Denomination Orthodox Positions Rosh yeshiva Role Rabbi | Name Moshe Tendler Spouse Shifra Feinstein | |
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Synagogue Community Synagogue of Monsey Born August 7, 1926 (age 97)
New York City ( 1926-08-07 ) Nationality United States of America Occupation Rabbi Isaac and Bella Tendler Professor of Jewish Medical Ethics and Professor of Biology at Yeshiva College Alma mater New York University, Columbia University Residence Monsey, New York, United States Semicha Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary Education New York University, Columbia University Books Pardes rimonim, The Sephardic Family H, Practical Medical Halachah, Practical Medical Halacha | ||
2014 honorary doctorates rabbi prof moshe david tendler
Moshe David Tendler (born August 7, 1926) is an American rabbi, professor of biology and expert in medical ethics.
Contents
- 2014 honorary doctorates rabbi prof moshe david tendler
- Biography
- Medical ethics
- Articles
- Books
- References
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 RIETS in 1949, and earned a Ph.D. in microbiology from Columbia University in 1957.
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.
Tendler is the son-in-law of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, a world-renowned posek. Many of Feinstein's "Iggerot Mosheh" responsa are addressed to his son-in-law. His wife, Shifra, died in October 2007.
Medical ethics
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. 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. 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. 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. Serving on an RCA panel on stem cell research, Tendler expressed respectful disagreement with the Bush administration's position.
Tendler is the posek for the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists and its past president.