Halacha Headlines

When does chazanus cross into tircha d’tzibburah? Can a chazan use popular tunes, repeat words, or sing with a choir? Should a professional chazan be hired for the Yamim Noraim, or is simplicity preferred? Is chazanus an ideal form of avodas Hashem — or is it frowned upon? What are the qualifications required of a Yamim Noraim chazan?

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

What level of proof is required before sounding the alarm? When risks are identified, should they be broadcast widely, or kept within a limited circle? What happens when victims are silenced, ignored, or when abuse is covered up? How can we, as a community, ensure that abuse is never minimized or swept under the rug? What role do journalists, news outlets, and podcasts play in exposing the truth and safeguarding the public?

Hos...

Rabbi Berel Wein ZT”L – never published interview – educating our youth who don’t want to listen with Rabbi Wein – Renowned Rov, Author and Lecturer – 16:03

When is it prohibited to interfere with someone else’s pending transaction? (“Ani H...

Can you own intellectual property? Can it be stolen if it's not tangible and there's no act of theft? Do you have to pay for enjoyment? Dina D'Malcusa Dina Aveida M'Daas And much more.....

with Rabbi Yosef Dovid Josilowsky – Dayan, Beis HaVaad – 13:10 with Rabbi Chaim Jachter – Rav of Sha’arei Orah in Teaneck, Dayan on the Elizabeth Beis Din – 35:40

מראי מקומות 

What are the minimum requirements of Tznius when it comes to women’s dress? Are the reactions by girls/women when taught Hilchos Tznius any different than for Hilchos Shabbos and the like? What specific things are more difficult for certain women to be responsive to?

How should Hilchos Tznius be taught so that it will be accepted? Can up to a Tefach be shown? Long skirts worn? Denim clothing? Slits in skirts? Should shul Rabban...

Do any contemporary Poskim permit smoking? Is vaping halachically better than smoking? What’s the argument that smoking is permitted?  What are the risks of second-hand smoking and vaping? If someone already smokes, do they need to quit? How far must a smoker distance himself from others?

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

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?
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• 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?

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