The Q & A with Rabbi Breitowitz Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Q&A- Ayin Hara Treatments, Tzelem Elokim & Beards Jun 09, 2022

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00:00 What's the significance of listing Esav's family in the Torah? 06:12 What is the rebbe's personal view on the age of the universe? 17:20 Is it kavodik to say prayers under breathe while the Chazan chants? 23:45 Why are we not allowed to discuss the Divine Chariot? 29:47 What exactly does it mean to be created in the image of Gd? And what is the breath of Gd? 37:52 Is there a source for lead pouring as a way of getting rid of ayin hara? And why is it whenever it's referenced in books or even nowadays it is something women do? 44:52 Does beauty get in the way of Torah? 47:05 Does the idea of Gd being "in things" interfere with the Arizal's concept of TzimTzum? 55:47 Did Gd make particular mitzvos because it's good, or is it good because it's a mitzvah? 1:04:57 Why does the Arizal get Z"L permanently affixed to his name, and not Rashi or Rambam? 1:06:12 In Gemara Shabbos, what does it mean that angels burnt Moshe with their tongues? 1:07:30 What does it mean that even if Chazal are wrong we still listen to them? 1:12:48 What's the point of 2 day Rosh Chodesh with the 30th day observed? 1:16:00 Why is the first question we're asked is did we conduct business honestly? What if someone never went into business? Or was an employee their whole life? Does this apply to women? 1:19:27 Should we not support China (economically) due to their unethical practices? 1:25:10 Is it possible to marry the wrong person? 1:26:38 Could you talk about communal punishment? 1:31:44 How does someone know they married the right person? 1:34:05 Why did Rav Chaim hold not to wear wrist watches? 1:34:59 What's the Halacha on certain men's grooming actions? 1:38:00 Should we cut our beard? 1:40:22 Where do we draw the line with technology and the will of Gd (such as extending lifespan)? 1:44:43 What would happen if the Sanhedrin were obviously completely corrupt? 1:47:40 Does wearing a suit all the time present a problem with discomfort? 1:50:06 What does the Rav think about the Chabad Rebbe's and Chofetz Chaim's opinions of cutting the beard? Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu

SPECIAL: Isru Chag Jun 07, 2022

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Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu

Q&A- Plastic Surgery, Machlokes & Infertility Testing Jun 02, 2022

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Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ 00:00 Why do we say the language of "hamotzei lechem" if Hashem doesn't take out bread? 02:29 Can the Rav expound on Judaism's view of homosexuality? 10:10 How should Jews look at accounts of near-death experiences? 17:42 What is Rav Kook's position on korbanos? 28:20 Why is it that we don't "acquire" women through other means than money? 33:13 What is the Rebbe's opinion on vanity cosmetic surgery or otherwise and how should we approach it? 38:20 The Gemara in Yevamos עו. discusses a certain ritual to test a bochor with certain medical problems for infertility before he gets married. How then can some of poskim argue against /married/ guys getting fertility tested if there are problems? 40:45 Can a person who cannot have children marry a mamzer or convert? 41:23 What exactly constitutes a siyum? 48:44 If mashiach can come from the dead, does this make Chabad's view heretical? 54:32 What are some reasons that there are machlokesim in Mishnayos? 59:43 Some hold that there are parts of the Gemara that were written by the Gaonim themselves. Is this true? 1:02:00 How does the Rav speak to the idea of feminism? 1:07:40 Is there a concept of overturning precedence in Halacha. For example, is it possible that a contemporary Posek could permit electricity on Shabbat? 1:11:03 What is a gay Jew supposed to do? 1:22:30 How can we help secular people make sense of the shidduch process? 1:28:02 What is out responsibility to not patronize unethical commerce (such as places that employ sweatshops)? 1:32:24 How will Eliyahu HaNavi's paskening work? 1:33:25 Would there be a leniency to switching sects of Judaism? 1:34:37 What is the Rambam's position on reconstituting the Sanhedrin? 1:37:52 Is it a halachic requirement to say Baruch hu or varuch shemo? What about just shemo? 1:40:42 To what extent should someone go to avoid machlokes? 1:42:35 How do we understand great Torah personalities in Tanach doing certain things that people today would be ostracized for? Visit us @ ohr.edu

Q&A- Gun Policy, Halachic Prenup & Yeshiva Education Oversight May 25, 2022

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Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ 00:00 What is the basis of the Magen David? 01:46 What is the Torah view on liability of a self driving vehicle? 8:23 How important is pronunciation in the formula of tefilla? For example, many people don't pronounce a moving shvah (like in Kedusha or Kaddish), or they misplace an emphasis, such as mezoinos instead of mezonos. Also, when we sing songs, like Lecha dodi or zemiros, or Shir hamalos, we might change the emphasis. Since difference nusachs exist, or people use modern Hebrew, etc…how does that work? 15:49 Do halachos of Rabbeim apply even in a time with no official smicha? 18:37 What response do we as Jews have to school shootings and how should we view gun policies? 23:03 What is the definition of divorce for non-Jews and how should we approach giving advice or otherwise? 28:30 The State of New York is attempting to strengthen oversight of Yeshiva education. Ostensibly, they want to enforce the "core" curriculum of math, science, and the like. If they were to stick to those issues, does a secular government have a right to insist on a population education in math, etc.? 35:19 How does the concept of a Shabbos Goy work? 42:14 Does maaris ayin apply in the case of eating heter mechira? 44:09 Could I put up a sign stating I'm a kosher Jew in a treyf restaurant? 47:05 How do we justify the idea that someone that has "chen" or grace, they have fear of Gd, but in Eshes Chayil, it states that chen is sheker or false? 51:18 What's the rules on after-brachos? 54:35 How can someone understand the idea of uvdin d'chol or a "mundane activity" on Shabbos? 58:18 What is your halachic and legal take on halachic prenups? Do you think couples should get a halachic prenup? Do you think that the way people protested on social media and outside homes last spring is something that should be encouraged especially because many agunos received their gets that way? 1:10:26 There's a new section in the Israel Museum about "magic" in Judaism and segulos—do we believe in them or not? 1:15:44 How do we understand going to a mikveh on Shabbos? 1:18:24 Why are the words RAH and REYAH so similar? 1:20:52 Where do the minhagim of black and white outfits and hats come from? 1:27:20 Why does the bracha for kiddush hat on on Friday night say "Vrozavanu" instead of "Vitzivanu" when seemingly every other bracha on a mitzvah contains the latter? 1:31:09 Why are Shabbos and kosher the main factors mentioned when discussing frumkeit? 1:34:25 Why do Talmudic rabbis use certain hermeneutical principles when inferring various laws? Visit us @ ohr.edu

Q&A- Tochacha, Alexa on Shabbos & Tznius in Front of Non-Jews May 23, 2022

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Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ 00:00 Could the Rav elaborate on the Gra's view that the days of creation correspond to millennia? 02:47 How does the Rav feel about the state messing with the Meron situation? 7:40 Is there an issur of Kol Isha in front of a gentile man, and likewise is there an obligation for tznius if the Jewish woman is not responsible for their aveiras? 15:10 What is the Rebbe's advice if someone is attacked by inappropriate thoughts in the moment? 17:26 Zionists think that since we're not in Galus, the Talmud Yerushalmi has more authority now—does it? 25:55 Why don't women change their Hebrew name once they get married (since they change many other minhagim by their husband)? 27:35 Could the Rav speak on the topic of politician Aryeh Deri, what are the Rav's thoughts, whether he should be leading Am Yisrael, is the media blowing things out of proportion or is there truth to their claims, etc.? 29:55 How will Halacha work when techiyas Hamesim happens, in light of many changes that have happened over time? 34:00 Does the Rav think that the war in Ukraine has anything to do with precursors to Mashiach? 37:42 Since it's common to wear clothing made of animals, why is that not considered tumah? 42:10 Why are Pesach and Yom Tov names but not Sukkos, Shavuos, or Shabbos? 45:39 Is there a deeper (spiritual) understanding to if a man is mazria before a woman, having a daughter first? 49:09 Why are the curses in Bechukosai much stronger than the brachos in terms of description (and in Ki Savo)? 1:01:25 Do souls watch over us from above? 1:04:18 Why are the four questions we ask seemingly the only questions that are preempted by the Torah? 1:10:23 Why is there controversy around the author of the Zohar and how does this affect other controversial sefer authorships? 1:16:44 If tzitzis is lacking tcheles, why do we still say a bracha if the mitzvah is seemingly incomplete? 1:20:06 Recently there are images of Mars and new findings of caves, does Judaism accept the idea of life on other planets? 1:25:12 Is there a validity to the Yeshivish concept of "shtultz" (honoring older bachurim)? 1:28:38 Can you use Alexa/Siri/Google Home on Shabbos to turn on the lights or the AC? And is their a difference by Yom Tov? 1:29:26 What are the conditions necessary to make something no longer considered woman's clothing? 1:31:43 With regards to offerings or food in general, what did the Jews do when all they had was manna? 1:34:15 What does the Torah state is the ideal lifestyle (Nomadic vs Urban)? 1:37:10 What should we think about during Lag B'Omer? Visit us @ ohr.edu

Q&A- Marrying Jewish, Financial Support & Pro-Life Arguments May 15, 2022

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Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ 00:00 Correction of nekudos from last week regarding Megillah. 01:03 How do we answer someone that asks "why should I marry a Jew?"? 5:30 Why do we have to repeat Shemona Esrei when we miss even one phrase or bracha? 10:29 Why are we not encouraged to put on tefillin at other times besides Shacharis? 15:45 Why can we kill things that are made through Chazal's definition of spontaneous generation? 26:09 How do we understand Rashbi's notion of 18,000 or 2 righteous people in Gemara Succah? 31:04 How do we navigate the Israel kashrus system compared to the American one (or otherwise)? 33:43 Why did Hashem create a man in the way he did with guilt of getting a free ride? 38:52 What are the different opinions about giving up land in order to make peace with Arabs and Palestinians? 47:53 What should a BT refer to himself as haskafically? Can I not just say shomer Torah mitzvos? Or do I have to say Haredi, etc? Am I locking myself out of tents? Would a certain girl avoid me due to a label? 51:09 Do we hold by ״we want Mashiach now"? 55:26 What is the source and halachic basis of married women wearing a headband as a head covering? 1:03:20 What is the level of Shmiras Eynaim according to Halacha today? 1:05:35 Why are there some Aramaic words that end up in the Chumash? 1:07:14 Where does the Sefer HaMitzvis Katzar get the age of 25 to not get married if a Bachur can't afford that life? 1:10:31 When learning all day how does one transfer his learning from Binah to Da'as? 1:19:14 Regarding gilgul, is it possible for a kohen soul to be reincarnated to other tribes? 1:21:40 How does one maximize remembering the Torah they have learned? 1:23:40 Is the idea that 80% of the Jews died in the plague of darkness a universal teaching? 1:26:13 What is the rebbe's opinion on Bnei Torah being supported by in-laws or parents? 1:34:48 In terms of the blessings and curses of the Torah, are we to view these as cause and effect or as reward in the actions themselves? 1:38:58 Does a Jew have an obligation to protest on the side of pro-life in the abortion argument? Visit us @ ohr.edu

Omer - Laws and Intricacies of the Count May 11, 2022

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The Purpose of The Omer May 10, 2022

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Q&A- Vaping, Zionism & Roe vs Wade May 08, 2022

Show notes

00:00 Are we allowed to smoke or vape in a beis Midrash? 05:17 Why would Hashem design a system of impurity at all? 09:39 Ramchal describes a spiritual energy of each day, so does this mean that negative events that occur on those days interfere with the energies? 15:34 Why was the punishment of R Akiva's students considered balanced in regards to their deeds (lack of respect to each other)? 23:55 In NACH there's a concept of having a legitimate government, are anti-Zionist stories irrelevant? 37:27 How should we view the possible overturning of Roe V Wade? 45:46 Many of our great rabbis we're holding in science and math, so for one seeking wisdom to satisfy the heart and the mind, is it better to dive into (one area of) Halacha or dive into astronomy and the like? 52:02 What happens to people who are alive when resurrection of the dead occurs? Will their bodies be the same? Etc. 54:55 How does the Rav suggest that we approach the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch when there are Halachos that may be confusing at face value? 57:30 What is in the power of a kli (a vessel)? Why do we need to use it to wash, etc.? 1:01:03 What should be our response to a Jewish state seemingly already being established? 1:06:47 During the times of the Sanhendrin, what were the laws surrounding illegal abortion? 1:10:35 What are the purposes and differences in Kaddishes, and further halachos? 1:18:44 Why is the mitzvah for having children only for men and the curse is on the woman? 1:23:40 If one is learning in Yeshiva and he hears the national siren, should he stop and stand in honor? 1:26:49 If you're in an area with a lot of elderly people passing by, to what extent does one have to stand in respect? 1:29:37 How do we understand the Mishna in Pirkei Avos about our ages and the roles they entail? 1:34:26 When it comes to Tcheles (strand of blue in Tzitzis), why don't we all wear it if the Halacha says to be more machmir and we have no downsides if it doesn't make the tzitzis passul? 1:37:24 Does that decision rely on the Arizal? 1:39:04 If there's no eruv, would fake tcheles be considered carrying? 1:39:56 What is the origin of the segula to daven for shidduchim at the kever of R' Yonoson Ben Uziel (aka Amuka)? 1:45:17 Why did the practice of putting Shivisi end in Ashkenaz? Produced by: Cedar Media Studios

Yom Ha'atzmaut May 05, 2022

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