Position of the Moderator

What is the job of the Moderator?

For the basic role of a moderator, please try to look over the page or section of pages which were given to you to moderate and see the recent changes page once a week. This shouldn’t take you more than 5 minutes a week. I suggest that you try to be a moderator for 2 monthes and if it’s going well then try to keep it up.

The next step, which isn’t necessary but is up to you, is to look over the page or pages assigned to you and figure out what other content needs to be added, how the page should be organized, what picture could be added, and so on. You can do this by adding two halachot to the page once a week and might only take you 10 or 20 minutes. But it’s all up to you, the more time you spend on those pages the better they will turn out.

What are the benefits of being a Moderator?

Because Halachipedia is non-profit and not involved with fundraising, we can’t afford to pay Moderators. However, I’m sure that the reward you will get for the learning of torah and the assisting in other people’s learning of torah will outweigh not being paid. Also, it is something that you should feel proud of and will help you learn the halacha yourself.

Lastly, if it’s okay with you, the Moderator’s name would be written on the side of the page which you are moderating. This is partially to show the users that the pages of halachipedia are kept well and moderated for accuracy. More importantly, though it is to encourage you, the Moderator, to feel a small sense of responsibility for that page and it’s changes.

Practically how does a moderator do their job?

As mentioned, the moderator should be in charge of reviewing all recent changes made to that page. Practically to do this, all you need to do is click on the recent changes tab on the page you are moderating and click on difference link by the changes that have occurred that week.

To do this properly you should really try to look up the sources that they are quoting and see that it is an accurate translation. Please try to keep all translations are close to the text itself without adding commentary. To look up the sources quickly I highly suggest using a online database. If you are a YU student you can access the bar ilan and otzar hachachma databases for free through the YU library online (http://www.yu.edu/libraries/online-resources/databases/jewish-db/). If you don’t have access to these, you can still access tons of sefarim for free on

• http://www.hebrewbooks.org
• http://he.wikisource.org/wiki/%D7%A2%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%93_%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%A9%D7%99
• http://www.mechon-mamre.org/
• http://www.seforimonline.org/
• http://www.toratemetfreeware.com/index.html?downloads (includes Kitzur Yalkut Yosef)
• http://www.bialystoker.org/talmud.htm (See there for a list of references)

Anyway, if you can’t find a source or don’t have the time (which is perfectly fine), just look it over and see that it looks reasonable. If it looks unreasonable please mark it on the talk page or email me. To edit any given page, all you need to do is place a # sign to start a halacha and < ref> tag to start a footnote and </ ref> (without the space in the middle of the tag) to close the footnote. For more instructions, please see the How_to_edit_Halachipedia page.

Regarding any questions whatsoever, don’t hesitate to ask me at ask@halachipedia.com.
Thanks and Good Luck!!!