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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•2 hr 58 min•Ep 367•Transcript available on Metacast 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•2 hr 45 min•Ep 366•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•2 hr 42 min•Ep 362•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast Should we be sending our Bochurim to Yeshivos and our daughters to seminaries in Eretz Yisroel? Can a Doctor go to Eretz Yisroel to help the war effort How can we help the war effort from America? How should we act in such times? How do we show empathy with the Yidden in Eretz Yisroel Should we be toning down our simchas and lifestyle in general? How should we improve? How are the Yidden in Yerushalayim dealing with the situation? Words of Chizzuk The Torah view on the situation And much more......
Oct 13, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Ep 360•Transcript available on Metacast Hilchos Daled Minim Common Shailos of Daled Minim Does spending a lof of money on an esrog take precedence over buying a wife a dress? With Rabbi Aharon Twerski – Rov Albert Shul in Lakewood – 25:38 How to shop for an Esrog What to look for when buying an Esrog? What’s the minimum to be Yotzei and what’s a Hiddur? What’s the difference between the different types of Esrogim? What does the Hechsher on the Esrog box mean? and much more… With Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Charlap – Esrog Moicher from Queens –...
Sep 29, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Ep 359•Transcript available on Metacast What’s your favorite Yamim Noraim devar Torah? What’s your advice for improving ourselves? What’s worked for you? ***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 Immanuel Bernstein – popular teacher and prolific author – 16:57 with Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Breitowitz – Senior Lecturer at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach – 30:02 with Rabbi Yissocher Frand – Rosh Yeshiva, Ner Yisroel, Baltimore – 40:18 wit...
Sep 15, 2023•3 hr 37 min•Ep 358•Transcript available on Metacast If a person knows that he only if he Davens everything he won't have Kavanah & he Davens less he'll have can he skip anything? If yes which parts can he skip? If a person can't have Kavanah because he doesn't understand the language should he Daven in English? Should a person Daven at length at the expense of learning Torah? If a person can compose his own Tefilah is that better than davening the standard (more personal & heartfelt when coming from the composer- more than he can relate t...
Sep 08, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep 357•Transcript available on Metacast For what type of situations should you be calling Hatzalah. How should you call Hatzalah – with a shinui etc ? Can you turn on outside lights to make it easier for Hatzalah to identify the house? If you have to go to the hospital on Shabbos what do you have to know – what can you take clothes, phone, wallet etc? Is it better to go with Hatzalah or drive yourself or go with uber? Do you have to go to the closest hospital or to a further one – out of the T’Chum Should you cancel Hatzolah if all is...
Sep 01, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Ep 356•Transcript available on Metacast Are there Halachos on how spouses should engage in conflict? Do men and women fight differently? What are the top 3 things men complain about regarding their wives and vice versa? Should conflict be avoided or embraced? What are effective methods to deal with conflicts? ***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 Yaakov Neuburger – Rosh Yeshiva at REITS, Rabbi of Congregation Beth Ab...
Aug 25, 2023•2 hr 25 min•Ep 355•Transcript available on Metacast Is having discriminatory school acceptance policies Halachically allowed? What damage are we doing to our children? Do we have a communal obligation to accept all children into schools? Is there a difference between a boys school and a girls school? Can schools force people to accept upon themselves Chumros, in order that their kids should be accepted? Can schools claim they hold themselves to certain standards, if they overlook these standards for affluent members of the community? Is this the ...
Aug 18, 2023•2 hr 58 min•Ep 354•Transcript available on Metacast Kashrus on vacation: with Rabbi Sholom Fishbaine – Head of the CRC – 18:29 What can you buy in a store without a Hechsher? Halachos of Cholov Stam Summer Tznius Halachos: with Rabbi Gideon Weitzman – Rov of Peuah Institue – 45:43 Going mixed swimming with family Taking a walk on the boardwalk Sitting next to women on planes Visiting Kivrei Tzadikim: with Rabbi Doniel Neustadt – Rov of Pine River Village, Lakewood NJ – 59:12 Should you visit a Beis Hakvaros? Are you allowed to Daven to the dead o...
Aug 11, 2023•1 hr 29 min•Ep 353•Transcript available on Metacast How should I react when the “Pride Parade” goes by my home in Yerushalayim? How should I explain the rainbow flag to my 10-year-old? Are we being influenced by secular values? If so, how are we seeing those influences? How do we strengthen our own values? Is being active in the rainbow movement worse than Chilul Shabbos? Is it a chilul Hashem to go against the “enlightened” values of secular society? ***Guest Hosted*** by Ari Wasserman: Author of "Making it Work", "Making it ALL Work" (for women...
Aug 04, 2023•3 hr 30 min•Ep 352•Transcript available on Metacast What responsibility does an influencer have to do due dilgience when endorsing a product or business deal? If an influencer didn’t do due diligence and people suffered financial loss is the influencer responsible? Not letting people know you’re getting paid for what you’re promoting is it גניבת דעת? Are you allowed to push people to live beyond their means or become envious? What responsibility does someone on social media have? Are influencers a danger to the influence of Rabbonim? with Rabbi M...
Jul 28, 2023•2 hr 30 min•Ep 351•Transcript available on Metacast Listen and cry along and become inspired to help with Sori Zahler – 25:57 with Rabbi Yitzchok Reichman – Nasi Project – 45:57 with "Sori" – an older single – 1:01:02 מראי מקומות
Jul 21, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep 350•Transcript available on Metacast Is there a prohibition of Histaklus of a woman staring at a man performing? What about “Kol Ish” in hearing a man sing? Is there a problem posting videos of women singing online? Does a “Kol Isha Warning” help? Do female performances not reflect “yiddishe values”? Where do we draw the line of Tznius in public? ***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 Anthony Manning – head of a se...
Jul 14, 2023•2 hr 38 min•Ep 349•Transcript available on Metacast What would be the reason to Assur AI more than filtered internet? Why's AI a bigger danger than google search? Can AI be filtered? Is there any positive uses in AI for Yiddishkeit? Will AI become a major necessity in most people’s lives/businesses like the internet? with Rabbi Yossi Strickman – CEO of Project Trust – 18:50 with Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner – Rosh Kollel in Toronto – 49:58 with the founders of GYE – 1:09:23 מראי מקומות...
Jul 07, 2023•2 hr 33 min•Ep 348•Transcript available on Metacast Is it Loshon Horah to say the name of the perperators? Is it Mesirah to report such people to the authorities? What is the proper way to deal with the families of the perpetrators? What’s the Halachic status of the returns that insvestors received from the swindlers? Is there a legal requirement to report fraudsters? How should someone invest? with Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst – Rov of the Agudah and Poseik in Chicago – 16:27 with Rabbi Zalman Graus – Former Magid Shiur in Belzer Yeshivah, editor of Otza...
Jun 30, 2023•2 hr 40 min•Ep 347•Transcript available on Metacast How do we judge if a segulah is valid or not? Is the $1 given out by the Lubavitcher Rebbe meant as a segulah? Are the red bendel (bracelet) and Schlissel Challah actual segulos or prohibited? Is buying Kol Hanearim, Maftir Yona or Pesicha for Neilah effective? Are there any valid segulos for parnassah, shidduchim, health, Shalom Bayis and great children? How do fake segulos catch on? ***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman *** Author of "Making it Work", "Making it ALL Work" (for women) and 10 other S...
Jun 23, 2023•2 hr 40 min•Ep 346•Transcript available on Metacast Overreacting in self defense, is it Muttar? Do you have have to try to be מציל באחד מאבריו when someone's attacking you? When unsure if someone is attacking what can you do to protect youself? (ספק רודף) Self defense against people who are mentally unstable - does a שוטה have a din of a rodef? with Rabbi Menachem Genack – Rov in Englewood, Head of OU Kashrus – 13:11 with Mr. Lou Shapiro – Superlawyer, defense lawyer - 27:26 AI Paskening II/ Self defense in Halacha with Rabbi Shay Tahan – Rov, Ro...
Jun 16, 2023•58 min•Ep 345•Transcript available on Metacast When perfected will you be able to rely on AI for Psak? Do you need a human mind for Psak? Do you need a human emotion for Psak? [Is Psak dependent on the place, questioners situation etc[ Shouldn’t we rely on a computer when it’s more knowledgeable and doesn’t make mistakes? Can a computer be מדמה מילתא למילתא? Is knowledge enough for Psak? Can a child Pasken? Can a Goy Pasken? Can a woman Pasken? [if they knew all the Halachos] סייעתא דשמיא in Psak – is it needed? Can a computer have it? with ...
Jun 09, 2023•55 min•Ep 344•Transcript available on Metacast Why do people spend when they can’t afford to? Is it mutar to do so? What’s the concept of “keeping up with the Joneses”? What should we spend on and what should we not spend on? Is there a problem flaunting your perceived wealth? Posting it on social media?| How do you raise kids without their thinking they are underprivileged? For a wealthy person, is there any reason they should limit their spending? Does money buy happiness? ***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman *** Author of "Making it Work", "M...
Jun 02, 2023•2 hr 48 min•Ep 343•Transcript available on Metacast The most popular Shavuos night program in the world bit.ly/SCPchallenge - 4:23 What are the issues with the Shabbos elevator? Is it a halachic shayla of a Hashkafic Shayla? What switched now? with Rabbi Tzvi Ortner – Rov in Boro Park, Poseik of the OU technology dept – 33:20 with Rabbi Yisroel Krengel – Rov in the Tzomet Institue – 50:24 If a Rov makes a mistake in Psak does he have to pay? What if he retracts his Psak due to Haskafic considerations? with Rabbi Chaim Yosef Perlman – Dayan on Bei...
May 19, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep 342•Transcript available on Metacast Who’s a מומר? Someone who flaunts his Aveiros publicly - is he a מומר? Can a Baal Aveirah write an Ois in a Sefer Torah? If the Sofer writes the outline is it kosher? Can they get an Aliya? Can they Daven for the Amud? Are they Possul to be עדי קידושין? Can they make ברכת הזימון? Are we allowed to be Mechabed them or is it חנופה? Should we be ostracizing them from our community? Should we be Mekarev them? with Rabbi Aharon Sorscher – Rov of Yeshiva Community in Waterbury, Maggid Shiur of Oraysa ...
May 12, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep 341•Transcript available on Metacast What’s the source and reason for having a Shana Rishona? What are the halachic requirements? How should the year be spent? What are common issues that come up? What preparation can be done to make a Shana Rishona easier? What are the basic halachos of kavod to in-laws? What should in-laws be called? How does a new Kallah properly interact with her new brothers-in-law? How does a new Chosson interact with his sisters-in-law? ***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman *** Author of "Making it Work", "Making...
May 05, 2023•2 hr 51 min•Ep 340•Transcript available on Metacast 
