Yoetzet halacha

A yoetzet halacha (Hebrew: יועצת הלכה, plural: yoatzot; lit. Advisor in Jewish law) is a Jewish woman certified to serve as an advisor to individuals with questions regarding Jewish practices relating to menstruation (known as taharat hamishpacha or "family purity", also referred to as the laws of niddah).^[1]^[2]

Overview

The role of the yoetzet halacha is somewhat circumscribed.^[3] As titled, it is advisory: yoatzot convey information for clear-cut situations, and take the more complicated questions to a talmid chacham (Torah Scholar) equipped to discern and decide between competing halachic arguments. The Halachot (laws) here are a standard component of Rabbinical education – see under Semikhah § Concept and Yeshiva § Jewish law – and Yoatzot receive corresponding training.^[4]

Candidates for yoatzot halacha are chosen for their advanced Torah scholarship, leadership capabilities, and deep religious commitment. As professionals hired by synagogues, schools, and communities, the yoatzot respond to Orthodox women's questions about mikveh observance and Jewish law affecting couples, families, sexual relations, and women's medical issues.^[4]

Although many Halachic authorities within the Modern Orthodox community allow Yoatzot, others strongly oppose it.^[5]

Certification

Nishmat is the only institution certifying women as yoatzot halacha.^[6] The program spans two years' of study – covering the traditional sources – with shiurim by Rabbi Yaacov Warhaftig of Machon Ariel in Jerusalem, and parallel Chavruta-based study. On completion, candidates must pass a four-hour exam, administered by four testing rabbis. At its founding, the program received the support of, amongst others, Rabbi Nahum Rabinovitch; its posek was Rabbi Yehuda Henkin.

References

^ Cohen, I. (2020). Menstruation and Religion: Developing a Critical Menstrual Studies Approach. The Palgrave Handbook of Critical Menstruation Studies, 115-129.
^ Raucher, M. (2015). Yoatzot Halacha. Digital Judaism: Jewish Negotiations with Digital Media and Culture, 57.
^ Israel-Cohen, Y. (2012). Chapter Three: Methodology. In Between Feminism and Orthodox Judaism (pp. 27-46). Brill.
^ ^a ^b Ganzel, T., & Zimmerman, D. R. (2011). Women as Halakhic Professionals: The Role of the Yo'atzot Halakhah. Nashim: A Journal of Jewish Women's Studies & Gender Issues, 22(1), 162-171.
^ Yoatzot: Both ‘Strongly Opposed’ and ‘Warmly Welcomed’ in the Teaneck Community
^ Cohen, I. (2016). Niddah. The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Gender and Sexuality Studies, 1-4.