00:00 If the Baal Shem Tov stresses outreach, how do we see this in Chassidic groups (outside Chabad)? 6:10 When we hear stories of open miracles for rabbonim, how should we consider these? 10:05 How should we utilize our vacation? 14:51 Is it obligatory to have a Jewish name, and why didn’t even amarayin change Greek names? 21:35 Can a Cohen go skydiving, assuming it’s mutter for anyone?—would anyone else be prevented from going? 25:20 What’s the mesora of secular educations ? 34:20 What is the origin for the mesora of chassidic lavush? 37:35 Are all the words from the Zohar from R Shimon bar Yochai? 44:45 Why did Avraham lie about Sara to Pharoh instead of relying on HaShem? 46:42 Would the plane not be an ohel for a Cohen? 50:32 The Gemara in brachos tell us not to learn Torah/tefillin within 4 amos of a corpse even in one house, and yet it also says under a single roof everything is considered 4 amos. 54:20 the Rambam says when HaShem sends forth physical things to replenish the earth, so what is the difference between the spiritual blessing of snow and rain? 54:14 What are the criteria for Gedolim?—Is it just consensus? (Eg young Ovadia Yosef) 1:04:00 Who is Dovid Ruveni? What is this legendary river Sambatyon?   Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism.   To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: [email protected] YISRO 5781 (Produced by: CedarMediaStudios Podcasts)

00:00 Is there any particular significance of acrostics in davening, tehilim, etc.? 1:51 Are we obligated or allowed to give land of Israel for peace? 9:26 For a Jew who was never exposed to Judaism, what is is Olam HaBa? 14:20 In the 9th perek of Bava Basra the daughters get support from inheritance and later 10% with men possibly losing out. Is there inconsistency with tumim? 19:27 Why did the Levi’im not become slaves in Mitzrayim and why couldn’t they rise against Mitzrayim? 28:41 How far does the prohibition of mesira (informing on Jews) go in and outside of Eretz Yisroel? 37:33 Why is Rosh Chodesh the first mitzva given to all Jewish people? 41:12 Is it a problem our Center beis and Main Beis are not facing the same way 44:17 If there is an emergency situation, can the chachomim change the laws? 48:30 Drinking water during bein hashmoshos is like stealing from the dead according to the Shulchan Aruch. Is this accurate? 50:55 Considering the numerous Internet resources, does it take away excuses from those who didn’t have it growing up? 54:12 What is the current status of the Eitz haChaim and Eitz haDas? 56:36 There are certain people who never died. What is their status? 57:27 Sometimes Tanakh references other books (e.g. Sefer HaYashar). Do we have it?   Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism.   To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: [email protected] BO 5781 (Produced by: CedarMediaStudios Podcasts)

00:00 What is the Halacha l’meisa regarding emunah bitachon? 3:13 Are we allowed to daven or even enter a reform or conservative shul?—What is the cutoff point? 13:11 Can someone convert from Ashkenaz to Sefardi, and if so does he take on a new mesora (with parental permission)? 18:19 What does it mean that the Avos are partners in creation? 22:42 Why do we say ‘Mazal tov’ if we don’t follow mazalot?—Why do we say months named after pagan deities? 33:01 What are the main halachic concerns with owning pets? 42:44 What is so bad about Adam and Chava seeing each other naked? 44:46 For Ashkenazim if there is a glazed earthenware vessel that gets worn, is it kasherable? 47:17 What happen to those people who followed Avraham and Sarah? 50:03 Can one eat an apple from his own tree that fell on Shabbos? 51:08 We know they didn’t say ‘amen’ about a bracha in the Beis Hamikdash, so why did the Gemara in Brachos say Moshe used ‘amen’? 54:16 When was the name of HaShem (shem havaya) stopped from being pronounced?     Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism.   To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: [email protected] VAYEIRA 5781 (Produced by: CedarMediaStudios Podcasts)

00:00 Considering the 13 Principles of Faith in order to not be a heretic. What of Rashi’s statement from the Gemara that the final 8 pesukim of the Torah were written by Yoshua? 6:38 is it a mitzvah deoreisa or d’rabbanan to stand for a Talmid Chacham or a Rav? 12:44 In the Gemara it says 40 days before one is conceived a bashert is dictated. Is this true? 21:00 How is it that minhagim become Halacha? (e.g. Ashkenazim; Shabbos)? 26:39 Was there an issue with Moshe Rabbeinu eating the Korban Pesach since his son had no bris milah? 29:20 Any gezeira that most of the congregation are unable to keep, the gezira is repealed. Is that only the initial generation?  31:39 What will Halacha be like in the times of Moshiach? 36:39 What is the system for reuniting lost Jews when Moshiach comes? 39:27 Why is it permissible to observe Tu B'Shevat if it is Shabatian? 54:13 What was the tayva of Avodah Zara in Tanakh? 57:38 Was there a physical feeling from the Avodah Zara in the old days? 55:14 is the Shulchan Aruch binding? 58:28 If there is a minyan of exactly 10 mourners, does anyone answer? Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism.   To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: [email protected] SHEMOS 5781 (Produced by: CedarMediaStudios Podcasts)

00:00 What’s the purpose of being on this earth? 7:23 Following R’ Moshe Feinstein’s psak regarding mamzerim from reform (civil) 2nd marriages, would this mean those women wouldn’t need to cover their hair? 12:58 In order for Biah to be effective, doesn’t the man need to state his kavana? 17:50 How is Shabbos affected by changes in the dateline? 24:35 If it is a mitzvah deoreisa not to return to mitzrayim, how about issues like business, the occupation of Sinai peninsula, the Rambam etc.? 27:42 (Followup) What about those who speak Coptic Egyptians? 28:20 If one is exposed to rationalistic views and struggles with mystical views e.g. Zohar; Kabbalah, how does he sensitize himself? 35:25 How does tzaddik gamor (without a yetzer hara) get schar for mitzvah? 42:20 We know the original calendar (around Rosh Chodesh) was determined by witnesses in beis din, what would it take to go back to that? 46:24 (Followup) It is certain that we need Eliyahu haNavi? 48:35 Don’t we need a beis din in order to confirm that it is Eliyahu haNavi who will institute the beis din? 49:17 What is the Halacha in assisted pregnancy (e.g. artificial insemination)? 58:30 Would it be mares ayin to a single woman with in-vitro fertilization? 1:00:00 Can a man be a sperm-donor? 1:01:56 If the Avos only kept the positive commandments, then wasting seed would not seem assur. Can a goy not waste seed?  1:04:41 How does one differentiate between magic (even seemingly practicing magic) and very impressive action? 1:09:52 Does HaShem hold Torah learning more precious ? Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism.   To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: [email protected] Vayechi 5781 (Produced by: CedarMediaStudios Podcasts)

00:00 Why is Onkalus’ halachic opinions not mentioned in the Gemara though we do take his Aramaic translation? 3:30 How do we understand the Holocaust? 9:57 Chazal say we have 4 Imahos, but not from Bilhah and Zilpah?  12:28 In Brachos it says we don’t accept comfort when a master has lost a slave, but wouldn’t this only be a problem for a female slave? 15:02 If Shamayim has no time, how do we measure time for saying Kaddish for example  16:54 When Yaacov meets Eisav he still prepared even though he did hishtadlus whereas Yosef was punished for the same thing?  20:49 There are some Jewish women who wear full veils, but is this considered yuhara? 22:36 Why is it that in Chanuka the husband lights for his wife whereas for Shabbos the wife lights for her husband? 25:27 Was there voter fraud in the last US presidential election? 28:38 (Followup) Does the Rav have any familiarity with what is going on in the courtroom?  30:22 Is there any connection between Ruchnius and sneezing beyond the Gemara in Brachos? 32:57 Should the moshel of Shimon Kippa (St. Peter) give us a precedence of cutting off other sects of Judaism? 35:13 So the Gedolim issue a proclamation that a group isn’t within Torah Judaism? 40:15 What is the Halacha of marijuana? 43:43 How does dina d’malcus dina work in Israel? 46:10 What is the origin of the song Yigdal? 48:53 (Apparently) Rav Soloveitchik poskined to not say Shalom Rav. 51:15 Is there is a different between Gan Eden and Olam Haba? 52:44 Where there miracles that happened at the gates of Aleppo instill iras shamayim?  54:45 Does a Ger have an ability to say Kaddish for biological family? 57:35 What is the mekor for Shaliach Tzibur to say Goal Israel quietly?     Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism.   To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: [email protected] Vayeishev 5781 (Produced by: CedarStudios Podcasts)

00:13 How should we properly respond to Coronavirus?—What is the message? 3:08 What does it mean that Yishmoel and Yisroel will face each other and Yishmoel will win before the Redemption 8:39 Is there truth to the idea that after 20 years old the bashert is on one's zichus? 14:08 (Follow-up) Why is there so much focus on the beshert? 15:14 In Kiddushin perek 2, why does it specify one needs to see his bride lest she be found too unattractive? 22:15 Is there an upper limit to how much the yetzer hara can be used for learning Torah? 25:31 Why is the Talmud Yerushalmi so understudied in comparison to Talmud Bavli? 41:01 To what extent does a ger get a totally new neshama? 43:28 We connect gaulah to shemone esrei (in Shacharis), so what of the Maariv seder? 49:38 How does the soul know to go back into the body when woken up suddenly? 51:14 Is outreach kiruv better when focused on totally disconnected people or to build up more frum Jews? 55:01 If milk, logically, is a part of an animal, how could Yehudis feed a Greek general milk as a religious Jewess?      Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism.   To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: [email protected] VAYISHLACH 5781 (Produced by: CedarStudios Podcasts

0:10 How would Russian Jews deal with the winter regarding sunlight and fire on Shabbos? Is HaShem indicating where Jews should live? 9:37 Why does the mainstream yeshiva-world put little emphasis on Nevi'im and Ketuvim? 19:50 Is an Ashkenazic person yotzei with Sephardic pronunciation?  22:33 Can you clarify Aveira li-shma? 28:15 Do we believe or know HaShem's Torah. What is emunah? 40:21 Was there a lack of communication between the Avos and Imos? 48:25 To what extent does knowing how to respond to heretics allow us to read heretical/atheistic works? 50:43 Whom did Eisav kill?—Nimrod? And why 51:38 Regarding Beis Hillel and Beis Shammai, why do we usually follow Beis Hillel? 58:14  Minhagim and Lineage. 1:04:17 (Followup) Can a Sephardic eat fish and dairy if they switch to Ashkenaz?   Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism.   To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: [email protected] VAYEITZEI 5781 (Produced by: CedarStudios Podcasts)

Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism. 0:02 - Laws of Yichud being in an elevator with a woman 3:34 - Are you allowed to risk life for tefillin? (Risking life for mitzvos) —5:57: would one be able to fast 11:00 - Were there rabbeim who were supportive of Rav Salanter re: cholera Yom Kippur ? 13:10 - If we get a stipend to study, does one pay meiser on it? 14:40 -Can one eat a fish/part of a fish while it is alive? 15:50 - If one ate meat and then a short time later ate milk, is there an after-bracha? 17:52 -Can a jew open a goy’s mail (privacy; theft)? 22:20 - Why are there so many halachic opinions today (ashkenaz; sephard; amoraim)? 25:33 - Why do yeshivas today not study sefer kodshim? 33:50 - Why did the Vilna Goan put the Chassidim in cherum ? 43:30 - Can someone who trades stocked be a witness (cf gambling)? 49:00 - What is the reason people say a woman can’t learn Gemara ? To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: [email protected] TOLDOS 5781 (Produced by: CedarStudios Podcast

Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism. To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: [email protected] What did Shem and Ever learn that was able to occupy Yaakov day and night for 14 years? The kosher vinegar scandal in the 1980s. I assume the Rav knows about the details, but in short it was discovered that a commonly used ethyl alcohol was accidentally labeled kosher despite coming from grapes which lacked insufficient supervision (Stam Yayin). If anything, kashrus industrialization has become more widespread. If the same case would have happened today (or if the Rav was pasking then), would we have to kasher all of our keilim?Although bitul would have been the easiest answer, it seems to me that wouldn’t apply because the taste of all the products is affected strongly (I assume) by a sharp ingredient like vinegar. How does Yotzei v’Nichnas work for Masgichim if they are under lockdown and can’t get to production plants (especially in Italy, Asia, etc.)? The Abarbenel in Parshat Tazria says that a yoledes brings a chatos because “Ein Yesurim Belo Avon” “vhayoledes savlah tzarah sacanah milsah al avanmi”. This implies that every woman that gives birth has suffered pain in doing so. Would this mean that a woman that has never done an avairah wouldn’t be able to give birth? How can we understand this? It is very confusing for me to know which papers are considered sheimus and require burial and which can be discarded. For example tests my children take and other school work that contain some type of Torah thoughts, pamphlets and magazines that have within them Torah content.I was told by someone over the phone at OU Israel, when asking what to do with their weekly booklet, that I can wrap it in a plastic bag and discard it with the other recyclable papers (there is a bin for recycling papers next to the garbage been here in Israel) Can one who stopped grooming at the beginning of sefira get a haircut or shave this Friday because this Shabbos is also Rosh Chodesh? What exactly is and is not allowed to be said or thought in a modern bathroom? I understand that neither Hashem's name nor a pasuk from the 5 books of Moshe should be said (& preferably not thought either). However, Hashem exists literally everywhere, he is permeating our existence, he is also the bathroom itself! What precautions are chumras and what is the ikar that we are not supposed to think or say in a modern bathroom? Is it minhag yershalyuim to wear stockings, if the community you are involved in is kollel? Can one daven with a minyan where the chazzan wears a messiach badge with the crown and flag ? Why are people that were killed because of they are Jews for example in the Holocaust referred to as kedoshim if many were Sinners and rejected their religion and if given the choice would reject Judaism to save their lives? How is a person yotzei the mitzvah of peru u'revu, and how would one apply the gemara in berachos that seemingly talks more about davening to have a son? If, Chas VeShalom, a War breaks out in Eretz Yisrael, would it have the din of milchemes mitzvah and if so would Yeshiva bochorim be required to fight? Does the concept of not studying TaNaCh after sunset until chatzot apply on Shabbas and Yom Tov too? Can you read mispacha magazine in the bathroom? What is Hashem's Shechina? Is someone allowed to generally clean/organize their house/room on shabbos ? How do we understand the concept of Suffik D'Rabbanon L'Hakel? Why are we more meikel? Especially for "easy" d'rabbanon like Sefiras Ha Omer, if it's a suffik, why was Chazal Meikel? TAZRIA-METZORA 5780 (Produced by: CedarStudios Podcasting 2020)

Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism. To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: [email protected] Corona related:Should one reduce the spend on shabbos and yontiv based upon presumed upcoming diminished income?  Could someone who has corona and defies quarantine be considered a halachic rodef? Any consideration of internet usage for remote minyan (is there any such thing halachically conceivable?) How can we relate, if possible, the current situation of the world, to the Torah concept of when Yaakov is down, Esau is up and vice versa, when it seems like both are down? Do others besides the balhabais, who aren't getting a kzayis from matzos the brachos were made on, need to eat 2 kzeisim? How does one ask a Rav if they are willing to guide them in Hashkafa long term? Do we have the koach of ketores today, either through tefillah, reading parsha of ketores, or something else, to help stop the magefa? How should a guy approach Shidduchim during COVID19? How should we pace ourselves? Can you recommend any seforim to learn just what the average baal habas needs to know for Pesach? With Hakaras hatov to HK"BH for having survived the C-Virus with only relatively mild symtoms, now I would like to give...  Volunteer or money? What’s the best action someone can take right now to bring Mashiach? Given that Eisav did teshuva, is it possible that he was made out to be more of a rasha then he really was?   Do converts in the process of conversion receive any reward for observing mitzvahs before completion? What is daas torah and how do you know if someone has it? When Moshiach comes, will all minhagim be unified? Will there still be an idea of a chumra? Does it make sense to learn tanach exclusively before starting gemara? How does a chozer b'teshuvah, who didn't grow up with certain minhagim, make a decision to take them on or not? Nusach Sefard has a perek to say inlue of Borch Hu when davening alone, is there such a thing to say during the week also by maariv? Can there be a virtual siyum for taanis bechoros? TZAV 5780 (Produced by: CedarStudios Podcasting 2020)

Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism. To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: [email protected] Can we have a zoom Seder with family?  The Chayei Adam in siman 5 brings a story of a very righteous man who is ultimately judged to gehinnom because of the many times he said shem Hashem without kavana. For many of us having kavana for every shem Hashem is very difficult. Why did chazal include so many shemos in davening, if it would be such a michshol for so many? On Seder we do Kadesh then Urchatz. This goes against "Sur Meh Ra Ase Tov". Can we apply this all year or only Pesach?! Is it better to just not say shem Hashem except when absolutely necessary? If I can’t see or smell tzoa can I say Shem hashem near it? Can I sell my chometz over the phone? What should one do this year regarding toveling new keilim, considering the lack of accessibility of  mikvaos? Why can’t I wear tefillin at night if the Torah says to? Are the new governmental laws against minyanim halachicly binding? Any difference in israel vs chutz laaretz? When Moshiach comes will we have no more struggles? Was the yehudah HaChosid really a forgery like Rav Moshe said - Yehudah Hachosid states Dovid took parts out of Torah…? Do ladies have to shower after the mikvah in these times ?  Is there any way to avoid the taanis bechorim this year? Since we can't gather for a siyum for the fast of the first born, what is ok and not ok to make a siyum on?   Can one fill up heated water in a crockpot before Shabbat, leave it on a low setting and warm cooked food during Shabbat? Are there any halachic leniencies  for people who've never made pesach before because of the pandemic? Are employers responsible to continue paying workers during the government shutdown? If I am on a ship during shabbos and am not allowed to light a shabbos candles how can I make up for this ? If a Jew borrowed a new pot from a goy to circumvent toiviling, and the goy converts, are the pots then non kosher? Why do some women want to wear tefillin and are they allowed to? Right now, some countries are cremating the dead because of COVID-19. What is the Jewish position on this? How does one define someone being his "rebbi", even not a rebbi muvhak, regarding doing "heseba" in front of them? Is shnayim mikra a stronger chiyuv now that we cant listen to leining in shul? Can one use a timer that is preset for their warming plate or crockpot to heat up cooked food to make it hot on Shabbat? What does a person do if they have to sit Shiva not being able to have a minyan during corona virus? If a non-jew is in the conversion process when mashiach comes. Will they be able to finish their conversion? Can the rav do regular q and a streams?  this has been very very enlightening Is there any halachic difference between limud hatorah on digital mediums versus in person? why is it different than tfilla? Why is conversion under the GPS/RCA in the US? Why can't one convert with any orthodox rabbi  in the US/Israel? Should we be concerned that this physical distancing may be similar to that of the Nazi Ghettos? Nus' Sfard has a pusek for Friday night if davening as a yachid for instead of Borech Hu. Can we say it during the week? Should we be mourning now over not being in shul or should we be happy we're in our homes uplifting it? What if you accidentally ate something not kosher? Can a nesspresso machine be kashered for pesach? VAYIKRA 5780 (Produced by: CedarStudios Podcasting 2020)