Halacha Headlines

Latest Episodes:

12/19/25 – Shiur 540 – “Leil Shishi” & Friday “To’ameha” – Do they enhance Shabbos or detract from it? Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

What draws men to these gatherings?
How do they impact the home — especially when alcohol is involved?
What is the halachic basis for tasting food before Shabbos?
What are the halachic concerns with entering Shabbos intoxicated or eating too close to Shabbos?
What should an ideal Erev Shabbos look like?

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

with Rabbi Chaim Aryeh Zev Ginzberg – Rav of the Chofetz Chaim Torah Center, Cedarhurst NY – 13:11
with Rabbi Isaac Rice – Mora De’asra of Congregation Anshei Chesed, Hewlitt NY – 34:36
with Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser – Rav of Khal Bais Yitzchok, Flatbush NY – 1:05:41
with Mrs. Elisheva Liss – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, lecturer, and author – 1:22:52

Conclusions and takeaways – 1:42:55

מראי מקומות

12/13/25 – Shiur 539 – Narco Terrorist being blown out of the water – How does the Torah view it ? | The fascinating saga of the Bochurim in Japan | Dealing with suicide in our community Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

Does a person smuggling in drugs have a Din of a Rodef?
Should you report someone who's trying to sell drugs in the community?
Should you report someone giving out alcohol irresponsibly?
What to be aware of when someone asks you to take a package?
What causes suicide in our community?
How common is it?

with Dayan Chaim Yosef Dovid (Chidu) Weiss – Satmar Dayan of Antwerp – 29:56
with Rabbi Moshe Taub – Rov of Young Israel of Holliswood, Rabbinic Editor of Ami – 52:28
with Tzvi Gluck – Founder of Amudim – 1:06:17

מראי מקומות

12/5/25 – Shiur 538 – Ponevezh Yeshiva: Understanding the Machlokes and is it finally over? Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

How common are controversies over leadership in the Litvish yeshiva system? Is the Ponevezh controversy unique?
What were the main points of the machlokes and how did they develop?
Who halachically owns assets donated to a yeshiva — the Rosh Yeshiva, the fundraiser, or the institution itself?
When, if ever, may a yeshiva bring a dispute to secular arbitration or secular court rather than to Beis Din?

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

with Professor Benjamin Brown – Professor at Hebrew University, expert on contemporary Haredi society – 6:49
with Dayan Shlomo Cohen – Dayan and author of the two-volume work Pure Money – 29:08
with Rabbi Pini Dunner – Rov in Beverly Hills CA, historian and lecturer – 45:54

Conclusions and takeaways – 1:10:30

מראי מקומות

11/29/25 – Shiur 537 – Sacred Roles, Serious Risks: When Rabbis, Male Therapists, and Kiruv Professionals Work With Women Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

What are the primary risks and the necessary gedarim?
May a Rabbi teach Torah to women or girls? What about one-on-one?
How should one handle a situation where women attending a class are not dressed modestly?
What can be done about predators who exploit those they are being mekareiv?

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

With Rabbi Larry Rothwachs, LCSW – Rabbi of Congregation Beth Aaron, Teaneck, NJ – 9:19
With Rabbi Daniel Travis – Rosh Kollel Torah Chaim, Yerushalayim; Mechaber Takanas HaShavim – 43:59
With Rabbi Benzion Klatzko – National Director of College Outreach for Olami – 1:07:37

Conclusions and takeaways – 1:37:22

מראי מקומות

11/22/25 – Shiur 536 – Chareidim in the IDF – Now that there's Frum Battalions is it an obligation to join? – Hear from the inside!!! Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

Now that there's a Frum brigade what's the justification of Frum people at least who aren't learning not to go to the army?
If there's a shortage of soliders why wouldn't yeshiva bochurim be obligated to join – isn't Pikuach Nefesh Doche the whole Torah?
If the Frum will become a majority in the country what will you do then?
If Torah obligates hishtadlus, what is the minimum practical hishtadlus a nation must take to prevent harm? Can tefillah alone replace defensive capability?
If the IDF ceased to exist tomorrow, what do you realistically foresee happening to Jewish cities like Bnei Brak, Ashdod, or Yerushalayim?

with Yonatan - Father of 5 In Miluim for over 400 days – 15:41
with Rabbi Zev Leff - Rav of Moshav Mattisyahu, Renowned teacher and lecturer – 24:39
with Commander Amram Chivan – Commander of Chashmonaim Brigade – 57:39
with Rabbi Yehoshua Pffeffer – Rov in Yerushalayim, Head of Netzach Yehuda – 1:04:45
with Rabbi Nachum Eisenstein – Rav of Ma'alot Dafna neighborhood, Head of the International Rabbinical Committee on Conversion – 1:22:34

מראי מקומות

11/15/25 – Shiur 535 – Online Dating in the Orthodox World Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

How common is online dating in the Yeshivish community? What about Modern Orthodox?
Is it ever acceptable to adjust your age, height, or weight on a dating profile?
Should men and women post profile photos, and what are the concerns?
Is using an older photo to appear younger misleading?
What are the halachos of leaving feedback or “reviews” for shadchanim or daters?

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

with Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz – Rov of Bais Haknesses of North Woodmere and Head of Semicha at RIETS – 10:37
with Dr. Rachel Ginsberg – Principal Researcher at the Center for Communal Research of the OU – 39:37
with Mrs. Lisa Elefant – Founder and Program Developer of AdoptAShadchan (www.adoptashadchan.com) – 1:09:30
with Mrs. Malka Levitin – Founder of Canopy Shidduchim (www.canopyshidduchim.com) – 1:28:25

Conclusions and takeaways – 1:45:08

מראי מקומות

11/8/25 – Shiur 534 – Bullying by children and adults – Who Bullies? Who Gets Bullied? How Should It Be Handled? Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

Why does bullying happen, and who is most at risk?
How should victims respond, and what are the best ways for families, teachers, and community leaders to intervene?
How should the bullies themselves be dealt with?
What practical strategies can we employ to prevent abuse and foster respect?

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

Guests:

Rabbi Yitzchok Berkowitz – Rosh Yeshiva of Aish HaTorah – 9:47
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky – Vice Chairman of Vaad Rabbanei Chabad in Israel – 30:14
Dr. Rona Novick – Dean of Azrieli, Clinical Psychologist and expert on bullying – 59:07

Conclusions and takeaways – 1:36:46

Please donate to the 10 orphans of the Makeler family in Rechovot, Israel https://www.charidy.com/keren375?2

מראי מקומות

11/1/25 – Shiur 533 – NYC EXCLUSIVES: THE ERUV CONTROVERSY | NY ELECTIONS Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

NYC ELECTIONS
with Curtis Sliwa – 1:14

The NY Eruv: Should you be carrying - Become educated
Is NY surrounded by walls?
Does that help?
Was Reb Moshe's Shita a Chumra or a Kula
And much much more....
with Rabbi Shmuel Pultman – Eruv expert on the board of the Eruv, Talmid of Reb Fishel Hershkowitz – 21:39
with Rabbi Zalman Graus – Dayan for over 50 years, Formerly Magid Shiur in Belzer Yeshivah, Editor of Otzar HaPoskim, Mechaber Seforim: Habori Vehashemoh; Kol Boi on Eiruvin; Milim shel Halacha - A dictionary of Halachic Words and more – 1:03:39

מראי מקומות

10/25/25 – Shiur 532 – Men & Women Working Together: The Frum Woman’s Perspective Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

Risks, Concerns, and Practical Solutions

What’s the proper way to interact with male colleagues?
How should a frum woman dress in the workplace?
How do Heimish workplaces compare to secular ones?
How should a woman respond to uncomfortable moments – like a handshake or a hug?
Should she attend office events, parties, and social gatherings?

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

with Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner – Moreh D’asra of Congregation Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park – 12:36
with Mrs. Sara Gordon – sharing her experiences in the Heimish workplace – 36:25
with Mrs. Cohen – sharing her experiences in the Heimish workplace – 47:53
with Mrs. Elisheva Liss – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, lecturer, and author – 56:06
with Mrs. Miriam Brilleman – human resources (HR) executive – 1:38:43

Conclusions and takeaways – 1:53:32

מראי מקומות

10/18/25 – Shiur 531 – Men & Women in a Mixed Workplace: What Are the Risks? Can We Stay Separate While Working together? | Plus, Thoughts and Memories in Tribute to Rabbi Moshe Hauer, EVP of the OU Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

What are the risks and halachic concerns of a mixed gender workplace?
Should conversations be limited to only what’s necessary for work?
Can first names be used?
What if a woman extends her hand to shake hands with a man?
How can couples protect their shalom bayis when one spouse works in a mixed environment?

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

Rabbi Moshe Hauer ZT”L
with Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph – Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, OU – 12:44
with Rabbi Avi Berman – Executive Director of OU Israel – 22:09
with Rabbi Chaim Gottesman – close friend and neighbor of Rabbi Hauer for 30+ years – 35:30

Men & Women in a Mixed Workplace
with Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Breitowitz – posek, Rav and Senior Lecturer at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach – 50:32
with Charlie Harary – Business Executive and author of “Unlocking Greatness” – 1:26:10
with Rabbi Naftali Horowitz – Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and author of “You Revealed” – 1:26:10
with Harry Rothenberg, Esq. – partner at The Rothenberg Law Firm LLP (InjuryLawyer.com) and lecturer – 1:26:10

Conclusions and takeaways – 2:29:54

מראי מקומות

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