It is typical of Rabbi Forst’s thorough and responsible approach to his readers that he begins with the basic rules and concepts underlying the laws. When one masters the concepts, the laws follow logically, because one will have acquired the knowledge that flows from understanding. Such knowledge enables one to break down a halachic problem to its essentials and make the correct decision. Rabbi Forst does not merely “throw facts” at the reader — he guides him through the halachic process so that he will know what is and what is not a problem, when he can rely on his own knowledge and when he must consult a qualified authority.

Rabbi Forst goes further. Rather than stop with the rendering of the Halachah as it appears in the authoritative sources, he goes on to discuss its applications to new medications and procedures, and how they may affect the halachic status of the patient.

Exhaustive yet clear, detailed yet easy to follow, this book belong in every Jewish home and library. It will become a basic text for scholar and layman alike.