Halacha Headlines

Is it prohibited to go to Minyan when the “Home Front Command” and Chief Rabbis say not to go? Can you carry a phone on Shabbos to hear the warnings of incoming missiles? Can you leave on the news (radio, TV, Internet) on Shabbos to hear what’s going on? Should we say Hamapil before sleep, since we may need to immediately head to the bomb shelter? Do you need to wash Netilas Yadayim before heading...

Why is wine touched by a non-Jew prohibited? Does this prohibition apply to a non-Jew who’s not an idol worshipper? Is this extended to a nonreligious Jew who doesn’t keep Shabbos? What is the status of someone who desecrates Shabbos but goes to shul or makes Kiddush? What is the law of someone who’s embarrassed to desecrate Shabbos in front of a prominent person? Do you need witnesses to testify...

Is using psychedelic drugs to get close to Hashem a Mitzvah or Aveira? What about for therapeutic and recreational purposes? How do psychedelics affect people and what are the side effects? Are people in the frum world really using these drugs and, if so, how broadly? How should we think about Rabbanim who use - and advise others to use – psychedelics? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly publ...

Should a boy consult with his friends, like his roommate or chavrusa, if they think he should date a given girl? Is there a problem discussing the attractiveness of a potential Shidduch with friends? Have promising Shidduchim been ruined by what friends have said? Should parents be involved in the Shidduch process? And, what if the child does not want his/her parents involved? Host: Ari Wasserman,...

Can we trust the wife she did zayin nekiiim and went to the mikvah?  Can we trust their kashrus if they say things are kosher or they didn’t make the utensiks treif? Does their food have a din of פת עכו"ם ובישול עכו"ם? Is the wine they touch יין נסך? Can we serve them food knowing they won’t make a brocha or wah their hands – לפני עור? Things they cooked on Shabbos is it Assur like ?מעשה שבת If th...

Is the belief among Yeshiva bochurim that making money is easy — fact or fiction? According to Halacha, what happens when business partners fail to discuss equity upfront? What if one partner works harder or originally came up with the business idea — how should that be handled? Can you start your own business while working for someone else — and what if it’s competitive? What does it really take...

Did Conservative activists violate Geneivas Daasand Lashon Hara by secretly steering the WZO election? Is it ethical for Chareidi media to be paid to promote an anti-Eretz HaKodesh agenda? Should frum magazines vet who’s behind their ads? Can you trust a "Psak" when you don’t know the full story? How should our leaders respond now that the truth is out? What are the long-term political risks for t...

Revisiting the WZO controversy What's the difference between this and joining the Knesset? Why’s this difference than the Moetzes pushing Avi Schnall to run specifically as a democrat? Is this the old age Hashkafic Machlokes between Satmar and Brisk VS the Agudah? Why did they stop second Seder in BMG for a political rally? with Rabbi Avi Shafran – Spokesman for the Agudah – 11:27 The Tzedaka Gene...

Is it permitted to not disclose off-the-books income when applying for government benefits?  What if there’s a colorable argument that you fit the criteria? Is that enough?  Are there any Heterim to take funds when you don’t fit the eligibility requirements?  Is putting yourself in a position that you need to take money from the government allowed? Is it le’chatchila to take government assistance...

What is Zionism? Did it accomplish its goal? Is it good or bad for Jews? Assuming Zionism is wrong, can you vote in the WZO election?  What’s the history of the concept of “Daas Torah” and what does it mean? When did the phrase and concept come into being?  Why would one Gadol say it’s mutar to participate in the WZO election and another say it’s totally assur?  Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the...

What is it? Does the Torah agree to it? Can we have groups in our yeshivos that we are forced to have or is it better to close down? Do ends justify the means? Joining up with Ovrei Aveira  Is it diffrent than sitting on the Knesset or the WZO? Should we have public forums talking about our Yetzer Hora? Harav Mordechai Giftar – Rosh Yeshivah of Telshe – 17:26 Harav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik – Rosh Ye...

What is the WZO and why is the current election important?  How do the Mizrachi and Eretz Hakodesh parties differ? How should we relate to Reform and Conservative Jews? Open Orthodoxy? What lawsuits have the Reform Movement filed against Chareidim, and what’s their motivation? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges and ...

What's the most difficult Mitzvah? Fascinating sources for: Taanis Esther Costumes Purim Torah And more..... Hosted by Rabbi Moshe Taub – Rov of Young Israel of Holliswood with Meni Wakshtock – Founder, Producer and Actor of "Bardak" – 19:45 with Dovid Nachman Golding – "Ding" of Suki and Ding – 48:10 מראי מקומות  

What does Hamas hope to accomplish with their psychological warfare? Should we be swapping live Hamas terrorists for the bodies of captives? Does international law or world opinion halachically govern how the IDF acts?  Do the Laws of War (e.g., avoid non-combatants) mean that you can never use a weapon of mass destruction? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded b...

Is it stealing from your Kollel or employer if you regularly come late? How hard do you need to work on the job? Can you take personal phone calls, check the news, order your groceries, etc. while on the clock? Does this impact Shalom Bayis, divorce rates, shmiras ha’mitzvos and hasmada in Torah learning? How do we motivate those who don’t have motivation? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly...

Terumos U’Maaseros Shmitta Mitzvas Yishuv Eretz Yisroel Kevura in Eretz Yisroel Historically did Yidden live in Gaza with Rabbi Yissochor Dov Krakowski – Mashgiach in Heichal Ha-Torah, Head of OU Kashrus Israel – 24:09 with Rabbi Ari Waxman – Mashgiach of Shaalavim, Tour Guide, Historical Expert – 49:20 מראי מקומות  

What are the most common issues/controversies that come up between roommates? Are there any halachic requirements to keep your place clean? Do you violate Gezel Sheina when your alarm wakes up your roommate? Can you borrow your roommates’ pots, books, pillow, toothpaste, etc. without permission? What happens with the kitchen when roommates have different standards of Kashrus? Host: Ari Wasserman,...

What would cause someone to regularly disturb in shul without regard to upsetting others? How should those who disturb be dealt with? Is it impatience or mental illness when someone always pushes the Chazan to go faster? Is it okay to pace for all of davening? To evict guests from seats? To collect the Seforim during davening? Should little children be brought to shul, knowing they may disturb? Ho...

Is it Hatzalos Nefashos or is it encouraging more murder? How can you release murderers on the streets? Are you emboldening Hamas? Is it worth it to stay in good grace with the US? with Rabbi Yitzchok Pindrus – Member of Knesset Degel HaTorah – 25:05 with General Tzvika Fogel – Member of Knesset Otzma Yehudit, Israeli Security Expert, Advisor to Itamar Ben Gvir, Former brigadier general – 35:48 wi...

Are women’s learning programs motivated by feminism and the desire for “equality”? Are women required to learn any Torah? Can they learn Zohar and Gemara? Is it preferable that women teach women? Can men attend the shiurim as well? Does a connection need to be achieved through learning Torah, or do Chesed and Tehillim groups work better?  Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised...

How has parenting changed over time? What lessons do we learn from Tanach? Should a parent discipline a child when the child will ignore the parent? How does a parent stay calm when the kids are misbehaving and not listening? What if the husband and wife are not on the same page when it comes to parenting? Should kids be brought to shul if they won’t behave? Can you discipline someone else’s child...

Can you ever make a Heter Meah Rabbanim without leaving a Get in Beis Din? Is a Beis Din ever allowed to withhold the Get from the woman? In order to get the husband visitation To get the husband financial compensation To get the woman to drop criminal charges To get the woman to drop lawsuits How easy is it to get a court to deny visitation from the father? And much more... with Shaul Cohen – Law...

What did Gedolei Yisrael say about this and how did they behave? Should Menorah be lit in public? Should a yarmulka be worn at work? Should we wear black hats, shtreimels and other identifying marks? Wear talis and tefillin while walking to shul? Build a Succah in a public area? Should we remove Jewish and Israel references from our resumes when trying to get a job? What are the biggest religious...

How can a child withstand peer pressure Why do some kids give in easily to peer pressure and others don’t How should parents educate their children to withstand peer pressure What are the most common peer pressures in our yeshivos and girls’ schools Why do kids and teens involved in bad behaviors want to get their peers to join them Are we obligated to avoid negative influences and make Gedarim fo...

How a Magen was forced to give a Get with Attorney Elad Zamir – Renowned Family Lawyer, Toein Rabbani – 16:56 How the torah would view the presidential pardon of his son Is there a concept of pardons in Torah Do we find pardons in Tanach? Do you always have to be Moichel someone who wronged you? When don't you? A fascinating conversation with Rabbi Hayyim Angel – T’nach Expert RIETS – 29:40 with R...