ברוכים הבאים
This web site is a portal to many of my writings, including Torah Posts on the weekly portion and festivals, essays on Jewish Law (responsa), and a selection of other essays, videos and audio files.
Updated versions of my responsa on technology may be found in my 2024 book, Torah and Technology: Circuits, Cells, and the Sacred Path (Izzun Books).
I welcome your feedback by email: rabbidanielnevins@gmail.com.
Recent Torah Posts
The People’s Party: Purim for All. Shabbat Ki Tissa/Zakhor 5786
It delights me when reading halakhic texts that are frankly dry to discover a glimpse of the dramas of daily life in centuries past. One such glimpse is on view in the discussion of the special Shabbat before Purim, known as “Zakhor” for its Maftir instructing us to remember the despicable attack of Amalek on…
Three Readings of the Third Commandment: Yitro 5786
The third commandment seems simple enough: לֹא תִשָּׂא אֶת־שֵׁם־ה׳ אֱלֹקיךָ לַשָּׁוְא, כִּי לֹא יְנַקֶּה ה׳ אֵת אֲשֶׁר־יִשָּׂא אֶת־שְׁמוֹ לַשָּׁוְא׃ Translated literally it means, “Do not take up the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not clear one who takes God’s name in vain.” Sounds simple, but if we look…
Oh, Brother! Jewish Quest Podcast on VaYehi
This conversation with Simon Eder of the Jewish Quest explores the mysterious character of Joseph, a man who keeps his own counsel, and the Torah’s message of fraternal reconciliation in the closing lines of its first fractious book. https://jewishquest.buzzsprout.com/1859010/episodes/18431544-25-31-vayehi-with-rabbi-danny-nevins https://www.buzzsprout.com/1859010/episodes/18431544
Recent Responsa
Halakhic Guidance for Jews of Blended Religious Backgrounds was a joint effort with Rabbi Katja Vehlow, approved by CJLS in November 2024. We addressed the complexities of religious identity and halakhic status for people whose ancestry or personal practice has involved more than one religious tradition. Using the lenses of past, present, and future, we address rabbis and other Jewish educators on best approaches for guiding such people to deepen their Jewish engagement.
Early Circumcision During a Pandemic. As the Covid pandemic intensified and some jurisdictions imposed lockdowns, it became difficult for some families to convene for a brit milah on their son’s eighth day of life. In such circumstances is it permitted to circumcise early in the hospital? How might the mitzvah of brit milah be later fulfilled, and with what liturgy? This responsum was approved by the CJLS on December 10, 2020.
Recent Video
Rabbi Justin Pines interviewed Wall Street Journal Senior Tech writer Joanna Stern and me about the issues raised in her work and my book, Torah and Technology, on the Jewish Broadcast Network. Originally aired on January 14, 2025.
Changemakers: What’s Next for Jewish Life? A Discussion on the Post-Covid Jewish World with Rabbis Sharon Brous, Menachem Creditor, Mitchel Malkus and Julie Roth, April 15, 2021.
Rabbi Danny Nevins 