Halacha Headlines

Revisiting the WZO controversy

What's the difference between this and joining the Knesset? Why’s this difference than the Moetzes pushing Avi Schnall to run specifically as a democrat? Is this the old age Hashkafic Machlokes between Satmar and Brisk VS the Agudah? Why did they stop second Seder in BMG for a political rally?

with Rabbi Avi Shafran – Spokesman for the Agudah – 11:27

The Tzedaka Generation

Have we lost our prioriti...

Is it permitted to not disclose off-the-books income when applying for government benefits?  What if there’s a colorable argument that you fit the criteria? Is that enough?  Are there any Heterim to take funds when you don’t fit the eligibility requirements?  Is putting yourself in a position that you need to take money from the government allowed? Is it le’chatchila to take government assistance in ...

What is Zionism? Did it accomplish its goal? Is it good or bad for Jews? Assuming Zionism is wrong, can you vote in the WZO election?  What’s the history of the concept of “Daas Torah” and what does it mean? When did the phrase and concept come into being?  Why would one Gadol say it’s mutar to participate in the WZO election and another say it’s totally assur? 

Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the new...

What is it? Does the Torah agree to it? Can we have groups in our yeshivos that we are forced to have or is it better to close down? Do ends justify the means? Joining up with Ovrei Aveira  Is it diffrent than sitting on the Knesset or the WZO? Should we have public forums talking about our Yetzer Hora?

Harav Mordechai Giftar – Rosh Yeshivah of Telshe – 17:26 Harav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik – Rosh Yeshivah YU – 21:24 Rabbi Meye...

What is the WZO and why is the current election important?  How do the Mizrachi and Eretz Hakodesh parties differ? How should we relate to Reform and Conservative Jews? Open Orthodoxy? What lawsuits have the Reform Movement filed against Chareidim, and what’s their motivation?

Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges and Halachic Q & A on the Job

...

What does Hamas hope to accomplish with their psychological warfare? Should we be swapping live Hamas terrorists for the bodies of captives? Does international law or world opinion halachically govern how the IDF acts?  Do the Laws of War (e.g., avoid non-combatants) mean that you can never use a weapon of mass destruction?

Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book...

Is it stealing from your Kollel or employer if you regularly come late? How hard do you need to work on the job? Can you take personal phone calls, check the news, order your groceries, etc. while on the clock? Does this impact Shalom Bayis, divorce rates, shmiras ha’mitzvos and hasmada in Torah learning? How do we motivate those who don’t have motivation?

Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly pu...

What are the most common issues/controversies that come up between roommates? Are there any halachic requirements to keep your place clean? Do you violate Gezel Sheina when your alarm wakes up your roommate? Can you borrow your roommates’ pots, books, pillow, toothpaste, etc. without permission? What happens with the kitchen when roommates have different standards of Kashrus?

Host: Ari Wasserman, au...

What would cause someone to regularly disturb in shul without regard to upsetting others? How should those who disturb be dealt with? Is it impatience or mental illness when someone always pushes the Chazan to go faster? Is it okay to pace for all of davening? To evict guests from seats? To collect the Seforim during davening? Should little children be brought to shul, knowing they may disturb?

Host: Ari Wasserman, author of th...

Is it Hatzalos Nefashos or is it encouraging more murder? How can you release murderers on the streets? Are you emboldening Hamas? Is it worth it to stay in good grace with the US?

with Rabbi Yitzchok Pindrus – Member of Knesset Degel HaTorah – 25:05 with General Tzvika Fogel – Member of Knesset Otzma Yehudit, Israeli Security Expert, Advisor to Itamar Ben Gvir, Former brigadier general – 35:48 with Mr. Gedalia Guttentag – Not...

Are women’s learning programs motivated by feminism and the desire for “equality”? Are women required to learn any Torah? Can they learn Zohar and Gemara? Is it preferable that women teach women? Can men attend the shiurim as well? Does a connection need to be achieved through learning Torah, or do Chesed and Tehillim groups work better?

 Host: Ari Wasserman, author of th...

Can you ever make a Heter Meah Rabbanim without leaving a Get in Beis Din? Is a Beis Din ever allowed to withhold the Get from the woman? In order to get the husband visitation To get the husband financial compensation To get the woman to drop criminal charges To get the woman to drop lawsuits How easy is it to get a court to deny visitation from the father? And much more...

with Shaul Cohen – Lawyer for husbands Rov – 32:58...

What did Gedolei Yisrael say about this and how did they behave? Should Menorah be lit in public? Should a yarmulka be worn at work? Should we wear black hats, shtreimels and other identifying marks? Wear talis and tefillin while walking to shul? Build a Succah in a public area? Should we remove Jewish and Israel references from our resumes when trying to get a job? What are the biggest religious s...

How can a child withstand peer pressure Why do some kids give in easily to peer pressure and others don’t How should parents educate their children to withstand peer pressure What are the most common peer pressures in our yeshivos and girls’ schools Why do kids and teens involved in bad behaviors want to get their peers to join them Are we obligated to avoid negative influences and make Gedarim for...

How a Magen was forced to give a Get with Attorney Elad Zamir – Renowned Family Lawyer, Toein Rabbani – 16:56

How the torah would view the presidential pardon of his son Is there a concept of pardons in Torah Do we find pardons in Tanach? Do you always have to be Moichel someone who wronged you? When don't you? A fascinating conversation with Rabbi Hayyim Angel – T’nach Expert RIETS – 29:40 with Rabbi Uri Tiger – Chavrusah ...

What are the arguments that there’s an obligation to serve in the IDF? What are the arguments that there’s no obligation for someone learning Torah to join the army? What if the person is not learning, but is working or doing something else? What are the main challenges of a Chareidi boy/man joining the IDF? Can those issues be fully addressed? What initiatives are currently under way to address the...