Yitzchak (Irving) Breitowitz is an American-born
Orthodoxrabbi, lecturer and rabbinic authority. The Rabbi Emeritus of Woodside Synagogue Ahavas Torah, and the Rav of Kehillas
Ohr Somayach, and lecturer at Ohr Somayach in
Jerusalem.
Family background
Breitowitz was born in April 1954 in New York, to David (July 15, 1918 - August 22, 2003 age 85) and Chaya Esther Tzipora (Helen) Breitowitz (Rakoszynski) (March 31, 1921 - March 4, 2014 age 92). Both were Holocaust survivors [1][2][3]
R' Breitowitz returned to Baltimore in 1983, where he joined the faculty of the
University of Maryland School of Law, as an associate professor of law, specializing in bankruptcy, commercial law and bioethics.[6][7][8][9] In 2001 Breitowitz was awarded as "Outstanding Teacher of the Year" by the Maryland University.[10]
In April 2010 Breitowitz moved to Israel where he became a senior lecturer in Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem and the Rav of Kehillas Ohr Somayach.[12][13][citation needed] Breitowitz is also a lecturer at Yiboneh[14] as well as a member of the Faculty at the
Tikvah Fund,[5] as well as many other Yeshivot and seminaries around Jerusalem, including the
Mayanot Institute of Jewish Studies,[15] women's learning program where he teaches an overview of Jewish law.[16]
Written work and lectures
Breitowitz has lectured on medical, business, and family ethics. He has written and published on the interface of
Halacha and contemporary society with a special interest and expertise in medical, family, business, and legal ethics. His articles discuss topics such as stem cell research, cloning, organ donation, land for peace, and the Jewish perspectives on war and gun control. He has also written many basic source books on Jewish values for NCSY, an organization that does Jewish outreach to teenagers.[6]
"A Study of the Maryland Bar Exam" (January 1, 1988 Baltimore, Md.)
"Halakhic Approaches to the Resolution of Disputes Concerning the Disposition of Preembryos" (Vol. 31, No. 1, Halakhic Medical Issues (Fall 1996), pp. 64–91 Published By: Rabbinical Council of America (RCA). Published in Jewish Law and New Reproductive Technologies, Edited by Emanuel Feldman and Joel B. Wolowelsky. Hoboken, NJ, KTAV Pub. House, 1997. p. 155-186.) [19]
"New Developments in Consumer Bankruptcies: Chapter 7 Dismissal on the Basis of "Substantial Abuse"" (First Installment, Published in American Bankruptcy Law Journal, v. 59, no. 4, fall 1985, p. 327-355. (Second Installment, Published in American Bankruptcy Law Journal, v. 60, no. 1, winter 1986, p. 33-68.)[20][21]
"Article 9 Security Interests as Voidable Preferences" (Published in Cardozo Law Review, v. 3, no. 3, spring 1982, p. 357-429. Part 2 of this paper - The Floating Lien - is published in Cardozo Law Review, v. 4, no. 1, fall 1982.[22][23]
"The Brain Death Controversy in Jewish Law" (Published in the Jewish Action Reader, v. 1, 1996, p. 120-133. Reprinted with permission, 2006.) [24]