Jewish Law & Observance

• What constitutes a halachic discussion?
• How do we arrive at each conclusion?
• Why is the process so complex?
• Who may serve as a halachic authority?
• When can one ask a second halachic opinion?

In The Making of a Halachic Discussion, Rabbi Moshe Walter explores the history of halachic decision making, beginning with the Rif and Rambam continuing through the Mishnah Berurah and contemporary halachic works. Comprehensive definitions of halachic terminology are elucidated along with the laws of ruling on halachic queries and their application. Explore the fascinating world of p’sak halachah with this newly revised and designed edition. Your questions on the halachic process will be acknowledged and examined, ultimately resulting in an infinitely deeper appreciation of the ins and outs of this area of Torah.

“I am positive that anyone who brings this book into his house will be helped in many issues.”

Rabbi Ephraim Greenblatt

“Many will learn from here how to successfully reach ture p’sak halachah.”

Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky

“This work will be of great benefit to both teachers and students.”

Rabbi Dovid Cohen

“This sefer clarifies in a profound and fundamental manner the method of p’sak and the basics of halachic decision making. It seems to me that it is very important for both poskim and laymen. … It excels in clarity, integrity, and great breadth.”

Rabbi Asher Zelig Weiss

Rabbi Moshe Walter serves as the Rav of Woodside Synagogue Ahavas Torah and is the executive director of the Rabbinical Council of Greater Washington. Learn More

A gripping chronicle of the incredible mesirus nefesh of Jews in the Holocaust

Their questions will astound you ...

"Can I eat treif to avoid starvation?"

"Can I save my own life at the expense of another Jew’s life?"

"What brachah do I make before the Nazis kill me?"

Through the dark years in the Kovno Ghetto, Rav Ephraim Oshry, zt"l, was not just a witness to the German atrocities but also a foremost posek, entrusted with the profound responsibility of answering the heartbreaking shailos posed by his fellow Jews.

Responsa from the Holocaust chronicles the extraordinary, unwavering resilience of Jews facing unimaginable circumstances. Rav Oshry documented their heart-wrenching questions and his careful, considered responses. After liberation, he recovered his hidden writings, preserving the moral dilemmas of his fellow Jews as a testament to the strength of the Jewish spirit, and ensuring that their voices -- loyal to Hashem even in the most trying times -- would echo through the generations. Learn More

The industry of software development is one that is extremely complex. Its intricate aspects are understood only by those in the industry and, as such, have led to significant issues which are overlooked by the consumer. Situations very often arise where unbeknownst to the consumer, he is given a product which is ill-suited to his needs. Oftentimes, the vendors themselves are unaware of these issues. These situations lead to some very serious Choshen Mishpat concerns which have not yet been adequately addressed. Additionally, there are a host of other standard industry procedures- some bordering on fraudulent- which raise considerable Halachic concerns.

In this ground-breaking sefer, the author, in consultation with prominent Rabbanim and Dayanim, explores the issues above as well as many other related topics in depth. The author is an experienced software engineer who has successfully designed and marketed cutting edge programs to major corporations. He is also a technology consultant and has advised and helped prominent businesses find solutions to their technological needs. With his years of experience in these fields, he has a vast knowledge and nuanced understanding of everything related to software design, marketing, purchasing and program implementation. As such, he is uniquely qualified to address these points from a variety of angles. Learn More

Halachic Considerations in Cancer Prevention and Management

Includes practical information and guidance

Few words in the dictionary are more frightening than "cancer." For Torah-observant Jews, there is an added element of complexity when it comes to cancer, whether regarding preventive measures or, R"l, an actual diagnosis.

• At what age should we screen for certain cancers, and to what extent are we halachically obligated to do so?
• In which situations does the medical community recommend prophylactic surgery, and does halachah require a person to undergo such surgeries?
• Is it permissible and/or required to participate in clinical trials when standard treatment options fail to control a person's cancer?
• What degree of autonomy does halachah grant a patient with metastatic cancer who is at the end of his or her life?

Dr. Moshe Ornstein is a veteran, frum oncologist who has also spent years learning and teaching halachah. In this book, he provides in-depth halachic analyses and discussions of common cancer-related topics, all written in a clear, easy-to-read manner. In addition to the halachic overviews the book offers, it is also a source of relevant and practical medical information about cancer prevention and treatment in general.

---

I received your book Cancer in Halachah, and I find it useful for both scholarly and practical purposes, as well as informative in preventing the disease...
Rav Shmuel Kamenetzky

I am certain that this book will be very beneficial for patients struggling with this disease as well as for their families, and that it will increase the awareness amongst Klal Yisrael of how to prevent this disease from taking hold amongst us...
Rav Asher Weiss

Each chapter contains an excellent, up-to-date halachic discussion... I strongly recommend this book for all cancer patients, their families, and policymakers in this field of medicine.
Rabbi Prof. Avraham Steinberg, MD Learn More

The phenomenon continues. A successful businessman who is not only a world-class, award-winning talmid chacham and author of over 30 sefarim, but who delivers shiurim in Israeli and American yeshivos and halachah conferences, explores modern-day halachic issues like few others in modern times, and prefers to be known as an ish asakim, rather than as a rabbi — that is a modest description of Rabbi Zvi Ryzman.

This extraordinary volume is the fourth collection of his fascinating and thorough lectures on relevant halachic issues.

• It includes his analysis of issues relating to Israel’s battle against Hamas, such as
• What Are the Priorities in Saving Lives?
• What Are the Issues in Ransoming Hostages?

Among the other fascinating topics in this volume: May a Shabbos observer trade shifts with a non-observant Jew? May one schedule elective surgery a few days before Shabbos? May one desecrate Shabbos to help a person in emotional distress? And there are many more. Rabbi Ryzman researches, analyzes, and explains. He is not only a great scholar, he is a master teacher. When he’s finished, we have a clear understanding of the issues and of how the author and the great poskim apply classic principles to current dilemmas.

Are you interested in joining adventures in halachic exploration? Then Exploring Modern Halachic Dilemmas Vol. 4 is for you! Learn More

As the House of Hashem and - in galus, with the absence of the Beis Hamikdas - the place where the Shechinah is found, the shul is the holiest of all settings, and thus it is incumbent upon us to treat it with the dignity and respect it commands. This includes being aware of and keeping the numerous halachos that pertain to a shul.

Who may eat in shul? May one kiss a child there? Does the women's section have kedushah? May membership meetings take place in a shul? Is it permissible to greet one's friend while in shul? Speech and conversation; do their halachos apply after davening is over?

Shuls in Halachah is a unique contribution to the world of English halachah books. In this first-ever, comprehensive English sefer on the topic, Rabbi Ephraim Eliezer Padawer, author of the 5-volume Piskei Hilchos Shabbos and Yom Tov, explores and explains the many halachos pertaining to kedushas beis haknesses. Based on the Shulchan Aruch and contemporary poskim, this authoritative and fully annotated book covers virtually every imaginable question that can arise in a shul setting. Written in a clear, concise, and user-friendly format, with the addition of nearly 50 FAQs, the entire book has been collectively reviewed by several veteran rabbanim.

*Perfect for both the layman and the talmid chacham (as well as the rav); men and women

*Includes a comprehensive, alphabetical index for easy reference, as well as a daily learning calendar Learn More

The Laws and Customs of Mezuzah
for Ashkenazim and Sefardim
Clearly Presented with Detailed Illustrations

The emblem of a Jewish home, a mezuzah is a constant reminder of our connection to Hashem. Chazal teach that it offers continual protection, both in the home and outside, and that it is associated with long life.  The mitzvah of mezuzah is in force at all times, and it is important for it to be done right. This sefer was written to increase awareness of the many facets of this mitzvah and to serve as a comprehensive guide to its performance.

In a beautiful format and with clear and simple language, Rabbi Churba covers a wide range of topics - from the spirit of the mitzvah to its concrete details.  Cutting-edge architectural illustrations bring the halacha to life and make the learning easier and more enjoyable. Extensively researched and well organized, this book provides the essential information you need to fulfill the mitzvah properly.

100+ images illustrating scenarios

A new edition of the widely popular Halachic compendium "Kitzur Shulchan Aruch" (by R. Shlomm Ganzfried) with the rulings of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (compiled by Rabbi Levi Bistritzky of Tzefat). This revised publication now contains:

• Vowelized, corrected text.
• Chabad Customs from the successive generations of the Chabad Rebbes have been added, with sources (compiled by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Raskin of London).
• Illustrations for simplifying some complicated halachos.

The Mysteries Revealed

Do you know why a kallah carries flowers? Or what kind of candle should be used when walking a chassan or kallah down the aisle? Or the importance of the type of veil worn by the kallah?

A Jewish wedding and its secular counterpart are as different as day and night. The purpose of a Jewish marriage is for the chassan and kallah to construct a bayis ne'eman, to create a home that welcomes the Shechinah in its midst, to help build Klal Yisrael. To that end, the chasunah, which is the commencement of this marriage, is an extremely holy day, filled with tremendous meaning, and replete with many customs that carry great significance.

If a chassan and kallah prepare for their wedding properly, understanding the kedushah of the day and its vast potential, they will be empowered to build a magnificent edifice together, with vast gains both in the physical and spiritual realms. This book, which provides a glimpse into the traditions done at a Jewish wedding and the deep meanings behind them, is a wonderful tool to help chassanim, kallahs, and their families appreciate the value of each detail of the big event.

Rabbi Dovid Meisels, author of the popular Secrets series, has done extensive research into the what's, how's, and why's of the many customs performed at a Jewish wedding, the results of which is this book. As with all of Rabbi Meisels's books, the material has been culled from midrashim, Chazal, and the sefarim hakedoshim. Enter your marriage with the right mindset. Understand why we do what we do at a wedding, and begin building your own beautiful bayis ne'eman b'Yisrael.