Moshe David Tendler

Moshe David Tendler (born August 7, 1926) is an American rabbi, professor of biology and expert in medical ethics. He is former chairman of the biology department at Yeshiva University.[2]

Rabbi Dr.

Moshe David Tendler
Courtesy of Yeshiva University
Personal
Born (1926-08-07) August 7, 1926[1]
New York City
ReligionJudaism
NationalityAmerican
SpouseShifra Feinstein
DenominationOrthodox
Alma materNew York University, Columbia University
OccupationRabbi Isaac and Bella Tendler Professor of Jewish Medical Ethics and Professor of Biology at Yeshiva College
PositionRabbi
SynagogueCommunity Synagogue of Monsey
PositionRosh Yeshiva
YeshivaRIETS
ResidenceMonsey, New York
SemichaRIETS

Biography

Moshe David Tendler received his B.A. degree from New York University (NYU) in 1947, and a Master's degree in 1950. He was ordained at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary in 1949, and earned a Ph.D. in microbiology from Columbia University in 1957.[3]

He is the rabbi of the Community Synagogue of Monsey, New York. 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 is noted as an expert on Jewish medical ethics and their relationship to Halakha.[4]

Tendler is the son-in-law of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, a world-renowned posek.[4] Some of Feinstein's "Iggerot Mosheh" responsa are addressed to his son-in-law. His wife, Shifra, died in October 2007.[5]

Medical ethics
Community Synagogue of Monsey

Tendler has written and lectured widely on medical ethics. He translated various medical oriented responsa of Feinstein into English, even though Feinstein expressly forbade such translations.[6][7] Tendler 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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10] Serving on an RCA panel on stem cell research, Tendler expressed respectful disagreement with the Bush administration's position.[11]

Tendler is the posek for the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists and its past president.

Opinions

Tendler has criticized Mendel Epstein, a rabbi convicted of leading a kidnapping gang focused on coercing gittin (religious divorces), saying, "The idea that a beth din can issue an order for coercion is baloney, a hoax," and called Epstein "unreliable."[12]

Published works

Articles

Books
  • Pardes Rimonim: A Marriage Manual for the Jewish Family. KTAV, 1988. ISBN 0-88125-144-5.
  • Practical Medical Halachah. Co-author: Fred Rosner, Jason Aronson, 1997. ISBN 0-7657-9990-1.
  • Responsa of Rav Moshe Feinstein: Translation and Commentary KTAV, 1996. ISBN 0-88125-444-4
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References
  1. Who's who in American Jewry. Standard Who's Who. 1980. p. 496.
  2. "Boy or Girl ethicists cringe over new technology". Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA). October 15, 1998. the biology department chairman at Yeshiva University in New York
  3. "Pew Forum: Rabbi Moses Tendler". Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2008.
  4. "Rabbi Dr. Moshe Tendler of Monsey, NY To Be Honored For Unique Contribution to Jewish Life". Archived from the original on February 19, 2001. Retrieved September 10, 2008.
  5. "Community Synagogue of Monsey - History". Retrieved September 10, 2008.
  6. Igros Moshe Y"D vol. III s.91. This was addressed to R. Shabtai Rappaport, the grandson of Feinstein and son-in-law of R.Tendler
  7. Responsa of Rav Moshe Feinstein, Pages 23-27
  8. Breitowitz, Yitzchok A. "The Brain Death Controversy in Jewish Law". Retrieved September 10, 2008.
  9. "video interview". Retrieved September 10, 2008.
  10. Weiss, Steven I. (March 18, 2005). "Rabbi Targeted After Call for Bris Change". The Forward. Retrieved September 10, 2008.
  11. Weiss, Steven I. (May 21, 2004). "O.U. Keeping Quiet in Stem Cell Debate". The Forward. Retrieved September 10, 2008.
  12. Lieberman, Steve and Bandler, Jonathan (October 11, 2013). "New Details Emerge in Jewish Divorce-gang Probe", USA Today
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