Michael Abraham (rabbi)
Michael Abraham | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 15, 1960 Haifa, Israel |
| Occupation(s) | Rabbi, Theoretical physicist |
| Known for | Affiliation with Bar-Ilan University's Institute of Advanced Torah Studies; work in mesoscopic physics; integration of formal logic and Talmudic hermeneutics |
Michael Abraham (also known as Michael Avraham) (Hebrew: מיכאל אברהם; born January 15, 1960) is an Israeli rabbi affiliated with Bar-Ilan University's Machon HaGavoah LeTorah ("Institute of Advanced Torah Studies") and holds a doctorate in theoretical physics.
Personal life
Born in Haifa, Abraham received his early education at Midrashiat Noam yeshiva high school and Yeshivat Har Etzion. He served as a tank commander in the Israel Defense Forces before pursuing studies at an ultra-Orthodox yeshiva located in Bnei Brak. Abraham completed a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at Tel Aviv University, followed by a master's and Ph.D. in theoretical physics at Bar-Ilan University, specializing in mesoscopic physics. He previously taught at a Hesder yeshiva in Yeruham and, since 2012, has been based in Lod where he lectures at Bar-Ilan University's Institute of Advanced Torah Studies. He is married and has six children.
Works
In collaboration with Gavriel Hazut, Abraham co-established 'Mida Tova,' an organization dedicated to integrating formal logic and Talmudic hermeneutics into contemporary Torah and halakhic scholarship. He regularly contributes to Bar-Ilan’s "Studies in Talmudic Logic" series. Abraham has published several books examining Judaism's interaction with postmodern thought as well as topics bridging philosophy, religion, and science. Recognized for his independent approach, he espouses unconventional perspectives on religious doctrines and supports reform initiatives within Halakha.
Articles
- Extension of multiple trapping models for transient photocurrents in amorphous semiconductors, Philosophical Magazine B 60, p. 523, 1989.
- Influence of transitions between localized states on recombination in amorphous semiconductors, Philosophical Magazine B 62, p. 537, 1990.
- Persistent currents in an interacting one-dimensional disordered ring: indicators of the Mott-Hubbard transition, Physical Review Letters 70, p. 1509, 1993.
- Persistent currents within interacting lattice frameworks, Physica A 200, p. 519, 1993.
- AC conductance characteristics of an interacting quantum dot: single-electron level spectroscopy, Journal of Physics Condensed Matter 5, p. L175, 1993.
- Correlations of mesoscopic persistent currents under strong magnetic fields, Physical Review B 49, p. 1328, 1994.
- Dependence of long-range correlations on language and codification, Fractals 2, p. 7, 1994.
- Dynamics of vortices in superflow models: the significance of acoustic excitations, Rapid Communication in Physical Review B 52, p. R7018, 1995.
- Symmetry effects on thermodynamic properties of rotating quantum gases (with Z. Olami), Solid State Communications 80, p. 657, 1996.
- Thermodynamics pertaining to rotating quantum systems, Physica A 233, p. 503, 1996.
- Impact of a rotating potential on quantum particles, Physical Review A 54, p. 2659, 1996.
- Matrix abduction analysis of the Talmudic Argumentum A Fortiori inference rule (Kal-Vachomer), Studia Logica 92, p. 281, 2009.
- Logical examination of the Talmudic general and specific rules (Klalim-u-Pratim), History and Philosophy of Logic 32, p. 47, 2011.
- Deontic logic regarding obligations and prohibitions within Talmudic contexts, Artificial Intelligence and Law Volume 19, Issue 2 (2011), pp.117–148.
- Addressing loops in Talmudic Logic with applications to odd and even loops in argumentation; proceedings of Howard 60, Manchester Dec 20, 2011, pp.1–25.
- Preliminary study on delegation, count-as concepts, and security in Talmudic logic: contribution to Logic without Frontiers: Festschrift for Walter Alexandre Carnielli’s 60th Birthday. Edited by Jean-Yves Béziau and Marcelo Esteban Coniglio; Volume 17 Tribute Series, College Publications. London, 2011, pp.73–96.
- Obligations and prohibitions within Talmudic deontic logic, DEON 2010, edited by Governatori G., Sartor G., LNAI 6181, Springer, pp. 166–178.
Publications
- The Science of Freedom: A Thought-Provoking Examination Challenging Determinism via Philosophy, Cognitive Neuroscience, and Quantum Physics, Philogic Publishing (February 4, 2018).
External links
- Curriculum Vitae of Michael Abraham available on Bar-Ilan University website (Hebrew)
- Collection of responsa and articles by Michael Abraham
- Genetic Privacy Rights – Lecture by Rabbi Dr. Michael Abraham at the conference titled "The Power to Detect and Create: Ethical Challenges Emerging from DNA Technology and Genetics," organized by Bar-Ilan University alongside prominent bioethics institutions.