Jewish Thought and Halacha
Jewish Thought and Halacha
Rabbi Moshe Becker • 102 episodes
ר' משה בקר
#
Name
Release Date
Duration
1
Calling up a Bar Mitzvah Boy for the Four Parshiyos
Calling up a Bar Mitzvah Boy for the Four Parshiyos
Feb 15, 2026
57:34
What is the halacha regarding calling someone who is not yet Bar Mitzvah up for an aliyah? Is it different for the four parshiyos as opposed to regular קריאת התורה?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
2
Kiddush Levana
Kiddush Levana
Jan 28, 2026
1:06:58
Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
3
שובבי״ם - Origins and Sources
שובבי״ם - Origins and Sources
Jan 16, 2026
49:20
What are the origins of the שובבי״ם?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
4
Using Jewish Names
Using Jewish Names
Jan 14, 2026
1:01:01
שלא שינו שמם What is a Jewish name?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
5
Blessing Children on Friday Night
Blessing Children on Friday Night
Jan 3, 2026
57:02
Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
6
Women and Girls Lighting Chanukah Candles
Women and Girls Lighting Chanukah Candles
Dec 17, 2025
56:33
Should women and girls light menorah on Chanukah?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
7
Why Do We Start ותן טל ומטר on December 4?
Why Do We Start ותן טל ומטר on December 4?
Dec 8, 2025
49:23
What it the reason behind why we start sayibg ותן טל ומטר later in Chutz Laaretz? Where does the date of December 4 come from?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
8
Above It All?
Above It All?
Nov 21, 2025
56:13
אין מזל לישראלDownload source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
9
Eliezer at the Well: Nichush (Omens and Signs)
Eliezer at the Well: Nichush (Omens and Signs)
Nov 16, 2025
1:09:00
What is the halacha regarding using signs and omens?Download source sheets here Join the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
10
Bikkur Cholim
Bikkur Cholim
Nov 9, 2025
1:11:17
What exactly is the mitzvah to visit the sick?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
11
Free Will VI: Izbitz and Lublin Contd.
Free Will VI: Izbitz and Lublin Contd.
Nov 2, 2025
1:01:37
In Part 6 of our series on free will we explore further into the concept of determinism as presented by Izbitz and R' Tzadok.Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
12
Free Will V: Izbitz and Lublin 1
Free Will V: Izbitz and Lublin 1
Oct 26, 2025
1:06:05
We continue our series on free will and divine omniscience by looking at the approach of the Izbitz to this question.Download ource sheets here Join the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
13
Free Will IV: Rabbeinu Chasdai Crescas and Determinism
Free Will IV: Rabbeinu Chasdai Crescas and Determinism
Sep 21, 2025
1:07:38
Part 4 of our series on divine omniscience and free will, we look at the lesser known view of Rabbeinu Chasdai Crescas.Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
14
Free Wil III: Ralbag and Beyond
Free Wil III: Ralbag and Beyond
Sep 13, 2025
1:15:32
Part 3 on our Elul series on how to reconcile free will and divine omniscience Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
15
Free Will II: Understanding Rambam
Free Will II: Understanding Rambam
Sep 6, 2025
1:10:31
In part two of our series on free will we dive deeper into the Rambam and how to understand itDownload source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
16
Free Will Series I: Rambam Pt. 1
Free Will Series I: Rambam Pt. 1
Aug 29, 2025
56:43
As we enter the month of Elul, we begin a new series in which we explore the age old question - how can we have free will while maintaining God's omniscience? This week we look at the Rambam in Hilchos Teshuvah and other places as he attempts to address the infamous conundrum - how to reconcile our בחירה and God's ידיעה.Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp group for updates and zoom link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
17
Music & Zecher L'Churban
Music & Zecher L'Churban
Aug 1, 2025
1:02:59
What is the Halacha regarding listening to music (year round)? When does it apply? Is there a difference if it's recorded?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp group for updates and zoom link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
18
Missing Years Series Coda: My View
Missing Years Series Coda: My View
Jul 24, 2025
13:17
Hope to reconvene again next week, G-d willing. In the meantime, here's some additional thoughts on the missing years question.Join the WhatsApp group for updates and zoom link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
19
Missing Years Series IV: Later Resolutions
Missing Years Series IV: Later Resolutions
Jul 18, 2025
1:07:59
In the final part of our series on the missing years, we look at resolutions offered by later sources.Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp group for updates and zoom link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
20
Missing Years Series III: Resolutions
Missing Years Series III: Resolutions
Jul 11, 2025
1:17:30
In Part 3, we look at different perspectives and possible resolutions to this issue.Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp group for updates and zoom link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
21
Missing Years Series II: Exploring the Sources
Missing Years Series II: Exploring the Sources
Jul 4, 2025
1:15:04
In the second part of this series, we explore the evidence from both sides regarding how many years there were of the גלות and בית שני.Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
22
Missing Years Series I: Introducing the Issue
Missing Years Series I: Introducing the Issue
Jun 27, 2025
1:04:09
Starting our new series on the missing years during the Bayis Sheini period, we introduce the issue and what discuss the discrepancy between the Jewish and secular timelines.Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
23
Kuzari Series VI: Conclusion - Kuzari's Impact on Jewish Thought
Kuzari Series VI: Conclusion - Kuzari's Impact on Jewish Thought
Jun 6, 2025
1:10:11
How did the idea expressed in the Kuzari impact later works and philosophies?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
24
Debate on Techeiles at Yeshiva Ohr Reuven
Debate on Techeiles at Yeshiva Ohr Reuven
May 30, 2025
37:21
On May 26, 2025, I participated in a debate at Yeshiva Ohr Reuven regarding the validity of tcheiles produced from the murex trunculus. Due to the format and short time slot, we were unable to address many important aspects of this discussion.The full episode on techeiles in modern times is linked belowJoin the WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
25
Kuzari Series V: Eretz Yisrael
Kuzari Series V: Eretz Yisrael
May 30, 2025
1:11:12
Exploring the role of Eretz Yisrael according to R' Yehudah Halevi in the KuzariDownload source sheet hereJoin the WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
26
Kuzari Series IV: The Role of Mitzvos
Kuzari Series IV: The Role of Mitzvos
May 23, 2025
1:00:18
What is the Kuzari's approach to Mitzvos?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp group:https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
27
Kuzari Series III: Are Jews Special?
Kuzari Series III: Are Jews Special?
May 9, 2025
1:02:54
Are Jews special/different from the other nations? How and why?Download source sheets hereJoin the weekly class WhatsApp group:https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933ZShare this podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fRYnzj2Mb58S8ck7CNgOm?si=boxaoJhTR-qD-YqrQZImnw
28
Kuzari Series: I - Background and Opening
Kuzari Series: I - Background and Opening
Apr 25, 2025
55:30
Part 1 of a new series on ספר הכוזרי. In this episode, we begin the ספר by discussing the background and introduction to the writing of ר' יהודה הלוי.Download source sheets hereJoin the weekly class WhatsApp group:https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933ZShare this podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fRYnzj2Mb58S8ck7CNgOm?si=boxaoJhTR-qD-YqrQZImnw
29
What Day of the Week was Pesach in 4682? The Calendar Crisis of 921-923
What Day of the Week was Pesach in 4682? The Calendar Crisis of 921-923
Mar 28, 2025
1:02:19
Download source sheets hereJoin the weekly class WhatsApp group:https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933ZShare this podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fRYnzj2Mb58S8ck7CNgOm?si=boxaoJhTR-qD-YqrQZImnw
30
Parah Adumah: Past, Present, Future
Parah Adumah: Past, Present, Future
Mar 21, 2025
51:32
How many Parah Adumahs were there? Are there any now? Can we bring a Parah Adumah today?Download source sheets hereJoin the weekly class WhatsApp group:https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933ZShare this podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fRYnzj2Mb58S8ck7CNgOm?si=boxaoJhTR-qD-YqrQZImnw
31
Purim Sheini: Halachah and History
Purim Sheini: Halachah and History
Mar 7, 2025
54:22
What is Purim Sheini, where and by whom is it celebrated, and what is its status in Halachah?Download source sheets hereJoin the weekly class WhatsApp group:https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933ZShare this podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fRYnzj2Mb58S8ck7CNgOm?si=boxaoJhTR-qD-YqrQZImnw
32
Where is the Aron HaBris Today?
Where is the Aron HaBris Today?
Feb 27, 2025
1:05:12
What happened to the Aron after the churban and where is it today?Download source sheets hereJoin the weekly class WhatsApp group:https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933ZShare this podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fRYnzj2Mb58S8ck7CNgOm?si=boxaoJhTR-qD-YqrQZImnw
33
Slavery in Jewish Thought and Practice
Slavery in Jewish Thought and Practice
Feb 21, 2025
1:16:05
The idea of Judaism condoning or even allowing slavery can make us very uncomfortable. What is the Torah's perspective on this and how does slavery align with the idea that everyone is created in the image of G-d? Download source sheets hereJoin the weekly class WhatsApp group:https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
34
Mysticsm and the Siddur: Kabbolas Shabbos
Mysticsm and the Siddur: Kabbolas Shabbos
Feb 14, 2025
47:17
Download source sheets hereJoin the weekly class WhatsApp group:https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
35
Zohar and the Siddur: כגוונא
Zohar and the Siddur: כגוונא
Feb 6, 2025
1:00:42
What is כגוונא, what does it speak about, and why is it said in some shuls on Friday night?Download source sheets hereJoin the weekly class WhatsApp group:https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
36
Zohar and the Siddur: The בריך שמיה Controversies
Zohar and the Siddur: The בריך שמיה Controversies
Jan 16, 2025
49:57
Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
37
Zohar Controversy Continued: On Substance
Zohar Controversy Continued: On Substance
Jan 9, 2025
1:01:42
Continuing last week's discussion on the history of the Zohar, this time looking at proofs within the Zohar itself on its origins Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
38
Repost - What Did the Menorah Really Look Like?
Repost - What Did the Menorah Really Look Like?
Dec 26, 2024
38:34
Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
39
Zohar Origin Controversy
Zohar Origin Controversy
Dec 19, 2024
1:16:06
Exploring what we know if the history, origin, and author of the Zohar, and whether it's a reputable source for Halacha and beyond Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
40
Rambam and Kabbala
Rambam and Kabbala
Dec 13, 2024
60:00
What was the Rambam's view on kabbala? Did he learn it? Did he write anything on it? Was the Rambam opposed to kabbala? Find out here Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
41
Rambam's Understanding of Anthropomorphism (Human Attributes) In Tanach
Rambam's Understanding of Anthropomorphism (Human Attributes) In Tanach
Dec 5, 2024
1:16:23
If G-d has no form, how do we interpret verses in Tanach that seem to state otherwise? Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
42
How Did Rambam Know? Proofs Against Corporealism
How Did Rambam Know? Proofs Against Corporealism
Nov 21, 2024
53:35
How does Rambam arrive at the conclusion that G-d has no physical form? Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
43
Avraham and Idols Pt. II: Why Was Rambam Banned?
Avraham and Idols Pt. II: Why Was Rambam Banned?
Nov 15, 2024
1:01:01
Should one attempt to try to 'understand' G-d? How do we understand G-d? Differing views of the Rambam and his contemporaries Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
44
Why Did Avraham Smash the Idols? Pt. I
Why Did Avraham Smash the Idols? Pt. I
Nov 7, 2024
55:15
What caused Avraham to arrive at the conclusion that there is one Creator and that the idols had no power? Exploring proofs brought down by Rambam and others on G-d's existence Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
45
Haircuts, Shaving, & Nails on Rosh Chodesh
Haircuts, Shaving, & Nails on Rosh Chodesh
Oct 31, 2024
1:01:01
Are there restrictions to shaving, cutting nails, and getting a haircut on Rosh Chodesh, and why? Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
46
Should Hoshanos Follow Shacharis or Mussaf? Halacha and Beyond
Should Hoshanos Follow Shacharis or Mussaf? Halacha and Beyond
Oct 23, 2024
53:05
When is the proper time for Hoshanos and why? Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
47
Eruv Tavshilin: Purpose & Practicalities
Eruv Tavshilin: Purpose & Practicalities
Sep 24, 2024
1:03:16
What's the reason for an Eruv Tavshilin and how can one fulfill this? Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
48
Must One Hear 100 Shofar Blasts on Rosh Hashanah?
Must One Hear 100 Shofar Blasts on Rosh Hashanah?
Sep 19, 2024
58:31
How many Shofar blasts is one required to hear on Rosh Hashanah? Why do we blow 100? Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
49
ביומו תתן שכרו - Paying Employees and Service Providers On Time
ביומו תתן שכרו - Paying Employees and Service Providers On Time
Sep 12, 2024
1:06:20
Contracts and delaying pay in Halacha Download source sheet here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
50
Harry Potter in Halachah: Performing and Attending Magic Shows
Harry Potter in Halachah: Performing and Attending Magic Shows
Sep 5, 2024
1:05:51
What are the Halachos regarding practicing and watching modern day magic, illusions, and sleight of hand shows? Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z