Yehoshua Neuwirth
Encyclopedia
Yehoshua Yeshaya Neuwirth (born 1935) is an eminent Orthodox Jewish
rabbi
and posek
(halakhic
authority) in Jerusalem, Israel
. He is one of the primary and most renowned students of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach
and the author of a two-volume Hebrew language
treatise, Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchatah
— translated into English
as Shemirath Shabbath: A practical guide to the observance of Shabbath — a compendium of the laws of Shabbat
which is viewed by many as an authoritative work regarding these laws. He is also the rosh yeshiva
of the Prei Shmuel yeshiva ketana and Chochmas Shlomo yeshiva gedola in Jerusalem. He resides in the Bayit Vegan
neighborhood of Jerusalem.
Rabbi Neuwirth was a leading disciple of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach
. While Rabbi Auerbach issued most of his halachic rulings orally, Rabbi Neuwirth publicized many of his teacher's rulings on Hilkhot Shabbat (Shabbat laws) in his book, first published in Hebrew
in 1965. Additionally, 8 of the 32 chapters of this book were devoted to Rabbi Auerbach's rulings on medical halacha.
With the publication of his book, Rabbi Neuwirth introduced a new format for studying the laws of Shabbat. Previous texts for the general public were organized according to the presentation in the Shulchan Aruch
. Rabbi Neuwirth organized his book by topic and provided a clear index; he also embellished the presentation with thousands of references and comments. Feldheim Publishers published the first volume of the English-language
translation in 1984; volumes 2-4 appeared in 1989, 1997, and 2001, respectively, and the current three-volume boxed set was issued in 2002.
Widely regarded as an expert on Jewish law and medical ethics, Rabbi Neuwirth's opinion is frequently cited on issues such as genetic screening
, brain death
, euthanasia
, and AIDS
, as well as laws for physicians on Shabbat. He is also a consultant for the Zomet Institute
, providing the halakhic authorization for innovations such as the Shabbat lamp
and electric wheelchairs on Shabbat.
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
rabbi
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...
and 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....
(halakhic
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...
authority) in Jerusalem, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. He is one of the primary and most renowned students of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach
Shlomo Zalman Auerbach
Shlomo Zalman Auerbach , was a renowned Orthodox Jewish rabbi, posek, and rosh yeshiva of the Kol Torah yeshiva in Jerusalem, Israel...
and the author of a two-volume Hebrew language
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
treatise, Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchatah
Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchatah
Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchatah, also pronounced Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchosoh, is a book of halachah authored by Rabbi Yehoshua Yeshaya Neuwirth, which discusses the laws of Shabbat and Yom Tov, and is viewed by many as an authoritative work regarding these laws...
— translated into English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as Shemirath Shabbath: A practical guide to the observance of Shabbath — a compendium of the laws of Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
which is viewed by many as an authoritative work regarding these laws. He is also the 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...
of the Prei Shmuel yeshiva ketana and Chochmas Shlomo yeshiva gedola in Jerusalem. He resides in the Bayit Vegan
Bayit Vegan
Bayit VeGan is a neighborhood in southwest Jerusalem, Israel, with a mostly charedi religious population. Bayit VeGan is located to the east of Mount Herzl and borders the neighborhoods of Kiryat Hayovel and Givat Mordechai. The Shaare Zedek Medical Center is located near Bayit VeGan...
neighborhood of Jerusalem.
Rabbi Neuwirth was a leading disciple of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach
Shlomo Zalman Auerbach
Shlomo Zalman Auerbach , was a renowned Orthodox Jewish rabbi, posek, and rosh yeshiva of the Kol Torah yeshiva in Jerusalem, Israel...
. While Rabbi Auerbach issued most of his halachic rulings orally, Rabbi Neuwirth publicized many of his teacher's rulings on Hilkhot Shabbat (Shabbat laws) in his book, first published in Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
in 1965. Additionally, 8 of the 32 chapters of this book were devoted to Rabbi Auerbach's rulings on medical halacha.
With the publication of his book, Rabbi Neuwirth introduced a new format for studying the laws of Shabbat. Previous texts for the general public were organized according to the presentation in the Shulchan Aruch
Shulchan Aruch
The Shulchan Aruch also known as the Code of Jewish Law, is the most authoritative legal code of Judaism. It was authored in Safed, Israel, by Yosef Karo in 1563 and published in Venice two years later...
. Rabbi Neuwirth organized his book by topic and provided a clear index; he also embellished the presentation with thousands of references and comments. Feldheim Publishers published the first volume of the English-language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
translation in 1984; volumes 2-4 appeared in 1989, 1997, and 2001, respectively, and the current three-volume boxed set was issued in 2002.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis
In medicine and genetics pre-implantation genetic diagnosis refers to procedures that are performed on embryos prior to implantation, sometimes even on oocytes prior to fertilization. PGD is considered another way to prenatal diagnosis...
, brain death
Brain death
Brain death is the irreversible end of all brain activity due to total necrosis of the cerebral neurons following loss of brain oxygenation. It should not be confused with a persistent vegetative state...
, euthanasia
Euthanasia
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
, and AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
, as well as laws for physicians on Shabbat. He is also a consultant for the Zomet Institute
Zomet Institute
The Zomet Institute is an Israeli high-tech non-profit organization specializing in IT equipment and electronic appliances designed to meet Halakha.-The company:...
, providing the halakhic authorization for innovations such as the Shabbat lamp
Shabbat lamp
A Shabbat lamp is a special lamp that has movable parts to expose or block out its light so it can be turned "on" or "off" while its power physically remains on...
and electric wheelchairs on Shabbat.