Yoatzot Halacha

Nishmat, The Jerusalem Center for Advanced Jewish Study for Women, established the Keren Ariel Women's Halachic Institute to train Yoatzot Halacha, Women Halachic Consultants, under the direction of Rabbi Yaacov Varhaftig, Dean of the Institute.

Yoatzot Halacha are women certified by a panel of Orthodox rabbis to be a resource for women with questions regarding Taharat Hamishpachah (an area of Jewish Law that relates to marriage, sexuality and women's health). This role was devised to assist women who are more comfortable discussing very personal issues with another woman.

Women preparing to become Yoatzot Halacha are chosen for their extensive Torah scholarship, leadership ability, and deep religious commitment. They devote two years (over 1000 hours) to intensive study with rabbinic authorities in Taharat Hamishpachah. In addition, they receive training from experts in modern medicine and psychology, including gynecology, infertility, women's health, family dynamics and sexuality.

Yoatzot Halacha are available to women all over the world through this website and the Golda Koschitzky Women's Halachic Hotline.

Yoatzot halacha live and work in communities throughout Israel. There are also yoatzot in some communities in North America and Australia. Yoatzot affiliated with congregations in the United States are listed at http://www.yoatzot.org/glaubach.php. You can send a question through the Ask the Yoetzet feature on this site, or call the Hotline, to find out whether there's a yoetzet near you.