Abortion of a fetus conceived through rape Women tying tzitzis Sheva brachos without the chosson or kallah Returning home before Shabbos if one knows they will be called up on Shabbos Returning home while one's wife is niddah if he doesn't think he'll be able to withstand the temptation to hug A hug before a spouse leaves for battle if the wife is Niddah Burying blood-soaked cars Pidyon Haben when the father or kohen is not present Shortening the taharah process for a Niddah during wartime Sayin...
Jan 25, 2024•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 375
What’s currently causing us the most trauma? The war? The captives? Antisemitism? Something else? What’s the implication of not getting a body back from Hamas, and therefore no Kevura and no closure? Is hearing the news and looking at war images helpful or hurtful? How are students from out of Israel who are studying in Yeshivos and Seminaries in Israel handling the war? How can we turn our current plight into a growth opportunity? Will we have “Post-Traumatic Stress” or “Post-Traumatic Growth” ...
Jan 18, 2024•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 374
How to handle the stress of having a close relative fighting in Gaza and the loss of a loved one killed in battle. Is there a halachic requirement that the IDF bury dead Hamas terrorists? Other Gazans? What are the IDF soldiers experiencing? What about their parents, wives, and close friends? Is it okay for soldiers to use the homes of Gazans without consent? Can soldiers use the food of Gazans left in their pantries and cook in their pots? What are some of the unique halachic questions being as...
Jan 12, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 373
Hear from the trenches – How are the Kehilos and families in Eretz Yisroel Managing with Rabbi Elyada Goldvicht – Rav in Ranana, Head of Semichat Chaver Program, Head of Chevra Kadish in the IDF – 3:58 Shabbos: Is it permissible to place an order with one-day delivery on a Friday? If a package arrives on Shabbos, is it permissible to open and use it? Is it permissible to make an online purchase on Friday when it is already Shabbos in the seller's time zone, knowing the seller is Jewish? Is it pe...
Jan 04, 2024•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 372
Is Hakaras Hatov a halachic requirement, or just a nice thing to do? Do we just feel gratitude, or do we need to say “thank you” or more? Historically, did the Gedolim show Hakaras Hatov towards the soldiers of the IDF? Why have a few Roshei Yeshiva said they are concerned about showing gratitude? If Torah learning protects, why does Israel need an army? Does the Israeli army enable those in Yeshiva to learn? Do those learning in Yeshiva enable the army to have military success? ***Guest Hosted ...
Dec 28, 2023•2 hr 21 min•Ep. 371
Is there such a thing as the country of “Palestine”? What are the halachic borders of Israel? Is it mutar to give the Gaza Strip back now that Israel has retaken possession of it? Is there a mitzvah to be buried in Israel? To make Aliyah? To exhume a body to Israel? What does international law say about the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights? ***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman *** Author of "Making it Work", "Making it ALL Work" (for women) and 10 other Seforim, Maggid Shiur, Yerushalayim wit...
Dec 22, 2023•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 370
Before WWII a lot of Gedolim were opposed to Zionism, what were their reasons? After the war did a lot of the attitudes switch? Why did they switch? Is Zionism a danger to religion nowadays? with Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro – Author of The Empty Wagon, A book against Zionism – 13:56 with Rabbi Yehuda Geberer – Noted Historian – 53:33 with Dr. Einat Wilf – Former Member of Knesset, Author of numerous books on Zionism – 1:16:51 with Professor Derek Penslar – Historian, Author, Professor of Jewish history...
Dec 16, 2023•2 hr 9 min•Ep. 369
Is there a Torah idea called Daas Torah? Can it override doctors? Does the "Daas Torah" have to know the facts? Can it override Shulchan Aruch? Even if it's not in contradiction with Halacha, must we listen to it ? Is there such a thing as saying blanket statements without proofs that must be listened to? Are we supposed to be using our heads? If someone questions "Daas Torah" should he be explained the position or be branded a Kofer? Do we believe in infallibility of Gedolim? Can there be two "...
Dec 08, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 368
What’s the original Samtar Rav’s argument against the State of Israel? Has the concept and definition of Zionism changed over time, and what does it mean today? How are Satmar and Neturei Karta similar, and how do they differ? Is there a prohibition of publicly going against the consensus view of Klal Yisrael? ***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman *** Author of "Making it Work", "Making it ALL Work" (for women) and 10 other Seforim, Maggid Shiur, Yerushalayim with Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Breitowitz – Reno...
Dec 01, 2023•1 hr 58 min•Ep. 367
Was the Rally in Washington correct? In Galus do we keep our heads low, or do we try to garner support? Do we do Hishtadlus or just Daven? Do we join in rallies with people who don’t have the same belief system as ours? Historically, what was the approach of the Gedolim? with Malcolm Hoenlein – Executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations – 32:50 with Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz – Rabbi of Beis Haknesses of North Woodmere, Head of Semicha program in YU ...
Nov 24, 2023•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 366
Neturei Karta – Is Hatzalah allowed to save them on Shabbos? Does the conflict in Gaza qualify as a מלחמת מצוה according to הלכה? In this case, is there a duty for individuals to join from distant locations? Are students from ישיבות required to participate? Concerning unintended harm in warfare, such as civilian casualties: if a terrorist uses a taxi as a getaway vehicle, is it permissible to target the vehicle, risking the driver’s life? What is the stance on targeting buildings? Is there a חיו...
Nov 17, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 365
Where did all of the antisemitism on university campuses come from? Should it be a concern to our community? Can anything be done? If a student is feeling threatened, when can he take off his Kippah? Tuck Tzitzis in? Remove a Mezuzah from his front door? What did Chazal mean when they said that it’s a “halacha” that Esav hates Yaakov? Are there any halachic or hashkafic reasons to counter-protest? ***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman *** Author of "Making it Work", "Making it ALL Work" (for women) a...
Nov 10, 2023•2 hr 7 min•Ep. 364
Are you permitted to pay for captives more than their worth? Are you allowed to release terrorists in exchange for prisoners? Can you put other people’s lives in Sakanah to save a life? How many more deaths were caused historically by terrorosts released by prisoners swaps? Can you wage war to save hostages at the expense of more lives than the ostages themselves? Are the settlers putting their life and the life of others in danger? with Rabbi Daniel Glatstein – Prolific author and renwoned spea...
Nov 02, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 363
How are the Kedoshim being buried How to make a Kiddush Hashem in the army with Rabbi Elyada Goldvicht – Head of Semichat Chaver, Rav of the Chevra Kadisha in the army – 13:26 Should we train people in every Shul to carry guns ? Should there be armed security guards in Shuls and schools? Are guns Muktza? Are you allowed to carry a gun in a place that doesn't have an Eruv? Is it against the Torah Hashkafa to carry a gun? What message would carrying guns give over to children? with Harav Nochum Ei...
Oct 27, 2023•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 362
Sign up here to learn Mishnayos (בלי נדר) for the soldiers, injured and captives, by the 10th of Kislev, November 23rd: Mishnayos audios available here Do we need to worry about “collateral damage” when bombing Gaza? Can a Jewish doctor refuse to treat an injured terrorist? What does halacha say about having a death sentence for terrorists? Are prisoner swaps permitted, if Israel exchanges many more prisoners than it receives? How can we process the trauma we are experiencing? What can we do to ...
Oct 20, 2023•2 hr 14 min•Ep. 361
