Ep. 35 - Ask Away! #7 | The Q&A Series

Join us for an insightful exploration of Jewish traditions and practices as we prepare for Shabbos and Pesach. We kick off by discussing the practicalities of choosing the right type of bread for Shabbos meals before Pesach. We highlight how pita or lafa can be excellent alternatives to traditional challah, helping to minimize chametz. Additionally, we offer practical tips such as using a plastic tablecloth to manage crumbs and keep your dining space clean. Our conversation touches on the significance of not eating matzah in the two weeks leading up to Pesach and dives into the kosher-for-Passover food options available, including a discussion on lamb shanks for the Seder.

We also explore the nuances of showering and bathing on Shabbat, shedding light on the balance between maintaining halachic guidelines and attending to medical necessities. Listen in as we discuss the process and importance of visiting the mikvah, especially for women, with a focus on preparation steps and the significance of cleanliness and purity laws. We share insights on the timeline of events for women post-menstruation, and the cultural aspects that accompany these practices, while emphasizing safety measures and logistical considerations for mikvah visits on Shabbat.

In our final segment, we touch on the celebratory nature of the month of Nissan and its impact on prayers, such as the omission of Tachanun. We tackle the intriguing debate surrounding the classification of foods like tortillas and pizza in Halacha, and the blessings they require. Our discussion includes the process of separating challah in commercial bakeries and the importance of acknowledging divine providence. We also highlight the significance of making wise health choices, using a personal story of overcoming smoking to emphasize the importance of preserving our health to honor the gift of life.

In this episode of Ask Away we address these various topics:

• Shabbos Preparations and Traditions: Nature's preparation for Shabbos and Pesach, minimizing chametz, Kosher-for-Passover foods, and the importance of checking eggs and slaughtering chickens properly.
• Showering and Mikvah on Shabbat: Showering and bathing on Shabbat, including mikvah preparation and cultural significance, emphasizing purity laws and safety measures.
• Blessings and Dietary Discussions: Omitting prayers in Nisan, classifying foods in Halacha, separating challah, and quitting smoking through unconventional method.
• Choices and Health: Free will and responsibility in making wise health choices to fulfill spiritual duties and maximize life's purpose.
• And much more ... Please submit your questions at [e-mail]

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The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way.
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This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen Lerner

• Download & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:
  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5

This episode (Ep. #34) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!

Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on March 23, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on April 2, 2025
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