Jewish Life: Kashrut
Rabbi Menachem Genack
Rabbi Menachem Genack has been the spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Emunah since 1985. He has also served as the Rabbinic Administrator of the Orthodox Union’s Kashrut Division since 1980, overseeing the certification program of some 4,500 food production facilities in 68 countries around the world. In addition, he gives a Yoreh Deah shiur for ordination students at Yeshiva University. Rabbi Genack is a close disciple of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, zt”l, from whom he received semicha yoreh yoreh yadin yadin. In his semicha, the Rav, zt”l, wrote: “He dives to the depths of the halacha and emerges with pearls and jewels. Not every day does one encounter a scholar of his caliber.” Rabbi Genack aided the Rav in editing the Rav’s Shiurim l’Zecher Aba Mori. He is the author of three halachic works: Birkat Yitzchak, Gan Shoshanim, and Chazon Nachum, Rabbi Genack is the co-editor of the Mesorah Torah journal. He also edited Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, Man of Halacha, Man of Faith, has published over 180 articles on Jewish thought and law, and serves as a member of Tradition’s editorial...
Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff
Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff serves on the Judaic studies faculty of Stern College for Women. Originally from London, England, Rabbi Hajioff graduated with honors in political science from Manchester University. After working for two years for MTV in news production, and winning the national competition ‘Jewish Stand-Up Comedian’ of the Year, Rabbi Hajioff traveled to study in Israel and then Monsey to receive his rabbinical smicha ordination from Yeshiva Ohr Somayach. Rabbi Hajioff has worked extensively with young Jewish drug addicts, and in 2004 received an award from the Town of Ramapo for his work on their behalf. In 2005 Rabbi Hajioff joined the faculty of Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University. In 2006 he received the “Professor of the Year” award in Judaic Studies from the senior year students at Stern. Rabbi Hajioff also works for Birthright Israel in New York as their official Rabbi and educational director. He has been instrumental in implementing programs for Birthright Israel in Manhattan such as the very successful adult bar and bat mitzvah program which some four hundred people have completed so far. He also leads trips to Israel and Poland three times annually for some three hundred participants. Rabbi Hajioff also teaches on the Mechina Introductory Judaic studies program at Stern College. This program includes Shabbatonim on and off campus, and a summer learning program in Israel at the YU campus. He teaches introductory Judaic studies courses, which cover all the foundations of Jewish thought, as well as a lower intermediate level course covering all the Jewish holidays, and an intermediate level course on the Sabbath. He has developed a new course introducing kabbalistic ideas in Jewish thought. Sample Titles The Five Levels of Pleasure Four Misconceptions Jews Have About Judaism Children – Planting and Building; Bringing up Healthy Children in Today’s Technological World. Finding Inspiration in a Hectic World Do Jews Believe in G-d War – What is it Good For? Israel – Whose Land Is It Anyway? Health...
Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky
Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky is a rosh yeshiva at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University. In addition, he also serves as spiritual leader of Congregation Ohr HaTorah in Bergenfield, N.J. His synagogue has attracted many Orthodox Jews to the community. Rabbi Sobolofsky also lectures at the Bergen County Beis Medrash Program, housed at Congregation Bnai Yeshurun in Teaneck, N.J. Prior to his appointment as a rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Sobolofsky was a fellow of the Gruss Kollel Elyon and then went on to teach in the Irving I. Stone Beis Medrash Program. Rabbi Sobolofsky studied at Yeshivat Kerem BeYavneh and Yeshiva. Graduating in 1987, he was named valedictorian of the Mazer Yeshiva Program. He then attended RIETS, where he studied under Rabbi Hershel Schacter and Rabbi Mordechai Willig, finishing in 1990 and proceeded to the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration in 1996. Rabbi Sobolofsky is the author of Reishis Koach, on Maseches Bechoros, and has produced a series of shiurim on tape on Hilchos Nidda, Hilchos Aveilus, on the construction of a mikvah and on halachic aspects of the Seder, which are available on CDs and MP3s.His most recent sefer is titled The Laws and Concepts of Niddah. Sample Titles Chinuch and Mesorah: A Formula for Success Shofar and Mussaf on Rosh Hoshanah The Halakhic Perspective on Abortion End of Life Issues Emergencies on Shabbat and Yom Tov Pregnancy and Birth in Jewish Law and Thought The Future of Korbanot and the Rebuilding of the Beit ha-Mikdash Shabbat and Yom Tov in Jewish Thought Birth, Marriage, and Death in Jewish Law Conversion to Judaism The Jewish Traveler: The International Date Line The History of Torah she-Ba’al...
Rabbi Mordechai Willig
Rabbi Mordechai Willig is Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Dr. Sol Roth Professor of Talmud and Contemporary Halachah. He has been a rosh yeshiva at the Yeshiva Program/Mazer School of Talmudic Studies since 1973 and a rosh kollel at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Rabbi Willig has served as spiritual leader of the Young Israel of Riverdale in the Bronx, N.Y., since 1974. He is the author of Am Mordechai, which came out in two volumes (1992 on brachot and 2005 on Shabbat), and has authored many articles in Torah scholarship journals. Rabbi Willig is the deputy av beis din of the Beth Din of America. He has been an outspoken advocate of the halachic prenuptual agreement as a preventative measure against the creation of agunot. Rabbi Willig received a BA in mathematics from Yeshiva College in 1968 and an MS in Jewish history in 1971 from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. He received semikha (rabbinic ordination) that same year at RIETS. Sample Titles Peru U’revu – How Many Children and When In G-d We Trust? Balancing Work & Other Mitzvos Marriage and Machlokes: Middos, Parents/In-Laws and Divorce Are We Really Willing To Change? Practical Suggestions for Feeling Yom Hadin Survival Guide to Dating Practical Applications of Tznius: At Home, Work, Shul, and in the Street Gambling in Halacha Hellenism Revisited: Outside Influences on Our Lives Dress Down Shabbos? Laws Relating to Female/Male Patients (negiah, yichud, chattzitza for mikvah etc.) Pursuit of Happiness Drinking: Purim and Beyond Helenism Today: Secular Values vs. Torah Values Teshuva and Tefillah: Two Paths to Hashem Sefira: Halacha and Hashkafa The Weapons of Eisav in the Hands of Yishmael; The Reaction to Twin Tragedies Eis Tsara, Emunah, and 9-11-2001 Shavuos: Preparing for Kabolas HaTorah Should Women Light Chanukah Candles? Simcha on Rosh Hashana Yomim Noraim /...