Moshe David Tendler
Moshe David Tendler is the rabbi of The Community Synagogue of Monsey. 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 has a Ph.D. in Microbiology and is one of the world's leading experts on Jewish medical ethics.
Rabbi Tendler is the son-in-law of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, a well-known posek, i.e., an author of many respected decisions of Jewish law and practice, and he is the father of two sons currently under investigation by Rabbinical Counsels for sexual misconduct at their temples.
Bildung
Rabbi Dr. Tendler received his B.A. degree from New York University (NYU) in 1947, and a Master’s degree there in 1950. He was ordained at RIETS in 1949, and following that, earned a Ph.D. in biology from Columbia University in 1957.
Medical ethics
Rabbi Tendler is one of the leading experts on medical ethics as it pertains to Jewish law, and is the chairman of the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) Bioethical Commission, and chair of the Medical Ethics Task Force, UJA-Federation of Greater New York. He has written extensively in the field, including works on euthenasia, infertility, end of life issues, organ donation, and brit milah ("Jewish circumcision").
Selected articles by Rabbi Dr. Tendler
- So One May Live - On the separation of Siamese twins.
- Dental Emergencies on the Sabbath written with Dr. Fred Rosner.
- Halakhic death means brain death - Explaining Rabbi Tendler's position on the Jewish definition of death.
- Rav Moshe on Organ donation - Rabbi Tendler's analysis of Moshe Feinstein's positions on organ donation.
Books
- Rabbi M.D. Tendler. Pardes Rimonim: A Marriage Manual for the Jewish Family. Ktav 1988. ISBN 0881251445.
- Dr F. Rosner, Rabbi M.D. Tendler. Practical Medical Halachah. Jason Aronson 1997. ISBN 0765799901.