Halacha Headlines

Gambling has moved from casinos to our phones. FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, ESPN Bet, Kalshi, and day-trading platforms have made “action” available every minute of the day. When is risk-taking legitimate, and when does it become gambling? Is sports betting different from day trading or prediction markets? What are the dangers of addiction, wasted time, and chasing easy money?

with Rabbi Chaim Jachter – Rav of Sha...

Is there a mitzvah to live in Israel nowadays? What are the largest financial differences between living in Israel and out of Israel? What budget is necessary to come, at least for a year? What lends to being successful in moving to Israel and what are the challenges? What trade-offs do people usually face between cost, community, and lifestyle?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Akiva Dershowitz – Rosh Kollel, Toras Efrayim Shlo...

Is “Dati Leumi” in Israel the same as “Modern Orthodox” elsewhere? Is “Chareidi” in Israel the same as “Yeshivish” elsewhere? What are their respective views of secular studies, engaging in the modern world, and serving in the IDF? What are the most common misperceptions each has of the other, and what can each learn from the other?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Breitowi...

A boy lost 150 pounds through Ozempic. Does he have to disclose? A girl struggles with anxiety and takes medication occasionally. Does she haveto disclose? At what stage?  A boy has mild asthma controlled by an inhaler. Is that considered a medical condition requiring disclosure?  A girl once had depression in college but has been stable for 5 years. Does “past history” need to be revealed?  A boy’s...

What financial conversations absolutely need to happen before a couple gets married — beyond just “how much money do we have”? What are the most common financial disagreements between couples? How can couples get control of their finances instead of constantly living “in the red”? When spouses come from very different financial backgrounds or mindsets, can those differences realistically be bridged?

Ho...

SCP Shavuos Challenge 5786 is here!🔥🎉 Sign up and download material here: Bit.ly/SCPchallenge with Rabbi Elyada Goldvicht – Rov in Rannana, Founder of Semichas Chaver – 20:04

Is there an obligation to keep healthy? If yes what is the source? Does a spouse have a say in your health? Can you stop your spouse from donating a kidney etc? Can you take ozempic if isn't doesnt have enough testing what the long-term side effe...

What does it mean to be “ready” for marriage? What’s currently taught to chassanim and kallos – and what’s still missing? Are too many singles entering marriage with unrealistic expectations? Which common marital struggles could be prevented through better preparation?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Yosef Greenfeld – Rav of the Chestnut Shul in Lakewood & Chosson teacher – 6:16 with Dr....

Find out from farmers what percent of grain in circulation is Chodosh How to practically keep Yoshon Can we rely on a dream of the Baal Shem Tov in Halacha? Is the dream accurate? What's called a Shaas Hadchak? Was the Heter only based on Shaas HaDchak? Does it make sense to be Machmir on Cholov Yisroel and be Meikel on Chodosh? Can you be Makpid on Chodosh only when you are home? And much more……

with Rabbi Morde...

Are there halachic caps or guidelines on salaries and benefits? Does nepotism ever become a legal or halachic problem? What constitutes "reasonable compensation" for operators of religious non-profits? Can money be taken out in indirect ways, such as consulting fees?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Chaim Kohn – founder of the Business Halach...

Why do we rely on leniency these day when the Heter was due to שעת הדחק and we don't have a shortage of food? If the Heter is based on Safek, nowadays the Safek is verifiable and can't be relied upon If a store has information posted that it's not Yoshon - there's no Safek at all - what do people rely on? Why are people making on Stam Cholov which is maybe a Safek Derabbanan and not on this? If a person needed to eat because of פיק...

How has the role of being a Rav changed due to the war? What should a shul’s policy be when a siren goes off during davening? How are people doing emotionally with the constant sirens, sleep deprivation and stress? What are the most interesting or unusual halachic questions that were asked during the war?

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

Do we also receive a Neshamah Yeseirah on Yom Tov? Does it have any effect on our capacity to eat? Is there any medical or scientific basis for the claim that calories are “absorbed” by the Neshamah Yeseirah and therefore don’t count on Shabbos and Yom Tov? What are some practical ways to manage our eating on Pesach while still fully enjoying the Yom Tov?

Host: Ari ...

What makes gambling so alluring, and how widespread is it? To what extent is gambling linked to following professional sports? What strategies are effective in helping someone quit gambling? Should watching professional sports be banned? If a child uses a parent’s credit card to gamble without permission, is that considered stealing? Halachically speaking, is the parent responsible for charges mad...