Dear Jew in the City- I saw your article about marrying cousins. That could cause some genetic issues. What’s the Orthodox Jewish perspective on genetic testing? Thank you, Sophie Dear Sophie- “What’s the Orthodox Jewish perspective on genetic testing?” To me, that’s like asking, “What’s the Orthodox Jewish perspective on flossing?” It’s neither an obligation […]
Dear Jew in the City- Are Orthodox Jews allowed to marry their cousins? Thanks, P.J. Dear P.J.- Thanks for your question. Before I discuss the Torah’s viewpoint, I’d like to debunk some misconceptions about “cousin marriage,” AKA consanguinity. From the fact that you asked the question, I infer that you are either looking for […]
Dear Jew in the City- I have a question that’s half Jewish and half superhero. There’s this newish trend to make superheroes not physically perfect. It maybe started with Daredevil and The Eternals specifically included disabled superheroes. This got me thinking about how kohanim can’t have a mum (defect). It seems to me that if […]
Eli Verschleiser, chairman and co-founder of the Our Place centers which combat abuse, trauma and addiction in Orthodox Jewish communities, considers himself an honorary Our Place member and thinks he always will be. Originally from Lakewood, New Jersey, his family was one of the first few hundred families who settled there. He had some trouble […]
Watch our live interview on the halachic and hashkafic implications of BRCA testing with Rabbi Jason Weiner, the senior rabbi and director of the Spiritual Care Department at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, where he is responsible for the chaplaincy team and all aspects of spiritual care. This video is in partnership with JScreen. Visit […]
Dear Jew in the City- When it comes to supporting Israel or speaking out against antisemitism, I see some Jews who seem to be throwing us under the bus. On the one hand we are supposed to focus on Jewish unity, and on the other, four-fifths of the Jewish nation didn’t make it out of […]
