"Aliyah L'Regel": An inspirational journey through the Jewish Calendar through the lens presented by teachings of great Jewish thinkers. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed.
The monthly renewal of the moon brings with it one of the most unique and evocative rituals in Jewish life: Kiddush Levana. Recited under the night sky as the moon waxes, this blessing connects us to the cycles of time, renewal, and faith in the future. Yet, behind its poetic nature lies a fascinating halachic and kabbalistic discussion regarding who is expected/accustomed to participate in this monthly sanctification.
In this episode, we unpack the nature of Kiddush Levana and explore the multi-layered discussion around women’s participation through four core questions:
The Mitzvah and the Prayer: What is the legal status of Kiddush Levana, and what essential spiritual themes are embedded within the text of the prayer itself?
Time-Bound Commandments: Is Kiddush Levana classified as a mitzvat aseh she'zman grama (a time-bound positive commandment), and how does that categorization impact a woman's halachic obligation?
Custom vs. Law: Should women recite Kiddush Levana? How do classic halachic authorities evaluate the practice, and why did widespread custom evolve such that women traditionally do not say it?
The Kabbalistic Paradigm: What are the deeper mystical reasons behind why women generally refrain from reciting Kiddush Levana, and how do these ideas relate to the spiritual connection between women and the moon?
Join us for an inspiring and in-depth exploration into the halachic mechanisms, historical customs, and mystical dimensions surrounding this monthly sanctification.
14 Oct 2026
The Miraculous Surrogate Birth of Lavi Sarusi
"Ripped From The Headlines": Presenting topics in current events considered through the lens of Jewish law and thought. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed.
When Yigal and Nira Sarusi, parents of Almog Sarusi Hy"d—who was murdered in Hamas captivity after being taken from the Nova music festival—welcomed a newborn baby boy using an embryo preserved over two decades ago and carried by an altruistic surrogate, it touched hearts across Israel and the world. Beyond the profound emotional and human story of resilience, this unprecedented case raises cutting-edge questions in modern bioethics regarding fertility treatments, lineage, and parentage in Jewish law.
In this episode, we examine the fundamental legal and philosophical frameworks governing assisted reproduction in halacha through two core questions:
Defining Halachic Motherhood: Who is considered the mother in Jewish law—the genetic egg donor who provided the biological material, or the surrogate mother who carried and delivered the child?
The Mitzvah of Pru U'Rvu: How do advanced fertility treatments and surrogacy align with the Torah's imperative to bring new life into the world, and what are the boundaries set by modern halachic authorities?
Join us for an in-depth analysis of classic sources and modern responsa as we explore how halacha navigates the forefront of reproductive technology while upholding the sacred value of life and Jewish continuity.
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