(Courtesy of Touro University) Mosaica Press, in collaboration with Touro University and its New York Medical College, is set to release the eagerly anticipated second volume of “Medical Halachah Annual: Applying Classic Principles to Contemporary Practice,” scheduled for May 6th, 2024. Expanding on the success of its first volume, this edition delves deeper into the intricate interplay between traditional Jewish law and contemporary medical issues.
Edited by Dr. Edward Lebovics, Interim Chairman of the Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, the journal provides an enlightening exploration into the realms of halachah, medical ethics and modern medical challenges. This volume highlights a range of perspectives on critical topics from non-physiologic threats to life, organ transplantation, and the ethical implications of technologies like CRISPR and Artificial Intelligence. It also addresses current health concerns such as the implications of the legalization of marijuana on mental health, a subject of increasing relevance and debate.
“We are delighted to present the second volume of the Touro University – New York Medical College Medical Halachah Annual. This volume, featuring papers from leading rabbonim and physicians, seeks to address issues in halachah that are either not well defined, such as choleh l’faneinu, or those that involve new and evolving medical technologies, such as gene editing, electrolarynx and cochlear implants. We also include timely discussions of healthcare challenges in the Jewish community and a Jewish medical historical perspective of recent headlines. We are confident that Jewish healthcare providers as well as the broad Torah readership will find this volume enlightening,” said Dr. Edward Lebovics, 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 Rabbi Dr. Ernest H. Agatstein, Aryeh Berkowitz, Rabbi Dr. Yosef A. Cohen, Rabbi Dovid Heber, Rabbi Aron Jacobsohn, Professor Naomi Klapper, Nachum Lebovics, Rabbi Mordechai Lebhar, Dr. Ariel Felman, Rabbi Dr. Zvi Loewy, Dr. Jonah Rubin, Rabbi Dr. David Shabtai, Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner, and Rabbi Akiva Willig.
“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.
The importance of this annual publication in facilitating crucial dialogue within the Jewish community is encapsulated by New York Medical College Chancellor and CEO, Dr. Edward C. Halperin, “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. New York Medical College and Touro University are pleased to sponsor 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. Pre-ordering is now open.
