Spelling “Tverya” with an alef or heiIn a kesubah or get, should the city name Tverya be spelled with an alef, as found throughout Shas, or with a hei, as in modern Hebrew?If the city is named after the Roman emperor Tiberius, how could the Gemara say it is called Tverya because of “tovah re’iyasah” (its good vision) or because it sits at the “tabur” (belly) of Eretz Yisrael?How does this compare to the term “Sanhedrin,” a Greek word, being commonly usedin Chazal instead of the Torah terms shoftim or dayanim? Calabrian esrogim in Moshe Rabbeinu’s timeWhy is there a Chabad tradition to use esrogim specifically from Calabria, Italy?If the Gemara says Italy came into existence only when Shlomo HaMelech married the daughter of Pharaoh, how could shluchim have brought esrogim from Calabria in the times of Moshe Rabbeinu?Which sources indicate that Italy existed already at Matan Torah, and how is the contradiction resolved?What about the bracha of “oseh ma’aseh bereishis” on Italian mountains, or the date for reading the Megillah in a walled Italian city? Makeup on Shabbos during shivaMay a woman sitting shiva put on makeup for Shabbos if she does so every single Shabbos, given that its absence would be noticeable aveilus b’farhesya (public mourning)?Is refraining from a routine practice itself considered public mourning, comparable to not wearing shoes or not eating meat when Tisha B’Av falls on Shabbos?Does it matter that the makeup would need to be applied before Shabbos, while the shiva restrictions are still fully in force?What about cutting overgrown hair or shaving (a discussion onto itself) during shiva, when their absence would be noticeable on Shabbos? Cochlear implants in halachaIs one who hears only through a cochlear implant yotzei hearing shofar, Megillah, Kiddush, and Havdalah?Why do most poskim consider hearing aids to produce a new artificial sound rather than halachic hearing?Is a cochlear implant better than a hearing aid because it stimulates the hearing nerve directly, or is it a bigger problem because no actual sound is heard at all?Why are glasses considered real seeing, while a camera wired directly to the nerve would not be? Calling someone by his father’s nicknameMay a bochur in camp call a friend by a nickname that is identical to his father’s unusual nickname (a shem peli)?Does the prohibition against calling others by one’s father’s name apply only in the father’s presence, or even away from him?Is this an actual issur or a matter of kavod?How rare must the name be for the concern to apply, and does the likelihood that the father is mochel create room for leniency?

In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include: Modern technology in the third Beis HamikdashWill the third Beis Hamikdash include modern inventions, such as central air conditioning, heating, Wi-Fi, electric lights, sound systems, and elevators?Does the rule of hakol bichsav forbid any additions or changes, and does it apply to the entire Har Habayis, even underground?Is there room to permit additions that are not for the avodah itself, items that are detached from the structure, or features built in from the very start of construction?Why did some shuls in the past not allow heating systems? Rubbing the hands during netilas yadayimIs the practice recorded in Hayom Yom, rubbing the hands together with the extra water of the final pour, limited to washing for bread, or does it extend to washing for davening and other washings?Is the rubbing meant to satisfy the opinion that washing extends beyond the fingers, or is it purely for added tahara and cleanliness (“erchatz b’nikayon kapai”)?Should one also rub the hands when washing in the morning, as indicated in numerous Kisvei Arizal?Does the practice apply when washing merely for cleanliness or because of ruach raah (e.g., after leaving the bathroom)? Wrapped challos on top of the cholent pot   May one place dry challos wrapped in aluminum foil on top of a cholent crockpot on Shabbos to warm them?Does the wrapping constitute hatmanah (insulation), and does it depend on whether the purpose is to retain heat or only to keep the challos from drying out?Does the leniency of covering food to protect it (e.g., from mice) apply even when the covering is heated by the fire below and adds heat? Ladling from and covering pots on ShabbosIs ladling food out of a pot on the fire a form of meigis (stirring), and must the pot first be removed from the flame even when the food is fully cooked?What is considered “off the fire”: a pan resting on a Sterno water pan that does not touch the flame, or a pot held in the air above the fire?Is covering a pot, or adding a second cover, a form of bishul, and is it an issur de’oraisa when the food is not fully cooked?Are there reasons to be stringent not to re-cover a pot on the blech, even when it’s already fully cooked? An onen who handed arrangements over to the Chevra Kadisha  When funeral arrangements are given over entirely to the Chevra Kadisha, does the heter of nimsar lekatafim (handing the burial over to the carriers) apply, allowing the onen to daven and perform mitzvos?Does it make a difference if family members still follow the aron at the levaya or remain involved in the arrangements on some level?What halacha applies to an onen in another city whose siblings are taking care of the arrangements?What can be learned from the Rebbe’s own conduct after the passing of his mother and, in a different manner, after the passing of his brother? Waiters and photographers eating meat during the Nine Days    May the waiter, singer, and photographer hired for a seudas mitzvah (such as a bris or bar mitzvah) during the Nine Days eat meat along with the participants?What about during the actual week of Tisha B’Av, when a bris meal is limited to a bare minyan plus immediate relatives? Taste absorption in modern-day utensilsDo today’s pots and dishes actually absorb taste the way vessels did in earlier times, and can scientific experiments have any bearing on these halachos?Is this a question of “changing halacha,” or of clarifying the facts, given evidence that earlier generations also tested whether taste is actually transferred?

In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include: Kiddushin ring alternatives:  •         When the chassan’s ring is lost, is it preferable to use a borrowed ring or a coin? •         May a paper bill or contemporary coin, which have no intrinsic value, be used for kiddushin the way a valuable coin could? •         What are the halachic advantages of using a ring specifically? •         Is it an option to use both a coin and a borrowed ring together, or would that backfire? Sending a Shabbos Goy to prevent a kashrus mishap •         May one ask a non-Jew to drive on Shabbos to warn people about milchig dessert at a sheva brachos? •         Can a non-Jew be asked to do a melacha d’oraisa for a mitzvah need? •         Does “michshol derabim” justify asking a non-Jew to do melacha? •         What is actually the true nature of the michshol in the case of an unknown milchig dessert or torn eruv? •         Does the possibility that one of the participants might be dangerously allergic to dairy create a pikuach nefesh justification? Making up tachanun and v’hu rachum •         If tachanun and v’hu rachum were skipped by mistake, e.g., in the mistaken belief that a bris would follow, must they be made up later, such as at mincha? •         Does the Alter Rebbe’s ruling that one who was genuinely exempt (as in a mourner’s home) need not make them up apply equally when the omission was simply an error? •         Does the status of v’hu rachum being a direct continuation to Shemoneh Esrei depend on the nusach, whether v’hu rachum is recited before or after tachanun? •         If the chazzan mistakenly recited Kaddish instead of tachanun, should he go back and say tachanun? Mezuza placement on a side door •         For a side door, as opposed to the front door, is the mezuza placed according to heker tzir (the way the door opens)? •         Was the Rebbe’s printed response on this a definitive ruling, or did the Rebbe in fact leave the matter as an open question, illustrating the broader concern that printed ma’anos can contain copying errors? “HaMerachem” vs. “VeHaMerachem” in Modim •         Why does the Chabad nusach say HaMerachem on weekdays but veHaMerachem on Shabbos and Yom Tov? •         Does the veHaMerachem form extend to the mussaf of Rosh Chodesh and Chol HaMoed? •         What variances in this regard do we know from the practice of the Rebbeim? Eating meat during shiva and on Shabbos •         Is the practice in some communities to refrain from meat throughout shiva (beyond the period of aninus) a legitimate minhag, and would someone who kept it need hataras nedarim to eat meat? •         What is the common minhag in our circles regarding this? •         What is the significance of eating meat on Shabbos as an expression of simcha, such that we do so even when Tisha B’Av falls on Shabbos?

In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include: Challah knivesIs there a preference to use a smooth knife over a serrated one for cutting challah on Shabbos?Does a serrated knife create a halachic concern because it has “pegimos”?What are the reasons for sharpening knives before Shabbos? And does it apply to serrated knives? AI and psak:Is it halachically proper to rely on AI for halachic rulings? Does a posek need to be human?Theoretically, if and when an AI were perfectly accurate, would that change the halachic status of using it for answering shailos?What are the dangers involved in asking halachic questions to AI? Bracha on tzitzis:When is a bracha on tallis katan appropriate, and when should the tallis gadol cover it?Is wearing “night tzitzis” a good idea or does it become a kesus lailah (a garment designated for sleeping)?What is the best way to arrange the rotation of tzitzis to be able to make the bracha every morning?Is the interruption of a night’s sleep sufficient to require a new bracha in the morning? Birchas kohanim at a chuppah: Is a kohen obligated to go up for birchas kohanim when called independent of davening (e.g. at a chuppah)?Why do non-kohanim use the nusach of birchas kohanim when blessing children?

In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include: Making Up Missed Shema: Can a missed recitation of the morning Shema be made up later (similar to the tashlumin for a missed tefilah)?If one chas v’shalom missed Shema, should they make it up later, and how would that be done practically? What would the makeup accomplish if the opportunity for the mitzvas asei had already been lost? Sefiras Haomer: What is the earliest time to count Sefiras Haomer? And what’s the status of counting after plag hamincha or during bein hashmashos?If someone counts early with a minyan, how can they avoid fulfilling the mitzvah before the proper time, so they can count again later at night with a bracha?What exactly must one have in mind when hearing another person count out loud to avoid one’s own obligation being fulfilled through hearing (shome’a k’oneh) and be able to recite one’s own bracha? Cutting Down Trees: Is cutting down a dead tree permitted without a special halachic ruling?Is there a concern of danger even in cases where halacha permits cutting down the tree? Reheating Food on Shabbos: May an Ashkenazi eat food that their Sephardic host reheated on Shabbos, following the Sephardic view that even cold, moist food may be reheated (provided it was previously fully cooked)?What is the logic behind the accepted Ashkenazic custom that moist food may be reheated as long as it hasn’t yet cooled down completely? Three Steps Back After Shemoneh Esrei: What should someone do if they finished Shemoneh Esrei but cannot take three steps back because someone is still davening Shemoneh Esrei behind them?Could they daven or answer to devarim shebikdusha while waiting? Listening to Havdalah in Middle of Shemoneh Esrei: Could someone who is behind in davening stop to listen to Havdalah in the middle of Shemoneh Esrei?Practically, is it better not to rely on this? And how does this compare to listening to Krias Hatorah in the middle of Shemoneh Esrei? Reading Private Letters of a Deceased Relative: May family members read the private letters of a deceased relative?Does the halacha change if the letters might affect the person’s reputation? And what is the practical guidance regarding publicizing such letters?

In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include: Tznius for young girls:At what age does a girl need to start dressing tzniusly?From what age does a young girl’s ervah and tefach megulah present a problem for a man saying krias Shema?What sources do we have from the Rebbe regarding this? Typos and edits in the Rebbe’s letters: How should we deal with typos in printed letters in Likkutei Sichos and Igros Kodesh?From what sources were the letters in the hosafos to Likkutei Sichos drawn?May later printed editions possibly reflect the Rebbe’s subsequent edits to the original letter? And what are examples of this? Newly published notes of the Rebbe Rashab:What is the background behind the recently published Toras Shalom – Hagahos Al Sefer Kaf HaChaim? Stepping forward after Shemoneh Esrei: We normally wait until the Chazzan is about to reach Kedusha before returning to our place after Shemoneh Esrei. Since there’s no repetition at Maariv, when do we step forward?On Friday night, when do we step forward relative to the Me’ein Sheva recited after Shemoneh Esrei?If Kedusha starts immediately, do the three steps back need to be followed by a wait, or can one return right away? Asher Yatzar in morning berachos: Should one say Asher Yatzar in the morning even without having used the bathroom?Is there a basis for saying it as a fixed part of the morning routine? Rounded corner for kapota: How rounded does a corner have to be for a kapota or blanket to be exempt from tzitzis?Must the entire corner of 3 by 3 etzbaos (approx. 2.5 inches) be rounded? Kaddish said by a child: Can a child say Kaddish alone, or must another adult say Kaddish together with him?Does it matter what type of Kaddish it is (e.g., yasom, derabanan)? Tucked-in tzitzis and tefillin straps: Is there a halachic concern for tzitzis strings or tefillin straps to be tucked into a gartel?How does this differ from the gartel or bendel worn on top of a tallis katan to keep it fully spread out?How should the front and back tzitzis strings be positioned when tucking them in? Reciting Ketores by heart:May Ketores be said by heart?What is the concern when reciting it from memory, and what practical steps can be taken to mitigate this concern?

In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include: Neder to Hear Kiddush Only from Husband: If a woman committed to hear Kiddush only from her husband, does she need hataras nedarim when that’s not possible?Does it make a difference whether the commitment was mental or verbal?Can hataras nedarim for this purpose be done on Shabbos? Transporting a Sefer Torah: May a Sefer Torah be taken out to a park for Krias HaTorah (e.g., for children to hear Aseres Hadibros)?Does having ten people walk along with the Sefer Torah make it permitted?What is the context of the Rebbe’s request for children to hear the Aseres Hadibros, and what is the proper way to fulfill it? Eruv Tavshilin: Can a person appoint a Rov through a phone system as his shliach to make an eruv tavshilin on his behalf in case he forgets?Does an eruv tavshilin need to be made with the person’s own food?Does the host’s eruv tavshilin exempt guests who are eating over but sleeping elsewhere?When do the guests need to be eating over to be included: on erev yom tov, on yom tov, or on Shabbos? What should the guests do practically? Kesubah Design: Is it proper to use the pasuk “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li” in a kesubah design?Are decorative pesukim on a kesubah appropriate in general?Is there a problem if the design makes the kesubah text hard to read? Responsibility for Breaking a Laptop: A person was stretching in a beis midrash and accidentally knocked a laptop off a nearby shtender: what factors do we account for to decide whether he must pay for the damage?Is a person ever not held responsible for absolute accidents?

In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include: Torah reading and haftorah:Can a minyan for Torah reading (e.g., Aseres Hadibros on Shavuos) be arranged in a way that skips the maftir and haftorah?Can the maftir of Parshas Hachodesh or Parshas Zachor be read on its own as an independent obligation?What is the practical setup for children to come and hear the Aseres Hadibros as the Rebbe wants? Tznius standards in earlier generations: Why do some older photographs appear to reflect a less stringent standard of tznius?How should we understand the fact that some within earlier generations, in certain circumstances, appear to have placed less emphasis on particular aspects of tznius dress than is standard today? Organ donation for scientific research: Is it halachically permitted to donate one’s body for the benefit of scientific and medical research?Does the answer change for a non-Jew who wishes to do so?Is there a difference dependent on the actual medical or scientific benefit involved? Promises and shidduchim: If someone says their child is busy now but will return to this shidduch suggestion later, is that considered a binding promise?Which kinds of commitments are mutually understood as tentative, carrying no real obligation to follow through? Shabbos reheating: If fully cooked chicken was placed wet on a heat source on Shabbos for a brief amount of time, is the food permitted after the fact?Does it matter whether it actually reached the halachic level of cooking? Kiddush for a baby girl: Is there a source for making a celebration or seudah for the birth of a girl?When is the best time to hold such a gathering?

In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include:Areinfirinish cake and egg: Must the child actually eat the entire cake and egg used in the Hachnasah L’cheder ceremony, or at least the layers with the pesukim?If the egg was not finished that day, may it be eaten the next day, even though a peeled egg left overnight is normally a concern? Mezuzos when moving out: What is the reason for the prohibition to remove one’s mezuzos when moving out of a home? And in what cases is it allowed?If the move-in is expected to pay for the meuzuos, may the departing occupant remove them if payment is not made? Ribon Haolamim on Shabbos: The Ribon Haolamim at the end of krias shema she’al hamitah includes a line asking Hashem to cleanse our nefesh, ruach, and neshama from impurities and maladies attached through wrongdoing. May that be recited on Shabbos?Can proof be brought from the krias shema she’al hamitah printed in the Rosh Hashanah machzor? Counting the Omer in middle of Shemoneh Esrei: What situations warrant interrupting with speech (or “lamdeini chukecha”) in the middle of Shemoneh Esrei?If a person was in the middle of Shemoneh Esrei and mistakenly said the bracha on Sefiras Haomer upon hearing it from the chazzan, should he continue with the actual sefirah to prevent a bracha l’vatalah? Shortening a booked service: If someone booked a cleaning lady for three hours but now only needs two, is it halachically problematic to shorten the booking?

Episode #01: Is there a halachic problem when the lines of a mezuza (and by extension tefillin and sefer Torah) are not exactly parallel, gradually becoming wider or narrower, and how many such lines constitute an issue?May one rely on correcting such non-parallel lines (e.g., by stretching or shrinking letters) without creating a problem of shelo kesidran?How should one deal with the halacha of not giving food to someone who will not make a Bracha when this concerns non-frum siblings or guests, and what are acceptable solutions?Is it appropriate to use a large amount of water for Netilas Yadayim (washing “b’shefa”), or is this considered excess, gaavah, or bal tashchis in contemporary circumstances?When walking on Shabbos in the street, is there any prohibition in causing a car (even driven by a Jew) to stop or slow down because of your presence?If money was left in a coat pocket going into Shabbos, does the coat become a basis l’davar ha’asur and muktza, and does it depend on the type of pocket (shirt‑style vs. sewn-on pocket)?When a person makes a Bracha on a Mitzvah to be motzi others (e.g., kiddush, Chanukah candles, leishev baSukkah) and then speaks before doing the act, are the listeners still yotzei the Bracha?In Chutz La’aretz, if one forgot to separate challah before Shabbos and leaves over bread for hafrashas challah after Shabbos, what is the correct way to leave that portion, and what if one mistakenly designated an entire loaf as challah?When separating challah after Shabbos from bread that was eaten on Shabbos without prior hafrashas challah (in Chutz La’aretz), does one recite a bracha at that time?