The Q & A with Rabbi Breitowitz Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Artificial Intelligence (Open AI), Thanksgiving & Pharoah vs Hitler Dec 30, 2022

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Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos 00:00 Why show the brothers the bris mila? 2:50 What is the Torah's perspective on Open AI? 10:45 How did the brothers not know he was an Ivri when all Egypt knew? 12:19 Why is there no archaeological evidence of the Israelite presence in Egypt? 17:48 What are some halachos of trimming the beard? 21:14 Did the Nazis learn from the Egyptians? Who was worse: Pharaoh or Hitler? 24:38 Why should the School in Heaven allow Levi back in, just because Shmuel asked? 28:29 What is the origin of the "Jewish mother" stereotype, and does it have significance? 34:55 Why should it be that the most assimilated Jews celebrate Chanukah? Why are all exiles mentioned in Maoz Tzur? 44:45 How is there machlokes in the Mishnah, since the Sanhedrin still existed at that time? 48:17 Why does God need to mention the Exodus after He revealed Himself at Har Sinai? 52:47 Why did the Sages have to destroy Rabbi Eliezer's vessels in front of him? 54:28 Why are we thanking Hashem for taking us out of Egypt when He's the One Who put us there? 1:00:36 Have our Rabbanim made themselves unreliable to determine who the Moshiach is? 1:05:45 What is a person allowed to do before davening in the morning? 1:07:51 What does it mean that animals sing pesukim? 1:12:29 What signs might the Moshiach provide to prove to us, in the same way that Moshe had signs? 1:13:47 Is King Saul's "ruach ra" a violation of free will? 1:18:56 What are the halachos of yoga? 1:24:01 For a better relationship with a non-Jewish relative, what can one say and do on their holidays? 1:27:04 How does Har haBayis have kedushah of the shechinah if the shechinah left with the people? 1:31:22 Can one celebrate Thanksgiving? 1:33:59 What's the connection of the brothers' crying to the destructions of the Mishkan and the Beis haMikdash? 1:37:06 Why did the ring specifically say "This too shall pass"? 1:37:32 Why are there many Jews who dress like Polish nobility or like American businessmen? 1:39:31 How could one "reject" certain Midrashim? 1:41:35 What level of control does a neighborhood have within its borders, halachically? 1:43:39 Do we have a pronunciation for the Tetragrammaton, and when should it be pronounced? 1:47:31 How can there be chiddushim if Hashem gave the whole Torah to Moshe? 1:49:50 What is the source for holding the thumb during havdalah? 1:50:13 What is Sheol and why does Yaakov say he's going there? You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms.

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PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Q&A + The Story of Chanukah and the Book of the Maccabees Dec 29, 2022

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Q&A- Pshuto Shel Mikra, Hyrdroponics & Werewolves Dec 28, 2022

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Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos 00:00 When people put on tefillin incorrectly at Chabad stations, are they yotzei? 04:17 To what extent is the criticism against Peshuto shel Mikra valid? How can we trust haskamos? 13:30 If a kippah is just a minhag, why is it considered so valuable in Masechet Kiddushin? 17:07 Should someone wear a kippah when going to a bar, for example? 19:20 How do we reconcile the simple words with Chazal's interpretation of Esav's kiss? Especially since Esav was so irate before? 24:52 Rachel is criticized on honoring her father when she hid Lavan's idols, but Avraham is lauded when he smashed Terach's idols. What is the difference? 27:23 Where do we draw the line between davening for someone and calling that someone a rasha? 33:54 Do laws relying on the land apply to hydroponics? To seaweed in the ocean? 38:55 Why in Hebrew grammar do numbers switch between feminine and masculine? 39:54 What can we learn from Devorah, the nursemaid of Rivka? 45:20 Should we fear Trump's meeting with Kanye, and should we retract our support? 49:15 How did we get away with Haftarah when we were forbidden to read the Torah? 52:34 What is included under 'wisdom among the gentiles'? 57:36 Why is Moreh Nevuchim not encouraged reading nowadays? 1:05:19 Was the Torah meant to have machlokes? 1:12:28 What do we do with Midrashim? 1:17:04 Are stories in the Torah what really happened, or are they metaphors for deep spiritual truths? 1:20:37 And are these creatures-- the werewolf, the phoenix, etc.-- metaphors or literal? Must they be accepted? 1:22:12 How can one follow the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch in an abridged Pesukei dZimrah when one davens nusach Sefard? 1:24:37 What is the difference in kedusha of the Torah and that of Neviim? 1:26:01 Is vinegar good for teeth or not? 1:27:22 How did the three-year cycle work with the parshiyos? 1:30:03 How can one answer someone who wants to go to a club or a bar, when they won't accept that it's not how a ben Torah behaves? 1:31:49 How could Og have survived everything despite being such a rasha? 1:34:08 Who split up Tehillim into the 30-day cycle? 1:36:49 If time is infinite, how can Hashem be outside it? You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms.

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PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Q&A- Civil Rights, Cherem & Kivush Eretz Yisrael Dec 15, 2022

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PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

The History of Chanukah Part 1 - Getting to the Greeks Dec 14, 2022

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Q&A- Neturei Karta, Tznius & Jewish Music Dec 04, 2022

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Q&A- Yaakov's Deception, Righteous Gentiles, and Baby Wipes Nov 25, 2022

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Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos 00:00 How will the 4 Amos of owned land be divided amongst Jews? 03:48 What should we make of Yitzchok and Rivkah playing favorites? 12:20 Why wasn't Yitzchak involved in Yaakov's shidduch process? 14:55 How do we view certain kashrus approaches in Israel? 19:16 How should a Baal Teshuva approach minhagim they took on early but then decided they changed their mind? 27:46 Why doesn't the Torah mention all the women amongst the 70 members of Yaakov's family going down to Egypt? 32:13 Rambam says that if someone lives in a city of Rashaim, what is Avraham's justification to save Sedom? 35:21 Should gentiles refrain from driving on Shabbos? 36:26 How do we understand the idea from Chovos HaLevavos that when someone speaks lashon horo their mitzvos get transferred to the victim and the victim's sins get transferred to the speaker? 40:55 Why was Abraham worried about Sarah being abducted if she was in a box and not exposed? 43:04 What are the guidelines in terms of calling someone a rasha? 47:57 Could the Rav explain the approach of Yaakov deceiving Yitzchok? 54:00 In the covenant of the parts, Gd mentions the Jews will be enslaved for 400 years, how do we make sense of Ibn Ezra's calculation? 58:18 Can a Jew in Israel send a text or email to a shomer Jew in America while it is still Shabbos for them? 1:00:08 What is the function in relation of a Jew of Goyim in the world and how should a convert relate to his non-Jewish family? 1:10:55 If a righteous non-Jew believes in the Torah coming from God, why wouldn't they convert? 1:13:40 Can a woman get her eyebrows microbladed? 1:18:37 How should young students or people currently learning in Israel react to terrorist attacks and deciding to stay in Israel? 1:22:43 If everyone in my building or Kollel has cleaning help once a week, but I can't afford it, is it better to give maaser or provide my wife cleaning help? 1:24:05 What's the justification for making a bracha publically on a menorah? 1:25:47 If one lives in a mobile home (RV/ boat) do they need a mezuzo? 1:26:22 Can one use baby wipes on Shabbos? 1:29:30 Do wipes count if they are alcoholic? 1:31:02 If a Baal Teshuva grew up in a Native American environment, which has many similar beliefs, can they integrate their upbringing into their Jewish life? 1:33:00 How do we define "Yoshev" as dwelling?

Seeing The Individuality in Our Children and Our Students Nov 24, 2022

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PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Q&A- Maharal, Kavod & Mazal Tov Nov 17, 2022

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Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos 00:00 What is the definition of a rasha and a talmid chochom? 04:20 What is the Bircas hamozon etiquette and who says tehilas Hashem? 11:34 How do we relate to Halacha vs mitzvos consequentially? 16:57 Does doing teshuva on spilling seed retroactively get rid of the demons that were created from the act? 26:50 I listened to one of the lectures on real jewish intimacy and it mentioned that couples that don't get along in this world will also continue driving each other crazy in the next world (Zohar). What about those jewish couples that got divorced and don't get remarried? 28:28 What does it mean to be a Jewish doctor? Are there certain halachos that need to be followed differently? 31:40 Does one get reward for wearing tzitzis at night or while sleeping? 34:40 Where does someone draw the line between bitul Torah and time for relaxing? 39:20 What's the argument from Avraham to save Sodom? 48:00 I have recently started learning ערוך השולחן as my Halacha Sefer. What I find best about the Aruch is that, unlike the Mishnah brura, he always gives a psak. My question is whether i can I use this Sefer as my go to Halacha resource and can rely on all the aruch's Psak, even if it goes against the MB and other more embraced piskei Halacha. Essentially, can the Aruch HaShulchan be my 'rebbi'. 58:35 What Torah is exactly taught to the baby by the angel in the womb? 1:03:45 What is the origin of saying or not saying a bracha on mezonos by dessert at a bread meal? 1:09:00 When exactly should a davener interrupt to answer the chazan? 1:11:30 Should we consider learning the Netivos Olam sefer by Maharal in English? 1:15:25 What are the general principles of giving cavod to rebbeim? 1:19:07 How many people does a chazan have to wait for in order to begin the chazaras hashatz? 1:20:12 What's the value of making a siyum? 1:22:02 If I am at a concert or sporting event, can I move to a vacant, more expensive seat assuming there is no chillul Hashem? Is there a difference if I want to move to a less expensive seat, if it's superior in my eyes? Can I walk into a hotel and use the lobby bathroom without asking permission, or is this a form of gezel? 1:25:17 What are the parameters of doing certain acts of charity for a person based on their wealth? 1:28:42 Does the standing for a Rav minimally make a difference? 1:29:58 What makes a Rav merit to have their own psak? Like the GRA? Why is it accepted? 1:31:45 Is there a source for saying mazal tov by a simcha, and is this a tefila or a bracha? 1:34:10 When exactly should we say amen? 1:36:02 Does saying mazal tov count for loving my neighbor as myself? 1:36:30 Should I notify someone not to count me in a minyan if I already davened? 1:37:04 How should someone be sure that their humility is not coming from an arrogant place? You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms.

Visit us @ ohr.edu

PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Q&A- Biological Names, Secular Books & Transgender Negiah Nov 13, 2022

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Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos 00:00 What kind of changes in Halacha or otherwise will happen after Mashiach comes? 08:18 What's with saying G-d is of one name but He has more than that? 13:02 What is the proper kavod for wearing the begged of tzitzis outside your clothes? 17:16 What is special about Ashrei that we remove the letter nun, when we don't do that in other alphabetical supplications? 21:22 Is technology something that ideally we wouldn't have, but now that we do, we have to use it responsibly with rules and gedarim, or alternatively is it something we should embrace and prefer, while being aware and alert of potential consequences? 27:59 What is the source for a certain pasuk in sfarad mussaf? 32:35 Is it permissible to associate with friends who are not on the same Torah level as me? Should we try to be mekarev them? 37:14 What should our attitude be towards area of halacha that are seemingly less effective or suitable in a modern society compared with today's secular laws, specifically in regards to contracts and financial matters. Should our attitude be that we are not appreciating the halacha properly, or should we acknowledge it's not ideal and be extra hopeful for Mashiach to come so a Sanhedrin can make some updates. 42:36 Why is Rabbi Jonathan Sacks not so accepted in the frum world? 49:36 In uncensored Gemara Avoda Zara, it mentions that Jesus was not real, is this true? 53:20: What is a heavenly decree and when exactly are they made? How do we have the power to rip them up? 54:51 Is there a heter for a convert to use their biological father's name when called to the Torah? 56:37 How can someone tell when they are starting to burn out in their learning? 59:55 Would it be halachally mutar to buy clothes at a store in America and bring them back to Israel and sell them at a higher price to bachurim or otherwise? 1:01:03 Should we use our YH to try to be better in learning? 1:03:53 Gematria is incredible, but many seem to dismiss it as fluffy. Is there practical gain from knowing it? 1:06:03 What do we do with Gematrias of politicians or otherwise? 1:08:54 Are we allowed to calculate the messianic timeline? 1:12:50 What is Rebbe's view on reading secular books - theoretically, alternatively, one could be reading a Jewish book (even if not a Sefer); would it affect anything if there are yesodos in human psyche and/or Etzahs on life? Especially if the book has been held in a very high regard by society (a classic)? For example: Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky (a classic), or, in the other regard, Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankel (life-changing)? 1:20:26 Can I rely on a leniency just to be convenient or for pleasure? 1:21:12 Do halachos of shomer negia, yichud, etc. apply to transgender people? 1:25:40 When we read the amida we pray for the return of the Davidic dynasty, would it be possible to re-establish the kingdom without mashiach? 1:30:20 How do we understand the malchus of Shaul when he was from Binyamin? 1:32:08 Do we say amen to brachos said incorrectly? 1:33:07 Do we say brachos in order, even if I want to cover something less chashuv than others? 1:34:11 Is being clean-shaven an issur d'oraissa? You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms.

Visit us @ ohr.edu

PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

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