Halacha Headlines

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Terumos U’Maaseros Shmitta Mitzvas Yishuv Eretz Yisroel Kevura in Eretz Yisroel Historically did Yidden live in Gaza with Rabbi Yissochor Dov Krakowski – Mashgiach in Heichal Ha-Torah, Head of OU Kashrus Israel – 24:09 with Rabbi Ari Waxman – Mashgiach of Shaalavim, Tour Guide, Historical Expert – 49:20 מראי מקומות

What are the most common issues/controversies that come up between roommates? Are there any halachic requirements to keep your place clean? Do you violate Gezel Sheina when your alarm wakes up your roommate? Can you borrow your roommates’ pots, books, pillow, toothpaste, etc. without permission? What happens with the kitchen when roommates have different standards of Kashrus? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges with Rabbi Avi Wiesenfeld – Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Dovid and posek of Kav Halacha Beis Hora'ah – 8:49 with Rabbi Moshe Elefant – Head of Kashrus for OU Kosher; Rabbi, Zichron Yosef Ohel Aryeh, Borough Park - 29:19 with Mrs. Debbie Fox – clinical social worker and author of Seminary Savvy – 47:43 with Rav Yitzchak Spivak – Dorm Counselor at Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh – 59:11 Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:13:26 מראי מקומות

What would cause someone to regularly disturb in shul without regard to upsetting others? How should those who disturb be dealt with? Is it impatience or mental illness when someone always pushes the Chazan to go faster? Is it okay to pace for all of davening? To evict guests from seats? To collect the Seforim during davening? Should little children be brought to shul, knowing they may disturb? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges with Rabbi Yonah Reiss – Av Beis Din of CRC and Rosh Yeshiva at REITs – 10:07 with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox – Dayan, forensic and clinical psychologist, Director of Crisis and Trauma Services for Chai Lifeline – 37:53 with Dr. Jacob Freedman – psychiatrist, speaker and author – 1:08:52 Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:33:22 מראי מקומות

Is it Hatzalos Nefashos or is it encouraging more murder? How can you release murderers on the streets? Are you emboldening Hamas? Is it worth it to stay in good grace with the US? with Rabbi Yitzchok Pindrus – Member of Knesset Degel HaTorah – 25:05 with General Tzvika Fogel – Member of Knesset Otzma Yehudit, Israeli Security Expert, Advisor to Itamar Ben Gvir, Former brigadier general – 35:48 with Mr. Gedalia Guttentag – Noted Columnist, Editor of Mishpacha – 46:13 מראי מקומות

Are women’s learning programs motivated by feminism and the desire for “equality”? Are women required to learn any Torah? Can they learn Zohar and Gemara? Is it preferable that women teach women? Can men attend the shiurim as well? Does a connection need to be achieved through learning Torah, or do Chesed and Tehillim groups work better? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges with Rabbi Chaim Kohn – founder of the Business Halacha Institute (“BHI”) and Av Beis Din – 7:51 with Rabbi Moishe Bane – President Emeritus of the Orthodox Union – 29:39 with Rebbetzin Esti Hamilton – popular lecturer and teacher – 51:45 with Rebbetzin Slovie Jungreis Wolff – popular teacher, author and lecturer – 51:45 Conclusion and Takeaways – 1:20:44 מראי מקומות

How has parenting changed over time? What lessons do we learn from Tanach? Should a parent discipline a child when the child will ignore the parent? How does a parent stay calm when the kids are misbehaving and not listening? What if the husband and wife are not on the same page when it comes to parenting? Should kids be brought to shul if they won’t behave? Can you discipline someone else’s child in shul? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges with Rabbi Aharon Spivak – Rav, author and therapist – 14:34 with Rabbi Dr. Zev Wiener, MD – Rav, psychiatrist, and maggid shiur – 32:30 with Dr. Ilyssa Bass, PhD – clinical psychologist and parent educator – 1:00:59 with Dr. David Lieberman – internationally renowned speaker and author – 1:23:16 Conclusion and Takeaways – 1:43:41 מראי מקומות

Can you ever make a Heter Meah Rabbanim without leaving a Get in Beis Din? Is a Beis Din ever allowed to withhold the Get from the woman? In order to get the husband visitation To get the husband financial compensation To get the woman to drop criminal charges To get the woman to drop lawsuits How easy is it to get a court to deny visitation from the father? And much more... with Shaul Cohen – Lawyer for husbands Rov – 32:58 with Rabbi Moshe Schwartz – Friend of the husband – 47:38 with Elad Zamir – Lawyer and Toein Rabbani for the wife – 1:44:43 with Rabbi Zalman Graus - Renowned Dayan, Toyein and Borer, Mechaber Sefarim – 1:65:37 with Martin Friedlander - Renowned family lawyer – 2:08:04 מראי מקומות

What did Gedolei Yisrael say about this and how did they behave? Should Menorah be lit in public? Should a yarmulka be worn at work? Should we wear black hats, shtreimels and other identifying marks? Wear talis and tefillin while walking to shul? Build a Succah in a public area? Should we remove Jewish and Israel references from our resumes when trying to get a job? What are the biggest religious struggles in the workplace and what is most damaging to a Ben Torah? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges with Rabbi Moshe Walter – Rabbi of Woodside Synagogue Ahavas Torah and noted author and lecturer – 14:00 with Rabbi Naftali Horowitz – Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and author of “You Revealed” – 39:47 with Harry Rothenberg, Esq. – partner at The Rothenberg Law Firm LLP (InjuryLawyer.com) and a popular lecturer – 39:47 with Charlie Harary – Business Executive and author of “Unlocking Greatness” – 39:47 with Rabbi Michoel Stern – author of “Divinely Distinct - The Jewish Mission in a Diverse World” – 1:27:54 Conclusion and Takeaways – 1:42:35 מראי מקומות Hear Dovid Lichtenstein being interviewed

How can a child withstand peer pressure Why do some kids give in easily to peer pressure and others don’t How should parents educate their children to withstand peer pressure What are the most common peer pressures in our yeshivos and girls’ schools Why do kids and teens involved in bad behaviors want to get their peers to join them Are we obligated to avoid negative influences and make Gedarim for ourselves Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges with Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger – Rabbi of Congregation Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, New Jersey – 15:13 with Rabbi Yisroel and Mrs. Elisheva Kamenetsky – Menahel of DRS and Rosh Yeshiva of HALB; Head of School of SKA – 52:14 with Dr. Debbie Akerman – Professor of social welfare and licensed clinical social worker – 1:27:52 Conclusion and Takeaways – 1:52:25 מראי מקומות

How a Magen was forced to give a Get with Attorney Elad Zamir – Renowned Family Lawyer, Toein Rabbani – 16:56 How the torah would view the presidential pardon of his son Is there a concept of pardons in Torah Do we find pardons in Tanach? Do you always have to be Moichel someone who wronged you? When don't you? A fascinating conversation with Rabbi Hayyim Angel – T’nach Expert RIETS – 29:40 with Rabbi Uri Tiger – Chavrusah and proofreader of Reb Chaim Kanievsky, Mechaber Seforim – 45:50 מראי מקומות

What are the arguments that there’s an obligation to serve in the IDF? What are the arguments that there’s no obligation for someone learning Torah to join the army? What if the person is not learning, but is working or doing something else? What are the main challenges of a Chareidi boy/man joining the IDF? Can those issues be fully addressed? What initiatives are currently under way to address the concerns? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges with Rabbi Nechemia Steinberger – Program Officer, The Maimonides Fund – 17:15 with Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon – Rosh Yeshiva, Jerusalem College of Technology – 48:47 with Dr. Shlomo Black – Psychologist and Research Associate at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) – 1:16:57 Conclusion and Takeaways – 1:39:58 מראי מקומות

Do we need to give Tzedakah to everyone who asks? Should we give to someone who refuses to work? What if you think the person asking does not look legit? What if he smokes? Or he’s an alcoholic or uses drugs? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges with Dr. Shlomo Black – Psychologist and Research Associate at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) – 13:47 with Rabbi Shimon Taub – Author of The Laws of Tzedakah and Maaser (Artscoll) – 40:40 with Shimshon Katz – Gabbai, Congregation Kahal Avreichim (the “Boat Shul”) in Toronto – 1:07:33 מראי מקומות

Can a Rav ever be Meikil to prevent a more serious עבירה? Do ends ever justify the means? with Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz – Rov of Kehila of North Woodmere – 14:15 with Rabbi Shay Tahan – Rav Cong. Ohel Moshe Brooklyn, Dayan, AskHalacha.com editor – 34:57 מראי מקומות

What should be the goal of dating? What are the minimum interactions required by Halacha before engagement and marriage? What’s the downside of going too quickly? Of going too slowly? How clear do you need to be about what you are looking for in advance of dating? What are some great ways to get to know the other person? Host: Ari Wasserman with Rabbi Yitzchok Berkovits – Renowned Rov, Poseik and Rosh Yeshiva of Aish HaTorah – 9:48 with Mrs. Aleeza Ben Shalom – international shadchan, relationship coach and author – 32:54 with Dr. Jacob Freedman – noted psychiatrist, speaker and author – 1:05:22 with Rav Shea Landau – Chasidish shadchan – 1:30:32 Conclusion and Takeaways – 1:45:18 מראי מקומות

THE REAL DEAL – avoiding legal trouble with Eli Puretz – Real Estate Syndicator – 11:58 Is it microblading Assur because of tattooing? Does it have to be for Avoda Zorah? Does it have to be words or picture or a mark is enough? Does it have to be permanent? How many levels of skin does it have to penetrate? Would it be Mutar for medical reasons, Shidduch reasons or even cosmetic reasons? with Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz – Rav of Beis Haknesses of North Woodmere – 27:04 with Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein – Rav and Poseik, Director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, Head of Home Study Semicha Program – 37:56 with Mrs. Toiby Fried – Skincare Specialist – 46:16 מראי מקומות

What are the pros and cons of a man teaching girls/women? If a Rav teaches girls/women, should there be a Mechitza? What if the Rav is not married? Can/should a Rav call female students by first name or a nickname? What Gedarim should a Rav institute for himself when teaching girls/women? How does the relationship a Rebbe has with his male students compare to that of his female students? Are there topics that women should not be teaching, like Halachah? Hosted: Ari Wasserman with Rabbi Sadya Grama – Magid Shiur, Mesifta Keren Torah, Lakewood – 11:23 with Rabbi Zecharya Greenwald - Menahel, Maor Beis Yaakov, Yerushalayim – 36:02 with Rabbi Yisroel Grossberg – Principal and Mashgiach Ruchani of girls’ seminaries, Brooklyn – 59:40 with Dr. Rivka Schwartz – Professional educator and popular lecturer – 59:40 with Rabbi Dovid M. Cohen, Esq., M.Sc. – popular speaker, author and therapist – 1:18:13 Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:45:35 מראי מקומות

Are your responsibilities as a shul Rav any different during this time of year? What questions are people asking you? Is the war in Israel having an impact on you or your community? What unusual incidents have happened in your shul during Chagim? What’s your favorite Devar Torah for Yom Tov? Hosted by: Ari Wasserman Rabbi Shalom Rosner – Rabbi, Kehillat Nofei Hashemesh, Beit Shemesh, Israel – 9:55 Rabbi Moshe Elefant – Rabbi, Zichron Yosef Ohel Aryeh, Borough Park; Head of Kashrus for OU Kosher – 34:38 Rabbi Aron Moss – Rabbi, Nefesh Community, Sydney, Australia – 47:55 Rabbi Ron Yitzchok Eisenman – Rabbi, Congregation Ahavas Israel, Passaic, NJ – 1:01:47 Rabbi Daniel Glatstein – Rabbi, Kehilas Tiferes Mordechai, Cedarhurst, New York – 1:09:32 מראי מקומות

Showering us with Brocha Three day Yom Tov – Are you allowed to take a shower on Yom Tov? with Rabbi Yonah Reiss – Av Beis Din of CRC and Rosh Yeshiva and head of Semicha – 13:22 with Rabbi Mendy Abramson – Mechaber Bnei Avraham, Showering in Halacha – 30:00 לא תעמוד על דם רעך Are you allowed to give a donut to an obese person, and other fascinating shailos With Rabbi Ahron Sorscher – Noted Talmud Chochom, Poseik and Oraysa Maggid Shiur – 46:10 תכלה שנה עם קללותיה Combating domestic abuse in our community With Dr. Shana Frydman, CEO Shalom Task Force – 59:08 מראי מקומות

How does Ayin Hara work, and what causes it? Is there a way to proactively protect yourself from an Ayin Hara? Is there a basis for the hand that people hang up for good luck, the red string or the blue eye? Does it help to say “bli ayin hara” and Poo Poo Poo? Are the services that are for hire to remove Ayin Hara legitimate, and how much do they cost? Host: Ari Wasserman with Rabbi Dr. Zvi Ron – Maggid Shiur and prolific author – 9:15 with Rabbi Zev Leff – renowned Rav, Posek, Author and Rosh Yeshiva – 33:31 with Rabbi from the Breslov Yeshiva – expert on removing Ayin Hara – 50:06 with Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody – Executive Director of Ematai, which deals with end-of-life and morality issues – 1:00:33 מראי מקומות

Are the Halachos of Shmiras Einayim more lenient for women than for men, and if so, why? What’s the big deal about having thoughts, if they are only thoughts? Is it permitted for a woman to gaze at men? How – and from what age - should we educate our girls to stay away from inappropriate materials? Practically speaking, are the schools seeing this Shmiras Einayim problems in the girls? Host: Ari Wasserman with Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz – Rabbi of Beis Haknesses of North Woodmere, Head of Semicha at REITS – 10:15 with Mrs. Elisheva Liss – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, popular lecturer and author https://get-intimate.mykajabi.com/SNS – 31:17 with Rabbi Yisroel Grossberg – Principal and/or Mashgiach Ruchani of three schools, Brooklyn – 59:06 with Dr. Rivka Schwartz – Professional educator and popular lecturer – 59:06 Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:22:02 מראי מקומות

El AL Price Gouging with Mrs. Tzippy Yarom – Noted Israeli Journalist - 1:50 Is there Kedusha on the har Habayis Nowadays? Can a טמא enter? Which טמאים can't enter? Is the Kosel the wall of the עזרה or the הר הבית? Can you put your fingers into the wall of the Kosel? Are you a Rodeif if you go up to the Har Habayis? with Rabbi Shlomo Aviner – Rosh Yeshiva Ateret Kohanim – 37:13 with Rabbi Nachman Kahane – Mechaber Mei Menuchos, Rav Chazon Yecheskel – 46:36 מראי מקומות

What causes someone to be unhappy with their looks? Are our bodies halachically our own, such that we can do what we want with it? Can we take medications when we don’t understand how they work and when there are serious side effects? Should weight-loss injections be used only after trying to diet and control eating? Can we suppress our appetite if it will take away from Oneg Shabbos and Simchas Yom Tov? If someone uses Ozempic to lose weight while dating, does it need to be disclosed? Host: Ari Wasserman with Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner – moreh d'asra of Congregation Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park – 9:30 with Dr. Diana (Miriam) Isaacs – Endocrine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Cleveland Clinic – 32:39 with Rabbi Dr. Zev Wiener, MD – Psychiatrist, Rav and Maggid Shiur – 52:45 Conclusion and Takeaways – 1:22:27 מראי מקומות

Why are people getting psychologically sicker and sicker despite there being more therapists and more mental health awareness? How does having experienced “trauma” when younger impact one’s Bechirah Chofshis and being responsible for your own actions? Do therapists focus too much on “trauma”? Should podcasts, shiurim, etc. have “trigger warnings” to warn those with sensitivities that they should not watch/listen? Do we need to use someone’s chosen pronouns, even calling a man by “she/her” and a woman by “he/his”? What criteria should we use for finding a good therapist? Host: Ari wassermam with Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Breitowitz – Renowned posek and Senior Lecturer at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach – 11:42 with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox – Dayan, forensic and clinical psychologist, Director of Crisis and Trauma Services for Chai Lifeline – 38:35 with Dr. Shloimie Zimmerman – Renowned psychologist, author of “From Boys to Men” – 1:19:03 Conclusion and Takeaways – 2:08:28 מראי מקומות