Halacha Headlines

Latest Episodes:

4/26/25 – Shiur 510 – Revisiting the WZO controversy | The Tzedaka Generation – But what are our priorities? Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

Revisiting the WZO controversy

What's the difference between this and joining the Knesset?
Why’s this difference than the Moetzes pushing Avi Schnall to run specifically as a democrat?
Is this the old age Hashkafic Machlokes between Satmar and Brisk VS the Agudah?
Why did they stop second Seder in BMG for a political rally?

with Rabbi Avi Shafran – Spokesman for the Agudah – 11:27

The Tzedaka Generation

Have we lost our priorities to the glitz and the glamor?
Are we giving large glamorous Tzedakahs at the expense of our local institutions?
Should you give money to an out-of-town Yeshiva or Kollel when your son’s Yeshivah can’t make its budget?
Should we be sending our daughters to seminaries due to the tuition prices?
How much does a Frum Family need today to get by?

with Reb Shalom Ber Sorotzkin – Premier Fundraising Rosh Hayeshiva of our generation – 29:41
with Mr. Yisroel Orzel – Longtime President, Yeshiva of Spring Valley – 43:50
with Rabbi Yitzchok Gottdiener – Executive Director, Yeshivah Torah Vodaas – 59:13
with Rabbi Shimon Taub – Author, Laws of Tzedakah and Ma’aser – 1:13:34

מראי מקומות

4/12/25 – Shiur 509 – “Free Money” – Taking money from the government (food stamps, welfare, Medicaid, etc.) to stay in Kollel Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

Is it permitted to not disclose off-the-books income when applying for government benefits?
What if there’s a colorable argument that you fit the criteria? Is that enough?
Are there any Heterim to take funds when you don’t fit the eligibility requirements?
Is putting yourself in a position that you need to take money from the government allowed? Is it le’chatchila to take government assistance in order to stay in Kollel?
Is it a chilul Hashem if many frum people receive government assistance, when it’s not intended for those who can work?

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 – 9:23
with Mr. Raphael Grossman – C.P.A. representing individuals, families, corporations and numerous non-profits – 36:05

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:10:41

מראי מקומות

4/5/25 – Shiur 508 – What does “Daas Torah” really mean and does it have anything to do with the WZO Election? Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

What is Zionism? Did it accomplish its goal? Is it good or bad for Jews?
Assuming Zionism is wrong, can you vote in the WZO election?
What’s the history of the concept of “Daas Torah” and what does it mean? When did the phrase and concept come into being?
Why would one Gadol say it’s mutar to participate in the WZO election and another say it’s totally assur?

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 Chaim Kohn – founder of the Business Halacha Institute (“BHI”) and Av Beis Din – 16:16
with Rabbi Jonah Steinmetz – Rosh Kollel of the Nagel Community Kollel of Los Angeles – 35:13
with Mr. Gael Greenwald – Deputy Chairman of the WZO – 1:20:19

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:35:37

מראי מקומות

3/29/25 – Shiur 507 – The YU Settlement: Does the Torah agree to it? | How to prevent children from being left in cars Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

What is it?
Does the Torah agree to it?
Can we have groups in our yeshivos that we are forced to have or is it better to close down?
Do ends justify the means? Joining up with Ovrei Aveira
Is it diffrent than sitting on the Knesset or the WZO?
Should we have public forums talking about our Yetzer Hora?

Harav Mordechai Giftar – Rosh Yeshivah of Telshe – 17:26
Harav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik – Rosh Yeshivah YU – 21:24
Rabbi Meyer Twersky – Rosh Yeshivah YU – 25:26
with Rabbi Hershel Schachter – Rosh Yeshivah YU – 29:44
with Dov Pfeiffer – Student in YU on the board of Hareni – 36:31
with Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz – Head of Semicha at RIETS (YU), Rov of Bais Haknesses of North Woodmere – 50:26
with Rabbi Pini Dunner – Rov of Beverly Hills CA, Noted Historian and Lecturer – 1:05:28
with Meir Moschel – Alumus and parent at YU – 1:21:14

3/22/25 – Shiur 506 – The Battle over the Character of Israel – supporting progressive values or supporting Torah. How to handle Reform Judaism’s attacks against Torah observance Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

What is the WZO and why is the current election important?
How do the Mizrachi and Eretz Hakodesh parties differ?
How should we relate to Reform and Conservative Jews? Open Orthodoxy?
What lawsuits have the Reform Movement filed against Chareidim, and what’s their motivation?

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

with Rabbi Yonah Reiss – Av Beis Din of the CRC and Rosh Yeshiva at REITs – 14:45
with Rabbi Doron Perez – Executive Chairman of the Mizrachi World Movement – 38:32
with Rabbi Nechemia Malinowitz – Executive Director of Eretz Hakodesh and director of the Periphery Department of the WZO – 1:06:40
with Rabbi Moshe Hauer – Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union – 1:30:08

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:51:47

מראי מקומות

3/8/25 – Shiur 505 – Purim – Fascinating Sources for our Minhagim | Bringing Simcha into our lives – The stories behind "Bardak" and Suki & Ding Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

What's the most difficult Mitzvah?
Fascinating sources for:
Taanis Esther
Costumes
Purim Torah
And more.....

Hosted by Rabbi Moshe Taub – Rov of Young Israel of Holliswood
with Meni Wakshtock – Founder, Producer and Actor of "Bardak" – 19:45
with Dovid Nachman Golding – "Ding" of Suki and Ding – 48:10

מראי מקומות

3/1/25 – Shiur 504 – Hamas’ (and Iran’s) depravity - when our enemies know no limits: Should We? Do we need to act morally when dealing with an immoral enemy? Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

What does Hamas hope to accomplish with their psychological warfare?
Should we be swapping live Hamas terrorists for the bodies of captives?
Does international law or world opinion halachically govern how the IDF acts?
Do the Laws of War (e.g., avoid non-combatants) mean that you can never use a weapon of mass destruction?

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

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

with Rabbi Mayer Twersky – Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Yitzchok Elchanan – 10:15
with Itamar Marcus – Founder and Director of Palestinian Media Watch – 33:57
with Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody – Executive Director of Ematai and author of “Ethics of Our Fighters” – 50:57

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:20:26

מראי מקומות

2/22/25 – Shiur 503 – “Recharging Ambition”: How We Can Inspire an Un-Motivated Generation Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

Is it stealing from your Kollel or employer if you regularly come late?
How hard do you need to work on the job?
Can you take personal phone calls, check the news, order your groceries, etc. while on the clock?
Does this impact Shalom Bayis, divorce rates, shmiras ha’mitzvos and hasmada in Torah learning?
How do we motivate those who don’t have motivation?

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

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

with Rabbi Peretz Segal – Rosh Kollel Eitz Pri, international speaker and executive coach – 17:44
with Rabbi Akiva Dershowitz – Rosh Kollel, Toras Efrayim Shlomo, Yerushalayim – 41:30
with Dr. Ahuva Heyman – School Director Bnos Yisroel of Baltimore – 1:03:21
with Rabbi Dovid Kaplan – Mashgiach Ruchani, Yeshivas Beis Yisrael – 1:21:18

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:44:13

מראי מקומות

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