Halacha Headlines

Are there halachic caps or guidelines on salaries and benefits? Does nepotism ever become a legal or halachic problem? What constitutes "reasonable compensation" for operators of religious non-profits? Can money be taken out in indirect ways, such as consulting fees? Host: Ari Wasserman with Rabbi Chaim Kohn – founder of the Business Halacha Institute (“BHI”) and Av Beis Din – 10:20 with Mr. Rapha...

Why do we rely on leniency these day when the Heter was due to שעת הדחק and we don't have a shortage of food? If the Heter is based on Safek, nowadays the Safek is verifiable and can't be relied upon If a store has information posted that it's not Yoshon - there's no Safek at all - what do people rely on? Why are people making on Stam Cholov which is maybe a Safek Derabbanan and not on this? If a...

How has the role of being a Rav changed due to the war? What should a shul’s policy be when a siren goes off during davening? How are people doing emotionally with the constant sirens, sleep deprivation and stress? What are the most interesting or unusual halachic questions that were asked during the war? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work,...

Do we also receive a Neshamah Yeseirah on Yom Tov? Does it have any effect on our capacity to eat? Is there any medical or scientific basis for the claim that calories are “absorbed” by the Neshamah Yeseirah and therefore don’t count on Shabbos and Yom Tov? What are some practical ways to manage our eating on Pesach while still fully enjoying the Yom Tov? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly p...

What makes gambling so alluring, and how widespread is it? To what extent is gambling linked to following professional sports? What strategies are effective in helping someone quit gambling? Should watching professional sports be banned? If a child uses a parent’s credit card to gamble without permission, is that considered stealing? Halachically speaking, is the parent responsible for charges mad...

Does collateral damage in war have a limit – can you destroy a missile base that will kill many civilians in the town nearby. Can you hit a nuclear reactor that will contaminate millions? Are citizens who support the regime considered combatants? What Issurim can you be Doche because of mental health – using phones on Shabbos, or other electric devices that will calm them down?  Does Iran have a D...

Can a family member who is less qualified be hired before a more qualified candidate? Must admissions be based on merit? When is nepotism allowed? Can the Menahel/Principal keep any donations (bribes?) made to him personally? What if they are non-monetary, like expensive liquor, a new megillah, etc. Can the son of the Menahel sell access to his father? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly publ...

Is failure to disclose a significant personality disorder considered a mekach ta’us in marriage? Are there halachos guiding how to treat one’s spouse during divorce, especially in high-conflict cases? When is it appropriate to turn to secular courts during divorce proceedings – for example, to obtain a restraining order against a spouse? Can refusal to go to the mikveh be considered a halachic vio...

What’s the best path for serving Hashem in our generation? Does it have to be one or the other? Can it be a combination? Host: Rabbi Efrem Goldberg – Rov of Boca Raton Synagogue with Rabbi Daniel Glatstein – Rov of Kehilas Tiferes Mordechai Cedarhurst NY, Renowned lecturer and author – 8:26 with Rabbi Yaakov Danishefsky – Rov Avodas HaLev in Chicago – Mechaber Seforim, LCSW – 28:28 מראי מקומות   

Can a woman receive semicha and give halachic guidance? Does the historical precedent against it prohibit change? Does is violate our Mesorah? Is the Israeli Supreme Court’s push for women’s Rabbanut Semicha a religious goal or part of a broader feminist push? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges and Halachic Q &...

How does coming to Israel for yeshiva and seminary affect a student’s mental health? When do difficult emotional feelings cross the line from normal struggles to something that should be addressed? Should a student who believes another is emotionally unstable report that behavior to the school administration? What are the key similarities and differences in how boys and girls experience stress, an...

Do you need a human mind for Psak? Do you need Shimush? Do you need human emotion for Psak? Can a computer be called שופט שבימיך? And much more…… Why would there be a Kol Korah against AI? with Rabbi Dovid Cohen – Rov of Gvul Yaavetz – 6:27 with Rabbi Hershel Schachter – Rosh Yeshivah of YU, Poseik of the OU – 8:07 with Rabbi Yoni Levin – Rosh Yeshiva of South Florida, Assistant Rov of Aish Kodesh...

What practical strategies can help us reduce phone usage and establish healthy boundaries? Does someone need to stop usage fully or can partial solutions be effective? What behaviors can we change in as little as thirty days? Does it last? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges and Halachic Q & A on the Job with Rab...

Can a cellphone be used in shul for non-tefillah purposes? Does mindless scrolling on a phone constitute an issur of bitul zman? Is it preferable to daven from a physical siddur rather than from a phone? How do our phones affect our relationships with our spouse, children, and friends? What practical strategies can help us reduce usage and establish healthy boundaries? Host: Ari Wasserman, author...

Is it possible to determine that an abuser is no longer a risk? What’s the success rate of treating serious abusers? Why do community leaders sometimes advocate for the early release of an abuser? How does halacha view cases where a Jewish prisoner receives a disproportionate sentence? Should the community celebrate someone’s release from prison? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published,...

Why are they asking? Is it legal? May you lie? How’s it affecting High School girls? with Rabbi Zecharya Greenwald – Dean of Me’ohr Bais Yaakov Seminary – 13:17 with Mindy Blumenfeld – Renowned Therapist, lecturer and author – 35:36 with Dayan Yitzchok Grossman – Renowned Dayan of Bais Havaad and Poseik, Rosh Kollel in Silver Springs – 54:17 with Yair Bruck – Renowned Attorney – 1:15:16 מראי מקומו...

Why do married women cover their hair? Is a tichel preferable to a sheitel? Why do some women shave their heads after marriage? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges and Halachic Q & A on the Job with Rabbi Michoel Frank – Mora D'Asra of Kehilas Ohr HaTorah, Silver Spring, MD – 10:36 with Rabbi Dovid Genish – Rav o...

What draws men to these gatherings? How do they impact the home — especially when alcohol is involved? What is the halachic basis for tasting food before Shabbos? What are the halachic concerns with entering Shabbos intoxicated or eating too close to Shabbos? What should an ideal Erev Shabbos look like? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, o...

Does a person smuggling in drugs have a Din of a Rodef? Should you report someone who's trying to sell drugs in the community? Should you report someone giving out alcohol irresponsibly? What to be aware of when someone asks you to take a package? What causes suicide in our community? How common is it? with Dayan Chaim Yosef Dovid (Chidu) Weiss  – Satmar Dayan of Antwerp – 29:56 with Rabbi Moshe T...

How common are controversies over leadership in the Litvish yeshiva system? Is the Ponevezh controversy unique? What were the main points of the machlokes and how did they develop? Who halachically owns assets donated to a yeshiva — the Rosh Yeshiva, the fundraiser, or the institution itself? When, if ever, may a yeshiva bring a dispute to secular arbitration or secular court rather than to Beis D...

What are the primary risks and the necessary gedarim? May a Rabbi teach Torah to women or girls? What about one-on-one? How should one handle a situation where women attending a class are not dressed modestly? What can be done about predators who exploit those they are being mekareiv? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challen...

Now that there's a Frum brigade what's the justification of Frum people at least who aren't learning not to go to the army? If there's a shortage of soliders why wouldn't yeshiva bochurim be obligated to join – isn't Pikuach Nefesh Doche the whole Torah? If the Frum will become a majority in the country what will you do then? If Torah obligates hishtadlus, what is the minimum practical hishtadlus...

How common is online dating in the Yeshivish community? What about Modern Orthodox? Is it ever acceptable to adjust your age, height, or weight on a dating profile? Should men and women post profile photos, and what are the concerns? Is using an older photo to appear younger misleading? What are the halachos of leaving feedback or “reviews” for shadchanim or daters? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of...

Why does bullying happen, and who is most at risk? How should victims respond, and what are the best ways for families, teachers, and community leaders to intervene? How should the bullies themselves be dealt with? What practical strategies can we employ to prevent abuse and foster respect? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace c...

NYC ELECTIONS with Curtis Sliwa – 1:14 The NY Eruv: Should you be carrying - Become educated Is NY surrounded by walls? Does that help? Was Reb Moshe's Shita a Chumra or a Kula And much much more.... with Rabbi Shmuel Pultman – Eruv expert on the board of the Eruv, Talmid of Reb Fishel Hershkowitz – 21:39 with Rabbi Zalman Graus – Dayan for over 50 years, Formerly Magid Shiur in Belzer Yeshivah,  ...