Moshe David Tendler
Encyclopedia
Moshe David Tendler (born February, 1927) is the rabbi
of The Community Synagogue of Monsey
. He is a senior Rosh Yeshiva
at Yeshiva University
's RIETS and the Rabbi Isaac and Bella Tendler Professor of Jewish Medical Ethics
and Professor of Biology
at Yeshiva College. He has a Ph.D.
in Microbiology
and is noted as an expert on Jewish medical ethics
and their relationship to Halakha
.
Tendler is the son-in-law of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein
, a world renowned posek
. Indeed, many of Feinstein's "Iggerot Mosheh" responsa are addressed to his son-in-law Tendler prefaced with the accolade "HaRav HaGa'on R. Moshe David Tendler", illustrating the great reverence with which Tendler is held. His wife, Shifra (child of Feinstein), died in October, 2007.
(NYU) in 1947, and a Master’s degree in 1950. He was ordained
at RIETS in 1949, and earned a Ph.D. in biology from Columbia University
in 1957.
, for information and advice concerning medicine and Jewish law. Tendler has written and lectured widely on medical ethics, with an emphasis on Feinstein's viewpoint. Tendler translated various medical oriented responsa of Feinstein into English. Because of this Tendler has been accused of going against Feinstein's wish that his responsa not be translated. In response, Tendler explained that because many people had not listened to his original request, Feinstein asked Tendler to translate certain responsa to ensure clarity and accuracy
Tendler is one of the leading experts on medical ethics as it pertains to Jewish law, and is the chairman of the Rabbinical Council of America
(RCA) Bioethical Commission, and chair of the Medical Ethics Task Force, UJA-Federation of Greater New York. Tendler has been one of the most vocal and adamant supporters of Jewish organ donation. Tendler, based upon his father-in-law’s responsa, strongly advocates the theory that complete and irreversible cessation of function of the entire brain renders a person “physiologically decapitated”, and is considered legally dead according to Jewish law. Tendler asserts that once organ donation has been deemed permissible under the given conditions, it is indeed mandatory, falling under the rubric of the legal obligation of Jews to preserve the lives of others. In addition, Tendler has written extensively on euthanasia
, infertility
, end of life issues, organ donation
, and brit milah
(Jewish circumcision). Tendler has been a strong advocate for the use of a tube when performing metzitzah, suction of blood during circumcision,. Serving on an RCA panel on stem cell research, Tendler expressed respectful disagreement with the Bush administration's position.
Tendler has been a past President and is the posek for the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists
.
Although his halakhic rulings on bioethics have occasionally differed from those of his colleague Rabbi J. David Bleich
, Tendler states that he has always spoken on friendly terms with Bleich.
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
of The Community Synagogue of Monsey
Monsey, New York
Monsey is a hamlet , in the Town of Ramapo, Rockland County, New York, United States located north of the state of New Jersey; east of Suffern; south of Airmont and west of Nanuet...
. He is a senior Rosh Yeshiva
Rosh yeshiva
Rosh yeshiva, , , is the title given to the dean of a Talmudical academy . It is made up of the Hebrew words rosh — meaning head, and yeshiva — a school of religious Jewish education...
at Yeshiva University
Yeshiva University
Yeshiva University is a private university in New York City, with six campuses in New York and one in Israel. Founded in 1886, it is a research university ranked as 45th in the US among national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2012...
's RIETS and the Rabbi Isaac and Bella Tendler Professor of Jewish Medical Ethics
Medical ethics
Medical ethics is a system of moral principles that apply values and judgments to the practice of medicine. As a scholarly discipline, medical ethics encompasses its practical application in clinical settings as well as work on its history, philosophy, theology, and sociology.-History:Historically,...
and Professor of Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
at Yeshiva College. He has a Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in Microbiology
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
and is noted as an expert on Jewish medical ethics
Bioethics
Bioethics is the study of controversial ethics brought about by advances in biology and medicine. Bioethicists are concerned with the ethical questions that arise in the relationships among life sciences, biotechnology, medicine, politics, law, and philosophy....
and their relationship to Halakha
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
.
Tendler is the son-in-law of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein
Moshe Feinstein
Moshe Feinstein was a Lithuanian Orthodox rabbi, scholar and posek , who was world-renowned for his expertise in Halakha and was regarded by many as the de facto supreme halakhic authority for Orthodox Jewry of North America during his lifetime...
, a world renowned posek
Posek
Posek is the term in Jewish law for "decider"—a legal scholar who decides the Halakha in cases of law where previous authorities are inconclusive or in those situations where no halakhic precedent exists....
. Indeed, many of Feinstein's "Iggerot Mosheh" responsa are addressed to his son-in-law Tendler prefaced with the accolade "HaRav HaGa'on R. Moshe David Tendler", illustrating the great reverence with which Tendler is held. His wife, Shifra (child of Feinstein), died in October, 2007.
Education
Tendler received his B.A. degree from New York UniversityNew York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
(NYU) in 1947, and a Master’s degree in 1950. He was ordained
Semicha
, also , or is derived from a Hebrew word which means to "rely on" or "to be authorized". It generally refers to the ordination of a rabbi within Judaism. In this sense it is the "transmission" of rabbinic authority to give advice or judgment in Jewish law...
at RIETS in 1949, and earned a Ph.D. in biology from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in 1957.
Medical ethics
Tendler was frequently asked by his father-in-law, Rabbi Moshe FeinsteinMoshe Feinstein
Moshe Feinstein was a Lithuanian Orthodox rabbi, scholar and posek , who was world-renowned for his expertise in Halakha and was regarded by many as the de facto supreme halakhic authority for Orthodox Jewry of North America during his lifetime...
, for information and advice concerning medicine and Jewish law. Tendler has written and lectured widely on medical ethics, with an emphasis on Feinstein's viewpoint. Tendler translated various medical oriented responsa of Feinstein into English. Because of this Tendler has been accused of going against Feinstein's wish that his responsa not be translated. In response, Tendler explained that because many people had not listened to his original request, Feinstein asked Tendler to translate certain responsa to ensure clarity and accuracy
Tendler is one of the leading experts on medical ethics as it pertains to Jewish law, and is the chairman of the Rabbinical Council of America
Rabbinical Council of America
The Rabbinical Council of America is one of the world's largest organizations of Orthodox rabbis; it is affiliated with The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, more commonly known as the Orthodox Union, or OU...
(RCA) Bioethical Commission, and chair of the Medical Ethics Task Force, UJA-Federation of Greater New York. Tendler has been one of the most vocal and adamant supporters of Jewish organ donation. Tendler, based upon his father-in-law’s responsa, strongly advocates the theory that complete and irreversible cessation of function of the entire brain renders a person “physiologically decapitated”, and is considered legally dead according to Jewish law. Tendler asserts that once organ donation has been deemed permissible under the given conditions, it is indeed mandatory, falling under the rubric of the legal obligation of Jews to preserve the lives of others. In addition, Tendler has written extensively on euthanasia
Euthanasia
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
, infertility
Infertility
Infertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a person to contribute to conception. Infertility may also refer to the state of a woman who is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term...
, end of life issues, organ donation
Organ donation
Organ donation is the donation of biological tissue or an organ of the human body, from a living or dead person to a living recipient in need of a transplantation. Transplantable organs and tissues are removed in a surgical procedure following a determination, based on the donor's medical and...
, and brit milah
Brit milah
The brit milah is a Jewish religious circumcision ceremony performed on 8-day old male infants by a mohel. The brit milah is followed by a celebratory meal .-Biblical references:...
(Jewish circumcision). Tendler has been a strong advocate for the use of a tube when performing metzitzah, suction of blood during circumcision,. Serving on an RCA panel on stem cell research, Tendler expressed respectful disagreement with the Bush administration's position.
Tendler has been a past President and is the posek for the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists
Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists
The Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists is an organization of scientists that focuses on the interrelationships between science and Orthodox Jewish Halakha....
.
Although his halakhic rulings on bioethics have occasionally differed from those of his colleague Rabbi J. David Bleich
J. David Bleich
J. David Bleich is an authority on Jewish law and ethics, including Jewish medical ethics. He is rabbi of Cong. B'nei Jehuda...
, Tendler states that he has always spoken on friendly terms with Bleich.
Selected articles by Tendler
- So One May Live - On the separation of Siamese twins.
- Dental Emergencies on the Sabbath written with Dr. Fred Rosner.
- Halakhic death means brain death - Explaining Tendler's position on the Jewish definition of death.
- Rav Moshe on Organ donation - Tendler's analysis of Moshe FeinsteinMoshe FeinsteinMoshe Feinstein was a Lithuanian Orthodox rabbi, scholar and posek , who was world-renowned for his expertise in Halakha and was regarded by many as the de facto supreme halakhic authority for Orthodox Jewry of North America during his lifetime...
's positions on organ donation. - Molecular Genetics, Evolution, and Torah Principles - written with Dr. John D. Loike.
- How Should a Torah-Observant High School Biology Teacher Teach the Origin and Diversity of Species? - The Sixth Miami International Conference on Torah & Science, Excerpts of the Panel Discussion, 13 December 2005
- Erev Pesach that occurs on Shabbos
Books
- Moshe Dovid Tendler. Pardes Rimonim: A Marriage Manual for the Jewish Family. KTAV, 1988. ISBN 0-88125-144-5.
- Dr Fred RosnerFred RosnerFred Rosner is Assistant Dean and professor of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Professor of Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine,...
, Rabbi M.D. Tendler. Practical Medical Halachah. Jason Aronson, 1997. ISBN 0-7657-9990-1.
- Responsa of Rav Moshe Feinstein: Translation and Commentary KTAV , 1996. ISBN 0-88125-444-4