Can you leave your job and take your clients with you? If you transform your father's business, who really owns that success? When does healthy competition cross the line, and can schools or businesses actively poach staff? In this episode of Asking for a Friend, Dayan Posen explores some of the most practical and misunderstood areas of Choshen Mishpat. From employees and employers to family businesses, partnerships and competition, we examine where halacha draws the line between legitimate business practice and unfair conduct. Whether you're an employee, employer, business owner or simply interested in Torah's approach to business ethics, this episode offers practical guidance on navigating the workplace with integrity, fairness and emunah.   Timestamps: **00:00–02:10** – Intro to the podcast, new Cheish Mishpat series, and definitions of *oni ha‑mehapech* & *hasagas gevul*.   **02:38–03:47** – Core scenario: Reuven the long‑term employee vs Shimon the employer; ultimatum of partnership or leaving with clients.   **05:58–08:10** – Employee’s mindset: “I built this; I want to own something for my family.”   **08:10–10:46** – “Partner in profits” explained as **commission, not real ownership**; crop‑share analogy.   **10:46–13:22** – Pros and cons of profit‑share: good incentive but no true security or equity.   **13:22–16:54** – Leaving and taking clients: contracts, non‑compete/non‑solicit; whose clients are they?   **16:54–22:22** – Source and nature of *oni ha‑mehapech* in Chazal; being called a *rasha*; public “naming and shaming” in theory.   **23:47–29:08** – Practical application: approaching former employer’s clients, direct vs indirect; general advertising vs targeted contact.   **29:08–32:36** – WhatsApp status, circulars, email farewell messages – what’s allowed, what’s too direct.   **32:36–35:12** – Employers’ fear of training someone who later “takes the business”; possibility of halachic contracts.   **35:12–42:08** – Poaching rabbeim/teachers; *metziah* concept; Ashkenazi vs Sefardi angles; *ba’al nefesh yachmir*.   **42:08–48:02** – Fisherman/net story; when competition crosses into destroying someone’s parnassa.   **48:02–56:22** – *Hasagas gevul* today: normal competition vs wiping out a niche business; monopolies and community benefit.   **57:25–01:04:52** – Family business case: child grows parents’ business, ownership, siblings, and inheritance tensions.   **01:04:52–01:09:07** – Children asking parents about expectations; importance of written clarity in family businesses.   **01:09:07–01:13:19** – Closing hashkafa: *nasata v’nasata be’emunah*, link to learning the halachos, business as a daily arena for emunah.

Electric scooters have become a familiar sight in many communities. For some, they're a convenient way to get to school, shiurim, friends' houses and local activities. For others, they're a growing source of concern. In this special mini episode, Rabbi S F Zimmerman addresses one of the most discussed topics affecting children, teenagers and parents today. Are electric scooters simply a modern convenience, or is there a deeper issue at stake? How should parents respond when "everyone in the class has one"? Who bears responsibility – parents, schools, rabbonim, or the wider community? And what should a family do if a child has already spent hundreds of pounds of Bar Mitzvah money on a scooter? A concise but important discussion offering Daas Torah and practical guidance on a topic generating debate across the UK, the USA and beyond. Sponsored anonymously by someone who believes this episode could save lives.

When King Charles III recently visited Golders Green, hundreds of members of the local Jewish community lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the monarch. The visit sparked widespread discussion: why does Yiddishkeit place such importance on kings and royalty, and what is the Torah perspective on monarchy in the modern world? In this special episode, Dayan Hool explores the halachic and hashkafic questions raised by the King's visit. Can one make a brachah upon seeing King Charles? Should a person make a special effort to see a king? What is the concept of כבוד מלכות? Can one shake the King's hand? And why is Hashem so often described throughout our tefillos as a King? Drawing on sources from Chazal, Halachah and Jewish history, this fascinating discussion sheds light on a topic that captured the attention of so many in the community and reveals what earthly kingship can teach us about מלכות שמים.   Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: King Charles visits Golders Green   01:09 – Why frum Jews are excited to see a king  03:17 – The brocha on seeing Jewish and non‑Jewish monarchs   06:03 – Does the brocha apply to King Charles III and presidents?  09:50 – Can a monarchy be abolished? Acceptance by the people   16:14 – Seeing the king from afar: entourage, cars, and the brocha   22:31 – How often can you say the brocha on a king?  23:33 – Must you go out to see a king? Bitul Torah and mitzvah  29:30 – Kavod malchus: honoring even non‑Jewish and wicked kings   36:13 – Shaking hands with royalty: halacha and real‑world strategies   43:28 – Praying for the welfare of the kingdom in golus 50:29 – Queen Wilhelmina and the Munkatcher Rebbe 54:23 – Dutch royalty, Rav Katz, and modern royal brachos 1:00:00 – Why we call Hashem “Melech”: kindness and authority  1:04:06 – Dina de’malchusa dina and UK land law 1:05:20 – Closing: Malchus shel chesed and Malchus Shamayim

In Part One of this two part series on Nisyonos, we explore one of life’s biggest questions: why does Hashem test people? Together they discuss whether all suffering is considered a nisayon, why some people appear to face greater hardships than others, the struggle of unanswered tefillos, and why bitachon can feel strong in some areas of life yet weak in others. A thoughtful and honest conversation on faith, struggle and spiritual growth.    Timestamps: - 0:00:00 — Intro and episode topic: Nisyonas (suffering/tests)   - 0:01:31 — Three categories of hardship introduced: Aynish, Tafkid, Nisyonas   - 0:05:13 — Discussion on how to discern type of hardship; common default = punishment   - 0:08:00 — Purposes of Nisyonas: reward, reveal potential, show faith to others (Akedah example)   - 0:11:00 — Physical vs. spiritual tests; hardest are choices between two good options   - 0:18:05 — Prioritizing long-term mitzvah “investments” (learning with children, shalom bayit)   - 0:26:18 — Role of tefilah: praise, gratitude, requests; different views on effects of prayer   - 0:29:30 — Emotional processing of seemingly unanswered prayers; “not yet” and stored credit ideas   - 0:35:00 — Why some suffer more: gilgulim, tikkun, soul capacities; tailored tests   - 0:44:00 — Importance of community/support vs. suffering alone   - 0:47:55 — Free will vs. divine foreknowledge: different frameworks and implications   - 0:52:48 — Human cruelty within divine orchestration and moral accountability   - 0:55:14 — Closing and preview of Part Two

In Part 2 of our discussion on nisyonos, Rabbi Zimmerman explores some of the most relevant and challenging questions facing people today. Can pressure from family, school or community become a nisayon in its own right? Is questioning Hashem always a weakness in emunah, or can honest struggle sometimes deepen a person's relationship with Him? We discuss whether wealth and success can be as great a test as poverty and hardship, how to cope with challenges that feel constant and never-ending, and whether shielding children from difficulty truly protects them or leaves them unprepared for life. We also examine whether people should search for reasons behind suffering, and how to navigate uncertainty, responsibility, mental health, and personal growth through a Torah perspective.   Timestamps: 0:00:00 – Introduction, recap of Part 1, framing Part 2 (modern struggles) 0:01:05 – Expectations, spiritual burden, joy vs obligation in mitzvos 0:05:04 – Personal enjoyment in avodas Hashem; “cog in the system” and individuality 0:08:19 – Each person’s unique purpose and contribution 0:08:46 – Balancing bitachon with hishtadlus; avoiding denial / toxic positivity 0:12:34 – Questioning Hashem, anger, and honest relationship with Hashem 0:19:10 – Modern nisyonos vs previous generations; changing Yetzer Hara 0:24:38 – Wealth and poverty as different tests; emotional equilibrium 0:27:32 – Never-ending struggles (e.g., shemiras einayim); value of the battle itself 0:30:09 – Children and chinuch; sharing struggles with kids appropriately 0:38:11 – Emotional/psychological struggles vs mental health conditions; seeking help 0:41:37 – Destigmatizing mental health; communal responsibility 0:44:26 – How much we’re responsible for others’ suffering; healthy boundaries 0:47:20 – Searching for “reasons” for suffering; middah k’neged middah and introspection 0:52:00 – Uncertainty in major life decisions; advice vs personal responsibility 0:58:15 – Finding meaning in nisyonos; Avraham’s legacy and our spiritual DNA 1:02:12 – Closing remarks and podcast wrap-up

Asking For A Friend is a new podcast from Kehillas Federation, exploring the real questions that come up in everyday life, in halacha, hashkafa, chinuch, relationships, community, and everything in between. Hosted by Mena Reisner, each episode features one of the Federation’s senior Dayonim, Rabbi S. F. Zimmerman, Dayan Posen, or Dayan Hool, offering grounded Torah perspective drawn from years of guiding families and communities. This trailer offers a first look at the conversations to come. New episodes every two weeks. Please email [email protected] with your questions & feedback...

A wide-ranging conversation with Dayan Posen exploring the mitzvah of bikur cholim in today’s world, from the halachic foundations of visiting the sick to mental health, trauma response, community support, and the balance between practical help and genuine human presence. The discussion covers what meaningful care really looks like in an age of constant communication, and how small actions can make a profound difference to patients and their families.   Timestamps: - 0:00:00 – Intro, technical note about previous episode; episode focus announced (Bikur Cholim with Daim Posen)   - 0:01:47 – Guest (Daim Posen) greeting   - 0:01:49–0:06:10 – Core halachic sources and purpose of Bikur Cholim; best times to visit (avoid first/last 3 hours)   - 0:06:10–0:11:57 – Scope of the mitzvah, limits, reading the room, and risks of causing distress   - 0:11:57–0:16:00 – Contagious illness, enemies visiting, and modern communications (phone/video/text) as partial substitutes   - 0:16:00–0:21:57 – Benefits of in-person visits; impact on hospital care and staff perception   - 0:21:57–0:31:08 – How to speak with patients, defensive attribution, and aim to uplift/encourage (Gemilas Chesed)   - 0:31:08–0:38:54 – Respecting patient/family wishes, privacy, and when to prioritize next-of-kin support   - 0:38:54–0:46:58 – Community vs. individual responsibility; kehillah rotas and organized welfare support   - 0:46:58–0:50:27 – Gender considerations and modesty when visiting; emotional boundaries   - 0:50:27–1:00:30 – Mental health as Bikur Cholim: parity with physical illness, emotional support, stigma reduction   - 1:00:30–1:09:01 – Practical guidance for supporting those with mental health struggles (boundaries, presence)   - 1:09:01–1:16:42 – Crisis/trauma response overview; SITS crisis teams and trained volunteers (Rabbi Dr. Fox training)   - 1:16:42–1:24:09 – Handling children, age‑appropriate explanations, and preparing for hospital visits   - 1:24:09–1:31:08 – Role and timing of Tehillim (in-person vs. remote); WhatsApp Tehillim groups’ impact   - 1:31:08–1:35:31 – Authenticity in performing the mitzvah (anonymity, intention) and differences from tzedakah   - 1:35:31–1:36:40 – Closing thoughts: presence, empathy, Miriam/Moshe story, final blessings and thanks

In the first episode of Asking for a Friend, Mena Reisner sits down with Rabbi Zimmerman to explore the questions shaping today’s Jewish childhood. Why are so many more children anxious? Has therapy become too normalised? Should parents be concerned about the sheer amount of instant frum entertainment? What should we make of teenagers constantly travelling abroad? And how does a parent respond when a child says, “But everyone in my class has it”? A wide-ranging and honest conversation that opens the series by giving voice to the dilemmas parents think about all the time but rarely discuss openly.   Chapters: [0:00:00] Introduction to Podcast and Purpose [0:02:53] Resilience and Adversity in Modern Childhood [0:07:21] Emotional Understanding vs. Emotional Determination [0:09:06] Therapy - Purpose and Pitfalls [0:10:10] Labels and Diagnoses in Modern Education [0:15:31] Spoiled Generations and Parental Influence [0:19:36] Responding to Religious or Educational Drift [0:24:27] Navigating Teenage Trips and Social Pressures [0:58:41] School Selection and Expectations [1:05:36] Defining Success Beyond Traditional Paths [1:12:54] Closing: Back to Basics [1:14:01] Closing Remarks and Listener Invitation

Dayan Hool addresses the realities and dilemmas around school admissions today. What can a school reasonably expect from parents? What responsibility does it have to children left without a place? How should families balance what’s right for their child with communal norms, donor influence or social pressure? And when is opening a new school actually the correct solution? A clear, grounded look at an issue that affects almost every frum family.   Timestamps [0:00:00] - Podcast Introduction: "Asking for a Friend" Episode 2 [0:00:30] - Dayan Biography: Dayan Hool [0:01:30] - Topic Overview: School Admissions [0:02:30] - Halachic Framework for School Admission Policies [0:12:39] - Parental Behavior and School Admission Criteria [0:36:54] - Handling Children Without School Places [0:48:21] - Discussion on Opening New Schools [0:55:36] - Parents' Strategies for School Admission  

Once a shidduch is underway, the questions only become more complex: how long should it last, how do you navigate doubts, and how do you know when it’s right? In this episode, Dayan Posen addresses the realities of the dating stage, offering guidance on timing, clarity, and decision-making. From the role of parents and outside influence to recognising genuine compatibility, the discussion tackles the pressures and uncertainties that often arise along the way. Clear, practical, and grounded, this conversation helps bring direction and perspective to the most critical stage of the process.   Timestamps: - 0:00:00 — Intro; episode context and stage of shidduch (dating begins) - 0:01:21 — Torah/Gemara basis for seeing prospective spouse; purpose of dating - 0:04:35 — Awkwardness of dating; first/second date expectations - 0:08:01 — Dating coaches: pros/cons and when helpful - 0:13:00 — Misinterpretations on dates; examples (car stereo, phone-checking) - 0:16:07 — Discussing dates with others; confidentiality and who to consult - 0:20:37 — Parental pressure vs. giving space; response etiquette after dates - 0:25:23 — Etiquette: not saying no after one date; stages/types of dates - 0:30:55 — Different date styles (fun vs. serious) and what they reveal - 0:31:32 — Number of dates before decision; 4–6 vs. many more - 0:33:32 — Why people date more now; commitment/fear issues - 0:34:56 — Influence of friends’ opinions and peer pressure - 0:37:13 — “Not my type” / personal dealbreakers vs. societal expectations - 0:40:36 — Opposites vs. similarity in personality and compatibility - 0:42:11 — Pre-marriage independence differences (girls vs. yeshiva boys) - 0:45:34 — Impact of women’s careers/stimulation on marriage dynamics - 0:49:45 — Financial considerations, living in Eretz Yisrael, parental support - 0:52:46 — Expectation to live in Eretz Yisrael after marriage; alternatives - 0:55:47 — Discussing long-term location plans during shidduch - 0:59:17 — Anecdote re: commitments and financial changes - 1:01:15 — Compromising standards as one gets older; seek experienced advice - 1:02:18 — How to know if “the right one”: her geisha ha-leiv (heart’s feeling) - 1:06:39 — Managing anxiety before committing; leap of faith - 1:07:40 — Fear of missing a better match; practical grounding - 1:09:04 — Key qualities checklist: hashkafot, middot, smile; then chemistry - 1:11:36 — Debate on asking for photos before meeting; pros/cons - 1:14:43 — Parents seeing photos vs. children; risks of judging by pictures - 1:16:37 — Stigma of working boys vs. kollel; assessing commitment - 1:20:11 — Overall summary: challenges of the shidduch process; closing prayer