Halacha Headlines

Latest Episodes:

8/1/26 – Shiur 570 – Jews in America 1776 - Jews in America 2026 - Anti Semitism In America Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

The history and the present reality of antisemitism in America.
What can we do?
How to deal with it?
The history of Five Towns
and much more...

Guest host: Rabbi Moshe Taub – Rov of Young Israel of Holliswood

with Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky – Rosh Yeshivah Yeshiva of South Shore, writer and author – 22:20
with Chaskel Bennett – Business Owner, Political Activist, and longtime Hatzolah member – 49:08

מראי מקומות

7/25/26 – Shiur 569 – The Biggest Mistakes Bochurim (and Parents) Make During Bein Hazmanim Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

What makes a successful Bein Hazmanim?
When should parents intervene if a son isn't thriving in yeshiva?
What's the biggest parenting mistake during Bein Hazmanim?
Can enthusiasm for Torah and tefillah be taught?
How much learning and minyan should parents expect during Bein Hazmanim?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger – Rabbi of Congregation Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, New Jersey – 8:24
with Rabbi Dovid Kaplan – Mashgiach Ruchani, Yeshivas Beis Yisrael – 33:48
with Rabbi Aharon Spivak – Rav of KBY in Monsey, author and therapist – 56:08

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:15:21

מראי מקומות

7/18/26 – Shiur 568 – The Battle Over Mixed-Gender Combat Units in the IDF Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

What’s behind the push to integrate women into combat roles in the IDF?
Is this debate unique to the IDF, or does it reflect broader issues in Israeli society?
Does the prohibition of yichud apply inside a tank?
How should religious soldiers navigate these challenges?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Dovid Fendel – Founder and Rosh Yeshiva of the Hesder Yeshiva in Sderot – 14:34
with Rabbi Dovid Stav – Founder and Chairman of Tzohar and Chief Rabbi of Shoham – 34:01
with Rabbi Itai Asman – co-founder of Torat Lechima, promoting Jewish identity in the IDF – 57:17

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:14:11

מראי מקומות

7/11/26 – Shiur 567 – Extreme Sports and Halacha| How to have a successful marriage Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

Skiing, Heli Skiing, Sky Diving, Bungee Jumping, Escooters, Ebikes, Rock Climbing
Is it Muttar?
How do we reconcile 'ונשמרתם מאד לנפשותיכם & שומר פתאים ה?
with Eli Rowe – Captain of HatzalahAir – 7:28
with Rabbi Aryeh Kerzner – Rav, Agudah of Montreal, Rosh Kollel Ichud Hakehillos D'Montreal, writer for Mishpacha Magazine – 19:23

How to have a successful marriage
with Rabbi Avraham Kaas – Social Worker and Marriage Therapist – 54:02

מראי מקומות

7/4/26 – Shiur 566 – Stock Market Investing: How Much Risk Is Too Much? Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

Is it wise to buy stocks based on a “hot tip”?
When does investing cross the line into gambling?
How does halacha view margin investing (borrowing money to invest)?
What is the status of trading options and other derivatives?
Is it permitted to invest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies?
Is there a way to realistically double your money without taking on significant risk?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Daniel Rapp – Dayan at the Beis Din of America, Maggid Shiur at RIETS – 12:08
with Mr. Morris Smith – Former Manager of the Fidelity Magellan Fund – 38:20
with Mrs. Stacey Zrihen – Senior Director of Coaching for Living Smarter Jewish and Senior Financial Advisor for Achiezer – 1:15:15

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:29:55

מראי מקומות

6/27/26 – Shiur 565 – The New Gambling Epidemic: Sports Betting, Kalshi, Day Trading, and Halacha Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

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’arei Orah in Teaneck, Dayan on the Elizabeth Beis Din – 28:15
with Rabbi Moshe Rotberg – Rav of Zichron Yechezkel, Toms River NJ, Rov of Hatzalah of Central Jersey, Pyscotherapist - 50:16
with Mr. Yehuda Liff – Therapist at Retorno, Specializing in addiction – 1:12:43

מראי מקומות

6/20/26 – Shiur 564 – Should You Move to Israel? What about trying it for a year? Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

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 Shlomo, Yerushalayim – 10:42
with Jonathan Rosenblum – Mishpacha Columnist and author – 39:30
with Rabbi Paysach Freedman – CEO and co-founder of Chaim V'Chessed - 50:24
with Mrs. Rifka Lebowitz – CFP and founder of Living Financially Smarter In Israel – 1:15:17
with Naftali Derovan - Head of the Aliyah Guidance Division of Nefesh B’Nefesh – 1:41:15

Conclusions and Takeaways – 2:04:31

מראי מקומות

6/13/26 – Shiur 563 –Modern Orthodox, Dati Leumi, and Charedi: Are the Differences Halachic or Hashkafic? Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

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 Breitowitz – posek, Rav and Senior Lecturer at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach – 11:14
with Jonathan Rosenblum – Mishpacha Columnist and author – 40:02
with Rabbi Moshe Taragin – Ram at Yeshivat Har Etzion, Gush Etzion, Israel – 1:02:02
https://www.mtaraginbooks.com/

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:56:37

מראי מקומות

6/6/26 – Shiur 562 – Shidduchim — What do you have to disclose? At what point does privacy become deception? At what point does “full disclosure” become cruelty, stigma, and impossible perfectionism? Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

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 father spent time in prison decades ago and completely rebuilt his life. Must that be disclosed to the other side?
A girl has a sibling who left religion entirely. Is that relevant information or lashon hara?
And much more……

with Rabbi Dovid Jaffee – Author, What Can I Say..Today, Maggid Shiur – 16:55
with Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Lowy – Rov of Agudas Yisrael Toronto' Renowned Mechaber Seforim and Poseik on Hilchos Loshon Hora – 46:09
with Rabbi Shlomo Goldberger – MSW, Former Executive Director of The Shidduch of Baltimore – 1:14:18

5/30/26 – Shiur 561 – Finances 101 – financial conflict in marriage May 26, 2026

Show notes

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?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Dr. Jeremy Wieder – Rosh Yeshiva at REITS – 9:30
with Mrs. Stacey Zrihen – Senior Director of Coaching for Living Smarter Jewish and Senior Financial Advisor for Achiezer – 34:02
with Mrs. Chani Juravel, LCSW – Author, lecturer and therapist – 1:03:50
with Rabbi Shimon Taub – Author, Laws of Tzedakah and Ma’aser – 1:35:56

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:53:01

מראי מקומות

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