Jewish law

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

A reading of the Talmud suggests that a soldier who won’t engage in life-saving activity on the merit of avoiding physical contact is but a ‘pious fool’

Police officers stand by as ultra-Orthodox men block a road during a protest against conscription into the IDF in Bnei Brak in August.
THOUSANDS OF RUNNERS take part in the Tel Aviv Night Run, Oct. 2025.

Guarding our health is an act of Jewish responsibility - opinion

Rep. Jared Moskowitz in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on January 22, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Jewish US lawmakers warn antisemitic threats have surged since October 7

'Spirituality can grow without diminishing anyone,' says the writer.

Parashat Tazria-Metzora: Turning lemons into lemonade


Grapevine: Academics at Hadassah

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

The site of the former President Hotel on Ahad Ha’am Street. In a comic twist, the derelict sign now reads ‘Resident Ho.’

During the three weeks: Is it permissible to celebrate a wedding during these days?


Is quality of life a Jewish concept?

Judaism certainly places a premium on preserving life and usually calls upon us to do everything to save a life. Nonetheless, as Kohelet proclaims, “There is a time for death.”

 ‘TO PROLONG life is a mitzvah, to prolong dying is not.’ (Illustrative)

The Jewish humor of American illustrator Dick Codor

Summing up his career, Codor quips: “Drawing Jewish humor is a way of life. I didn’t choose it. It chose me. Judaism can be grim. Jewish humor makes you grin.”

 A selection of Dick Codor's artwork.

France gets its first Orthodox woman rabbi

Out of France's tradition of traditional, Orthodox Judaism, is emerging an invigorated movement of women who are looking to serve as rabbis for the Orthodox community.

Female rabbi being ordained (illustration)

This rabbi hopes to explain Judaism to millions with new website

The Jewish Tradition website is based on the content of a book with the same name, written by Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, head of the Har Bracha Yeshiva.

 Har Bracha Yeshiva

New bill proposes broader sanctions on Israeli men refusing to divorce wives

Israeli law requires that a man give the divorce papers to his wife for the divorce to become valid.

 A WOMAN seeking divorce in a ‘beit din’ was the sole female in the room until the advent of ‘toanot.’ (Illustrative)

Jewish civil marriage group sees increase in ceremony requests

The group, which aims to help Israelis get married legally without the Rabbinate, believes political tensions have caused the increase in requests.

 Wedding (Illustrative).

Religious families cannot get priority in adoption of non-Jewish children, High Court rules

Non-Orthodox families will be able to adopt non-Jewish children more easily, as adoption standards will now be made "in the best interest of the child."

 A parent and his child holding hands (illustrative)

Can Jews talk about death? Yes, it won't kill you

There is a myth that Judaism looks askance at directly talking about death and mortality. But this isn't true.

 RABBI YISRAEL HAGER of the Vizhnitz Hassidic dynasty visits the shiva for Rabbi Meir Stern in northern Israel, 2022.