations on Erev Yom Kippur are intrinsic to the awe-inspiring observance of the day: a special meal, candle lighting, and charity.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 3, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
The Shofar on Rosh Hashanah
Sounding of the shofar is a characteristic mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah. The holiday is alternatively called the Day of Sounding the Shofar.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
September 16, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
What are Kitniyot and when can I eat it?
In the early medieval period, it became customary for Ashkenazi Jews to not eat a category of foods called kitniyot. What are they?
Exploring Judaism
March 31, 2022
CJLS
Halakhah
What is an Eiruv Tavshilin?
One is only permitted to cook on festivals to make food for the holiday itself, not for other days. There is an exception: eiruv tavshilin.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
March 22, 2022
Holidays
Passover