Rabbi Yosef Friedman
6 answers
Rabbi Yosef Friedman was the Regional Director of Midwest NCSY from 1989-1993. Subsequently, he was the Rav in Omaha, NE (2 years) and Norfolk, VA (10 years). While in Norfolk, he founded the Norfolk Area Community Kollel, Torah Day School of Virginia (now called Toras Chaim) and Yeshivas Aish Kodesh. Rabbi Friedman has studied in many institutions, including Yeshivas ITRI-Chadera, Yeshivas Toras Chesed (Spring Valley) and Ner Israel Rabbincal College in Baltimore. He received Rabbinical ordination from Rabbi Ephraim Greenblatt (author of “Rivivos Ephraim”), Dayan Chanoch Friedman (Av Bais Din Har Nof), and Rabbi Sholom Rivkin (Chief Rabbi, Vaad Hoeir, St. Louis, MO). He also holds a Bachelor in Talmudic Law degree from Ner Israel Rabbincal College. Rabbi Friedman currently lives in Memphis, TN, where he works in the real estate investment field, in addition to the many classes he teaches in the community.
-
Campaigning on the Sabbath
I have volunteered to assist with an election campaign when I can, but most of the events are on Saturday. Is it OK to be a campaign volunteer on the Sabbath? Answer: Besides the myriad laws of “work” on the…
-
Emotional Freedom Techniques and Jewish Law
The technique of “tapping” used in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is claimed to release emotional and physical blocks. Is this acceptable in Jewish law? Answer: I don’t see any problem with it. There are many alternative, holistic approaches to our…
-
Jewish Presence in the Land of Israel
How can it be that the Torah states that we have to live in exile until the coming of the Messiah, yet still we are living in Israel today? Is it now a sin to live there or not? Answer:…
-
Men Wearing Cologne
Is there any reluctance in Jewish law for a man to wear cologne? Answer: In practice, wearing cologne seems to be seen as, minimally, an inappropriate display of pampering; if not, a lack of modesty; if not, a prohibition of…
-
Women and Havdalah
Are women allowed to make havdalah if a man will be home in 5 minutes? When is a woman allowed to make havdalah for herself and other women? Answer: There is a difference of opinion regarding a woman’s obligation to…
-
Duped Out of Faith?
I was born Jewish to a family that had very limited ties to the Jewish tradition. I married a Christian woman in her church several years ago. The pastor of the church agreed to marry us, but required that I…
