Halacha Headlines

Latest Episodes:

7/12/25 – Shiur 520 – When is competition allowed and when does it violate “Hasagas Gevul”? Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Can a second business open up next to another and compete?
What if the second business will hurt or destroy the first business?
What does a Beis Din do when potential Hasagas Gevul issues come before it?
How does Hasagas Gevul apply in our modern, large cities nowadays?
Is the prohibition of Hasagas Gevul only on the new competitor, or also on those who purchase from him?

Host: Ari Wasserman, author 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 – 12:02
with Rabbi Dovid Schoen – Av Bais Din for The Bais Din of Florida – 35:32
with Rabbi Dovid Grossman – Rosh Bais HaVaad, Lakewood, NJ – 1:00:48

Conclusions and takeaways – 1:25:54

מראי מקומות

7/5/25 – Shiur 519 – Hashgacha Pratis: is Hashem watching over you every minute.. Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

The Shitos in the Rishonim
The Baal Shem Tov and the Gra's Shita
If you hold like the Rambam and the Ramban's Shita are you an Apikorus according to the Gra and Baal Shem Tov
Is Hashem busy with the animal kimgdom?
Can you do something to someone if it wasn't preordained?
Why do bad things happen in the world?
What's the point of Hishtadlus if everything is preordained?
What does Hester Panim mean?

with Rabbi Elyada Goldvicht – Rov in Raanana, Rosh Yeshiva of Semichas Chaver – 11:57
with Rabbi DovBer Pinson – Rosh Kolel of the IYYUN Yeshiva/Kolel, is the Marah D’asra of 84 Viola, Mechaber Seforim – 20:51
with Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz – R'm in Yeshivas Shalavim, Mechaber Sefer on Hashgacha Pratis – 39:54

מראי מקומות

6/28/25 – Shiur 518 – Into the Danger Zone? The risks of being in Israel during a time of war. When is risk-taking permitted? Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Can you visit Israel during a war due to the danger?
How do hospitals deal with patients during missile alerts?
Is there an obligation to go to a bomb shelter while you are learning Torah?
Is it permitted to travel to and from Israel via Egypt, Jordan or Cyprus when Ben Gurion Airport is closed?
Can someone in Yerushalayim travel to Bnei Brak or Tel Aviv where it’s more dangerous?

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

You can order "Halachic Q & A on the Job” at https://mosaicapress.com/product/halachic-q-a-on-the-job/

with Rabbi Anthony Manning – Jewish educator, author and speaker – 12:22
with Dov Kram – general contractor and project manager in Israel – 39:15
with Rabbi Yossi Sprung – Rav of Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Rosh Beis Medresh, Beis Medrash Govoha for Medical Halacha – 49:31

Conclusions and takeaways – 1:21:46

מראי מקומות

6/21/25 – Shiur 517 – The “Iran War” – on the Halachic Frontlines Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

Is it prohibited to go to Minyan when the “Home Front Command” and Chief Rabbis say not to go?
Can you carry a phone on Shabbos to hear the warnings of incoming missiles?
Can you leave on the news (radio, TV, Internet) on Shabbos to hear what’s going on?
Should we say Hamapil before sleep, since we may need to immediately head to the bomb shelter?
Do you need to wash Netilas Yadayim before heading to a bomb shelter in the middle of the night?
Does the IDF need to be concerned that the bombing of nuclear reactors could cause “collateral damage” to millions of Iranian citizens?
What’s life like right now living in Israel with regular Iranian missile attacks?

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

You can order "Halachic Q & A on the Job” at https://mosaicapress.com/product/halachic-q-a-on-the-job/

with Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Breitowitz – posek, Rav and Senior Lecturer at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach – 18:42
with Rabbi Dovid Ostroff – posek and teacher at many seminaries in Yerushalayim – 45:06
with Mrs. Sivan Rahav-Meir - media personality, prolific author and lecturer – 1:02:58
with Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody – Executive Director of Ematai, author of “Ethics of Our Fighters” – 1:16:04

Conclusions and takeaways – 1:37:00

מראי מקומות

6/14/25 – Shiur 516 – The irreligious and Yayin Nesech Clearing up common misconceptions Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

Why is wine touched by a non-Jew prohibited? Does this prohibition apply to a non-Jew who’s not an idol worshipper?
Is this extended to a nonreligious Jew who doesn’t keep Shabbos?
What is the status of someone who desecrates Shabbos but goes to shul or makes Kiddush?
What is the law of someone who’s embarrassed to desecrate Shabbos in front of a prominent person?
Do you need witnesses to testify in front of Beis Din to deem someone a Mechalel Shabbos?
Are you allowed to give non-religious Jews wine for them to drink?
Does touching a bottle of wine prohibit the wine?

with Rabbi Nachum Rabinowitz – Senior Rabbinic Coordinator of the OU and a Rov in Boro Park – 16:48
with Rabbi Beirach Steinfeld – Rov of Khal Dover Tov in Flatbush and Head of Dover Tov Kashrus – 39:28

מראי מקומות

5/31/25 – Shiur 515 – Is A Psychedelic Trip the Derech HaShem? May 29, 2025

Show notes

Is using psychedelic drugs to get close to Hashem a Mitzvah or Aveira?
What about for therapeutic and recreational purposes?
How do psychedelics affect people and what are the side effects?
Are people in the frum world really using these drugs and, if so, how broadly?
How should we think about Rabbanim who use - and advise others to use – psychedelics?

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

You can order "Halachic Q & A on the Job” at https://mosaicapress.com/product/halachic-q-a-on-the-job/

with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox – Dayan, forensic and clinical psychologist, Director of Crisis and Trauma Services for Chai Lifeline – 12:08
with Rabbi Akiva Dershowitz – Rosh Kollel, Toras Efrayim Shlomo, Yerushalayim – 44:07
with Dr. Jacob Freedman – psychiatrist, speaker and author – 44:07
with Mrs Sarit-Chen Kreutoro – Social Worker and Teacher for Maalot Bakodesh (To donate to Maalot click here)– 1:18:36
with Rabbi Dr. Benjamin Epstein – psychologist and author of Living in the Presence – 1:40:28

Conclusions and Takeaways – 2:03:24

מראי מקומות

5/24/25 – Shiur 514 – Should Boys and Girls Turn to Friends for Dating Advice? Is it Helpful or Harmful? May 22, 2025

Show notes

Should a boy consult with his friends, like his roommate or chavrusa, if they think he should date a given girl?
Is there a problem discussing the attractiveness of a potential Shidduch with friends?
Have promising Shidduchim been ruined by what friends have said?
Should parents be involved in the Shidduch process? And, what if the child does not want his/her parents involved?

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

You can order "Halachic Q & A on the Job” at https://mosaicapress.com/product/halachic-q-a-on-the-job/

The Semichas Chaver Shavuos program with Rabbi Elyada Goldvicht https://bit.ly/SCPchallenge –

with Rabbi Shimon Finkelman – Rebbi, Darchei Torah, prolific author – 21:28
with Rabbi Daniel Feldman – Rabbi of Ohr Saadya in Teaneck, Rosh Yeshiva at REITs – 35:51
with Mrs. Aleeza Ben Shalom – international shadchan, relationship coach and author – 1:00:19
with Mrs. Penina Flug, LCSW – emotionally focused couples therapist – 1:21:56
with Mrs. Adina Galbut, MSW – dating coach – 1:21:56

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:45:07

מראי מקומות

5/17/25 – Shiur 513 – When One Spouse Becomes Less Religious or Irreligious May 16, 2025

Show notes

Can we trust the wife she did zayin nekiiim and went to the mikvah?
Can we trust their kashrus if they say things are kosher or they didn’t make the utensiks treif?
Does their food have a din of פת עכו"ם ובישול עכו"ם?
Is the wine they touch יין נסך?
Can we serve them food knowing they won’t make a brocha or wah their hands – לפני עור?
Things they cooked on Shabbos is it Assur like ?מעשה שבת
If they have chametz in the house on Pesach do you have to get rid of it?
Is it Assur because of חמץ שעבר עליו הפסח?
Making Brochos if they aren’t dressed properly?
If they want to send the childrens to ireligous schools, camps etc
Can you impose your chumros on your spouse?

with Rav Yosef Shusterman – Rav Chabad of Beverly Hills – 10:22
with Rabbi Benjy Goldschmidt – Rav Altenu Synagogue NY – 37:38
with Rabbi David L. Seidemann Esq –Matrimonial Law Expert – 59:20

מראי מקומות

5/10/25 – Shiur 512 – How easy is it to “hit it big”? What are the pitfalls of starting your own business? May 08, 2025

Show notes

Is the belief among Yeshiva bochurim that making money is easy — fact or fiction?
According to Halacha, what happens when business partners fail to discuss equity upfront?
What if one partner works harder or originally came up with the business idea — how should that be handled?
Can you start your own business while working for someone else — and what if it’s competitive?
What does it really take to succeed as an entrepreneur?

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

You can order "Halachic Q & A on the Job” at https://mosaicapress.com/product/halachic-q-a-on-the-job/

With Rabbi Ahron Lopiansky – Rosh HaYeshiva of the Yeshiva of Greater Washington-Tiferes Gedaliah – 8:21
with Rabbi Dovid Grossman – Rosh Bais HaVaad, Lakewood, NJ – 19:46
with Dean Noam Wasserman – Dean, Sy Syms School of Business, and author of “The Founder’s Dilemmas” – 46:32
with Eli Langer – Host, Kosher Money Podcast – 1:15:06
with Avi Rubner – founder and CEO of https://flamingotech.co.il/ - 1:44:32
with Nick Esayian – Serial Entrepreneur – 2:09:53

Conclusions and Takeaways – 2:35:12

מראי מקומות

5/3/25 – Shiur 511 – Fraud in Frum Clothing: The Conspiracy Against Eretz HaKodesh. When the Conservative Movement infiltrated the Chareidi world — what really happened? May 01, 2025

Show notes

Did Conservative activists violate Geneivas Daasand Lashon Hara by secretly steering the WZO election?
Is it ethical for Chareidi media to be paid to promote an anti-Eretz HaKodesh agenda?
Should frum magazines vet who’s behind their ads?
Can you trust a "Psak" when you don’t know the full story?
How should our leaders respond now that the truth is out?
What are the long-term political risks for the Chareidi community?

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

You can order "Halachic Q & A on the Job” at https://mosaicapress.com/product/halachic-q-a-on-the-job/

with Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Breitowitz – Posek, Rav and Senior Lecturer at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach – 8:54
with Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein – Host, “Two Rabbis, Three Opinions” podcast and the Cross-Currents blog – 43:15

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:08:20

מראי מקומות

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected