Eliana Waghalter (SCW '28) reflects on her summer internship at Deracheha.
What were the main tasks you undertook during your internship or fellowship?
During my internship at Deracheha, I undertook three main tasks, two of which were focused on developing the content that was already on the Deracheha website: creating educational social media content and transferring the website’s pre-existing mekorot to Deracheha’s Sefaria account. The last task I had was a research project pertaining to the role of female Torah leadership within the framework of halacha.
What were your research areas or key work objectives?
The main focus of my research was women’s allowance within halacha to teach and hold leadership positions. Within this conversation, I also researched psak (halachic decisions) and received modern-day semicha in a general sense. I researched the following topics: historical Jewish women who were in positions of authority and who were clearly knowledgeable in halacha; the concept of serara; the difference between hora’ah and psak; minhag considerations regarding this topic; and whether tzniut factors play a role within this discussion. I found practical teshuvot in these areas.
Which skills did you improve or develop during this experience?
My knowledge of different niche rishonim and acharonim grew, and my ability to find sources on different specific subjects within halacha definitely improved. I also learned how to use Sefaria more productively for research purposes.
Describe one or two significant discoveries or accomplishments. Were there tasks that surprised or particularly challenged you?
I realized that people sometimes come to halachic issues with an agenda; you can find sources that will support any claim you already believe, but the contortion of them to fit a preconceived notion is not how I wanted to approach this issue. There were many viewpoints I saw dealing with the same topics, but coming to drastically different conclusions. When dealing with halacha, it is crucial to approach with the humility that the system is bigger than any one person or viewpoint.
How did the Straus Center influence or impact your research or work?
Knowing that the work I undertook was valued by the Straus Center gave me greater motivation to fit a lot of research into a shorter period of time, and also knowing that what I was doing mattered and was part of something greater than myself made the experience much more fulfilling.
Why do you believe this work is important, and why should other Straus Scholars consider pursuing similar research or internships?
Being involved in the halachic process, or at least witnessing it in action, is very meaningful. Seeing the reasoning behind our mesorah and the lengths people go to to protect the integrity of Judaism is something I encountered through my research. I would recommend that other students take part in similar research because this is the text in which we live our lives. It is important to perpetuate this type of education because many people connect to religion through such intellectual pursuits. If this research reaches the right people, it will grant them a deeper understanding and connection to our religion.
