Learning The News : Halachic Perspectives On Current Events

As twenty-first-century Jews, we have become accustomed to using critical thinking to approach the world around us.

Learning the News encourages readers to apply the same skills to the news stories they read through the lens of Torah.

• May one act as an undercover agent in order to help the police apprehend drug traffickers?
• Is one permitted to interrupt his Shemoneh Esreh to run to a bomb shelter, when protected by the Iron Dome?
• What does the Torah say about standing up to bullies?
• Is it permitted to make human statues of sand or snow?
• Is a person permitted to trade himself on the stock market?

About the Author:

Simcha Lauer received his rabbinic ordination from Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan. He also has a masters in Jewish Education from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. He currently lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel, with his wife and children.

Approbations:

“Outstanding…interesting questions that immediately grab the reader’s curiosity… utilizes a wide range of sources to explain how halachah would address the particular problem…The novice will be exposed to the beauty, depth, and complexity of the halachic process…[T]he talmid chacham will be able to see a wide range of mekoros and psakim, some of which are not so easy to find, which he can then proceed to analyze and elaborate upon…[A] fine work.”

Rav Yitzchak Breitowitz

“Rabbi Lauer deals with timely and important topics…and brings halachic sources from early and contemporary texts with grace and skill.”

Rav Simcha Hakohen Kook