Halacha Headlines

151

Ozempic and weight loss injections – wonder drugs or a failure of our generation?

Aug 29, 2024

1:33:27

What causes someone to be unhappy with their looks?Are our bodies halachically our own, such that we can do what we want with it?Can we take medications when we don’t understand how they work and when there are serious side effects?Should weight-loss injections be used only after trying to diet and control eating?Can we suppress our appetite if it will take away from Oneg Shabbos and Simchas Yom Tov?If someone uses Ozempic to lose weight while dating, does it need to be disclosed?

152

Is therapy good or bad? Has the mental health industry lost its mind?

Aug 22, 2024

2:18:09

Why are people getting psychologically sicker and sicker despite there being more therapists and more mental health awareness?How does having experienced “trauma” when younger impact one’s Bechirah Chofshis and being responsible for your own actions?Do therapists focus too much on “trauma”?Should podcasts, shiurim, etc. have “trigger warnings” to warn those with sensitivities that they should not watch/listen?Do we need to use someone’s chosen pronouns, even calling a man by “she/her” and a woman by “he/his”?What criteria should we use for finding a good therapist?

153

Real Estate Syndications: Quick easy buck or risky pot luck

Aug 16, 2024

1:19:00

Lacetop Sheitels – Response to callersIs a syndicator who is overly daring or reckless with their clients’ money required to use their own funds to compensate for the losses?What questions should an investor be asking?

154

Extremism – What causes Chareidi extremism? Is it a bad thing? What about Hilltop Youth extremism against Arabs?

Aug 8, 2024

2:05:25

What causes someone to become an extremist?Is extremism stronger now than 20-30 years ago?Are there similarities between Chareidi extremism, the Hilltop Youths and Leftists against Chareidim?If you don’t agree with a law, can you violate it?Are there times when extremism is warranted?Is being OTD another form of extremism? And are there ways to improve the system?

155

Teaching our children about the dangers of camp (and life) | Lacetop Sheitels | Voting in Halacha

Aug 1, 2024

1:11:12

Teaching our children about the dangers of camp (and life)Should you teach or them, or should you shield them from exposure?Lacetop Sheitels in Halacha – Erase the Lace or Embrace the Lace?Is it a new question or an age old Machlokes?Voting In HalachaCan you vote for a candidate that’s personally immoral?Can you vote for a party that supports immoral values?Can you vote for a party that’s anti Eretz Yisroel?

156

What should we think about – and what should we teach our children about – non-Jews and the non-Jewish world?

Jul 25, 2024

2:25:20

Do all non-Jews hate us?Does exposure to the non-Jewish world help or hurt our children when they grow up?What are the hazards of teaching children negative attitudes about non-Jews?What separations did Chazal institute between us and non-Jews? Why did Chazal feel that was necessary?Do we need to be concerned with causing “Aivah” (animosity) with non-Jews, even if we are doing nothing wrong?

157

Assassinations and Targeted Killings in Halacha – Donald Trump, Mohammad Deif, etc.

Jul 18, 2024

1:52:57

What’s the rationale to halachically permit targeted killings of Israel’s enemies?Is there any difference between a targeted killing during an active war and when there’s no active war being fought?What if there’s only a 10%, 20% or 30% chance that the target is where you think he is?Do you need to be concerned about collateral damage during a targeted killing? And, what if it could be significant?Is there a problem celebrating when our enemies are killed?

158

Halacha: Can an aging forgetful leader be replaced? | Should you allow your daughter to go out with a boy who smokes?

Jul 12, 2024

1:23:36

Should you allow your daughter to go out with a boy who smokes or vapes?Is a smoker Possul Lei’dus?If your father asks you to buy him a pack of cigarettes are you allowed to listen?When a president loses his sanity does he lose his staus as a president?Would Halacha require an aging forgetful leader to step down?If the population loses their trust in the president (or leader) can they Halachically oust him?When a husband loses his sanity can his wife or children take away his business?When a father loses his sanity can his children take from his money for their wedding expenses?

159

Supporting a son or son-in-law in learning – is it a good investment?

Jul 4, 2024

1:47:45

Is there an obligation to support a son (or son-in-law) in learning?If the father (or father-in-law) commits to support, can he get out of it, for example when business is bad?Does living comfortably facilitate or get in the way of quality learning?Is it best to fund the strongest learner, the neediest person, or a relative?

160

What Happens to Kids When Parents Fight

Jun 27, 2024

1:32:05

When does conversation between parents go from “discussing difficult issues” to being offensive and prohibited speech?Should parents avoid all conflict in front of their children?If there is ongoing tension between parents, should they attempt to hide it from the children?What’s the impact of bad Shalom Bayis on children?How should children handle when parents regularly fight?

161

Electricity on Shabbos - Are you really keeping Shabbos? | Is there a difference between a Ben Torah and an Orthodox Jew?

Jun 21, 2024

1:23:39

Electric Water MeterSump Pump (basement pump)Security systemsMotion sensors

162

Learning Torah when it’s nearly impossible

Jun 6, 2024

2:11:20

What are valid reasons to cancel on your chavrusa or to miss your daily shiur?How can you concentrate on your learning when you are stressed about life and so distracted?How do you keep on learning over the long-term?What gets people off-track from learning when they leave Yeshiva?How can an IDF solider learn when fighting in Gaza or on the Lebanon border?

163

Shemiras Einayim – Halachos, Chizzuk and Stories: the Vayimaen phenomenon

May 31, 2024

1:43:44

Practical Halachos of Shemiras EinayimHow to make Shemiras Einayim part of your lifeHow to tun over a new leaf in your life

164

Dealing with the In-Laws

May 23, 2024

1:43:38

How do you handle a conflict between honoring in-laws and honoring your own parents?Are there times that married children need to listen to input from in-laws?Are there halachos about what to call your in-laws?What does a mother-in-law do when she sees deficiencies in her daughter-in-lawAre there typically father-in-law issues, and if so, what?What are healthy boundaries, and how do you establish them?

165

Un-Lavish Living – why are we embarrassed to live below our means?

May 16, 2024

1:46:47

What keeps us spending when we can’t afford it?What’s the impact on children when parents have an expensive standard of living?Is there an obligation to refrain from looking at materialism which may tempt us?Can we spend on luxuries when people need tzedakah?What are the minimums required to celebrate a bar/bas mitzvah and a wedding?Can having a low-budget bar/bas mitzvah or wedding hurt our children longer-term?

166

Neurolinks and Shabbos, Alexa and Shabbos, Electronics and Shabbos

May 10, 2024

1:26:10

167

Achdus - does “Achdus” mean I am supposed to embrace Jews I really don’t agree with?

Apr 18, 2024

2:27:50

Is Achdus a Halachic imperative, a Hashkafic concept or something else?What’s the definition of “Achdus”? Is it different from “Kiruv”?Can we outwardly express our disagreements?Should we look to have Achdus with groups and movements of Jews who have values that are antithetical to Torah?

168

Pesach – Great Divrei Torah for your Seder and beyond. Plus, lessons for today from Lavan’s attempt to destroy K’lal Yisroel

Apr 11, 2024

1:57:26

What’s your favorite Pesach Devar Torah?Is there something unique you do at your seder?What do you do to prepare for Pesach?Is there something memorable that has happened to you at a seder?

169

Revisiting Bachurim in the IDF: Is Shevet Levi Patur from Milchemes Mitzvah? Are all Bochurim Shevet Levi?

Apr 5, 2024

1:25:40

Does Eretz Yisroel need an army or can it totally rely on Torah protection?Do we have responsibility to serve – besides the learning protection – like we find previous generations?The Bochurim who aren’t learning should they go to the army?Can we have Frum battalions run according to Torah?What’s are we going to do when the Chareidim are a majority?

170

What are our “Yeshiva bochers” struggling with nowadays?

Mar 28, 2024

2:07:34

What are the biggest challenges, struggles and difficulties confronting our boys today?How do those challenges differ from those of the girls?What impact are technology and alcohol consumption having on the boys?Should Gemara be the focus of yeshiva learning?What’s holding the boys back from performing at their best?

171

Everyone should be a shadchan – how to set up a shidduch

Mar 21, 2024

2:48:02

Should each of us be setting up Shidduchim?What are the biggest challenges and difficulties?Is the “shadchanus” fee only paid to a professional Shadchan, or even to beginners?What does the Shadchan need to do to earn the fee?Can you set up two non-observant Jews? One frum and one not frum? Two non-Jews?What advice do professional Shadchanim have for amateurs?

172

זכרון לנצח – Preserving the memory of Fallen Soldiers Through Posthumous Retrieval of זרע for Procreation

Mar 14, 2024

1:36:28

Is it permitted, forbidden or a Mitzvah?Are you מקיים פריה וריבה?Does it exempt you from חליצה?Is there an issue of ניוול המת?Is there an issue of הנאה ממת?Is there an issue of ביטול מצוות קבורה?Are there any moral issues?

173

Balancing אמונה and Service: The Haredi Dilemma in Military Conscription and Torah Study Commitment | Scaling Tradition: Reevaluating the Chazon Ish's Conscription Exemption in a Growing Community | Study Time Required for to be מקיים והגית בו יומם ולילה

Mar 8, 2024

1:50:57

Don’t we have an Achrayus הַאַחֵיכֶם יָבֹאוּ לַמִּלְחָמָה וְאַתֶּם תֵּשְׁבוּ פֹה?What difficulties – if any – do Frum soldiers face in the army?What would a Frum army look like?When a majority of Eretz Yisroel is Frum what will become of the army?Are you obligated to learn every spare second you have?Does it depend on someone’s health, wealth or stamina?

174

Frum on the outside and empty on the inside - why are some of our best girls struggling with Yiddishkite?

Feb 29, 2024

2:16:42

What are the biggest challenges, struggles and difficulties confronting our girls today?How have things changed over the years?Should money be given to children if they will use it for the wrong purposes?What’s the impact that technology/smartphones/social media is having on the girls?What solutions do we have to inspire girls today?

175

Avoiding the #1 reason for divorce - how to stay connected with your spouse and not drift apart

Feb 22, 2024

2:08:58

What are the halachic obligations spouses have to each other?How does a relationship change over the course of a marriage?Are there differences in how to stay connected at the beginning of marriage, in the middle and later in life?What causes spouses to disconnect from each other?Can you reconnect once you have already disconnected?What’s the impact of social media on marriages?

176

The Brisker Rov zt"l and Medinas Yisroel | Rav Shach zt"l and the צה׳ל – What did they really hold?

Feb 16, 2024

1:25:21

Hakaros Hatov to the soldiersBeing Mevaker Choleh soldiersBeing Menachem Avel these familiesSaying a Mi Shebeirach for the soliders

177

Getting over our fears - in dating, marriage, religious observance, of failure and more

Feb 8, 2024

2:11:35

What are the most common fears that people have?How do we get over those fears?What is “Jewish Mindfulness” and how can it help?What are the most common fears in dating and marriage?Can anxiety or OCD ever make a person patur from mitzvos?Is it permitted to take experimental/homeopathic/Chinese medication treatments?

178

Raising unspoiled children in a spoiled world

Feb 1, 2024

1:49:05

How much should parents do for their children?What are parents’ financial obligations to their children? Is there a maximum?What causes a child to be spoiled?Is it detrimental to grow up with less than your peers?Do we need to treat all of our own children the same when buying them items?What are the implications of having a spoiled child when they grow up?

179

Raising unspoiled children in a spoiled world

Feb 1, 2024

1:49:05

How much should parents do for their children?What are parents’ financial obligations to their children? Is there a maximum?What causes a child to be spoiled?Is it detrimental to grow up with less than your peers?Do we need to treat all of our own children the same when buying them items?What are the implications of having a spoiled child when they grow up?

180

The Shulchan Aruch of war

Jan 25, 2024

1:32:54

Abortion of a fetus conceived through rapeWomen tying tzitzisSheva brachos without the chosson or kallahReturning home before Shabbos if one knows they will be called up on ShabbosReturning home while one’s wife is a niddah if he doesn’t think he’ll be able to withstand the temptation to hugA hug before a spouse leaves for battle if the wife is NiddahBurying blood-soaked carsPidyon Haben when the father or kohen is not presentShortening the taharah process for Niddah during wartimeSaying shehecheyanu when one will not light or even see Chanukah candlesEating homemade foods sent to the frontMatzah bakery that ran ti a shelter in middle of making MatzosRunning to a shelter in middle of Shemone Esrei or Krias HaTorahYichud in a shelterRewriting Kesubos for people in the North or South who evacuated their homesA Kohein entering an Ohel Hameis for shelter during a siren

181

Dealing with traumatic times – how to dig out of a rut

Jan 18, 2024

2:03:20

What’s currently causing us the most trauma? The war? The captives? Antisemitism? Something else?What’s the implication of not getting a body back from Hamas, and therefore no Kevura and no closure?Is hearing the news and looking at war images helpful or hurtful?How are students from out of Israel who are studying in Yeshivos and Seminaries in Israel handling the war?How can we turn our current plight into a growth opportunity?Will we have “Post-Traumatic Stress” or “Post-Traumatic Growth” from the war?

182

In Memory of Yakir and David HY”D – “Chavrusas in life, Chavrusas in death, Chavrusas in Olam Habah” Experiencing the war: perspectives of the front line from parents and a Posek

Jan 11, 2024

1:20:58

How to handle the stress of having a close relative fighting in Gaza and the loss of a loved one killed in battle.Is there a halachic requirement that the IDF bury dead Hamas terrorists? Other Gazans?What are the IDF soldiers experiencing? What about their parents, wives, and close friends?Is it okay for soldiers to use the homes of Gazans without consent? Can soldiers use the food of Gazans left in their pantries and cook in their pots?What are some of the unique halachic questions being asked by soldiers, their wives, and their families?

183

Amazon in Halacha

Jan 4, 2024

1:52:13

Hear from the trenches – How are the Kehilos and families in Eretz Yisroel ManagingShabbos:Is it permissible to place an order with one-day delivery on a Friday?If a package arrives on Shabbos, is it permissible to open and use it?Is it permissible to make an online purchase on Friday when it is already Shabbos in the seller’s time zone, knowing the seller is Jewish?Is it permissible to keep an Amazon account active during Shabbos and Yom Tov?Ratings:Is it permissible to leave negative reviews on products?Is it permissible to create positive, but fictitious reviews for your own products to enhance sales?Can one purchase items during the nine days (items like clothes and Keilim that is forbidden to buy in those days), to be delivered after tisha b’av?Can one purchase item prior to the nine day to be delivered during the nine days?Can one purchase items on Chol Hamoed (that are forbidden to purchase on Chol Hamoed) to be delivered after Yom Tov?Can one purchase Chometz on Chol Hamoed to be delivered after Pesach?

184

Should there be Hakaras Hatov to the IDF soldiers? Does Torah-learning fully protect us, or is an army necessary?

Dec 28, 2023

2:20:33

Is Hakaras Hatov a halachic requirement, or just a nice thing to do?Do we just feel gratitude, or do we need to say “thank you” or more?Historically, did the Gedolim show Hakaras Hatov towards the soldiers of the IDF?Why have a few Roshei Yeshiva said they are concerned about showing gratitude?If Torah learning protects, why does Israel need an army?Does the Israeli army enable those in Yeshiva to learn? Do those learning in Yeshiva enable the army to have military success?

185

Is Israel an “occupier” of Palestinian land? Who owns “from the River to the Sea”?

Dec 21, 2023

1:44:03

Is there such a thing as the country of “Palestine”?What are the halachic borders of Israel?Is it mutar to give the Gaza Strip back now that Israel has retaken possession of it?Is there a mitzvah to be buried in Israel? To make Aliyah? To exhume a body to Israel?What does international law say about the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights?

186

Zionism – Is today's Zionism the same movement that caused so many religious to leave their roots and become irreligious?

Dec 15, 2023

2:13:39

Before WWII a lot of Gedolim were opposed to Zionism, what were their reasons?After the war did a lot of the attitudes switch?Why did they switch?Is Zionism a danger to religion nowadays?

187

Daas Torah In Halacha and Hashkafa

Dec 8, 2023

1:25:05

Is there a Torah idea called Daas Torah?Can it override doctors?Does the “Daas Torah” have to know the facts?Can it override Shulchan Aruch?Even if it’s not in contradiction with Halacha, must we listen to it ?Is there such a thing as saying blanket statements without proofs that must be listened to?Are we supposed to be using our heads?If someone questions “Daas Torah” should he be explained the position or be branded a Kofer?Do we believe in infallibility of Gedolim?Can there be two “Daas Torah’s”?Are two different people allowed to have different views, or is it my way or the highway?How should we treat someone who disagrees with us?

188

Is “Zionism” a bad word? Where do Satmar and Neturei Karta disagree?

Nov 30, 2023

1:57:49

What’s the original Samtar Rav’s argument against the State of Israel?Has the concept and definition of Zionism changed over time, and what does it mean today?How are Satmar and Neturei Karta similar, and how do they differ?Is there a prohibition of publicly going against the consensus view of Klal Yisrael?

189

Rally or not to Rally? "Chazir Treif" or Kiddush Hashem

Nov 24, 2023

1:46:43

Was the Rally in Washington correct?In Galus do we keep our heads low, or do we try to garner support?Do we do Hishtadlus or just Daven?Do we join in rallies with people who don’t have the same belief system as ours?Historically, what was the approach of the Gedolim?

190

Neturei Karta – Is Hatzalah allowed to save them on Shabbos? | Halacha Perspective on Warfare

Nov 17, 2023

1:01:55

Neturei Karta – Is Hatzalah allowed to save them on Shabbos?Does the conflict in Gaza qualify as a מלחמת מצוה according to הלכה? In this case, is there a duty for individuals to join from distant locations? Are students from ישיבות required to participate?Concerning unintended harm in warfare, such as civilian casualties: if a terrorist uses a taxi as a getaway vehicle, is it permissible to target the vehicle, risking the driver’s life? What is the stance on targeting buildings?Is there a חיוב to bury terrorists according to Jewish law?Laws of war according to the Geneva convention

191

Antisemitism at Harvard and elite universities – how could such smart people be so stupid?

Nov 9, 2023

2:06:45

Where did all of the antisemitism on university campuses come from?Should it be a concern to our community? Can anything be done?If a student is feeling threatened, when can he take off his Kippah? Tuck Tzitzis in? Remove a Mezuzah from his front door?What did Chazal mean when they said that it’s a “halacha” that Esav hates Yaakov?Are there any halachic or hashkafic reasons to counter-protest?

192

Prisoner Exchange in Halacha | Hear from a brother of one of the hostages

Nov 2, 2023

1:01:08

Are you permitted to pay for captives more than their worth?Are you allowed to release terrorists in exchange for prisoners?Can you put other people’s lives in Sakanah to save a life?How many more deaths were caused historically by terrorosts released by prisoners swaps?Can you wage war to save hostages at the expense of more lives than the ostages themselves?

193

Guns in Shuls | Burying the Kedoshim – Hear from the front lines

Oct 27, 2023

1:41:44

How are the Kedoshim being buriedShould we train people in every Shul to carry guns ?Should there be armed security guards in Shuls and schools?Are guns Muktza?Are you allowed to carry a gun in a place that doesn’t have an Eruv?Is it against the Torah hashkafa to carry a gun?What message would carrying guns give over to children?How do carry weapons in Shuls responsibly

194

Israel at War – Halachos of warfare, “collateral damage,” prisoner swaps, refusing medical treatment to terrorists, and much more

Oct 19, 2023

2:14:18

Sign up here to learn Mishnayos (בלי נדר) for the soldiers, injured and captives, by the 10th of Kislev, November 23rdMishnayos audios available here Do we need to worry about “collateral damage” when bombing Gaza?Can a Jewish doctor refuse to treat an injured terrorist?What does halacha say about having a death sentence for terrorists?Are prisoner swaps permitted, if Israel exchanges many more prisoners than it receives?How can we process the trauma we are experiencing?What can we do to be there for families directly affected?

195

עת צרה היא ליעקב וממנה יושע – The Torah outlook and our responsibility

Oct 13, 2023

1:17:54

Should we be sending our Bochurim to Yeshivos and our daughters to seminaries in Eretz Yisroel?Can a Doctor go to Eretz Yisroel to help the war effortHow can we help the war effort from America?How should we act in such times?How do we show empathy with the Yidden in Eretz YisroelShould we be toning down our simchas and lifestyle in general?How should we improve?How are the Yidden in Yerushalayim dealing with the situation?Words of ChizzukThe Torah view on the situationAnd much more……

196

Practical Sukkos and Daled Minim Halachos – Seven Fascinating riddles

Sep 29, 2023

1:23:03

Hilchos Daled MinimHow to shop for an EsrogMitzvos of building and sitting in a Sukkah

197

Making 5784 into “THE YEAR”

Sep 14, 2023

2:36:38

What’s your favorite Yamim Noraim devar Torah?What’s your advice for improving ourselves?What’s worked for you?

198

מי אנכי שאזכה להתפלל – The Halachos and beauty of Tefillah – The decorum in Shul

Sep 8, 2023

1:18:52

If a person knows that he only if he Davens everything he won’t have Kavanah & he Davens less he’ll have can he skip anything? If yes which parts can he skip?If a person can’t have Kavanah because he doesn’t understand the language should he Daven in English?Should a person Daven at length at the expense of learning Torah?If a person can compose his own Tefilah is that better than davening the standard (more personal & heartfelt when coming from the composer- more than he can relate to Chazal’s Tefillos).Where’s the source(s) of not talking during davening? If the only minyan he has is one which they talk in is it better to Daven Byechidus?Is it better to Daven with a Minyan without a hat and jacket or B’Yechidus with a hat and jacket?Is there any reason to daven Pesukei D’zimra with a minyan or come to Shul for Borchu? Likewise Kabbalas Shabbos with a minyan or just come for Maariv?Someone who’s not dressed properly for Davening but if he waits until he gets his clothing he won’t have a minyan should he daven with the minyan dressed as is or wait?Someone is on the beach with only a bathing suit and it’s getting night and he didn’t Daven Mincha and by the time he gets clothes it’ll be too late to Daven?If someone is traveling and doesn’t have a siddur and he doesn’t remember all the words of Shemone Esrei just most can he Daven with skipping some words? (Also Tefilas Haderech)Someone is not feeling well and is sleeping should they be woken up to say Krias Shma and Daven before the Zman?What takes precedence if you can’t do both Tefillah BTzibbur or Krias Hatorah?A Shul doesn’t say Tachnun for no good reason do you have to say afterwards by yourself?That was it says in Shulchan Aruch to give Tzedaka before Davening does this include Tzedaka to non-Jews?

199

מי יחיה מי ימות Community organizations dealing with life and death issues daily and some of the שאלות that arise

Sep 1, 2023

1:22:36

For what type of situations should you be calling Hatzalah.How should you call Hatzalah – with a shinui etc ?Can you turn on outside lights to make it easier for Hatzalah to identify the house?If you have to go to the hospital on Shabbos what do you have to know – what can you take clothes, phone, wallet etc?Is it better to go with Hatzalah or drive yourself or go with uber?Do you have to go to the closest hospital or to a further one – out of the T’ChumShould you cancel Hatzolah if all is good and you don’t need them anymore?If you madean early Shabbos should you be Matir Neder and then drive youself to the hospital?Who can go along with the patient?What can you or can’t you do in the hospital?When can you come back home on Shabbos and when not?

200

Conflict in marriage – how to fight effectively

Aug 24, 2023

2:24:38

Are there Halachos on how spouses should engage in conflict?Do men and women fight differently?What are the top 3 things men complain about regarding their wives and vice versa?Should conflict be avoided or embraced?What are effective methods to deal with conflicts?

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