The Q & A with Rabbi Breitowitz Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Q&A- Minhag, Mashiach & Minyan Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

00:00 Considering the 13 Principles of Faith in order to not be a heretic. What of Rashi's statement from the Gemara that the final 8 pesukim of the Torah were written by Yoshua?

6:38 is it a mitzvah deoreisa or d'rabbanan to stand for a Talmid Chacham or a Rav?

12:44 In the Gemara it says 40 days before one is conceived a bashert is dictated. Is this true?

21:00 How is it that minhagim become Halacha? (e.g. Ashkenazim; Shabbos)?

26:39 Was there an issue with Moshe Rabbeinu eating the Korban Pesach since his son had no bris milah?

29:20 Any gezeira that most of the congregation are unable to keep, the gezira is repealed. Is that only the initial generation?

31:39 What will Halacha be like in the times of Moshiach?

36:39 What is the system for reuniting lost Jews when Moshiach comes?

39:27 Why is it permissible to observe Tu B'Shevat if it is Shabatian?

54:13 What was the tayva of Avodah Zara in Tanakh?

57:38 Was there a physical feeling from the Avodah Zara in the old days?

55:14 is the Shulchan Aruch binding?

58:28 If there is a minyan of exactly 10 mourners, does anyone answer?

___________________________________________________ Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism. To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: podcasts@ohr.edu

SHEMOS 5781

(Produced by: CedarMediaStudios Podcasts)

Q&A- AI, Rationalism & Mysticism Dec 30, 2020

Show notes

00:00 What's the purpose of being on this earth?

7:23 Following R' Moshe Feinstein's psak regarding mamzerim from reform (civil) 2nd marriages, would this mean those women wouldn't need to cover their hair?

12:58 In order for Biah to be effective, doesn't the man need to state his kavana?

17:50 How is Shabbos affected by changes in the dateline?

24:35 If it is a mitzvah deoreisa not to return to mitzrayim, how about issues like business, the occupation of Sinai peninsula, the Rambam etc.?

27:42 (Followup) What about those who speak Coptic Egyptians?

28:20 If one is exposed to rationalistic views and struggles with mystical views e.g. Zohar; Kabbalah, how does he sensitize himself?

35:25 How does tzaddik gamor (without a yetzer hara) get schar for mitzvah?

42:20 We know the original calendar (around Rosh Chodesh) was determined by witnesses in beis din, what would it take to go back to that?

46:24 (Followup) It is certain that we need Eliyahu haNavi?

48:35 Don't we need a beis din in order to confirm that it is Eliyahu haNavi who will institute the beis din?

49:17 What is the Halacha in assisted pregnancy (e.g. artificial insemination)?

58:30 Would it be mares ayin to a single woman with in-vitro fertilization?

1:00:00 Can a man be a sperm-donor?

1:01:56 If the Avos only kept the positive commandments, then wasting seed would not seem assur. Can a goy not waste seed?

1:04:41 How does one differentiate between magic (even seemingly practicing magic) and very impressive action?

1:09:52 Does HaShem hold Torah learning more precious ?

Vayechi 5781

(Produced by: CedarMediaStudios Podcasts)

Q&A- Burkas, Voter Fraud & Dina DiMalchusa in Israel Dec 23, 2020

Show notes

00:00 Why is Onkalus' halachic opinions not mentioned in the Gemara though we do take his Aramaic translation?

3:30 How do we understand the Holocaust?

9:57 Chazal say we have 4 Imahos, but not from Bilhah and Zilpah?

12:28 In Brachos it says we don't accept comfort when a master has lost a slave, but wouldn't this only be a problem for a female slave?

15:02 If Shamayim has no time, how do we measure time for saying Kaddish for example

16:54 When Yaacov meets Eisav he still prepared even though he did hishtadlus whereas Yosef was punished for the same thing?

20:49 There are some Jewish women who wear full veils, but is this considered yuhara?

22:36 Why is it that in Chanuka the husband lights for his wife whereas for Shabbos the wife lights for her husband?

25:27 Was there voter fraud in the last US presidential election?

28:38 (Followup) Does the Rav have any familiarity with what is going on in the courtroom?

30:22 Is there any connection between Ruchnius and sneezing beyond the Gemara in Brachos?

32:57 Should the moshel of Shimon Kippa (St. Peter) give us a precedence of cutting off other sects of Judaism?

35:13 So the Gedolim issue a proclamation that a group isn't within Torah Judaism?

40:15 What is the Halacha of marijuana?

43:43 How does dina d'malcus dina work in Israel?

46:10 What is the origin of the song Yigdal?

48:53 (Apparently) Rav Soloveitchik poskined to not say Shalom Rav.

51:15 Is there is a different between Gan Eden and Olam Haba?

52:44 Where there miracles that happened at the gates of Aleppo instill iras shamayim?

54:45 Does a Ger have an ability to say Kaddish for biological family?

57:35 What is the mekor for Shaliach Tzibur to say Goal Israel quietly? _______________________________________________________________ Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism. To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: podcasts@ohr.edu

Vayeishev 5781

(Produced by: CedarStudios Podcasts)

SPECIAL: 3 - History of Chanukah Dec 14, 2020

Show notes

SPECIAL: History of Chanukah 3

Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem.

For comments, questions, or sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: podcasts@ohr.edu

(MIKEITZ Center 5781)

(Produced by: CedarMedia Podcasting 2020)

SPECIAL: 2- History of Chanukah Dec 12, 2020

Show notes

SPECIAL: History of Chanukah 2

Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem.

For comments, questions, or sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: podcasts@ohr.edu

(VAYEISHEV 5781 Center 5781)

(Produced by: CedarMedia Podcasting 2020)

Q&A- Gehenom, Transgender & Vaccines Dec 09, 2020

Show notes

00:00 What is the nature of gehenem i.e. what is spiritual pain?

6:03 How could we want Moshiach to come if we can only then continue what we've started individually?

18:04 Is Christianity avodah zara?

24:00 Would someone be allowed to have a statue for the purposes of aesthetics?

28:50 Would it be a lie to refer to someone who identifies transgender by the changed name and pronouns etc.?

31:00 Can a person be considered halachically of another sex?

35:58 Is there an end to the messianic age? (Why do the souls get out back into the world)?

38:12 (Followup) Didn't we know that the neshamos never died?

43:30 What is the Torah perspective on taking the vaccine so soon

48:29 How do we make a kiddush HaShem?

51:49 In Melaveh Malkah, why do people not set their tables like on Shabbos night if it says that in the Shulchan Aruch?

55:28 If we can't make requests in Shabbos, how can we make requests during davening?

58:50 Can I skip the harachamans after the four berachos of bentching if I have shiur very soon?

1:00:39 Why are many not noheig to say "vayitein l'chah" motzei Shabbos?

_______________________________________________________________ Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism. To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: podcasts@ohr.edu

Vayeishev 5781

(Produced by: CedarStudios Podcasts)

SPECIAL: 1- History of Chanukah Dec 08, 2020

Show notes

SPECIAL: History of Chanukah

Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem.

For comments, questions, or sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: podcasts@ohr.edu

(VAYEISHEV 5781 Center 5781-)

(Produced by: CedarMedia Podcasting 2020)

Hashkafic History-11- Netziv, Hildesheimer Seminary & Seridei Aish Dec 07, 2020

Show notes

Hashkafic History-11-The Netziv, The Hildesheimer Seminary & The Seridei Aish

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

For comments, questions, or sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: podcasts@ohr.edu

(Originally Rec July 2011)

(Produced by: CedarMedia Podcasting 2020)

Q&A- Corona, Bashert & Priorities in Kiruv Dec 02, 2020

Show notes

00:13 How should we properly respond to Coronavirus?—What is the message? 3:08 What does it mean that Yishmoel and Yisroel will face each other and Yishmoel will win before the Redemption 8:39 Is there truth to the idea that after 20 years old the bashert is on one's zichus? 14:08 (Follow-up) Why is there so much focus on the beshert? 15:14 In Kiddushin perek 2, why does it specify one needs to see his bride lest she be found too unattractive? 22:15 Is there an upper limit to how much the yetzer hara can be used for learning Torah? 25:31 Why is the Talmud Yerushalmi so understudied in comparison to Talmud Bavli? 41:01 To what extent does a ger get a totally new neshama? 43:28 We connect gaulah to shemone esrei (in Shacharis), so what of the Maariv seder? 49:38 How does the soul know to go back into the body when woken up suddenly? 51:14 Is outreach kiruv better when focused on totally disconnected people or to build up more frum Jews? 55:01 If milk, logically, is a part of an animal, how could Yehudis feed a Greek general milk as a religious Jewess? _______________________________________________________________ Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism. To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: podcasts@ohr.edu

VAYISHLACH 5781

(Produced by: CedarStudios Podcasts

Q&A- Tanach, Minhag & Emunah Nov 26, 2020

Show notes

0:10 How would Russian Jews deal with the winter regarding sunlight and fire on Shabbos? Is HaShem indicating where Jews should live? 9:37 Why does the mainstream yeshiva-world put little emphasis on Nevi'im and Ketuvim? 19:50 Is an Ashkenazic person yotzei with Sephardic pronunciation? 22:33 Can you clarify Aveira li-shma? 28:15 Do we believe or know HaShem's Torah. What is emunah? 40:21 Was there a lack of communication between the Avos and Imos? 48:25 To what extent does knowing how to respond to heretics allow us to read heretical/atheistic works? 50:43 Whom did Eisav kill?—Nimrod? And why 51:38 Regarding Beis Hillel and Beis Shammai, why do we usually follow Beis Hillel? 58:14 Minhagim and Lineage. 1:04:17 (Followup) Can a Sephardic eat fish and dairy if they switch to Ashkenaz? _______________________________________________________________ Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discussing the most common questions about Judaism. To submit questions, feedback or for sponsorship opportunities, contact us at: podcasts@ohr.edu

VAYEITZEI 5781

(Produced by: CedarStudios Podcasts)

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