Joel Rich, Author at Torah Musings

Audio Roundup 2025:39

Joel Rich — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 23:40:25 +0000

by Joel Rich

Interesting in C”M 267 we see that originally a middling identification mark was considered sufficient to return a lost object. However, when tricksters became more numerous, the court determined that it would require witnesses as well.

It makes me wonder what caused the increase in tricksters and how perceived permanent had the increase to be in order to have required such an enactment. What were the causes? Could the causes be cultural, economic, God-fearingness levels, or something else altogether. What was the trigger event or level that made the court determine that this was a permanent change that needed a permanent enactment? I don’t think anybody knows the answer but this is a subset of a more general question about courts and subjectivity and when to intervene in the system which had existed from har sinai.

The rama in o”c 149:1 says it’s a mitzvah to accompany the sefer torah back to the aron. What mitzvah is it? at the end of the sif it records a minhag to bring children in to kiss the torah. How old should they be and did they just bring them in for this (and not for davening?)

Rabbi Hershel Reichman-Al HaTeshuvah: Kapparah & Taharah On yom kippur, kapara is about forgiveness (meaning no punishment), tahara is about purification (of the stain on the soul). RYBS noted they can be separate (eg no punishment but also no purity). This explains how itzumo shel yom can work without tshuva (where there is national forgiveness) but not provide tahara (personal) only kapara.

Rabbi Yehuda Turetsky-Rav Matisyahu Salomon on Teshuva: Embrace the Challenge and Love the Difficult Introduction to R Matityahu Solomon. One can have ahava with yira. Wanting tochecha for self-improvement brings one to ahava. We need both yirat haonesh and yirat haromemut.

R’ Asher Weiss-אכילה לפני תקיעת שופר Generally one can’t start eating when there’s a mitzvah incumbent on them, is this true for tkiat shofar as well? The shulchan aruch doesn’t mention the prohibition but R Weiss doesn’t consider this dispositive. Is kiddush required? How much, and what, may one eat before tkiot?

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Ten Minute Halacha – Sleeping Alone in a House While the gemara mentions not sleeping alone in your home (TBD), it doesn’t seem to be the commonly accepted psak (especially when combined with some possible exceptions.)

Rabbi Naftoli Horowitz,Rabbi Daniel Feldman,Rabbi Mordechai Farkash, Rabbi Yossi Gordon-9/6/25 – Shiur 527 – Kosher Kitchen, Treif Business? Be mkadeish shem shamayim in every facet of your life (me-hard to put the details into a rule book). Lubavitch approach to public displays of religiosity explained in detail.

R’ Zev Smith-Challenging Schitah Questions Schita is a tolda of dosh so it applies on yom tov too. Grapes and olive squeezing is duraita (they’re grown for juice) which is the real issur. Many applications discussed including the concepts of ochel to ochel and holech libud.

R’ Yisroel Reisman- Hakdama to Maseches Gittin Introduction to r reisman’s gemara gittin shiur. Major topic – when a get comes from mdinat hayam.

Rabbi Ya’akov Trump-Pillars of the Jewish Community: The Jewish Day School with Rabbi Heshy Glass Out of town schools have different issues then in town schools. How much independence should individual schools and principals have (curriculum, finances, IT etc) vs taking advantage of the benefits of centralization. What is the parents’ role? (role model). We haven’t focused enough on our relationships with HKBH (me-adults too)!

R’ Yisroel Reisman-Micha’s 13 Middos Micha’s 13 midot are paradigms for our actions. The first one is to have patience when someone acts against you, remember the bizyonot help you in shamaim. Do good for those who hurt you and you will eventually like them.

Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner-Rosh Hashanah: AI, Relationships & Community AI can play a supporting role in the medical field but values and relationships should be left to family. AI is a means to an end.

Unpacking the Igros: Mikvah, Money, and Mysticism (Part #1) Review of several of r moshe’s tshuvot related to mikvaot (kashrut, and comparative priorities). R moshe’s psakim reflected concern for the common man. Also covered, r moshe’s personal mikveh hanhagot.

Rabbi Michael Taubes-Halacha on the Parsha Ki Savo- Selichos Insights into slichot – why said, when and by whom.

R’ Yisroel Reisma-H3 Business Summit 2024: B’shvil She’Tisasheir: The Path to Proper Maaser Kesafim Calculation Some tzedakah insights including the unique role of currency in Jewish law, calculating maaserable investment profit, and situations where one can/should give more than 20%.

Rabbi Eric Gross,an- (Part 3): The Quiet Life, The Good Life, The Better Life, and the Afterlife Some themes in kohelet include absolute power of the monarch (and HKBH), enjoying one’s wealth and how words create reality. There are many contradictions in kohelet but chazal felt they could be resolves (examples provided). He believed in reward and punishment but didn’t see it being reflected in this world.

Rabbi Sariel Malitzky-Will Eating an Apple and Honey on Rosh Hashana Really Give Me a Sweet New Year? Understanding the Simanim Simanim milta is not a segula but rather a trigger to tfila/bitachon.

R’ Yisroel Reisman-Parshas Yisro: Empowering the Intellect Over the Heart and Desires Ish echad, lev echad – our intellect must dominate our laziness.

R’ Yisroel Reisman- H3 Mid-Atlantic Business Halacha Summit 2024: Closing Keynote- Defining Success in a World of Pursuits T he True Measure of Man We need a ruach of being satisfied with our gashmiyut. The temptations for gashmiyut are greater once you leave the bet medrash. We’re not doing so well on this.

R’ Yitzchak Breitowitz-Jewish Law & Ethics: Dignity and Death Penalty How does Judaism look at capital punishment on a philosophical and on a practical basis?

R’ Yisroel Reisman -Understanding Megilla as a Cheftza Shel Mitzva vs. Divrei Torah R Chaim sees tzvei dinim in megila (shem sefer and divrei torah) – this may explain some seeming anomalies in accepted megila practices (eg touching klaf, not requiring perfect klaf).

Rabbi Jonathan Ziring-Why Does Teshuva Not Exempt One From Court Imposed Punishment? Why doesn’t tshuva protect one from punishment by the earthly court? A number of answers posited based on the understanding the mechanics of tshuva and the purposes of punishment.

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Answering YUr Shailos 2.8 Q&A including: chazan skipping parts of the tfila due to time (maybe in psukei dzimra), found cash rules (generally yours), not touching which body parts, status of learning w/out birchat hatora, food in bathroom (OK if covered), women zimun (Ok but might be pritzut), shaking woman’s hand (OK but some say no), kaparot (use $ not chicken) and tips for asking for mchila.

Rabbi Jonathan Ziring-How Communication Technology has Effected the Definition of Pikuach Nefesh – The Case of Autopsies (1) The nodeh byehuda’s not allowing educational autopsies due to pikuach nefesh was based on needing choleh lfaneinu. Has that definition changed due to massive databases which are instantly searchable and universally accessible?

R’ Doniel Osher Kleinman-Parshas Ki Savo: Using A Sefer Torah To Practice Hagba Can you take out a sefer torah simply to practice hagba? There seems to be opinions both ways but it’s not simple (me-take it out to read first should be ok?)

Rabbi Shay Schachter-Introduction to Hilchos Shabbos: What We Learn From the Torah’s Four Specific Examples Why are only 4 of the 39 mlachot specifically mentioned in the torah? Choresh and katzir – because they were an agricultural community. Havara is lchaleik (separate punishment for multiple transgressions) and hotzaa is a mlachagarua (no change in the object).

Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel-(91) Siruv Pikuda – Following an Immoral or Non-‎Jewish order in the Army or not? Non-jewish sources debated the legality of refusing illegal orders in the 20th century. Does the israeli army have the halachic status of the Jewish king’s army and the “king’s” orders must be obeyed. In any event, one must refuse any orders which are against halacha? Must you also stop others (lo taamod)?

Rabbi Daniel Fridman-Of Suffering and Teshuva: Subtle Lessons from Sefer Iyov Telling someone their yissurin are deserved is hurtful and you could be wrong! We need to introspect but realize we don’t know for sure we’re right.

Rabbi Ya’akov Trump-PIllars of the Jewish Community: The Beis Din with Rabbi Shlomo Weissmann A brief history of batie dinim along with a deeper dive into the bet din of america’s procuedures and most common cases (divorce, dispute resolution and personal status).

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Can My Teshuvah Redirect a Missile? Can our personal tshuva move the needle for the clal? Yes! Why? We are one body, we don’t know the value in shamayim of one act here, maybe it’s the one act that tips the balance, and we have a butterfly effect on those around us.

Rabbi Yona Reiss-From the Dayan’s Desk #182: Contemporary Issues in Stam Yeinam Discussion of yayin nesech and stam yeinam (wine made or touched by a non-ben-brit). What is the halacha today when libations are rare? Specifics discussed (eg temperature for mvushal, what is prohibited touching).

Rabbi Michael Taubes-Parshas Ki Savo Is There a Mitzvah to be “B’Simchah” All (or Most of) the Time? Talmudic sources pro and con there being a mitzva to be bsimcha. Simcha of mitzva (me-lifnei hashem) is different from simchat kreiso). Find the right balance for you (me-and the tzibur).

Please direct any informal comments to audioroundup613@comcast.net.

Audio Roundup Special: R Dovid Gottlieb on Teshuva

Joel Rich — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 21:13:25 +0000

by Joel Rich

Continuation of an elul series started last elul on r ybs’s thoughts on tshuva

Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb-Rav Soloveitchik on Teshuva

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures//lecture.cfm/1145526

(7): Appreciating the Different Motivations for

The Rambam uses the language of charata and kabala twice in hilchot tshuva (but reverses the order). R ybs drew a parallel between tshuva and nedarim (which can be undone through petach or charata). Think about these categories as intellect vs emotion.

Sin creates a spiritual illness with the symptoms of yissurim.

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1145717

(8): Mourning Our Lost Selves and the Emotions of Repentance

The symptoms of sin are related to the pain of mourning (of our memory of the event) as the sinner has lost his purity. The disgust with himself drives a natural, emotion of powerful regret (charata).

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1146471

(9): Deciding to Repent Even When the Temptation of Sin Remains

One model of tshuva is feeling revulsion concerning the earlier act, another is not feeling revulsion (you’d like to do it again) but realizing the downside (eg the rambam’s description of tshuva gemura as being in the same situation but resisting the same temptation).

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1146612

(10): The Secret Power that Makes Teshuva Possible

The rambam’s description of HKBH “testifying” to tshuva gemura is about bringing HKBH inside ourselves/our psyche.

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1148129

(11): Appreciating Our Dual Relationship With Hashem

Brit sinai and brit avot represent the natural and personal brit/relationship with HKBH. Tshuva renews our brit (similar to geirut).

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1149655

(12): How To Free Ourselves from Our Fears

One of my favorites – vchen ten pachdcha means our fear of (and absolute loyalty to) HKBH drives out of the fear of any other person/thing. Kol nidrei has the same message – our commitments to HKBH outweigh any other commitment.

Audio Roundup 2025:38

Joel Rich — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:07:57 +0000

by Joel Rich

S”A O”C 131:4 states “nahagu shelo lipol al pneichem … bbeit hachatan.” Does nahagu imply amcha did this and the rabbis didn’t resist? Even though tachanun was a rshut (maybe not now) why would one want not to take advantage to say it? also, why the focus on bet hachatan (like bet haavel) and not just in his presence? Is there a higher degree of joy there?

Do we believe that moshe rabbeinu and/or shlomo hamelech did not know how to calculate when the new moon would appear (as Hillel II established)?

R’ Yisroel Reisman – Shoftim: Perek 16, Pasuk 18 Biography of the ran in the drashot he explains that the purpose of punishment bolam hazeh is to help us have our seichel triumph over our taavot. Unfortunately most people go right back to their old ways after a “punishment” (like covid).

R’ Zev Smith-Saying Only Part of a Pasuk The gemara says we can’t split any pasuk that moshe rabbeinu didn’t split so how come we do it frequently? Quite a few different explanations provided (me-you know what that means) involving tfila is different only forbidden by torah psukim, tzachut halashon (is OK) and a number more. Specific applications discussed (eg kiddush, hagbah).

Rabbi Roy Feldman-The Purpose of Havdalah Does havdala end shabbat or does it declare the new week? Nakfa minas discussed.

Rabbi Ezra Schwartz-Amira L’Nochri Bein Hashemashos Is bein hashmashot a time that we can’t tell if it’s day or night (but it is one or the other) or is it a time which has elements of both day and night. How would this question impact amira lakum during that time period?

Rabbi Hershel Schachter-Elul Shiur and Q&A at Stern Begins with a shiur on yamim noraim and sukkot topics. Q&A includes: taking on chumrot (only at your level), shofar in elul (only with tfila), slichot without a minyan (what to say)¸texting everyone you know for mechila (silly), why YU is special (mesora), tzedakah (give a lot), vacation (Israel!), keep a relationship with eretz yisrael, women’s tashlumin for mincha (yes), stand for chazarat hashatz (yes) and how to understand HKBH.

Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig-Shadal’s Dialogue on Kabbalah: A Discussion with J.J. Kimche Shadal laid out a dialog giving both sides of the Zohar authenticity (which is not the same as kabala) debate. How do we look at the rationalist vs kabbalist approaches?

Rabbi Moshe Shulman- Yonah, Moshe & Eliyahu VS God!?! (Part 1): Yonah VS God The conflict between yonah and HKBH was triggered by yona not being able to accept his mission based on his valuing “emet”. Eliyahu was the same story. TBC

Rabbi Ike Sultan-Bet Yosef YD 109:1 Consuming a mixture of bitul at once Brief review of rules of bitul and application to R HS’s position concerning drinking milk today (don’t).

Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel-(90) The Impact of a Teacher in Judaism Teachers are very important in Judaism and very underpaid!

Rabbi Eric Grossman-Kohelet (Part 1): Introduction to Kohelet: Creation Deconstructed Introduction to Kohelet – what is the meaning of the name? The theme of the book is how do we deal with the here today gone tomorrow nature of our existence (fear of mortality)? There are parallels to the seven days of creation but that’s all tov (from HKBH’s view) whereas Kohelet isn’t so (we don’t see the whole picture).

Rabbi Shay Schachter-Shabbos: Synthesizing The Dual Dreams of Spiritual Aspiration and Material Success Yosef hatzadik is a paradigm for balancing spirituality and materialism.

Rabbi Hershel Schachter-Kesuvos Shiur#6 – Inyanei Yuchsin and Mamzierus, Artificial Insemination, Abizriyhu DiGilui Arayos (3b) Once you get the basics of yuchsin (eg status of a ger, intermarriage) you have the basics for how we regard children resulting from a number of fertility treatments (eg artificial insemination).

Rabbi Jonathan Ziring-Why Do We Study Halachot of the Future? The torah has something to say to jews and to all of mankind in every time and place. We need to get ahead of the halachic curve on new technologies.

Dr. Tanya White – “The Legacy of Rabbi Sacks” R j sachs greatest contribution was seeing that universalism and particularism (torah uchochma) is not a dialectic (me there is some debate about R ybs’s position).

Rabbi Jonathan Ziring-VeHalachta BeDerachav (1) – Framing Virtue Ethics Start of a series on ethics. Starts with the rambam’s virtue ethics = imitato dei!

Rabbi Jonathan Ziring-The Goal of Punishment in the Torah Punishment can have many goals (eg retribution deterrence, containment, vengeance). Where does kapara fit in?

Rabbi Jonathan Ziring-Horayot 5: Defining Psak (1) The study of par heelem davar requires a definition of a formal psak. What is triggered by such a ruling?

Dov Adler-Me or my Child? Generational Punishment and Forgiveness Introduction to how we might understand one individual suffering for another.

Rabbi Netanel Wiederblank-Nefesh Hachaim Sha’ar 1 Chapters 1-2 How and when can we view svara as a halachic force? It’s not an independent-of-halacha ethic. R wiederblank doesn’t see the ben sorer umoreh gemara as the rabbis writing the case out of practical existence.

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Answering YUr Shailos 2.7 Q&A including: daven in shul (even yichidut), refusing to be the tenth in a minyan (avoid), five top sfarim (it’s complex), addressing your for rebbi in third person (doesn’t flow in English), regretting past decisions (yes but don’t be crippled), disappointments about moshiach not coming (still believe), non-jewish/non-frum music? (rhs very against), don’t speak negative about israel, gambling (no!) and, how do deal with secular college (ask someone who has done it).

Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig-יסודות נישואין: לא טוב היות האדם לבדו Marriage is about personal loneliness and existential companionship. It’s more than a turbo-charged friendship.

Rabbi Yoni Mandelstam-Hashavas Aveida and Teshuva: Choosing What to See Hashavat aveidah issues require defining when an object is considered lost and does it have a value in a place where one might give up hope. It’s complex!

Harav Doniel Neustadt Shlita – Workplace Kashrus Concerns – With open Q&A Hashkafa in the Workplace Labor Day ’25 S3 Basar shenitalem min haayin generally doesn’t apply today but basar shenishlach does if there’s a benefit to the non-jew. Specific applications discussed.

Rabbi Netanel Wiederblank-Nefesh Hachaim Sha’ar 1 Chapters 1-2 Nefesh hachayim introduction. What’s pshat in tzelem elokim and why must HKBH’s will be constant for the world to exist?

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Answering YUr Shailos 2.6 Q&A including: covering kids eyes with tallit during duchening (yes), eating with tefillin on (certainly not keva), renting a pool to a non-jew on shabbat (no), secular books on shabbat (may be Ok for enjoyment), taking picture touching costumed person of undetermined sex (maybe OK), kiddush in front of erva (probably can arrange to be OK), listen to shiur in shower (generally OK), take notes to maximize retention, defining talmid chachamim today (depends on context), and josephus vs chazal (ask experts).

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-From The Rabbi’s Desk – Donuts Fit for a god Donuts made by a manufacturer with devotion to an idol, when are the donuts technically considered a tikrovet avodah zara (and even if not, when do they fail the smell test)? Some hashgachas are better than others (especially one-man operations).

R’ Shmuel Fuerst-Interesting Questions to the Rav: shomer for chosson/kallah, steel wool Shabbos, early Shabbos, women eating Shabbos morning, denting a car, chazaras hashatz, onen, talis for burial Unless noted otherwise most responses are “it’s a machloket”. Q&A includes: when do shmira requirements for a chatan start? Using steel wool on shabbat, make early shabbat, paying for hezek to a non-jew, bentching kids (two hands, sitting), using food for art project (minhag is to be lenient), is keeping small change considered ribbit (work arounds), and until when is to fast on Friday yahrtzeits.

Rabbi Ike Sultan-Tosafot: Different Editors of Tosafot Discussion of the relationships of the various baalei tosfot. Those who edited the tsofot had different approaches to editing described here. An example of editing provided.

Raggi TH Weinreb-tfila R ybs was intellectual and emotional and used personal experience as an important part of his communications tool kit. Includes insights into r chaim, the netziv and the torah tmima. What are the differences between chochma, bina and daat? What does r chaim’s kever actually say on it?

Please direct any informal comments to audioroundup613@comcast.net.

Audio Roundup 2025:37

Joel Rich — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 23:45:57 +0000

by Joel Rich

The S”A in O”C 149 discusses the procedures for returning the sefer torah after kriat hatora but in O”C 134 he seems to assume it’s already out in discussing kriat hatora (thus no procedures for taking out). Any ideas why?

From a pure halachic viewpoint ISTM there is no benefit for an avel to lead services up to, but not including, yishtabach (some minyanim have no one leading that potion). Is the value that klal yisrael has invested it with value independent of halacha?

Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel-(89) Music in Judaism Music is an important element of judaism (think levites in bet mikdash, king david). Is voice or instrument primary? What’s the role of intent (eg chazan)? Can we import non-jewish music? Why was the post churban ban dropped in practice?

Mrs. Alissa Zeffren-Shoftim: Self-Awareness Theory and the Johari Window Positive psychology lessons in shoftim – we are all judges/leaders at some level. Striving for Tzedek leads to tmimut. We need to increase our self-awareness (trough tfila and outside input) to deal with our blind spots.

Rabbi Shaya Katz-Legends & Lessons: R Meir Simcha of Dvinsk Bio of r meir simcha of dvinsk and some of his messages (berlin isn’t jerusalem).

Rabbi Dr. Yakov Nagen- The Soul of the Mishna -(Part 1): Mishna Brachkot : The Twice a Day Coronation of Hashem First in a series concerning not obvious messages of the mishna. The first two mishnayot in brachot reflect the all- encompassing nature of being a mamlechet cohanim and bnai mlachim.

Rabbi Ike Sultan-Kashrut Shiur 1: Animal Kingdom, Question of Hare and Hyrex How do we deal with a medrash (torah lists all the exceptions of cud chew/split hoof) that seems factually incorrect?

Rabbi Michael Taubes-Hilchos Shabbos Opening Shiur Introduction to r taubes’ hilchot shabbat series. Includes a description of is organizational approach to the classes and review of the chofetz chaim’s introduction to the importance of hilchot shabbat.

Rabbi Assaf Bednarsh-Ketubot Perek Rishon shiur 1 (חיוב לברר ספק ספיקא Introduction to ketubot with lots of lamdus on sfek sfeika, efshar lvarer, rov and more.

R TH Weinreb -Tfila Series Tfila insights on ata chonen. R ybs on human intellect in general and torah intellect in particular. Human intellect results in human perennial distress and lack of satisfaction. What is the significance of the switch from the language of chonein to lomed?

Rabbi Ike Sultan-Halachic Principles: Lo Tasur Min Hadvar (Sefer Hachinuch 495) Short insights into lo tassur including what a ger must accept (“rabbinic judaism”).

Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner-Truth Telling: when/how to inform patients of bad news & the role of AI, genetic screening Gosses related insights including: is gentle touch permitted? Why is the body put on the floor, lighting a candle during the gosses period and when might one move the body? Current poskim surveyed.

Rav Asher Weiss- פרשת שופטים: שוחד וחיוב השבתו Can a recipient be forced to return a bribe? Fascinating discussion of how we choose which parallel case (eg gezel, onaah, ribit) to draw conclusions from.

Rabbi Jonathan Ziring-Navi, Navi Sheker, and the Nature of Religious Life A careful study of nvuah as per the rambam yields the result that there is no outside certainty that doesn’t require your active participation to determine your actions.

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-From The Rabbi’s Desk – Needling the Chosson Primarily an analysis of the issur of hashchatat zera. Good advice – do not tell teenage boys that they will burn in gehenom for it.

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Ten Minute Halacha – Netilas Yadayim Near Your Bed The concept of washing in the morning close to your bed to get rid of ruach ra is only found in the zohar and thus there’s room to be lenient if needed.

R’ Shraga Kallus-The Years Biggest Shaylos Questions from this year: chareidi army service (don’t need to understand, just listen to the gedolim) and what is a war related emergency for purposes of shabbat and other violations (emergency vehicle tire changing, calls with overseas parents, fearful child, siren during amida and much more).

R’ Zev Smith-Treating Wounds on Shabbos M”B Chelek Gimmel – Siman 328 Medical treatments on shabbat including: medicine (generally OK for choleh treatment, not for pain), stopping bleeding (OK)¸cuts (depend where), internal bleed (treat), bandage bleed spot (wash first), schita/mmareach application issues, and applying band aids (OK).

Rabbi Yakov Horowitz -Orthodox Parents and Their LGBTQ Children R horowitz describes r penners organization (keshet) wich provides resources for inividuals and families in the orthodox community dealing with LBGTQ issue. Recommendations-more understanding and less judgmental.

Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner-Truth Telling: when/how to inform patients of bad news & the role of AI, genetic screening Trends in the secular world of how much truth to tell patients have opened a large gap with the traditional halachic approach. Concepts include patient autonomy tiruf hadaat, yishuv hadaat, gneivat daat and more. Each case requires its own analysis. Is technology making health prediction more biting?

R Zev Smith-What Can Be Done Before Birchas Hatorah Saying birchat hatora before learning is important but what counts as learning? (eg kriat shma, tehilim, listening to mp3 …)

Rabbi Aaron Buechler-The Halachic Process: An Overview Review of halachic process from matan torah to who is the poseik acharon today

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Brisker Kulos Briskers look to be yotzei lchol hadeyot. One should only take on chumrot that are appropriate for their own personal level.
Brisker kulot include not saying hamapil, daytime kiddush is only hagafen, don’t need a shaliach for shalach manot, no tzitzit on shabbat, eat a full kzait of karpas, daven quickly, and choleh’s lowered fasting thresholds.

Rabbi Aaron Buechler-Mental Health & Halacha: Introduction Mental health halachic issues require careful analysis as they are a form of illness subject to halachot similar to those for physical illness.

R’ Yitzchak Breitowitz-Q&A: Reality, Customs & The Zohar Mislabeled as Q&A; it’s really about tshuva for various sins as well as defining chilul and kiddush hashem.

Rabbi Michael Taubes-Parshas Shoftim “Choosing a King in Eretz Yisrael: Is There Room for Democracy?” Is appointing a melech a mitzvah? Perhaps only if the Jewish people want one?

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-From The Rabbi’s Desk – Yichud in the Sky Is there an issur yichud in a daughter/wife or both taking flying lessons with a male instructor? (no)

Rav Asher Weiss-שיחת פתיחה לזמן אלול תשפ״ה Talk to r weiss’s kolel concerning the importance of tshuva and torah during elul zman.

Rabbi Jonathan Ziring-Horayot 1: The Framing of Horayot – Even Leaders Make Mistakes Introduction to mesechet horiyot, how do we reconcile the idea that sanhedrin can err with the concept of lo tasur.

Rabbi Ike Sultan-Tosafot: Background and Purpose What was the role of the baalei tosfot and what was their genealogy?

R’ Asher Weiss-מצוות שופר: תקיעה או שמיעה Is the mitzvah shmia or tkia? Yes! (tkia is the maaseh, the mahut is shmia).

Ari Wasserman,Rabbi Yonah Reiss, Rabbi Yosef,Mrs. Nicole Meyer,Avi Schick,-8/30/25 – Shiur 526 – The “Epstein Files” – Do we have the right to know if someone is a threat to our community —whether a pedophile, abuser, or swindler? When can you (or bet din) discuss/act on allegations of criminal activities (including abuse)? Discussion of high-profile cases in the frum community as well as secular law issues.

Please direct any informal comments to audioroundup613@comcast.net.

Audio Roundup 2025:36

Joel Rich — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 21:30:53 +0000

by Joel Rich

The rambam uses the expression “vchen” thousands of times in the yad. Any insights as to what goes before vchen and what goes after and why? (eg avel 14:1 listing bikur cholim, hachnasat kala …and then saying vchen to gladden the kala and chatan).

When rabbis discuss in a public shiur (vs in yeshiva) the need to observe yom tov sheini shel galiyot ISTM I often hear “hizharu bminhag avoteichem byadeichem” but not the follow on “zimnin dgazra hamalchut gzeira vati lkilkulei” (rashi – you’ll forget how to do the calendar calculation and mess it up). Is this a conscious omission?

R’ Yisroel Reisman – Shoftim: Perek 16, Pasuk 18 Biography of the ran in the drashot he explains that the purpose of punishment bolam hazeh is to help us have our seichel triumph over our taavot. Unfortunately most people go right back to their old ways after a “punishment” (like covid).

https://chat.whatsapp.com/DLp7AWFpUubAjZsNdfJgjC Q&A including: setting up little kids to turn on a light on shabbat (no), starting a stopped watch on shabbat (no), shabbat times in far north (no simple answer), aveilim attending wedding (depends on music/dancing),tehillim for rfua (everyone does it but unclear if should), counting tehillim/mishnayot for two people (me-ask HKBH’s accountant), why thank HKBH for the mitzrayim experience (we needed it) and elul kabalot (should be limited and achievable).

Rabbi Moshe Taragin-10 Minute Rashi for Re’eh: Who is “Off the Derech”; Miracles as a Harbinger for Settling Israel; Identity Building in israel Wil Take Generations; International Opposition to Israel is a “Nisayon” of Faith Topics include: real OTD vs wrestling w/HKBH, the many miracles since 1948 demonstrate the reality of the geulah process, being makir shivto vchelko is an ongoing process, and other nations’ opposition to us is part of our test.

Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman-Can Pigs Become Kosher? And other issues Does the medrash that pigs will eventually become kosher actually exist? If so, how do we understand it?
What can we learn from the fact that a bird with a positive name (chasida) is not kosher?
Is bishul basar vchalav siyag to eating it? What are the implications?

R’ Shraga Kallus-Hilchos Tzedakah – Money Tips Tzedakah is a big mitzvah! What are the parameters of being able to test HKBH with this mitzvah? One should give bsever panim yafot. Specific issues addressed include what if you don’t remember how much you committed to give, being matir a tzedaka neder, investing maaser money, tzavah bshat mita, and more.

Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman-Daf Yomi topics: Asmachta and Bishul Akum Ritva vs Rambam on the force, if any, of defining an asmachta in a posuk. Also covered, what are the rules for chazal making a takana and how and when can it be undone?

Rabbi Wein,David Kopciel,Rabbi Mendy Weinberger,Rabbi Yitzhak Grossman,Rabbi Dovid Schoen-8/23/25 – Shiur 525 – UnKosher Competition – The Four Halachic Red Lines in Business You Can’t Cross | Rabbi Berel Wein ZT”L – never published interview | The Headlines Quit Smoking Challenge Topics include smoking (don’t), R Wein (he’ll be missed), and business halacha (ani hamihapech, maharufia, hasagat gvul and the like). Remember – halachic enforceability (or lack of such) doesn’t mean it’s the “right” thing to do.

R’ Yisroel Reisman – Parashat Shemot:” Vayimariru Et Chayeihem”“Ach tov vchesed yirdifuni” tells us we’ll always be chased, so it’s best to be “chased” for good things. Pray ltova, that HKBH answers your prayers in a good way. A chamor represents gashmiyut, riding means we need to be in control of our gashmiyut.

R’ Yisroel Reisman–Elul Is Coming We (klal yisrael) are not beinonim but fully committed – this is the definition of ahavat hashem.

R’ Yisroel Reisman–The Meaning of a Ben Torah A ben torah has values and acts on them. He takes on something more bein adam latzmo.

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Ten Minute Halacha – What Can You Put on a Bimah The bima is most likely tashmishei kdusha and shouldn’t be used for holding anything else but we assume lev bet din matneh and thus it can be used to hold certain other (TBD) items.

Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner-Counteracting the Denial of Death: Jewish Sources on Facing Mortality Discussion of Jewish sources which give meaning to life and help us deal with our mortality.

R’ Yisroel Reisman—Torah UMesorah Convention 2022: Thursday Keynote Address Being a positive personality is very important especially for a mchanech relating to his talmidim.

Rabbi Hershel Schachter–Kesuvos Shiur#2 – Davar SheBaminyan Tzarich Minyan Acher Lehatiro, Akiras Davar Min HaTorah, When an Arusa can eat Terumah (2a) When did chazal make gzeirot/takanot bminyan (by vote) and when not?, when did they give a reason and when not?, and what difference does it make if, and when, a reason was given?

Rabbi Ezra Schwartz-Learning Halacha: what is it all about? Introduction to a stern college halacha series focusing on amira lnachri and pikuach nefesh. The series goal is to transmit shitot, terminology and analysis.

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Sichas Mussar – Writing the Torah on Our Hearts Mussar to first year bet medrash talmidim – write down on paper new things you hear but also write on your heart so that every moment is infused with torah no matter what you are doing.

R’ Yisroel Reisman – Shoftim Perek 16 Pasuk 18 – Using Shem Shamayim in Ordinary Speech To the degree we recognize kedusha we are mkadeish it and give it efficacy (birchat cohanim, bracha of a tzaddik, tfila, marriage …) we need to appreciate kedusha as well as what we have in life.

Rabbi Amos Luban-Hitbonenut 1 First in a series for shana bet boys. We need to connect with HKBH by reflection, we are way too diffuse!

Rabbi Chaim Brovender-Mitzvot To Increase Merits How many mitzvot must one do to be worthy of the brachot of parshat reah? What did r chanania ben akasha mean concerning why HKBH gives us lots of mitzvot?

Rabbi Daniel Cohen-Path of the Just- Understanding Your Why Part I Introduction to a msilat yesharim series. What was the ramchal’s goal in writing it? We need to reveal HKBH’s light to ourselves and others and to do so as frequently as possible. This is the road to self-improvements.

Rabbi Elchanan Adler-The Ramban ‘s Introduction to Sefer Devarim and its Relevance for Tisha B’Av Dvarim and vetchanan are about tochecha but long term the midat harachamim will prevail. There’s always hope!

Mrs. Michal Horowitz-Elul, Tishrei and the Mitzvah of Tzedaka: The Third Key That Unlocks the Sefer Ha’Chaim Tzedeka is a big mitzvah; it unlocks rachamim.

R’ Shraga Kallus-The Cry of the Generation, “But Its Not My Fault” It is your fault! Today we need to validate, empower others (especially our kids) and give a reality check but focus on taking achrayut every day.
What is the status of kapara for an aveira bones? Perhaps it depends on whether only you were unaware of the prohibited status or whether no one could be aware of it? or maybe we differentiate based on the type of issur resolved by achila vs others)?

Rabbi Daniel Hartstein-Keeping Kosher On The Go Various and sundry travel kashrut issues.

R’ Yisroel Reisman – Parashat Va’eira Various approaches to understanding how HKBH could take away Pharo’s free will may all be a version of it wasn’t a punishment but an intrinsic result of Pharo’s free will (eg his own choices meant he formed himself into someone who couldn’t change).

Rabbi Hershel Reichman-מצות ישוב ארץ ישראל Rambam and ramban both agree that there are both an individual and a tzibbur “mitzvah” of yishuv eretz yisrael. Derech eretz kadma ltora means there are some basics that precede mitzvot – like talmud tora and yishuv eretz yisrael.

R’ Yisroel Reisman-Motzei Shabbos Chol Hamoed Navi Shiur: Shoftim Perek 16 Pasuk 23 The letter nun represents gadlut of selflessness and humility (it’s not about me).

R’ Yisroel Reisman-Shoftim Perek 16 Pasuk 21 We must have hope even in despair and always focus on what does HKBH want from us?

R’ Zev Smith-Food in Hilchos Shabbos (Tzoveia, Makeh B’Patish, and Mimareiach) – M”B Chelek Gimmel – Siman 321 Which shabbat mlachot apply to food and which don’t? Discussion includes a tzviah, ibud, mmareach and more.

Please direct any informal comments to audioroundup613@comcast.net.

Audio Roundup 2025:35

Joel Rich — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 21:00:14 +0000

by Joel Rich

Hakira volune 37, summer 2025 has a fascinating series of interviews with R H schachter, R A willig, R B Yudin,R Rosensweiz and R M Lichtenstein titled “personal perspectives on emuna”. I’d love to discuss them if you’ve read them. Are they representative of some subgroup (other than roshei yeshiva)? Are they helpful to others? How do they differ? Lots to discuss.

All other things being equal, should an ashkenazi ben chu”l in chu”l daven at an eidot hamizrach minyan in order to receive birchat cohanim or daven at an ashkenazi minyan? If the latter, should he make an effort to sit in at an eidot hamizrach minyan for the bracha? What if he would have to miss answering a kaddish at the ashkenazi minyan to do so? Would it make a difference if he were a ben aretz traveling in chu”i?

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg-Ki Savo: Confronting Mortality Bikkurim reflects future potential (as the first bud) while trumah reflects what’s already been received (as the harvest is in). We need to show hakarat hatov even for the small things in our lives.

Rabbi Michoel Zylberman-Burial of Non-Jews, Non Halachic Converts, and Conversion Candidates in Jewish Cemeteries We don’t bury a rasha next to a tzadik. How does that apply to non-jews, non-shabbat observant jews or non-believing jews? How do we define “next to”?

Rabbi Michoel Zylberman-Terumah: Mi Shenadars and Auctioning Aliyos on Shabbos and Yom Tov Shouldn’t tzedaka commitments on shabbat be prohibited for the same reason as is commerce? Perhaps so, but there are enough differences (and a good end) to differentiate.

Rabbi Eric Grossman-Biblical Faith and the Ways of Wisdom (Part 1): Am I a Substitute for God? Revelation is a direct divine command what to do, whereas wisdom is using our (HKBH given) faculties to figure it out. (Joseph as an example). Otherwise, HKBH is always involved behind the scenes.

R’ Zev Smith-Squeezing Fruit on Shabbos and Yom Tov Squeezing (schita) of grapes and olives on shabbat is halachically prohibited. Pomegranates and berries are rabbinically prohibited. Why? Should those categories change today due to changing circumstances (eg juice oranges, making juice from everything?) Specific applications discussed (eg squeezing lemons for fish or tea).

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Answering YUr Shailos 2.4 Q&A including: naming children. balancing bitachon and hishtadlut, lighting shabbat candles when away from home, who gets points when using someone else’s credit card, using tzedakah funds for a chinese auction, playing happy music at the kotel, kaddish after aleinu by a non-yatom, how we can bring moshiach, taking tfillin into a airport bathroom and building a relationship with a rebbi.

Rabbi David Bagnoפרשת תולדות – שני גויים בבטנך – רבי ואנטונינו Rebbi and antoninus represent esav and yaakov, neshama and guf, inside and outside, dibbur and maaseh. It’s all part of a process towards moshiach’s arrival.

Rav Asher Weiss- אמירת לשם ייחוד The opposition to saying lshem yichud was due to concerns that some might be led astray from halacha by kabala.

Rabbi Eric Grossman-Biblical Faith and the Ways of Wisdom (Part 2): To Rain Down on Uninhabited Land The answer to iyov’s theodicy question was that we have access to earthly wisdom but not divine wisdom.

R’ Zev Smith-You won before you started!. Ein hadavar talui ela bi (Yes ,you can do it) – the rest is commentary.

Rabbi Avishai David-Parshas Eikev – Mitzvos Kalos (Easy Mitzvos) as a prerequisite and a sine qua non for successful living and prospering in ארץ ישראל Do mitzvot with the proper attitude and simcha and you’ll retain eretz yisrael.

Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman-Daf Yomi Sugyos: Gezeros Drabanan Ramban and Rambam on whether lo tasur is the source of rabbinic enactment authority. Are such enactments only on people or on objects as well? Why is there no gzeira to a gzeira?

Rabbi Yosef Dovid Josilowsky,with Rabbi Chaim Jachter-8/16/25 – Shiur 524 – Steal with a Click? The Halachic Ethics of Downloading Music, Seforim, and Media without authorization Discussion of IP issues raised by downloading songs from the internet. Is there a personal use exemption?

Rabbi Eric Grossman-Biblical Faith and the Ways of Wisdom (Part 3): A Wise Mind as will Never Arise Again Shlomo hamelech asked for wisdom not revelation. His story parallels yosef’s in the area of wisdom.
Mishlei is about wisdom bring ethics and bringing success, wisdom flows from the old to the young.

Rabbi Isaac Rice-Cherem Of Rabbeinu Gershom Against Reading Other Peoples Mail What concerns led to the cherem of rabbeinu gershom concerning reading other’s mail? Is it related to the sender or the receiver? When is it triggered?

Rabbi Moshe Sokoloff-Eating In Shul For A Seudas Mitzvah Begins with a discussion of opinions concerning the appropriateness of eating in a beit knesset on specific occasions (tikkun yahrtzeit, bar/bat mitzvah). How, if at all, do the bet knesset’s eating rules extend to the bet medrash? Do the rules differ for talmidei chachamim? Shaat hadchak?

Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman-Birkhas HaMazon Insights into birchat hamazon including: reflecting our relationship with HKBH, nature of evolution of birchat hazimun, birchat oreach and bracha on stolen bread.

Rabbi Jay Kelman- Tisha B’Av 5785: It’s Hard to Believe: Fearing Man and G-d The gemara gives numerous reasons for the churban – it’s about messaging us concerning needed improvements even today.

Rabbi Dr. Martin Lockshin- Tisha B’Av 5785: Did Job Recant at the End of the Book of Job? Does iyov’s final speech reflect an understanding of HKBH’s “explanation” or is it a somewhat sarcastic response? In either case he doesn’t give up his belief in HKBH.

R’ Zev Smith-Freezing and Defrosting Food on Shabbos.mp4 What is the gemara’s concern about crushing snow on shabbat? (nolad molid, schita?) How does the answer inform on making ice cubes, whipped cream or eating Italian ices?

R’ Yisroel Reisman-Do We Ever Give Up? Lessons of Chanukah As Applied To Our Daily Life Misheli’s message on wealth is that what’s important is what you do with it. Itcan warp your view of yourself and the world and rase the materialistic expectation of society. When giving tzedaka remember that aniim and talmud torah should be your highest priority.

R’ Shraga Kallus-Parnassah and Bitachon The Tightrope Challenge Bitachon concerning parnasa is our generation’s big challenge and we need to remember it’s all min hashmaim. Discussion of hasagat gvul, ani hamapeach and maharrufia all of which are rarely enforced today.

Rabbi Moshe Walter-The Tefillah of Yom Kippur Katan for Chodesh Elul: Why Is This Yom Kippur Katan Different From All Others? The Halachic and Hashkafic Implications Why is tishrei’s yom kippur katan more focused on than that of any other month? How much of an ”inyan” is it?

R’ Yisroel Reisman- Kiddush Hashem: “You Should Sanctify Me Amongst the Children of Israel” Lessons from mishlei: sometimes you need to fail in order to succeed, we all have capabilities that we need to live up to, if you don’t have faith in something it won’t be there for you when you need it, and atzlut (laziness) means being distracted by low priority tasks and not taking advantage of that time to do higher priority ones (eg attend shiur).

Rabbi Jonathan Ziring-How Poskim Incorporate Metziut into Pesak (1) Thesis – there are cases where one can not rely on a navi/bet din if they go against their cognitive understanding of an issue.
Is it best that a dayan know the total sum of worldly knowledge concerning the case at hand (eg including the sciences …).

Rabbi Moshe Sokoloff-Was Moshe considered a king Why can’t a melech be mochel his kavod but a talmid chacham can? What was moshe rabbeinu’s status for this purpose?

R’ Yisroel Reisman – Parashat Vayechi: Danger of Perfection VS. Beauty of Imperfection Is the olam haemet there is true emet but in this world there is no perfection. Deal with it!Description

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-From The Rabbi’s Desk – Half the Estate for the Neighbor When might we relocate an inheritance based on umdna dmuchrach (the niftar acted with an unarticulated premise)? (not often)

R’ Yisroel Reisman – Parashat Some People Are More Alive Than Others The Jewish people persevere through msirat nefesh. Hitachdut halev allows us to ignore the pettiness of others.

Please direct any informal comments to audioroundup613@comcast.net.

Audio Roundup 2025:34

Joel Rich — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 23:30:47 +0000

by Joel Rich

From the OU: Other flavored briquettes such as hickory and smoke do not pose a problem. They are unlikely to contain any non-kosher ingredients, and even if they did, Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 108:1) rules that although it is improper to allow a kosher food to absorb a non-kosher aroma, it will not make the food non-kosher.

Me- is this a sfek sfeika? Does it make it OK lchtchila?

So in addition to being taught that wine in talmudic times wine had a higher alcohol content than current wines (apparently not true due to natural fermentation limitations) it also turns out that I was told incorrectly that in medieval times people didn’t drink water because it was dangerous. According to Dr C Soloveitchik:

Medieval people, as a rule, didn’t drink water even monks eschewed it. Drinking water for any length of time was considered a deprivation but even a grave humiliation.

Any thoughts

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Rav Yisrael Zev Gustman – A Life Rebuilt R gustman stories – another individual I should’ve known but didn’t.

R’ Shraga Kallus -Restaurants In The 9 Days Kulot available when there is no shavua shechal bo (tisha bav).

Rabbi David Bagno-ניחמתי על עפר ואפר – עיון בספר איוב – יום השואה Iyov questioned HKBH based on theodicy and his own personal circumstances. HKBH comforted him by responding to the general question but not the personal application. The world is a big, complex place which you, as a human, can’t fully comprehend. From where HKBH is, your (Iyov’s) ra is really tov. Just interacting with HKB was a comfort to Iyov.

Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb-Windows vs Mirrors – What’s the Correct Way to Look at the World? R a weiss’s churban message – take personal responsibility, make a personal cheshbon. It’s not solely the other guy’s fault.

Rabbi Yoni Pere-Navigating Domestic Help in Halacha – Can My Housekeeper Do My Mitzvos? Non-jews do not have neemanut for tvilat keilim or bug checking.

Mrs. Alissa Zeffren-Halachic Woman: Living Life with Meaning and Purpose Specific applications of r ybs’s hashkfa (seeing the world through halachic glasses, creativity torah changing us) to women.

Rabbi Menachem Penner,Rabbi Larry Rothwachs,Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky-Aliyah Q&A Aliyah is a big mitzvah with challenges and opportunities (and real estate profits)

Rabbi Jonah Steinmetz-Can Goyim and Reshaim Be Neviim? Given the rambam’s description of how one attains nevuah (through perfecting oneself) how does he understand bilaam et al?

Rabbi Yona Reiss-Who is Obligated to Serve in the Army of Israel? Examination of the personnel exemption from milchemet mitzvah conscriptions with focus on “talmidei chechamim” (TBD). What about those in chu”l?

R’ Asher Weiss-Shiur in Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah Baltimore: The Mitzvah of Teffilah Any mitzvah which is pure avodat hashem is either shabbat/yom tov based or daily based (eg tfila). There are some fundamentals which may not be mitzvot but are clearly the ratzon hashem (eg chinuch).

Rabbi Norman Lamm-The Place of Anger in Halacha Is an act done through anger considered mkalkel or a tikkun? Is it different in hilchot deot than it is in hilchot shabbat? Caas and gavah are both examples of ego centricity overcoming HKBH centricity.

Rabbi Ya’akov Trump-The Statistical Authorship of the Torah Use of word frequency (or other “higher” biblical criticism tools) doesn’t prove multiple authors, rather just that HKBH uses multiple voices to communicate with us.

R’ Asher Weiss-Tisha B’Av: Mourning with Meaning It’s hard for us to relate to the loss of the bet mikdash but we should realize all our tzarot are related to not having the bet mikdash. Our learning torah will rebuild the bet midkash.

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Answering YUr Shailos 2.2: Nine Days, Shabbos Chazon, Tisha B’Av Tisha b’av q and a including: mourning when you know there will be eventual positive results, traveling to knot (OK), balancing child care with TB (yes!), pregnant/choleh TB observance, missing tfilah btzibur to help spouse on TB (yes), learning mussar on TB (depends on intent), siyum during the nine days (be real), fresh clothes preparation (be normal), 9 days shopping (be honest about savings), and R YBS on shaving.

Rabbi Chaim Eisenstein-The Essence of Tisha B’AV in Halacha and Avodas Hashem How do the natures of yom kippur, tisha bav and other fasts compare? Is there a din of shiurim on tisha bav? How much of tisha bav is about tshuva and how much is about aveilut?

Rabbi Dr. Dvir Ginsberg-Tisha B’Av – Chazal’s Conflicting Rationales Lots of reasons given for churban (I&II); are they historically accurate or are they pointing to issues that society tolerated which shouldn’t have been tolerated?

Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky-זכר למקדש in Halacha and Hashkafa Zecher lmikdash in halacha all year round – saying korbanot, pesach seder, sukkot lulav ….

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-From The Rabbi’s Desk – Competitive Eating Competitive face stuffing is not condoned by halacha (surprise?)

Rav Asher Weiss-דיני תשעה באב החל במוצאי שבת Why R Weiss paskins that tzom kal pills are not a problem of hachana or medicine on shbbat. Are women chayav in havdala?

Two interesting sidepoints 1 when the “reason” for a gzeira no longer applies we can’t undo it but we can be lenient 2 when the S”A brings yeish omrims it means he felt you can rely on them in appropriate situations.

Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner-Medical Halacha: Informing Patients of Bad News & When/How to Say Viduy Topics include: should you give bad news to a choleh and when/where and how to say vidui.

Rabbi Etan Schnall-Kiddush Levana in the Month of Av: When the Moon Won’t Shine for Klal Yisrael Why don’t we say kiddush levana until after tisha b’av?

Rabbi Baruch Simon-Inyanei Tisha Baav: Binyanei Halachot Uminhagim Hashayachot Ltisha Baav Insights into havdala post tisha bav, rosh chodesh and using the eicha tune for lcha dodi.

Rabbi Sariel Malitzky-Must It Be Awkward? Saying Hello, Wishing Others Good Night, And Head Nods on Tisha Be’Av What is the sheilat shalom that is prohibited on tisha bav? (Narrowly defined today.) Is the issue one of the impact on the avel or that it leads to simcha or to a hesech hadaat?

Rabbi Michael Taubes-Parshat Devorim Learning Torah on Erev Tishah B’Av While some posit the concept of accepting tisha bav early, it’s not generally accepted. Perhaps there’s an issue of tone setting for tisha bav or not having an afterglow on tisha bav of the joy from learning beforehand.

Rabbi A Berman-Tisha B’Av: Does This Story Have A Hero? R shimon bar yochai stepped up to the plate and swung and that’s the key (vs – r zcharya bar avkulus)

Rabbi Tanchum Cohen-The Dutch Medallion and the Double Misreading: Exploring Avoda Zara as Av Begins What forms (human, angel, full, partial, raised, sunken …) are permitted to be made (or kept) by jews?

Rabbi Jonathan Muskat-The Controversy Surrounding the Acceptance of the Shulchan Aruch as a Halachic Code Does codification of halacha lead to a less commendable halachic result than going back to the original source? How do later authorities compensate for the downsides of codifications?

Rabbi Ike Sultan-Historical and Deeper Understanding to Asara Harugei Malchut and Mechirat Yosef Questions resulting from the story of the assaraharugei malchut and possible resolutions.

Please direct any informal comments to audioroundup613@comcast.net“>audioroundup613@comcast.net.

Audio Roundup Special: Rav Moshe Taragin

Joel Rich — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 21:30:09 +0000

by Joel Rich

Rabbi Moshe Taragin

Torah for Bein Hezamanim

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1143700

#1 Thoughts Upon Visiting Teveriah/Kever of Rebbi Yirmiya (the Amora)

Three insights from r yirmiya: don’t divorce religion from nature, anivut and hishtadlut are a precursor to olam haba and how we personalize aretz as a body (tveria = tburo shel olam).

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1143862

#2: Thoughts Upon Visiting the Kever of the Rambam- What Each Sefer Epitomizes; The Mishnah Torah is Both “Periodic” and Eternal

Rambam’s history and works – yad hachazaka was groundbreaking for his classification system.

Interesting insight – klal yisrael paskins (and r mt trusts them) what approaches and works are within the fold!

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1144001

#3- Thoughts Upon Visiting the Kever of Raban Yochanan Ben Zakkai: Transitioning from Early Tana’im to Later Tana’im; ;Transitioning From Mikdash to Galut; Should Torah Learners be Prideful?

R yochanon ben zakkai led two transitions. The first was being an intellectual bridge between the early and late tannaim. The second was judaism’s transition from being a temple-based religion to a rabbinic based one.

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1144306

#4 : Adopting Chumrot Which Don’t “Fit”; Symmetrical Religious Growth

One must know their own level. Chumrot should be taken on carefully and reflect one’s current and desired religious level.

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1144375

#5: Validating Human Weakness and Anxieties or Moralizing From Afar

Moshe rabbeinu told bnai yisrael that “normal” but counterproductive human reactions (eg cochi votzem yadi) are normal, but they can be countered.

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1144484

#6: Why Does Moshe Request Yirat Shamayim NOW? What Does this Illustrate About Yirat Shamayim?

Yirat shamayim is really yirat harommut which is a combination of recognizing HKBH’s transcendence and surrendering to it. How do we attain that level? (It ain’t easy)

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1144530

#7: Hakol Bidei Shamayim- Aside from Yirat Hashem- Why is Yirat Shamayim the Most “Human” of all Religious Experiences?

Ahava is about being attracted to HKBH and seeing the earthly benefits of that relationship vs yirah which is about when you don’t see the benefits.

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1144872

#8: Federalization of Religion; Withering Communal Identity

There are dangers in the decentralization of religious institutions, primarily that there is no clear self-definition of group identity and values.

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1145015

#9 – Three Reasons for Kashrut- Distancing From The Physical, Dignity of Man, Cultural Distinctiveness; Thoughts About Kashrut in the Modern Era

Lessons from the mitzvah of kashrut include: holiness means not to be immersed in eating, dignity means not to eat like an animal and being Jewish means being apart from other nations. In ourfoodie culture we need to think more about these concerns.

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1145492

#10- Eglah Arufah: Empowering People and Building Self- Esteem

Perhaps the “sin” of egla arufa was that the offending city didn’t greet the visitor in a way that left him with positive self-esteem for the journey. People live up to expectations.

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/1145561

#11: Why I Believe in Da’as Torah …But Don’t Make Decisions Based Upon It

We all agree that you go to a rav for a halachic psak but where is the line where halacha ends? (eg investment advice? ethical trade-offs?) The chareidi (at least 100 + years) hashkafa invests/requires someone (gadol) with credibility in all areas of human endeavor. (me-AIUI the more removed he is from the real world, the better)

Do we believe this in theory? In practice?

Audio Roundup 2025:33

Joel Rich — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 23:00:44 +0000

by Joel Rich

From hakira:
In your experience, does emunah require more than pure rationality?

R. Schachter: Yes. just as rationality is enough for the fact that George Washington was the president of the United States. It is basic history.
Similarly, our people know this (the ikkarei emunah) from our historica historical tradition. The experiential aspect (as discussed above), of ley-da of hitabrut , makes one’s emunah even stronger. But even without the historical tradition, rationality alone is sufficient

Thoughts?

Times of Israel Blog

https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/at-what-cost-healing-from-internal-fissures-and-failure/ At what cost?
Healing from internal fissures and failure

2 snips

And then, October 7th. Like millions of others, I was thrust into visceral, unrelenting shock. It wasn’t just the tangible fear of terrorists breaking down my door; it was the collapse of my entire self-narrative. My ideology, my choices, the very framework through which I made sense of the world — all of it shattered overnight. I felt alienated, estranged from myself, as if a part of me no longer belonged, as if something fundamental no longer fit. I felt betrayed by my own naïve convictions.

There is a rent in the fabric of our national narrative that no amount of patching will repair. We need to acknowledge the losses, and not rush to mend them. We have no choice but to face the unbearable truth of what has changed.

So today, I sit among the remnants of my shattered ideology and the ruins of my naïve dreams. Today, I allow myself to be broken. Today, I cry. Today, I mourn. Today, I refuse to let go of the images of the burning children and emaciated hostages. Today I reflect on our moral imperatives so that history will not return to haunt us in the future.

Tomorrow, we begin again.

Me- Maybe it’s the weight of age, but to me it’s a continuation of a national narrative that has ups and downs spiraling towards the eternal people’s fulfilling their destiny. If you have a chance to read the piece, please comment.

Rabbi Dovid Miller-Halacha and Morality: The View of the Rav R ybs differentiated between halacha (naaseh vnishma= uniform definitions) and morality (zeh keili vanveihu = based on the individual). Examples discussed (eg bet hillel and shamai on zachar et yom hashabbat – it is about being prepared for the future (beit shammai) or not fearing an uncertain future (beit hillel?). R ybs felt there is no generalized psak in these cases of morality, rather it’s dependent on the individual’s “feeling” (TBD what is the source of the differences). R y salanter felt there could be psak in these cases r dessler is somewhat unclear.

Rabbi Yosie Levine-Our Enduring Relationship with the Dead: Yahrzeit in Halakhah and History Review of yahrtzeit sources and practices. Is it for the benefit of the living or the dead? It’s really about how much we miss the person.

Rabbi Howard Apfel-Personal Chumrahs, Does One Size Fit All Life is about balance. Accepting chumrot requires seeking a balance of yira and ahava, not being OCD, and knowing what level you’re on.

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Building and Guarding the Beis Hamikdash How does the machloket concerning the focus of the bet mikdash between the Rambam (karbanot) and the Ramban (hasharat shechina) inform on the miztva (mitzot) of making keilim for the bet Mikdash? Bottom line – cherish kdusha and HKBH will send more of it.

Host: Ari Wasserman,Rabbi Dovid Ostroff,Mrs. Chani Juravel.Rabbi Anthony Manning,with Rabbi Larry Rothwachs-8/9/25 – Shiur 523 – Tznius Standards: Clear Halacha or Personal Interpretation? What’s Required and Why It’s Being Ignored Tzniut is a broad positive life concept and should be taught as such rather than as a bunch of got-yas. Thoughtful messaging is crucial.

Rabbi Shay Schachter-Facing the Ruins: Denialism and the Failure to Internalize the Abstract It’s not so easy to internalize the message HKBH sends us since we’re often in denial (eg us jewry and secular university choices).

Rabbi Moshe Kurtz-Unpacking the Igros: Rav Moshe’s Messiah Mentality Interesting question – how does/should halacha reflect the anticipation/probability/possibility of moshiach coming? (me-there are gemaras that deal with contingencies eg cohain gadol’s wife dying before yom kippur) (me-is there a disconnect between vaf al pi sheyitmameah and our actions? Our thoughts?)

Rabbi Michael Taubes-Spiritual Resistance During Tragic Times: Recent Past and Present Stories of spiritual resistance from the shoa and gaza.

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Churban Aggadata 5785 Q&A including: YU kolel stipend for non-smicha students (need to encourage) (me-who allocates community resources?), bug checking standards (at what cost), burial in israel (give tzedakah instead), developing ahavas torah, and, relationships with rabbeim (important).

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Rabbi Lebowitz Q&A with CBY Kollel Discussion of specific active choices to make in order to capitalize on the positive inertia generated by ncsy kolel.

Rabbi Jeffrey Saks-The First Jewish Grandfather Symposium of generations – nuff said!

R’ Shraga Kallus-Talmud Torah The Only Commodity Insights into the hashkafa of talmud torah based on the halachot of talmud torah.

Rabbi Moshe Benovitz,Rabbi Shai Kaminetzky-NCSY Kollel Yom Iyun – Tefillah: How to Make Davening More Inspiring and Productive Tips on how to make tfila more meaningful (hint – it has to be part of a prayerful life.)

Rabbi Roy Feldman-The Meaning of Kiddush Is kiddush (zachor et yom hashabbat) more about individual preparation for shabbat or a historical affirmation of creation? Nakfa minas explored including early acceptance of shabbat and sitting or standing for kiddush.

Rav Asher Weiss– ונשמרתם מאוד לנפשותיכם Is protecting one’s life (vnishmartem) a mitzvah duraita or drabanan? How much sakana is one allowed to bear? Is it defined situationally or objectively?

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Answering YUr Shailos 2.3 Q&A including: common shabbat issues such as: early shabbat ( kriat shma and eating bread); tosefet shabbat; borer, using only cold water; minhagim where all ten are not physically (me-spiritually? ) on the same level (problem)l; going into a conservative synagogue building (marat ayin?); individual vs community minhag; struggling with emuna and tfila (sources of struggle usually are personal challenges or gaavah); hard to connect (tips-feel need, focus), proceeding when not all-in (slow and steady); how to return when feeling far (sometimes need to hit rock bottom); remember HKBH loves you; and, maintaining a spiritual life with all the distractions.

Rabbi Howard Apfel-Ayin Hora Some see (pun intended) ayin hara as a human directed spiritual damage. R kook and r ybs saw it as a warp in the universal soul fabric which only attaches to those who define themselves through how others see them.

Rabbi Mark Wildes-Judaism and Happiness Happiness is focusing on others and extending yourself to them.

Rabbi Michael Taubes-Parshas VaEschanan “Should a Mezuzah be Enclosed in a Case?” Mzuza related issues discussed including who, where, materials, wrapping and hiddur.

Rabbi Elchanan Adler-Lo Tenasu: What Does It Mean to Test Hashem? How do we understand not testing HKBH? Is it about ein somchin al hanes, not doing al minat lkabel pras, or not testing a navi? Are tzedeka/maser ksafim an exception to this rule?

R’ Zev Smith-Am… Teffillah Insights into the importance of tfila and how to do it.

Rabbi Moshe Sokoloff-Eating In Shul- Part 2 What if any are the exceptions to the rule of not eating in a shul? If mitzva eating is one, what constitutes a mitzvah for this purpose?

R’ Lopinsky-Nesias Ol from Afar – Our Achrayos to Acheinu Bnei Yisroel The world is a complicated place. We (chareidim) must continually be nosai ol with all klal yisrael, pray for all klal yisrael (especially those who don’t pray), admire those who do fight and maintain our educational philosophy (separatism).

R’ Lopinsky-Achdus When We Don’t Agree (with Q&A) We must try to see the other side as long as it’s a valid opinion (me-therin lies the rub). Both sides of the chareidi draft debate are being moser nefesh for what they believe.

R’ Lopinsky-We Will Always Be Different (with Q&A) – Aish Gesher 5784 Q&A including: HKBH ensures we will be a nation separate from others, each generation has its own challenges, gun control), learning emuna, balancing differing priorities, dealing with emotional challenges and kiruv message will penetrate the Jewish heart.

R’ Lopinsky-Redeeming Hostages in Halacha Review of the gemaras dealing with pidyon shvuyim, how does tosfot reconcile them and what’s the practical psak. Remember though that rules of war are different.

עת צרה היא ליעקב וממנה יושע – The Torah outlook and our responsibility (Headlines) How should “we” understand what happened in gaza and how should ”we” react to it? Be nosei ol, try to feel the pain of others and change a bit (me-and practically pitch in?)

R’ Shraga Kallus-Contemporary Issues That All Need To Know Q&A including: drinking coffee during psukei dzimra (no), microblading (tattoo?), walking out during tehilim for the matzav (don’t), first responders putting selves in safek sakana (OK), lending money to finance church construction (OK), taking nerdarim (don’t), Emunah vs bitachon, checking non-smelly diapers when about to do mitzvah (not required), automatic stock sales on shabbat (avoid), contact solution on shabbat (OK), schnitzel w/DE soy milk (bidieved), pesach programs with Israelis in chu”l (two days), Jewish music today (problem) and post pesach chametz purchase returns (TBD).

Rabbi Moshe Kurtz-82. Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm’s Halachic Heroism – Feat. R. Dr. Tzvi Sinensky Biographies of R lamm and discussion of his approach to halacha and hashkafa. Specific discussion of a tshuva allowing non shomer shabbat cohanim to duchen as well as his definition of torah umada.

Rabbi Moshe Kurtz-81. A Psak Heard Round the World: Are We Facing Jerusalem or the Congo? – Feat. R. Yosef Weisenfeld Review of the mateh moshe’s professional journey in the usa and his tshuva on which way to face (both in shul construction and on an individual basis)(the whole great circle thing).

Please direct any informal comments to audioroundup613@comcast.net.

Audio Roundup 2025:32

Joel Rich — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 21:30:30 +0000

by Joel Rich

Attributed to rav mendel shafran who is a posek in bnei brak – – some radical honesty:
וטעם רוב גדולי ישראל שאינם משתמשים בזה אינו משום שמפקפקים באמיתת העניין אלא משום שבמאתיים שנה האחרונות נקבע ההרגשה הפנימית שלא משנים דברים גם אם מן הדין היה צריך להנהיגם או לשנותם וזה כהגנה נגד מהרסים המנסים לשנות ולהתאים.
‏ועד כדי כך נקבע עיקרון זה שיש כח בדעת תורה זה לעקור דבר מן התורה כמו מצוות תכלת הכלל שגם שינוי לטובה רואים חכמי התורה לתחילת פירצה שאחריתה מי ישוארנו ודבר זה הוא בבחינת יכולים חכמים לעקור דבר מן התורה בשב ואל תעשה
“And the reason that most of the gdolim do not use this (tcheilet)is not because they doubt the truth of the matter, but rather because in the last two hundred years there has been established an internal feeling that we don’t change things even if according to the strict hlacha one should have instituted them or changed them, and this is as a defense against destroyers who try to change and adapt.(halacha?)
And to such an extent has this principle been established that there is power in daat torah to uproot a matter from the Torah, like the commandment of techelet . the rule being that even a change for the better is viewed by Torah scholars as the beginning of a breach whose end is not foreseeable , and this matter is in the category of ‘the chachamim are able to uproot a matter from the Torah through inaction’ (shev v’al ta’aseh).”

The gemara sometimes refers to poalav v’chamarav (see avoda zara 63a). Is this just a common expression or is there a possible halachic difference between a worker and a donkey driver?

Rabbi Yonah Gross-Halachik Issues in Community Kashrus 7 – BUGS! How Hard Do You Need to Look? At what level of visual identification do bugs in food become an issue? How do we define miyut hamatzui for determining which foods will require bug-checking?

Rabbi Mayer E. Twersky-Inyanei Lashon Hara and Tisha B’av The Rambam deals with lashon hora in hilchot deot (me-this classification speaks volumes). There’s a difference between statements which are disparaging on their face and ones which may cause damage if they get out.

Rabbi Daniel Hartstein-Halachic Heterim in Modern Orthodoxy: Scooters On Shabbos Based on bike riding tshuvot, are scooters permissible on shabbat? Issues include tchum, shema yitakein, and (the hard to define) uvda dchol. Bottom line – it’s not shabbosdic.

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-From the Rabbi’s Desk – Wontons for Shabbos Application of the various exceptions to the prohibitions of bishul akum where a jew lit the fire for baking wontons and the non-jew took them after the baking and fried them.

Rabbi Yaakov B. Neuburger-Kefiyah on Kibud Av V’Eim @KaylieMasmidim Can bet din be kofeh on kibud av? Why were some mitzvot given with their reward described in the torah?

Rabbi Michael Taubes-Parshas Pinchas May One Eat Before Davening Mussaf Eating before shacharit is a problem of lo tochal al hadam (me-although apparently drinking coffee during shacharit is now “a thing”). Before other tefilot there is an issue of possibly forgetting to daven because of the distraction of eating. After shacharit, before musaf, a seudah is forbidden but a tiema (taste) is permitted. Must you make kiddush first?

Rabbi Shlomo Perlstein,Rabbi Elie Moskowitz,Rabbi Zalman Graus-7/19/25 – Shiur 521 – Jew vs. Jew: The Housing Fight Tearing Rockland Apart Squarer chassidim said to be creating a buffer zone to keep away other religious jews away from square by buying homes and turning them into multi-family dwellings for non-jewish families. Is this halachically permitted? Appropriate?

R ASHER Weiss- מחלל שבת בפרהסיא: דרשה לכשרות הOU The mchaleil shabbat bfarhesia today – is he like an idol worshipper or a tinok shenishba (for what purpose?)

Rabbi Yehoshua Grunstein-הליכה לבית הקברות בתשעה באב On tisha bav we balance aveilut, tshuva and hope for the future.

Dr. Avraham Steinberg-Milchama L’or Halacha: War According to Torah The current war has focused halacha on war shailot including issues such as kashrut/shabbat exemptions, morale, who should serve, collateral damage, DNA evidence, and post mortem impregnation.

Rabbi Chaim Jachter-Eruv stories, Questions from Chayalim, and Hallel following the recent war with Iran R jachter tells some eruv stories, reflects on some army related questions and shares his thoughts on how to halachically acknowledge the recent iran war’s expressions of chasdei hashem

Rabbi Shalom Rosner-Memory and Mitzvot: The Message of 6 Zechirot The messages of the six zchirot boil down to our relationship with HKBH (me-the Miriam message IMHO is a bit of a stretch).

Rabbi Daniel Reich-Floating in The Wind: The Torah’s Perspective on Dissolving Our Commitments If keeping our word is so important, why do we allow kol nidre? It’s all about tshuva for imperfect man.

Rabbi Tzvi Benoff-Jewish Nationalism & Army Service in the Diaspora Part 1 Jews in foreign armies – r sr hirsch on the duties of jewish citizens to host countries.

Rabbi Daniel Fridman-Succession: Moshe, Yehoshua, and the Halakhic Ethos of Leadership Jewish leadership must reflect the generation. Goals remain the same but the tools and techniques sometimes change.
One lesson of bnot tzlophchad is that parents don’t have to be perfect (and rarely are).

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Q and A @CampKaylie 2025 Q&A including: when taking on a new practice, don’t skip steps (even when you’re sure you’re doing it lshem shamayim); be normal in your community, understanding IDF service, chareidi hashkafa and living for the klal (I agree with R Lebowitz that it’s for the worse that US MO doesn’t feel it); qualities to look for in a rebbi and in a wife; make time to learn everything (eg tanach), going into chinuch w/o parent approval/support; sifrei mussar, and being mitzape lyishua.

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-Ten Minute Halacha – Kibud Av Versus Responsibility to HusbandDescription

R’ Shmuel Fuerst-Mincha after Shkyia, Tzitzis Before Netilas Yedayim, Words of Torah and Shaimos, Moch Dachok Hafsek Tarahans More Q&A including: mincha post shkia-start? finish? (limited OK), put on tzitzit/clothes before ntila (machloket), how many words make something sheimot (2 or 3?), using a tampon for bdika (shaat hadchak), how much preference to give to a Jewish merchant/employee (halacha/hashkafa), bracha on schnitzel (mezonot, shahakol?) and which comes first – tvila or koshering (of non-kosher keilim)?

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-From The Rabbi’s Desk – Getting a Ride With a Mechalel Shabbos Can frum people that take a car ride home after shabbat from someone who drove to a kiruv program on shabbat? It’s not maaaseh shabbat but maybe machzik ovrei aveira?

Rabbi Michael Siev-Zionist Gedolei Torah: Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik History of r ybs’s torah and move to Zionism. How did his Zionism differ from that of r kook?

Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz-0Answering YUr Shailos 2.1: Bein Hamitzarim3 weeks/9 days Q&A including: music, dancing, siyum, new clothes, traveling and connecting with the churban.

Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky9Feeling the Churban: A Challenge for Our Generation- A Halachic and Hashkafic Response In order to connect with tisha bav we must realize that while we have gotten a lot (yerushalyaim) we still haven’t reached the ultimate goal which is connection with ruach hashem.

Rabbi Shay Schachter-When Walls Have Kedusha: The Halachik Status of the Kotel Hamaaravi and the Practice of Placing Notes in the Cracks What is the kedusha status of the kotel? (Technically vs how we should act while in its presence?)

Rabbi Shay Schachter-A Halachic Analysis: Tragic Friendly Fire Incidents of the IDF, Teshuva for Unintentional Loss of Life One is not halachially culpable for causing death inadvertently in the line of duty (eg doctor, soldier) but (me-emotionally) some act of atonement is appropriate.

Rabbi Moshe Walter-Travel, Trips, and Vacations During The Three Weeks and Nine Days-Trains, Planes, Boats, and More There’s a generally accepted practice not to travel (or engage in “danger” {TBD}) during the nine days unless there is a toelet. The basis for this practice isn’t so strong.

Ari Wasserman,Rabbi Yehuda Spitz ,With Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glat,Rav Rafael Kleinman,with Rabbi Yossi Sprung-7/26/25 – Shiur 522 – Smoking and vaping – Is there any heter? What do smokers rely on? Don’t smoke, don’t vape!

Sam Dratch-Rav Soloveitchik, Rav Shagar, and Rav Chanan Porat on The Three Weeks What’s the meaning of the three weeks to nine day progression? R’YBS aveilut yeshana vs chadasha. R shagar feeling at home and then seeing progressive cracks. Geulah is happening now!

Rabbi Yaakov B. Neuburger-Q/A w/Rabbi Neuburger, CBY Summer Kollel Q&A with future rabbis including: taking risks in chinuch, expectations of baalei batim, disagreements among community rabbis, considering communities to serve in, what should change in the RIETS smicha program, focusing on learning while in the pulpit, gdolim with rogue opinions, technology, mazimizing return on time investment, and being aggressive in outreach.

R’ Shmuel Fuerst-Questions of the Week: Carpet/Table Sweeper on Shabbos, Inyan Not to Put Something in your Pocket on Shabbos, and More Q&A including: carpet sweeper on shabbat (rugs no, other surfaces yes), sun tanning (tzovea) and lotion (machloket), putting things in pockets on shabbat (avoid), meit in nursing home w/kohanim in residence (take out body ASAP ), sales job in treif food (OK if owned by non-jew), selling food from home (needs hashgacha), making ice on shabbat (OK), and shnayim mikra (can start after mincha time on shabbat).

Please direct any informal comments to audioroundup613@comcast.net.