Rabbi Mark Washofsky, Ph.D.

Black and white headshit of Rabbi Mark Washofsky wearing a suit and tie

Rabbi Mark Washofsky, Ph.D., is the Solomon B. Freehof Professor of Jewish Law and Practice at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, OH. He specializes in the literature of the Talmud and Jewish law and chaired the Responsa Committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis from 1996-2017. His books include Jewish Living: A Guide to Contemporary Reform Practice (URJ Press, revised 2010) and Reform Responsa for the Twenty-First Century (CCAR, 2010).

Health Care

Why Judaism Puts Faith in the Counsel of Scientists

Rabbi Mark Washofsky, Ph.D.

January 14, 2021

Jewish tradition comes down decidedly on the side of science. One of the primary values in Jewish legal thought: Pikuach nefesh, saving a life, overrides almost every other religious mitzvah.

Parenting

I’m a Jew-by-choice. Can we plan to name our baby after a living relative who is not Jewish?

Rabbi Mark Washofsky, Ph.D.

In Ashkenazic practice (Jews of Eastern European origin), the custom is to name a child after a relative who has died, while Sephardim (Jews of Spanish and Middle Eastern origin) tend to name their children after living relatives. Reform practice allows either option. Jews-by-choice certainly may name their children after...

Sh'mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

How many days is Sukkot?

Rabbi Mark Washofsky, Ph.D.

Sukkot, the Jewish festival of booths (a harvest holiday of thanksgiving), begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei.

Tishah B'Av

How do Reform Jews understand Tishah B’Av?

Rabbi Mark Washofsky, Ph.D.

The observance of Tishah B’Av (literally the 9th day of the month of Av) poses some interesting questions for Reform Jews. The day is one of fasting and mourning, for the destruction of both the First and the Second Temple in Jerusalem is said to have taken place on that day. While other tragic events in Jewish history may have coincided with the ninth of Av, it is the Temple’s destruction (churban habayit) that dominates the day’s ritual and liturgy. Reform theology has not generally looked upon the loss of the Temple and the expulsion of the people of Israel from its land as a catastrophe to be lamented by liberal Jews.

Can a person who died by suicide be buried in a Jewish cemetery?

Rabbi Mark Washofsky, Ph.D.

The ancient prohibition against doing so is based upon the conception of suicide as the conscious and willful taking of one’s life.