JUDS 1512: The Process of Psak Halacha (Modern Poskim)

Abstract

COURSE TOPICS AND GOALS Focus on the lives and Teshuvot of Chazon Ish זצ"ל Rav Moshe Feinstein זצ"ל The Rav, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik זצ"ל Rav Ovadiah Yosef זצ"ל Also: Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach זצ"ל Minchas Yitzchak זצ"ל Tzitz Eliezer זצ"ל We will analyze how different modern poskim come to different conclusions on the same topics, and the process through which their decisions are made. We will discuss how these Halachic decisions lead to widely varying practices within Orthodox Judaism. The topics include Mechitza Torah education for women Yom Haatzmaut and the State of Israel organ donation hair covering for women We will also discuss how the Halachic "consumer" chooses a posek or a psak to follow.