Learning The News, Halachic Perspectives On Current Events

Learning the News encourages readers to apply the same skills to the news stories they read through the lens of Torah.

• May one act as an undercover agent in order to help the police apprehend drug traffickers?
• Is one permitted to interrupt his Shemoneh Esreh to run to a bomb shelter, when protected by the Iron Dome?
• What does the Torah say about standing up to bullies?
• Is it permitted to make human statues of sand or snow?
• Is a person permitted to trade himself on the stock market?

About the Author:

Simcha Lauer received his rabbinic ordination from Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan. He also has a masters in Jewish Education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. He currently lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel, with his wife and children.

Approbations:

“Outstanding…interesting questions that immediately grab the reader’s curiosity… utilizes a wide range of sources to explain how halachah would address the particular problem…The novice will be exposed to the beauty, depth, and complexity of the halachic process…[T]he talmid chacham will be able to see a wide range of mekoros and psakim, some of which are not so easy to find, which he can then proceed to analyze and elaborate upon…[A] fine work.”

Rav Yitzchak Breitowitz

“Rabbi Lauer deals with timely and important topics…and brings halachic sources from early and contemporary texts with grace and skill.”

Rav Simcha Hakohen Kook