CONTENTS

Preface xiii Introduction xv Orach Chayim 1. Propriety of Using Discarded Practices in Reform Services (1955, Israel Bettan). ... 1 2. Discarded Practices (1979, Walter Jacob) 3 3. Less than a of Ten at Services (1936, Jacob Mann) 5 4. Woman Wearing a Talit (1970, Solomon B . Freehof) 5 5. Worshiping with Covered Heads (1928, Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 8 6. Participation of Non-Jews in a Jewish Public Service (1979, Walter Jacob) 21 7. Ordination of Women as (1922, Henry Cohen) 24 8. Ordination of Women (1922, Jacob Z . Lauterbach) 25 9. Limitation of Congregational Membership (1980, Walter Jacob) 44 10. Membership of a Mixed Couple (1982 , Walter Jacob) 45 11. An Unmarried Couple Joining the Synagogue (1980 , Walter Jacob) 47 12. Forfeiture of Congregational Membership by Intermarriage (1916, K. Kohler and Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 49 13. and Homosexuality (1973, Solomon B. Freehof) 49 14. Homosexuals in Leadership Positions (1981, Walter Jacob) 52 15. Refusing a Jew Membership (1953, Israel Bettan) 54 16. The Expulsion of a Member from the Congre­ gation (1964, Solomon B. Freehof) 55 17. Collecting Synagogue Pledges Through Civil Courts (1961, Solomon B. Freehof) 58 18. Orientation of the Synagogue (1979, Walter Jacob) 61 19. Position of Synagogue Entrance and Ark (1927, Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 63 20. Placing of Piano in Front of Ark (1955, Israel Bettan) 64 21. National Flags at Religious Services

American Reform Responsa, copyright(1954 (c) 1983 by the, CentralIsrae Conferencel of BettanAmerican Rabbis.) 64 Used by permission of Central Conference of American Rabbis. All rights reserved. Not to be distributed, sold or copied without express written permission. vi CONTENTS

22. Israeli Flag on a Synagogue Pulpit (1977, Walter Jacob) 66 23. Walking Across Religious Symbols (1953, Israel Bettan) 68 24. Decorations in the Floor of a Synagogue (1979 , Walter Jacob) 69 25. Carillon Music (1953, Israel Bettan) 71 26. Work on New Synagogue on Sabbath by Non- Jews (1927, Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 71 27. Building a Chapel on a Cemetery (1979, Walter Jacob) 75 28. Sale of a Synagogue (1919, G. Deutsch) 76 29. The Hospital Chapel (1967, Solomon B. Freehof) 78 30. Bar Mitzvah (1913, K. Kohler) 79 31. Bat Mitzvah (1913, D. Neumark) 82 32. Bat Mitzvah (1954, Israel Bettan) 83 33. Reform Attitude Toward Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah (1979, Walter Jacob) 86 34. Bar Mitzvah for an Uncircumcised Boy (1966, Solomon B. Freehof) 89 35. Time of a Bar Mitzvah (1953, Israel Bettan).. 91 36. Havdala Bar/Bat Mitzvah (1982, Walter Jacob). 92 37. Reading the Torah Portion in the Vernacular (1913, ft. Kohler and D. Neumark) 94 38. Who Shall Read From the Torah? (1924, Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 97 39. Unworthy Man Called To Torah (1962, Solomon B. Freehof) 101 40. Ownership of a Sefer Torah (1974, Solomon B. Freehof) 106 41. Fabric Used in a Torah Mantle (1977, Walter Jacob) 110 42. Salting Bread Before the Blessing (1978, Walter Jacob) 113 43. Sabbath Observance (1952, Israel Bettan) 114 44. Orthodox Jew as Partner in Firm Keeping Open on Sabbath (1932, Jacob Z. Lauterbach)... 118 45. Blowing of the on Sabbath (1913, K. Kohler and D. Neumark) 119 46. Blowing of the Shofar (1923, Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 121 47. Fermented Wine Not Required for Sacramental 128 Purposes (1920, Julius Rappaport) 123 48. The Jewish Jubilee (1932, Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 128 Yoreh De-a 49. Kashrut in Reform Judaism (1979, Walter American Reform Responsa, copyright (c) 1983 by the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Used by permission of Central ConferenceJacob of American) Rabbis. All rights reserved. 128 Not to be distributed, sold or copied without express written permission. CONTENTS vii

50. Kosher Kitchen in Military Camps (1918, G. Deutsch) 131 51. Use of Pyrex Dishes for Meat and Milk (1919, G. Deutsch) 135 52. Substituting for Christians on Christmas (1972, Solomon B. Freehof) 136 53. Responsibility of Children to Their Parents (1982 , Walter Jacob) 139 54. Circumcision of Infants (1982, Walter Jacob) 141 55. Circumcision on a Day Other than The Eighth Day of Birth (1954, Israel Bettan) 143 56. Circumcision Prior to the Eighth Day (1977, Walter Jacob) 145 57. Anesthetic for Circumcision (1965, Solomon B. Freehof) 146 58. Nolad Mahul (Born Circumcised) (1918, K. Kohler) 149 59. Naming of Children (1932, Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 151 60. Children of Mixed Marriages (1919, K. Kohler) 193 61. Status of Children of Doubtful Religious Background (1960, Solomon B. Freehof).... 195 62. The Status of a Gentile-Born Child Adopted into a Jewish Family (1956, Solomon B. Freehof) 199 63. Adoption and Adopted Children (1978, Walter Jacob) 203 64. Status of an Uncircumcised Retarded Adult (1976, Walter Jacob) 208 65. Gerut and the Question of Belief (1982, Walter Jacob) 209 66. Conversion Without Formal Instruction (1982, Walter Jacob) 211 67. Mental Competency of a Convert (1979, Walter Jacob) 215 68. Circumcision for Adult Proselytes (1893, Isaac M. Wise) 216 69. Prospective Convert Who Fears Circumcision (1978, Walter Jacob) 238 70. A Convert with a Christian Family (1982, Walter Jacob) 240 71. An Apostate Proselyte (1980, Walter Jacob)... 241 72. Repairing Damaged Sefer Torah (1936, J . Mann) 242 73. Ritual for Disposal of Damaged Sefer Torah (1924 , Jacob Z . Lauterbach) 243 74. Physician Keeping Truth from Patient (1954, American Reform75. Responsa, Choosing copyright (c) 1983 by Whichthe Central Conference Patient of American Rabbis. to Sav (1968, Used by permission of Central Conference of American Rabbis. All rights reserved. Not to be distributed, sold or copiedSolomon without express writtenB. permission.Freehof ) 246 viii CONTENTS

76. Relieving Pain of a Dying Patient (1975, Solomon B. Freehof) 253 77. Allowing a Terminal Patient to Die (1969, Solomon B. Freehof) 257 78. Euthanasia (1950, Israel Bettan) 261 79. Euthanasia (1980, Walter Jacob) 271 80. Caesarean on a Dead Mother (1972, Solomon B. Freehof) 274 81. Freezing Bodies for Later Revival (Cryo- biology) (1967, Solomon B. Freehof) 277 82. Autopsy (1925, Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 278 83. Using the Blood of the Dead (1967, Solomon B. Freehof) 284 84. Transplanting the Eyes of Deceased Persons (1953, Israel Bettan) 287 85. The Use of the Cornea of the Dead (1956, Solomon B. Freehof) 288 86. Surgical Transplants (1968, Solomon B. Freehof) 291 87. Omission of Committal Services (1976, Solomon B . Freehof) 296 88. Burial from the Temple, Also with Reference to Burial of Suicides (1923, Henry Berkowitz and Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 299 89. Funeral Service for a Suicide (1959, Solomon B. Freehof) 302 90. A Eulogy for a Suicide (1980, Walter Jacob).. 306 91. Masonic Service at a Funeral (1946, Israel Bettan) 308 92. Funeral Rites of Fraternal Orders (1954, Israel Bettan) 309 93. Officiating at a Funeral of a Jew in a Non-Jewish Cemetery (1947, Israel Bettan) 312 94. Rabbi Officiating at Christian Scientist's Funeral (1918, K. Kohler and J . Rappaport) 314 95. Burial on a Holy Day (1921, G. Deutsch) 317 96. Burial of Jews in Section of General Cemetery (1917, K. Kohler and Jacob Z . Lauterbach) 320 97. Burial of a Prospective Convert (1981, Walter Jacob) 321 98. Burial of Non-Jewish Wives in Jewish Cemeteries (1914, 1916, 1919, 1936)) 323 99. Non-Jewish Burial in a Jewish Cemetery (1963, Solomon B. Freehof) 335 100. Cremation from the Jewish Standpoint (1891).. 341 101. Choice of Cemetery (1917, K. Kohler and American Reform Responsa, copyright (c) 1983 by the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Used by permission of Central ConferenceJacob of American Z. Rabbis. Lauterbach) All rights reserved. 348 Not to be distributed,102. sold or copiedPreferred without express written Burial permission. Site (1978, Walter Jacob)...349 CONTENTS ix

103. Direction of Graves in the Cemetery (1923, Jacob Z . Lauterbach) 351 104. Direction of Graves in a Cemetery (1980, Walter Jacob) 352 105. Employment of Non-Jews in a Jewish Cemetery (1917, K. Kohler and Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 353 106. Removal of Dead Body to Another Grave (1922, Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 353 107. Two Coffins in One Grave (1975, Solomon B. Freehof) 355 108. Lapse of Time Before Setting a Tombstone (1932, Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 358 109. The Setting of a Tombstone (1979, Walter Jacob) 359 110. Insignia on a Tombstone (1980, Walter Jacob). 360 111. Emblem of the Tribe of Levi (1923, Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 362 112. Tombstone in the Absence of a Body (Cenotaph) (1964, Solomon B. Freehof) 362 113. Exchanging a Tombstone (1970, Solomon B. Freehof) 365 114. Mother's Name on Son's Tombstone (1976, Solomon B. Freehof) 367 115. The Vandalized Cemetery (1979, Solomon B. Freehof) 371 116. Putting Small Sticks in the Hands of the Deceased When Placing in the Grave (1923, Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 373 117. Mourning Customs (1913, K. Kohler and D. Neumark) 374 118. Kaddish (1980, Walter Jacob) 377 119. Titles on a Kaddish List (1979, Walter Jacob) 379 120. Standing During Recital of Kaddish (1914, K . Kohler) 380 121. Length of Time for Recital of Kaddish (1913, K. Kohler and D. Neumark) 383 122. Kaddish and Distinctions Between the Dead (1914, K. Kohler) 386 123. A Proselyte Reciting Kaddish for Deceased Parents (1955, Israel Bettan) 386 124. Kaddish for a Unitarian Sister (1957, Solomon B. Freehof) 387 125. Memorializing Christian Relatives (1977, Walter Jacob) 390 126. The Educational Value of Yahrzeit (1914, K. Kohler and D. Neumark) 392 127. Yahrzeit (1980, Walter Jacob) 393 128. Observance of Yahrzeit by Widow Who Has American Reform Responsa, copyright (c) 1983 by the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Used by permission of Central ConferenceRemarrie of American Rabbis.d (1955 All rights reserved., Israel Bettan) 395 Not to be distributed, sold or copied without express written permission. X CONTENTS

Even Ha-ezer 129. The Table of Consanguinity (1978, Walter Jacob) 396 130. Rabbi's Prerogative to Officiate at Weddings (1955, Solomon B. Freehof) 398 131. A Layman Officiating at a Jewish Wedding (1979, Walter Jacob) 401 132. Jewish Marriage Without Children (1979, Walter Jacob) 404 133. Concubinage as a Alternative to Marriage (1979 , Walter Jacob) 406 134. Times When Weddings Should Not Take Place (1913, K. Kohler and D. Neumark) 410 135. Marriages Between New Year and Atonement (1922, Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 412 136. Marriage on or Yom Tov (1977, Walter Jacob) 412 137. Marriage After a Sex-Change Operation (1978, Walter Jacob) 416 138. Marriage with Brother's Widow (1925, Samuel S. Cohon) 419 139. Marriage of Cohen to a Divorcee Prohibited (1943, Israel Bettan) 435 140. Marriage with Step-Aunt (1917, K. Kohler and Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 436 141. Marriage with a Mother's Sister or Half- Sister (Aunt or Half-Aunt) (1914, K. Kohler) 436 142. Marriage with a Mother's Sister or Half- Sister (Aunt or Half-Aunt) (1923, Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 43 7 143. Marriage with Karaites (1965, Solomon B. Freehof) 438 144. Marriage of a Negro Man to a Jewish Woman (1954, Israel Bettan) 440 145. Status of Children (1980, Walter Jacob) 441 146. Reform Judaism and Mixed Marriage (1980, Walter Jacob) 445 147. Prayer for Couple Contemplating Inter­ marriage (1979 , Walter Jacob) 465 148. Rabbi Officiating at Mixed Marriages (1919, K. Kohler) 466 149. Rabbi Officiating at a Mixed Marriage (1982 , Walter Jacob) 467 150. Marriage with a "Messianic Jew" (1981, Walter Jacob) 471 151. Non-Jewish Clergy Participating in a Jewish Wedding with a Rabbi (1977, Walter Jacob) 474 American Reform Responsa, copyright (c) 1983 by the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Used by permission152. of Central ConferenceAn Inquiry of American Rabbis. About All rights reserved. Virginity (1979, Walter Not to be distributed, sold or copied without express written permission. Jacob)...... 477 CONTENTS xi

153. Masturbation (1979, Walter Jacob) 479 154. Jewish Attitude Toward Sexual Relations Between Consenting Adults (1979, Walter Jacob) 480 155. Sexuality of a Maturing Child (1979, Walter Jacob) 483 156. Birth Control (1927, Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 485 157. Artificial Insemination (1952, Solomon B. Freehof) 500 158. Artificial Insemination (1952, Alexander Guttmann) 501 159. Surrogate Mother (1982, Walter Jacob) 505 160. Predetermination of Sex (1941, Israel Bettan) 508 161. Divorce (Get) (1946, Israel Bettan) 510 162. Reform Judaism and Divorce (1980, Walter Jacob) 511 163. Divorce of Insane Husband (1919, G. Deutsch). 514 164. Validity of Rabbinical Opinions (1932, Jacob Z. Lauterbach) 522 165. Rabbinical Fees and Salaries (1966, Solomon B. Freehof) 523 166. Games of Chance in Connection with Fund- raising (1936, Jacob Mann) 527 167. Jewish Attitude Toward Gambling (1979, Walter Jacob) 528 168. Card-Playing in the Social Hall of the Temple (1955, Israel Bettan) 531 169. How Should a Loan in Foreign (Russian) Currency, Exchanged in Another Country (United States) Be Repaid? (1920, Samuel Mendelsohn) 532 170. Testimony Against a Family Member (1980, Walter Jacob) 539 171. Abortion (1958, Solomon B. Freehof) 541 172. Cosmetic Surgery (1976, Solomon B. Freehof).. 544 Appendix: Report of the Committee on Patrilineal Descent on the Status of Children of Mixed Marriages 547 Index 551

American Reform Responsa, copyright (c) 1983 by the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Used by permission of Central Conference of American Rabbis. All rights reserved. Not to be distributed, sold or copied without express written permission.