STAR-K Launches the Institute of Halacha 
by Margie Pensak

The Mishnah teaches us, “Appoint for yourself a Rav”, a Torah guide, from whom you can acquire clarity through wisdom. But, what happens when you do not have a personal Rav, because you live in Fargo, North Dakota? Or, if you live in a large Jewish community and have a Rav, but time is of the essence for your halachic query? How often have you exasperatingly attempted to contact your Rav, only to find out that he was unreachable because he was in the middle of giving a shiur, attending a bris, or officiating at a wedding or a funeral?

STAR-K CERTIFICATION realizes that there is no substitute for a person’s own Rav, who knows him or her personally. However, to help remedy such situations, it has launched its Institute of Halachah, as a public service. The opening of a general halachic division, within its kashrus agency, depicts Star-K’s uniqueness and belief that the world of kosher extends beyond typical milk and meat issues. Through the years, the agency’s Kashrus Hotline has answered generic halachic questions, in addition to inquiries about the kosher status of foods and its certified Sabbath mode appliances, from kosher consumers the world over. The formation of a separate, official division within STAR-K, testifies to the overwhelming need of such an institute. In fact, within one hour of its inception on February 25, Harav Mordechai Frankel, the director of the Institute of Halachah, received his very first she’eilos.

A native of London, England, Harav Frankel attended Yeshivas Bais Yisroel in Israel, before attending Ner Israel Rabbinical College, where he received semicha from Rav Yaakov Kulefsky, zt”l, and a PhD in Talmudic Law. The rav also received certification from the rabbinic training program of the National Council of Young Israel. The author of “Mayim Rabbim”, an analytical sefer on the meforshim and medrashim on Sefer Beraishis, Harav Frankel also teaches at Baltimore’s Bais Yaakov High School and Maalot Seminary, in addition to giving a Daf Yomi shiur.

Serving under the guidance of Harav Moshe Heinemann, STAR-K’s Rabbinic Administrator, the Institute of Halachah is also an invaluable resource for Young Israel rabbis, as well as other pulpit rabbis, who may call Harav Frankel to discuss general halachic matters, and be provided with source materials for shiurim and answers to congregants’ questions. The National Council of Young Israel and STAR-K CERTIFICATION have worked closely together in kashrus and other areas, for years. The Star-D is the kashrus symbol of the National Council of Young Israel (NCYI), and STAR-K CERTIFICATION, in its relationship with the NCYI, administers the kashrus of the Star-D.

“It will be a privilege to be a resource to the rabbanim of the many Young Israel shuls across the country, faced with questions spanning the full spectrum of halachah,” says Harav Frankel, who will defer the more difficult she’eilos to Rav Heinemann. “Young Israel is unique in that it has a network of shuls across the heartland of America, whose congregants have she’eilos exclusive to out-of-town communities. Many of the Young Israel rabbanim are involved in kiruv efforts, and may have to resolve halachic questions regarding sensitive issues. They are to be commended for their efforts, and STAR-K would like to help them in their work.”

 “Many of the questions posed to me require research that really fascinates me,” says Harav Frankel. “There is such a vast amount of material in Torah. There is always more than meets the eye to a question which, at first, seems simple. I know that answering she’eilos means making decisions that may have a major impact on people’s lives. I have the awareness that it is a great responsibility to ensure that people are doing what Hashem wants, and following His will. The Institute of Halachah will help people get that clarity of what the Torah wants them to do. People are amazing—there are so many good people who really want to do the right and proper thing, and not hear compromises.”

“Harav Frankel is particularly suited for such a position,” feels Rav Heinemann, “with his years of experience, acting as a posek in the absence of both myself and Rav Yaakov Hopfer. I have confidence that Harav Frankel will be able to do the perfect job to answer all the questions necessary according to the Shulchan Aruch, in filling this tremendous need.”

Rabbi Jonah Gewirtz, Chairman of the Board of the NCYI Board of Directors, couldn’t agree more. “As we see from Sefer Shemos, which deals with the future of K’lal Yisroel--the building of the Mishkan and the keilim by which this sanctity can be assured for generations—we meet the artificers representing Hashem Yisborach in making this happen,” explains Rabbi Gewirtz. “Amongst them, were Betzalel and Oholoiv, concerning whom the Torah says, “u’lahoros nasan b’leibo”—within their hearts reigns the unique talent of the transmission of the words of Hashem.  The Or Hachayim and the Ibn Ezra, in their commentaries, point out that K’lal Yisroel is blessed with many talmidei chachomim and b’nei Torah, but only a few of these have the gift of imparting their Torah knowledge and sharing it, thereby giving it life force. We at Young Israel are very pleased that Harav Frankel embodies the gift of l’horos b’leibo, and we look forward to strengthening the ties between our organizations, limud Torah, and hashkafa, making available for our congregations a true scholar in residence. It was the wisdom of Harav Heinemann, shlita, founded upon the teachings of Yaakov Avinu, in Sefer Beraishis, “Shalach Yehudah l’fanav goshna l’horos”, to which Rashi adds, quoting from the Tanchuma, “Lasos vaad u’bais ho’rah shemeshom tatzei Torah l’Yisroel”, to set up a true vaad and Bais Hora’ah, from which Torah will be disseminated. It is our dream that Star-K, in this effort, will benefit the NCYI--our rabbis and our synagogues—as it reinforces our partnership of Torah through a Bais Hora’ah, and all facets of kashrus.”

She’ilos from rabbanim, and from individuals whose Rav is not available, may be called into the Institute of Halachah, 410-484-4110 x238, Monday-Thursday, 2-5 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., or e-mailed to: Halacha@star-k.org. (E-mail will only be answered during these hours, as well.)