Halacha Headlines

Is it permissible according to Halacha to establish communal guidelines or enactments that restrict the sale or purchase of homes within a defined radius of the community? May a Jew purchase property in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood with the intent to rent it out to non-Jews? Does it matter what type of tenants are placed in the property—for example, individuals of questionable character, multiple families, or undo...

Can a second business open up next to another and compete? What if the second business will hurt or destroy the first business? What does a Beis Din do when potential Hasagas Gevul issues come before it? How does Hasagas Gevul apply in our modern, large cities nowadays? Is the prohibition of Hasagas Gevul only on the new competitor, or also on those who purchase from him?

Host: Ari Wasserman, author...

The Shitos in the Rishonim The Baal Shem Tov and the Gra's Shita If you hold like the Rambam and the Ramban's Shita are you an Apikorus according to the Gra and Baal Shem Tov Is Hashem busy with the animal kimgdom? Can you do something to someone if it wasn't preordained?  Why do bad things happen in the world? What's the point of Hishtadlus if everything is preordained? What does Hester Panim mean? 

with Rabbi Elyada Goldvi...

Can you visit Israel during a war due to the danger? How do hospitals deal with patients during missile alerts? Is there an obligation to go to a bomb shelter while you are learning Torah? Is it permitted to travel to and from Israel via Egypt, Jordan or Cyprus when Ben Gurion Airport is closed? Can someone in Yerushalayim travel to Bnei Brak or Tel Aviv where it’s more dangerous?

Host: Ari Wasserma...

Is it prohibited to go to Minyan when the “Home Front Command” and Chief Rabbis say not to go? Can you carry a phone on Shabbos to hear the warnings of incoming missiles? Can you leave on the news (radio, TV, Internet) on Shabbos to hear what’s going on? Should we say Hamapil before sleep, since we may need to immediately head to the bomb shelter? Do you need to wash Netilas Yadayim before heading t...

Why is wine touched by a non-Jew prohibited? Does this prohibition apply to a non-Jew who’s not an idol worshipper? Is this extended to a nonreligious Jew who doesn’t keep Shabbos? What is the status of someone who desecrates Shabbos but goes to shul or makes Kiddush? What is the law of someone who’s embarrassed to desecrate Shabbos in front of a prominent person? Do you need witnesses to testify in front of Beis Din to deem so...

Is using psychedelic drugs to get close to Hashem a Mitzvah or Aveira? What about for therapeutic and recreational purposes? How do psychedelics affect people and what are the side effects? Are people in the frum world really using these drugs and, if so, how broadly? How should we think about Rabbanim who use - and advise others to use – psychedelics?

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

Should a boy consult with his friends, like his roommate or chavrusa, if they think he should date a given girl? Is there a problem discussing the attractiveness of a potential Shidduch with friends? Have promising Shidduchim been ruined by what friends have said? Should parents be involved in the Shidduch process? And, what if the child does not want his/her parents involved?

Host: Ari Wasserman, au...

Can we trust the wife she did zayin nekiiim and went to the mikvah?  Can we trust their kashrus if they say things are kosher or they didn’t make the utensiks treif? Does their food have a din of פת עכו"ם ובישול עכו"ם? Is the wine they touch יין נסך? Can we serve them food knowing they won’t make a brocha or wah their hands – לפני עור? Things they cooked on Shabbos is it Assur like ?מעשה שבת If they have chametz in the house ...

• Is the belief among Yeshiva bochurim that making money is easy — fact or fiction?
• According to Halacha, what happens when business partners fail to discuss equity upfront?
• What if one partner works harder or originally came up with the business idea — how should that be handled?
• Can you start your own business while working for someone else — and what if it’s competitive?
• What does it really take to succeed as an entrepreneur?
...

• Did Conservative activists violate Geneivas Daasand Lashon Hara by secretly steering the WZO election?
• Is it ethical for Chareidi media to be paid to promote an anti-Eretz HaKodesh agenda?
• Should frum magazines vet who’s behind their ads?
• Can you trust a "Psak" when you don’t know the full story?
• How should our leaders respond now that the truth is out?
• What are the long-term political risks for the Chareidi community?

H...

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

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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...