The Q & A with Rabbi Breitowitz Podcast

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SPECIAL: Rambam on Aggadah in the Gemara Pt 2 Jan 28, 2022

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We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu Produced by: Cedar Media Studios

Q&A- Mussar, Heart Transplants & Paganism Jan 27, 2022

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We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu 00:00 R Breitowitz follow up on AKIVA spelling and Ashkanazi skin color 03:05 How does one balance mussar books with new books ? 05:10 What does the Rav see occurring from the last Mishna in Sotah? 09:26 Can Jews who have strong emunah be sad and how do they react to seemingly tragic events if everything is for the good? 12:17 Are heart transplants halachically allowed? 17:31 How are performative arts historically viewed in Judaism? 22:28 If I have good intentions but do a sin, why am I punished when I'm not punished for intending to sin but not sinning? 29:42 What does it mean when one Beis Din doesn't accept the decision of another Beis Din? 38:54 Why are some things halachically allowed but we don't publicize it? 41:54 What should we focus on when learning Tanya or Mesilas Yesharim in terms of this world or the next? 44:09 Why does Hashem pay the "wicked upfront"? 47:43 Why can't women wear tzitzis or tefillin? 55:20 What is the origin of gilgul and are there any textual allusions to it? 59:46 What are the mechanics of the clothing of women and men today? 1:02:00 Did the Brisker Rav hold that there is no hishtadlut in shidduchim? 1:04:04 What is the role of humor and jokes in Judaism? 1:08:05 Is Olam Habo is such a central part of Yiddishkeit, why is it not mentioned directly in the Written Torah? 1:12:15 How can Kol Isha be legal if everything has a purpose? 1:16:07 How do we understand the possible return of paganism from a Torah perspective? 1:21:05 Why can't there be an option in the machloches in Bava Kamma about the wall of thorns in which both are chayev? 1:22:23 What are some common mistakes that students make in learning Gemara and the like and how should we overcome them? 1:25:30 What significance is there in putting notes into the Kotel and are there mekoros for it? 1:26:41 What about mekoros for praying at kivrei tzadikim? 1:27:50 Are there any allowances of fortune telling? 1:29:39 What should one look for when making someone their Rabbi? 1:32:00 Is there a sin that one cannot do Teshuva on and can one return from kares? 1:34:50 How should a frum Jew conduct himself in regards to alcohol on Purim? 1:38:43 Is it assur to get drunk any time? Produced by: Cedar Media Studios

SPECIAL: The Role of the Gemara - Rambam Hakdama Jan 25, 2022

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Q&A- Shidduchim, Slavery & Politicians Jan 19, 2022

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We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu 00:00 Why can we pronounce or give people names with Hashem's name in it (such as Raphael, Gavriel, etc.)? 01:17 Why do we say "halleluka"? 02:56 Should we be davening for a shidduch at the right time or as soon as possible? 07:51 Why is there seemingly fewer gedolim than in generations before? 15:42 Are the 13 principles of faith deoraissa and why is there such an emphasis on Techias HaMeisim? 25:20 How do we understand Ashkenazic lighter skin color in accordance with the indigenous features of the Middle East and Avraham's origins? 27:23 In regards to a Canaanite slave, how do we reconcile the morality of slavery through a Torah lens? 36:53 Why can't a Canaanite slave be a Noahide follower? 44:47 Are people who don't know they're Jewish considered Jewish? 52:58 Is there an overlap of Jewish and Stoic philosophies? 58:04 As a Baal Teshuva, how do we catch up for Maaser we may have missed? 1:00:09 Do you give Maaser after taxes? 1:01:48 Do you have to pay Maaser on unrealized gains? 1:05:15 How do we understand the proverb one who hates gifts lives long, since Judaism puts such an importance on giving? 1:08:09 Are politicians puppets or do they have free will? 1:11:57 Was there anyone that created their own form of the Talmud aside from Rebbe? 1:14:53 Is it is possible for a kiddush Hashem to come from a non-religious Jew? 1:16:17 How did a Rishon with the name "Akiva" in his name understand how to spell his name? 1:17:25 What are practical ways to anticipate Mashiach (in preparation for the questions at the end of one's life)? 1:18:50 How can we bring Mashiach in today's age if we are so much lower spiritually than previous generations? 1:22:42 How do we view the chashuvos of living in Israel? 1:26:04 How do we understand the longing of the Chofetz Chaim to come to Israel but he didn't? 1:29:35 Could someone become as Kabballistically attuned as the Arizal today? 1:31:28 What lessons did the Rav take from his time in law school? Produced by: Cedar Media Studios

Q&A- Kol Isha, Mixed Kiruv Trips & the Death Penalty Jan 13, 2022

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We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu 00:00 is it considered Avoda Zara to believe in multiple gods but only serve one? 03:16 Why wasn't the Torah given at Creation? 09:36 Can I be mekabel maisa rishon giving to a Cohen or can I give it to a Levi? (see addition at 1:51:33 ) 16:53 Does the rav have any tips for remembering what we've learned? 23:40 Is Kol Isha applied to new music styles and recorded music? 38:50 Is it consistent with Jewish Hashkafa to support the death penalty in secular courts? 46:20 How were the Ruvnitzer rabbi and others able to "break the rules" of Torah? 48:08 Is a single person able to work on a kiruv trip with mixed activities, assuming all laws of yichud and shomer negiah being observed? 52:53 Are Muslim prayer techniques based on Jewish bows, etc.? 1:00:44 How do we know how to navigate which Aggadic stories to take literally in the Gemara and Midrash? 1:00:06 Is it permissible to drink coffee, tea, or anything during Pesukei HaZimra? 1:07:27 According to Gemara in Succah, why can we consider STAM land in the hands of non-Jews as stolen? How can I rely on the produce right of non-Jewish land? 1:12:07 How does one train himself that Mashiach could come at any second? 1:14:21 Does the rav believe there are 36 hidden tzaddikim holding up the world? 1:16:47 Are there different ways to fulfill the Mitzvah of Shnayim Mikra V'echad Targum? 1:20:57 Why is there such a significance put on wine in Judaism? 1:22:17 What should one's outlook be on Jewish or Christian archaeologists who try to prove or disprove biblical events? 1:24:56 Why is the word for acts of loving-kindness "GOMEL," which entails something that is earned or deserved? 1:26:21 What are the prerequisites to being a Kabbalist? 1:28:37 What should someone consider when choosing a posek? 1:30:30 Can someone have relations with one's wife while she is pregnant? 1:32:00 Does the chiyuv to read Targum Onkelos make it the primary or superior translation/interpretation? 1:33:48 Is a tallit katan less yotzi than one of cotton or the like? 1:36:14 Why are some fruits not bound by the laws of Shmitta? 1:39:00 How can one wholeheartedly daven for mashiach to come if there will be no more chance for Teshuva? 1:41:00 As a parent / teacher, what could the rav advise to help prevent kids going off the Derech? 1:44:29 How do we reconcile exhuming bodies for archaeology of holy gravesites? 1:47:30 Which did Rashi work on first, Talmud or Chumash, and why does Rashi sometimes switch from Aramaic and Hebrew in his commentaries? 1:49:19 Were most of the gedolim nonconformists and what does that say for a system that relies on conformity? Produced by: Cedar Media Studios

Tu'B'Shevat Halachos Jan 12, 2022

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Q&A- Shovavim, Missionaries & the Omicron Variant Jan 06, 2022

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00:00 Where were the bodies from the graves in the cave of Rebbe Yehuda HaNassi taken? 01:36 Why is V'shamru considered an inturruption in some minhagim? 06:09 Why can a blood avenger kill someone with no penalty? 12:18 What are the levels of Tumah? 17:38 What are insights of Shovevim? 26:21 What did Levites who didn't live near the Temple do? 29:20 Can you break Shabbos to save the life of a non-frum person? (additional clarification at the end) 33:34 Can you invite your non-religious Jewish friend to a Shabbat meal if you know he is going to drive? 41:42 How does one be empathetic to others' problems without having the problems harm themselves? 46:36 When Chazal say "you must say…" how literally should we take this? 49:04 Why do people still hold to night D'Rabbeinu Tam? 58:54 Is bein Hashmashot an inherent safek? 1:05:07 How should we be reacting to the Omicron variant of Covid? 1:08:26 War, plague, famine were things that affected the world and made people cleave to Hashem. We don't have those same exact issues today, so how do people cleave to Hashem now? 1:12:34 What advice would you give to people when it comes to making decisions in life? 1:19:04 Why is the Torah strict on things that don't seem so bad (such as homosexuality) and then doesn't address things that seem much worse (such as rape)? 1:25:46 How should we act toward gay people and gay Jews in particular? 1:31:23 What is the significance of wanting Rabbeinu Tam tefillin when you get married? 1:34:32 What is the halachic source of working on one's middos and is it doraisa or drabanan? 1:39:50 Is it ok to bring a Christian missionary into a (non-orthodox) synagogue to speak? 1:41:56 How has the litvisha world change after WWII? 1:46:24 What is the element of Judaism that is passed down through matrilineal descent? 1:47:36 What is the bread of shame? Would taking money to learn Torah count under this?

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The Tragic Chaim Walder Episode Jan 06, 2022

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8 - Zionism V - Hashkafic History Series II Dec 26, 2021

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Hashkafic History Series II

Ohr Lagolah Rabbinic Program 5776-8-Rav Kook Bio II

Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, "Hashkafic History".

(Originally Rec 2015-16)

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Q&A- Saying Kaddish, Machshava Study & Ghosts Dec 23, 2021

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00:00 Why do we say Kaddish? 04:28 Could you please describe the Kabbalistic middah of Malchus? 09:20 When did souls become "Jewish" souls? 17:11 Does anyone say that the Jewish transformation happened at Mt. Sinai? 18:24 Why do we stand with feet together in the Amidah? 20:13 Why are there very few Levites? 24:07 If Hashem created Teshuva for all people, how can Elisha Ben Avuya say the Acher couldn't do Teshuva? And how do we make Teshuva for "dead and gone" situations? 29:34 How come we don't know where the lost tribes are today? 35:48 If someone is traveling and they are looking for a shul, how do I know it's a kosher minyan (e.g. if it were reform or conservative)? 43:10 What does the Rambam mean when he says we shouldn't do Mitzvos for the sake of reward? 48:00 When does it become appropriate to study Kabbalah? 58:08 How does one know which voices to listen to inside oneself? 1:04:16 What is the Torah's perspective on ghosts? 1:06:00 How do you explain learning Gemara to kids? 1:14:45 Are women allowed to learn Gemara? 1:20:53 Are there makhlosim between the Talmud Yerushalmi? Why is the Talmud Bavli more widespread if the Yerushalmi was written in a holier place? 1:30:58 Why is there not more of a push to learn Machshava in Yeshiva? 1:35:30 How would the Rav describe the fundamental difference between a Jew and a non-Jew to someone who has no idea about Judaism? 1:39:15 How do we relate to Avoda Zara references or images in literature? 1:42:45 Why do some sects of Judaism not learn on certain days (non-Jewish holidays)?

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