Third Volume of Medical Halachah Annual Links Halachah and Modern Medical Ethics
New Book from Touro University Examines How Jewish Law Informs Modern Medical Decision-Making
Mosaica Press, in collaboration with Touro University and New York Medical College, has just released the third volume of “Medical Halachah Annual.” Building on the success of its first and second volumes, this edition delves deeper into the intricate interplay between traditional Jewish law and contemporary medical issues and focuses on questions of Jewish law for physicians, patients and students.
Edited by Dr. Edward Lebovics, Professor of Medicine and Director of Gastroenterology at New York Medical College, the journal provides an enlightening exploration into the realms of halachah, medical ethics and modern medical challenges. This new volume highlights a range of perspectives on critical topics, including managing issues about reproduction and short-term survival, coping with cognitive and physical challenges, and general health concerns in the Jewish community. Hot-button issues addressed include the impact of Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs on brachos (blessings) and bircas hamazon (grace after meals), posthumous sperm retrieval, hashgachah (halachic supervision) for IVF and halachic approaches to code status and DNR orders.
Rabbi Aviyam Levinson served as the managinge editor, with an editorial board comprised of Rabbi Baruch Fogel, Dr. Nachum Lebovics, Rabbi Dr. Zvi Loewy and Dr. Jonah (Yonah) Rubin.
“We are excited to present the third volume of the Touro University – New York Medical College Medical Halachah Annual,” said Dr. Lebovics. “This volume, featuring papers from leading rabbonim [rabbis] and physicians, seeks to tackle issues that challenge the foremost authorities in medical halachah. I am especially indebted to our contributing authors, who invested great effort to present analyses of complex issues in a methodical, precise and sensitive manner.”
“We are confident that Jewish healthcare providers, patients, medical students, as well as the broad Torah readership will find this volume enlightening,” he said, emphasizing the journal’s role in linking classic principles with modern medical and social concerns.
The contributors to this volume form a diverse and esteemed group of scholars and practitioners, offering a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of each topic. They include Dr. Jonah (Yonah) Rubin; Rabbi Shlomo Brody, PhD; Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner, BCC; Rabbi Yona Reiss; Zvi Ryzman; Rabbi Chaim Jachter; Rabbi Akiva Willig; Dr. Sharon Galper Grossman; Dr. Edward C. Halperin, and many more.
“As the nation’s largest Jewish-sponsored institution of higher learning that is a leader in health care education, we are proud to share such an important work with the Torah community and its medical professionals,” said Dr. Alan Kadish, Touro President.
Publishing this annual publication is crucial to helping to facilitate dialogue within the Jewish community. “Each generation must engage in conversations to interpret its current ethical challenges, posed by new biomedical discoveries, in light of the timeless values and precepts of Jewish law," said New York Medical College Chancellor and CEO Dr. Edward C. Halperin. "New York Medical College and Touro University are pleased to sponsor the Medical Halachah Annual each year to contribute to these conversations.”
The Medical Halachah Annual is available for purchase at mosaicapress.com or at local Jewish bookstores.
