Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein is a celebrated writer and educator. He sends weekly emails to subscribers, blogs on Torahmusings.com, and his most recent book is As If We Were There: Readings for a Transformative Passover Experience. Another of his books, We’re Missing the Point: What’s Wrong with the Orthodox Jewish Community and How to Fix It, was published by OU Press. Rabbi Rothstein is also no stranger to regular followers of OU Torah and OU Holidays, where he delivered shiurim for Nach Yomi and Shnayim Mikra, as well as a special series called Change Your Pesach, Change Your Life.
Now, Rabbi Rothstein brings something really special to OU Torah.
A Responsum a Day is exactly what what the name suggests: one teshuva a day, picked from the wealth of responsa literature. But there’s a twist: each day will feature a responsum that was originally answered on that date. 18 Av? Here’s a teshuva from 18 Av. 28 Adar? Here’s a teshuva from 28 Adar.
Authorities whose responsa are reviewed include Rav Moshe Feinstein, Tzitz Eliezer, Rav Kook, Chasam Sofer, Rav Yaakov Emden, Noda B’Yehuda, and more. Topics addressed are of contemporary interest and include payment for saving a life, bad leaders, hair covering, converting for marriage, forced medical treatment, and doing business with forbidden foods. The audio series will be available on the OU Torah web site (in the Halacha slider) and via podcast.
A special treat for our friends in Israel, who are often dismayed that the timing of emails or the selection of parsha does not reflect them: this series starts on 7 Sivan (Monday, June 13 – coincidentally 6/13!). In Israel, that’s Isru Chag (the day after Shavuos) but everywhere else, it’s the second day of Shavuos. Those of us outside of Israel will have to wait until after yom tov for the shiur! Additionally, the series is scheduled to run five days a week, Sunday through Thursday, more in line with Israel’s work-week flow.
A month’s worth of shiurim are already posted online but follow them according to the calendar – that’s half the fun! Look for A Responsum a Day on OU Torah and by using the OU Torah app for iOS devices.