Shu"T First, Ask Questions Later

Just in time for Chanukah,  Rabbi Yigal Sklarin introduces us to the Responsa Keneses Yisrael (no. 17) which not only addresses the classic Ashkenazic and Sephardic variances in the lighting of Menorah, but the social tension that developed when Ashkenazic servants found themselves in the homes of their Sephardic masters.

Today we are joined by Rabbi Shmuel Lubin , a RIETS musmach, doctoral candidate in Microbiology, and host of "The Rishonim Podcast" who introduces us to the responsa of the Ri Migash (no. 114) and what it means for the study of Talmud, Responsa, and Halacha nowadays.  Check out the Rishonim podcast here:https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/the-rishonim https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim 

Rabbi Zachary Rothblatt takes us on a fascinating journey through the Cairo Geniza , a recently discovered treasure trove of Jewish texts and artifacts. This episode uncovers the Geniza's secrets, shedding light on the lives and traditions of medieval Egyptian Jewry. Rabbi Rothblatt also shares with us an intriguing responsum which provides insight into the complex relationships between Rabbanite...

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz , a close disciple of the preeminent  HaRav Hershel Schachter  (and a leading scholar in his own right), offers an intimate glimpse into the renowned posek's approach to halachic decision-making. Drawing on Rav Schachter's earlier work,   Eretz HaTzvi  (no. 6) , Rabbi Lebowitz shares a compelling example which illustrates Rav Schachter's distinctive style of pesak. This insigh...

In this episode,  Rabbi Yehoshua Duker  delves into the fascinating world of the  Terumas HaDeshen , a foundational work in the development of halacha. Written by Rabbi Yisrael Isserlin in the 15th century, this seminal text bridged the medieval and modern eras, addressing complex halachic queries. Rabbi Duker explores the question of whether the  Terumas HaDeshen  fabricated his own inquiries, pr...

Our guest,  Rabbi Tuvia Berman  seeks to identify the essential components of Jewish education. What - if any - is the role of Lomdus, Medresh, Machshava, and Dikduk? He breaks down the  Chavos Yair's  (responsum, no. 124)  incisive approach and offers general insights from his long and multi-faceted career as a Jewish educator.  Rabbi Tuvia Berman is the Director of Institutional Advancement at Y...

Our guest, Rabbi Ezra Schwartz examines Chacham Ovadia Yosef's ruling on suspected infidelity ( Yabia Omer,  Vol. 3, E.H. #1 ) which has implications for the couple's marital status and finances alike. Rabbi Schwartz summarizes the key principles employed by Chacham Ovadia and highlights the unique methodology employed to protect the potential  mamzer  (illegitimate offspring) in question. Rabbi E...

Discover the extraordinary legacy of  Rav Mordechai Pinchas Teitz , the rabbi of Elizabeth, NJ, and a visionary leader who rescued sacred texts and transformed the lives of countless American Jews.  Dr. Rivkah Blau  shares a teshuva he published in the journal,  HaPardes  (Year 25, Issue #3, p. 5)  and provides several inspiring stories of her esteemed father.  --- Dr. Rivkah Blau served as an adj...

This episode features Rabbi Chaim Jachter 's scholarly examination of the relationship between kashrus and personal trust in halacha (kim lei b’gavei). By introducing the recent Responsa Atzei Besamim (Y.D., no. 10) , Rabbi Jachter investigates the parameters of trusting individuals with varying kashrus standards. His discussion addresses key issues, including The halachic implications of relying...

Returning to his early educational roots, Moshe Kurtz interviews his lifelong Rebbe and Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Yaakov Bender about an array of questions pertaining to Jewish education. Through the lens of several teshuvos in Igros Moshe (Y.D. 2:104, Y.D. 4:30, and C.M. 2:51) , Rabbi Bender emphasizes the importance of compassion and inclusivity as a hallmark of Jewish education.  Rav Yaakov Bender is...

In this episode, Rabbi Jeffrey Saks delves into the intriguing world of Chalitza, a Jewish law procedure for dissolving a levirate marriage, through the lens of the Maharsham's Responsum (1:14) . This complex case involves a hot air balloon ride, obscure texts, and an exclusive revelation about the Nobel laureate Shai Agnon's potential influence from this case. Rabbi Jeffrey Saks is the fo...

In this episode, Dr. Elana Stein Hain examines a unique pair of responsa by the Rambam (no. 160-161, Mechon Yerushalayim Ed.), which present a harrowing marital dispute from two opposing perspectives - one from the wife's point of view and the other from the husband's. By analyzing these two teshuvos, Dr. Stein Hain gets to the deeper meaning of the place for legal workarounds (ha'aram...

In addition to his sha'atnez expertise, our guest, Rabbi Yirmiyah Moldovan , is a  sofer ,  shochet ,  ba'al kriah , and b a'al tokeah . Through the prism of Igros Moshe (Y.D. 1:72), he delves into the obscure world of sha'atnez , exploring both the halachic issues and practical methods for determining which clothing ACTUALLY needs to be tested for the prohibited wool/linen admixtu...

In this episode, we sit down with Rabbi Asher Bush , a contemporary posek (Jewish legal authority), who offers a unique glimpse into the mind of a modern halachic decisor. Rabbi Bush shares his experiences and insights on how he navigates the complex challenges of the modern world while rendering halachic decisions. We touch on a host of topics from his responsa, Shoel B'Shlomo , including Hea...

What happens when a posek steps into the realm of history? Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter , one of today's leading Jewish scholars, assesses the historical claims advanced in a late responsum of R. Moshe Feinstein ( Igros Moshe , Y.D. 4:57:11) against instituting new fast days. R. Dr. Schacter raises several fundamental questions that arise from R. Feinstein's analysis. Chief among them - wha...

In this episode, Rabbi Chaim Metzger explores the groundbreaking halachic rulings of Rav Shlomo Goren , a pioneer and previous Chief Rabbi of the Israeli Defense Forces, based on his sefer Meishiv Milchamah (no. 2). Through an analysis of Rav Goren's innovative rulings, Rabbi Metzger reveals how he navigated complex issues facing both the Israeli military and civilian life. His scholarly, yet...

Rabbi David Fried explores how a responsum of the Rambam ( Shu"T HaRambam , Mechon Yerushalayim Edition , No. 104) sheds light on ambiguities and seeming contradictions in his magnum opus, the Mishneh Torah. He demonstrates how reading the "original" responsum can possibly settle a debate between Rav Moshe Feinstein ( Igros Moshe , Y.D. 2:7) and Rav Aharon Kotler ( Mishnas Rebbi Aha...

In this episode, Rabbi Yossi Katz delves into the fascinating life and works of Rav Nosson Nota Zuber , a Talmudic scholar who served as the rabbi of Roselle, NJ. Through a general exploration of Rav Zuber's responsa contained in Zichron Menachem , Rabbi Katz reveals the remarkable rulings and insights made by this less-well-known, yet exceedingly erudite 20th century rabbinic figure.  Rabbi K...

In this episode, Rabbi Tzvi Benoff explores the concept of Ona'as Mamon, a Jewish law regulating fair business practices and economic conduct. With a focus on Responsa Shevet HeLevi  (O.C. 4:1), he delves into the nuances of this principle, discussing various approaches to its interpretation and application in contemporary economic life.

In this episode, Rabbi Kalman Laufer explores the complex and sensitive topic of "The Gett of Kleeves" and its implications for dementia in Jewish law. Through his analysis of the responsa collected in Sefer Or HaYashar , Rabbi Laufer sheds light on the halachic considerations surrounding divorce and claims of mental incapacity. As a bioethicist and dayan, Rabbi Laufer navigates the intr...

In this episode, Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman joins us to explore the fascinating themes of his book "Letter and Spirit: Evasion, Avoidance, and Workarounds in the Halachic System". We delve into the intricate strategies and mechanisms that have evolved within Jewish law to navigate complex ethical and legal dilemmas. Rabbi Feldman shares his expertise on how halachic authorities have employe...

Join us for a fascinating journey through the intersection of Jewish history, copyright law, and community politics in our latest episode, "Printing Press Politics: Investigating the Mishneh Torah Copyright Controversy". Dr. Tamara Morsel-Eisenberg , a renowned expert in Jewish studies, joins us to delve into the contentious debate surrounding the reprinting of Maimonides' monumental...

In this episode, Rabbi Shimon Altshul joins us to delve into a captivating responsum of the Chasam Sofer (Y.D., no. 45), one of the most influential Jewish scholars of the 18th/19th century. We explore a kashrus controversy that rocked his community, where a debate over the potentially  treif  status of much of their food threatened to tear the community apart. Rabbi Altshul masterfully unpacks th...

In this episode, Rabbi Yossi Kamman joins us to explore a fascinating responsum ( Likutei Sichos , Vol. 16, p. 518) of the Lubavitcher Rebbe (R. Menachem Mendel Schneerson) against scheduling elective surgeries within a few days of Shabbos. Rabbi Kamman presents us with an insightful profile of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, his approach to halachah, and what made him unique and so widely renowned. A syno...

We attended the Rabbinical Council of America Conference 2024 and did some rapid fire interviews with many of the rabbis who were present. They were given a few minutes to share their favorite responsa and which topic they (in theory or in practice) would write a teshuva about.  Order of guests:  Rabbi Mark Dratch Rabbi Jordan Aurebach Rabbi Maury Kelman Rabbi Yitzchak Sprung Rabbi Shlomo Weissman...