Straus Scholar Yaakov Feldman (YC '29) reflects on his research internship with Dr. Tamara Morsel-Eisenberg of Tel Aviv University.

What were the main tasks you undertook during your internship or fellowship? 

My main focus was a close read of halachic works from the period of the early Acharonim, primarily the Rema.

What were your research areas or key work objectives? 

My main objective was to identify certain themes and trends in the style of psak over time, in particular a shift away from earlier primary sources in favor of more contemporary ones to back up a given decision.

Describe one or two significant discoveries or accomplishments. Were there tasks that surprised or particularly challenged you? 

It is very interesting to note how, as time went on, halachic decision-makers began to source their opinions in halachic works written closer to their time as opposed to quoting the same primary sources that their own teachers quote. 

How did your experience as a Straus Scholar influence or impact your research or work? Why do you believe this work is important, and why should other Straus Scholars consider pursuing similar research or internships?

I believe that the work I got to take part in helped me develop not only an appreciation for the novel insights of the researcher for whom I was working, but also gave me a valuable window into the world of academia as a whole. I was able to see how a topic that I found to be interesting yet relatively niche, actually had teams of people researching and theorizing about it. Working with a noted and published scholar allowed me to see the process of researching, writing, and publishing in a unique way that will surely help me should I choose to pursue academic authorship.