Heresy and Apostasy
Halacha disqualifies heretics and apostates from joining a minyan, writing a Sefer Torah, and many other religious functions. Join Rabbi Dovid Fink as he discusses who is considered a heretic or apostate, and what disqualifications apply to him or her.
Heresy and Apostasy: Heresy and Apostasy
What are the criteria for determining who is a heretic?
Many halachot depend on this determination. For example, a heretic cannot be counted as a member of a minyan for prayer or for kaddish; a heretic who handles wine prohibits it; a Sefer Torah written by a heretic should be destroyed.
Hebrew sources are available through the links in both WORD format and pdf. In class we will translate and explain these sources.
In addition to being one of Rabbi Brovender's first students, Rabbi Dovid Fink is an outstanding expertᅠand teacher of Halacha. Rabbi Fink received his Rabbinic ordination from ITRI and the Mir and was awarded his Ph.D in Semitic Languages and Linguistics from Yale University. Rav Fink has taught thousands of students from all over the world for over 35 years.