Halacha Headlines

12/21/24 – Shiur 494 – How to not lose our children – and ourselves – to peer pressure

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

 

12/14/24 – Shiur 493 – What it Takes to release an Agunah | Presidential Pardon – Pardons in Halacha – The Torah approach to pardons

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

 

12/7/24 – Shiur 492 – The new initiative to draft Chareidim into the army. Should Yeshiva boys draft into the all-Charedi “Chashmonaim” Brigade?

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

 

11/30/24 – Shiur 491 – Do we need to give when collectors ask for Tzedakah? What if it’s during davening, or a solicitation via mail or email?

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

 

11/23/24 – Shiur 490 – Can a Rav ever be Meikil on an עבירה to prevent a more serious עבירה?

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

 

11/16/24 – Shiur 489 – How long should you date before getting engaged? How long does it take to get to know the other person?

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

 

11/9/24 – Shiur 488 – Tattoos in Halacha: Is microblading permitted? | The Real Deal – avoiding legal trouble

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 – 29:02
with Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein – Rav and Poseik, Director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, Head of Home Study Semicha Program – 39:56
with Mrs. Toiby Fried – Skincare Specialist – 48:16

 מראי מקומות

 

11/2/24 – Shiur 487 – Should Rabbanim be teaching girls and women?

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

 

10/12/24 – Shiur 486 – What’s the role of a shul Rav during the Yomim Tovim? What are the most common and unusual questions being asked to our Rabbanim?

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

 

9/28/24 – Shiur 485 – Are you allowed to take a shower on Yom Tov? | Are you allowed to give a donut to an obese person, and other fascinating shailos | Combating domestic abuse in our community

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

 

9/21/24 – Shiur 484 – Ayin Hara – is it a real thing? Should we be concerned? How does it relate to Rosh Hashana and Tashlich?

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

 

9/14/24 – Shiur 483 – Do women have a Yeitzer Hara? Does Shmiras Einayim also apply to girls and women? Or, is it only a male problem?

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

 

9/7/24 – Shiur 482 – Aliyah L’har Habayis – An Aliya or a Yeridah? | El Al price gouging

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

 

8/31/24 – Shiur 481 – Ozempic and weight loss injections – wonder drugs or a failure of our generation?

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

 

8/24/24 – Shiur 480 – Is therapy good or bad? Has the mental health industry lost its mind?

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

 

8/17/24 – Shiur 479 – Real Estate Syndications: Quick easy buck or risky pot luck

Lacetop Sheitels – Response to callers – 12:47

Is a syndicator who is overly daring or reckless with their clients' money required to use their own funds to compensate for the losses?
What questions should an investor be asking?

with Rabbi Chaim Yosef Perlman, Av Beis Din Beis Aharon – 29:58
with Rabbi Zalman Graus – Renowned Dayan, Toen and Mechaber Seforim – 35:22
with Yitzy Friedman – CEO of TowerFive Real Estate Group – 53:14
with investor – 1:09:17

 מראי מקומות

 

8/10/24 – Shiur 478 – Extremism – What causes Chareidi extremism? Is it a bad thing? What about Hilltop Youth extremism against Arabs?

What causes someone to become an extremist?
Is extremism stronger now than 20-30 years ago?
Are there similarities between Chareidi extremism, the Hilltop Youths and Leftists against Chareidim?
If you don’t agree with a law, can you violate it?
Are there times when extremism is warranted?
Is being OTD another form of extremism?  And are there ways to improve the system?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Eliezer Breitowitz – Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Darchei Torah in Toronto – 9:52
with Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer – head of the Iyun Institute, community Rav in Ramot – 29:18
with Dr. Jacob Freedman – noted psychiatrist, speaker and author – 58:19
with Dr. Shlomo Black – psychologist and Research Associate at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) – 58:19
with Nati Rom, Esq. – civil rights attorney representing “Hilltop Youth” and the founder of Lev HaOlam – 1:35:08

Conclusion and Takeaways – 1:52:05

 מראי מקומות

 

8/3/24 – Shiur 477 – Teaching our children about the dangers of camp (and life) | Lacetop Sheitels | Voting in Halacha

Teaching our children about the dangers of camp (and life)
Should you teach or them, or should you shield them from exposure?
with Rabbi Moshe Aharon Kahane – Head of Machon Zichron Kehuna – 15:10
with Rabbi Yaakov Ephraim Forcheimer – Poseik of Lakewood – 15:49

Lacetop Sheitels in Halacha – Erase the Lace or Embrace the Lace?
Is it a new question or an age old Machlokes?
with Rabbi Aharon Sorscher – Renowned Poseik and Magid Shiur – 21:03
with Rebbetzin Rivka Slonim – Director Chabad at Binghamton University, renowned author and lecturer – 45:53

Voting In Halacha
Can you vote for a candidate that’s personally immoral?
Can you vote for a party that supports immoral values?
Can you vote for a party that’s anti Eretz Yisroel?
with Rabbi Yaakov Feitman – Rov of Bais Tzvi Yehuda in Cedarhurst, Prolific author – 54:33

 מראי מקומות

 

7/27/24 – Shiur 476 – What should we think about – and what should we teach our children about – non-Jews and the non-Jewish world?

Do all non-Jews hate us?
Does exposure to the non-Jewish world help or hurt our children when they grow up?
What are the hazards of teaching children negative attitudes about non-Jews?
What separations did Chazal institute between us and non-Jews? Why did Chazal feel that was necessary?
Do we need to be concerned with causing “Aivah” (animosity) with non-Jews, even if we are doing nothing wrong?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Moshe Walter – Rabbi of Woodside Synagogue Ahavas Torah and noted author – 11:20
with Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein – Director of Interfaith Affairs at the Simon Wiesenthal Center – 42:19
with Jonathan Rosenblum – Mishpacha Columnist and author – 42:19
with Rabbi Naftali Horowitz – Managing Director at Morgan Stanley – 1:07:59
with Rabbi Berel Wein – Renowned Rov, Author, Historian and Lecturer – 1:31:09
with Rabbi Shraga Freedman – Educational Director of Living Kiddush Hashem Foundation –1:46:26

Conclusion and Takeaways – 2:10:48

 מראי מקומות

 

7/20/24 – Shiur 475 – Assassinations and Targeted Killings in Halacha – Donald Trump, Mohammad Deif, etc.

What’s the rationale to halachically permit targeted killings of Israel’s enemies?
Is there any difference between a targeted killing during an active war and when there’s no active war being fought?
What if there’s only a 10%, 20% or 30% chance that the target is where you think he is?
Do you need to be concerned about collateral damage during a targeted killing? And, what if it could be significant?
Is there a problem celebrating when our enemies are killed?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Breitowitz – Renowned Posek and Senior Lecturer at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach – 10:33
with Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody – Renowned Lecturer and Author of “Ethics of Our Fighters” – 30:46
with Professor Avi Bell – Professor of Law at Bar Ilan University and University of San Diego Law School – 50:35
with Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb – Shul Rabbi in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Director of Tzalash https://tzalash.org/ – 1:10:05

Conclusion and Takeaways – 1:39:07

 מראי מקומות

 

7/13/24 – Shiur 474 – Halacha: Can an aging forgetful leader be replaced? | Should you allow your daughter to go out with a boy who smokes or vapes?

Should you allow your daughter to go out with a boy who smokes or vapes?
Is a smoker Possul Lei'dus?
If your father asks you to buy him a pack of cigarettes are you allowed to listen?
What would Reb Moshe hold about smoking based on the data
with Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst – Renowned Poseik and Rov of Agudah in Chicago – 12:24
with Dr. Michael Zelefsky – Professor Of Radiation Oncology at the NYU Langone Medical Center, Musmach of Rav Moshe Feinstein ZT"L – 20:48

Would Halacha require an aging forgetful leader to step down?
If the population loses their trust in the president (or leader) can they Halachically oust him?
When a husband loses his sanity can his wife or children take away his business?
When a father loses his sanity can his children take from his money for their wedding expenses?
with Rabbi Zalman Graus – Renowned Dayan, Toen and Mechaber Seforim – 43:11
with Malkie Scher Esq – Guardianship Attorney, Moskowitz Legal Group Hewlett NY –1:11:43

 מראי מקומות

 

7/6/24 – Shiur 473 – Supporting a son or son-in-law in learning – is it a good investment?

Is there an obligation to support a son (or son-in-law) in learning?
If the father (or father-in-law) commits to support, can he get out of it, for example when business is bad?
Does living comfortably facilitate or get in the way of quality learning?
Is it best to fund the strongest learner, the neediest person, or a relative?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Zevulun Schwartzman – Rosh Kollel, Yerushalayim – 11:00
with Rabbi Chaim Kohn – founder of the Business Halacha Institute (“BHI”) and Av Beis Din – 37:34
with Rabbi Yechiel Greenblatt and Jordan Odinsky – founders of www.SmachZevulun.com – 58:31
with Boaz Feinberg – Tax Attorney specializing in non profits –  1:11:13
with Rabbi Berel Wein – Renowned Rov, Author, Historian and Lecturer – 1:20:24

Conclusion and Takeaways – 1:33:34

 מראי מקומות

 

6/29/24 – Shiur 472 – What Happens to Kids When Parents Fight

When does conversation between parents go from “discussing difficult issues” to being offensive and prohibited speech?
Should parents avoid all conflict in front of their children? 
If there is ongoing tension between parents, should they attempt to hide it from the children? 
What’s the impact of bad Shalom Bayis on children?
How should children handle when parents regularly fight?

Host: Ari Wasserman
with Rabbi Yitzchok Berkovits – Renowned Rov, Poseik and Rosh Yeshiva of Aish HaTorah – 10:05
with Mrs. Elisheva Liss – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, popular lecturer and author – 28:58
with Mrs. Blimie Heller – Noted parenting coach – 28:58
with Rabbi Zecharya Greenwald - Menahel, Maor Beis Yaakov – 1:01:42

Conclusion and Takeaways – 1:20:00

 מראי מקומות

 

6/22/24 – Shiur 471 – Electricity on Shabbos - Are you really keeping Shabbos? | Is there a difference between a Ben Torah and an Orthodox Jew?

What's a Ben torah?

with Rabbi Gershon Ribner – Rosh Kollel of Kollel Nesivos Hatorah – 12:27
with Rabbi Yisroel Brog – Rosh Yeshiva Tiferes Avigdor – 17:15
with Rabbi Moshe Taub – Rov of Young Israel of Holliswood, Rabbinic advisor of Ami Magazine – 20:34
with Rabbi Efrem Goldberg – Senior rabbi BRS – 29:50

Electricity on Shabbos
Electric Water Meter 
Sump Pump (basement pump) 
Security systems
Motion sensors

With Rabbi Zvi Holland and Rabbi Chananya Jacobson – StarK Kashrus Administrators –33:04

 מראי מקומות

 

6/8/24 – Shiur 470 – Learning Torah when it’s nearly impossible

What are valid reasons to cancel on your chavrusa or to miss your daily shiur?
How can you concentrate on your learning when you are stressed about life and so distracted?
How do you keep on learning over the long-term?
What gets people off-track from learning when they leave Yeshiva?
How can an IDF solider learn when fighting in Gaza or on the Lebanon border?

Hosted by: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz – Rabbi of Beis Haknesses of North Woodmere, Head of Semicha at REITS – 17:52
with Rabbi Ahron Lopiansky – renowned Rosh Yeshiva and prolific author – 46:42
with Rabbi Yehudah Auerbach – Director of JLIC at the University of Chicago – 1:00:57
with Rabbi Eitan Philips – Director of the M.D Katz JLIC at Tel Aviv University – 1:00:57
with Harry Rothenberg – noted speaker and partner, Rothenberg Law Firm – 1:32:16
with Dr. Shmuel Harris – adult psychiatrist and founder and director of Machon Dvir Institute, Yerushalayim – 1:44:46

Conclusion and Takeaways – 2:03:21

 מראי מקומות

 

6/1/24 – Shiur 469 – Shemiras Einayim – Halachos, Chizzuk and Stories: the Vayimaen phenomenon

Practical Halachos of Shemiras Einayim
How to make Shemiras Einayim part of your life
How to turn over a new leaf in your life

Hosted by: Rabbi Shlomo Landau – Director of Mentorships, Olami

with Rabbi Joey Haber – Renowned Speaker and Lecturer – 10:55
with Rabbi Ari Bensoussan – Chazak International LA – 34:40
with Anonymous – Someone whose life turned around – 1:06:56
with Rabbi Moshe Rotberg – Rov Khal Zichron Yechezkel in Toms River, Poseik of Hatzolah – 1:25:33

 מראי מקומות

 

Vayimaen
Vayimaen Hotline: 1-718-970-7774

5/25/24 – Shiur 468 – Conflict with the In-Laws – what causes it, how to deal with it

How do you handle a conflict between honoring in-laws and honoring your own parents? 
Are there times that married children need to listen to input from in-laws?
Are there halachos about what to call your in-laws?
What does a mother-in-law do when she sees deficiencies in her daughter-in-law?
Are there typically father-in-law issues, and if so, what?
What are healthy boundaries, and how do you establish them?

Hosted by: Ari Wasserman
with Rabbi Moshe Elefant – COO OU Kosher, renowned Daf Yomi Maggid Shiur and Rov – 13:53
with Rebbetzin Feige Twerski – noted teacher and prolific author – 45:32
with Dr. Michael Tobin – marriage and family psychologist for 50 years – 1:06:12

Conclusion and Takeaways – 1:35:05

 מראי מקומות

 

5/18/24 – Shiur 467 – Un-Lavish Living – why are we embarrassed to live below our means?

What keeps us spending when we can’t afford it?
What’s the impact on children when parents have an expensive standard of living?
Is there an obligation to refrain from looking at materialism which may tempt us?
Can we spend on luxuries when people need tzedakah?
What are the minimums required to celebrate a bar/bas mitzvah and a wedding?
Can having a low-budget bar/bas mitzvah or wedding hurt our children longer-term?

Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Moshe Walter – Rabbi of Woodside Synagogue Ahavas Torah and noted author  – 10:52
with Rabbi Naftali Horowitz – Managing Director at Morgan Stanley – 44:29
with Dr. Shloimie Zimmerman – Renowned Psychologist, Author of “From Boys to Men” – 1:03:13

 מראי מקומות

 

5/11/24 – Shiur 466 – Neurolinks and Shabbos, Alexa and Shabbos, Electronics and Shabbos

Electronics activated through brainwaves is it permissible to use them on Shabbos?
Electronics activated through voice is it permissible to use them on Shabbos?
with Rabbi Aharon Sorscher – Rov in Waterbury, Maggid Shiur for Oraysa – 13:33

Using a whoop strap or a Fitbit
What is the issur of electricity?
Is there an Issur of increasing current to exisitng electricity?
What’s called a מעשה regarding מלאכת שבת?
Binyan in Keilim
with Rabbi Tzvi Ortner – Head of Shabbos technology Dept for the OU, Rov of Linas Hatzedek in Boro Park – 44:39

 מראי מקומות

 

4/20/24 – Shiur 465 – Achdus - does “Achdus” mean I am supposed to embrace Jews I really don’t agree with?

Is Achdus a Halachic imperative, a Hashkafic concept or something else?
What’s the definition of “Achdus”? Is it different from “Kiruv”?
Can we outwardly express our disagreements?
Should we look to have Achdus with groups and movements of Jews who have values that are antithetical to Torah?

***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman ***

with Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Breitowitz – Renowned Posek and Senior Lecturer at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach – 15:32
with Rabbi Moshe Hauer – Renowned Rabbi and EVP of the Orthodox Union – 43:09
with Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb – Shul Rabbi in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Director of Tzalash https://tzalash.org/ – 1:01:43
with Yoni Alon – Reservist in the IDF and works in the field of education – 1:36:16
with Rabbi Shay Schachter – Rabbi and Rosh Beit Midrash at the Young Israel of Woodmere – 1:50:17

Conclusion and Takeaways – 2:15:08

 מראי מקומות

 

4/13/24 – Shiur 464 – Pesach – Great Divrei Torah for your Seder and beyond. Plus, lessons for today from Lavan’s attempt to destroy K’lal Yisroel

What's your favorite Pesach Devar Torah?
Is there something unique you do at your seder?  
What do you do to prepare for Pesach?
Is there something memorable that has happened to you at a seder?

***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman ***

with Rabbi Shay Schachter – Rabbi and Rosh Beit Midrash at the Young Israel of Woodmere – 14:16
with Rabbi Binyomin Wolff – shul rav and popular magid shiur in Yerushalayim – 33:48
with Rabbi Aron Moss – rabbi of the Nefesh Community in Sydney, Australia – 45:04
with Rabbi Dovid Ostroff – posek and teacher at many seminaries in Yerushalayim – 53:42
with Mrs. Michal Horowitz – popular lecturer and teacher – 1:02:48
with Rabbi Isaac Rice – Mora De'asra of Congregation Anshei Chesed, Hewlitt NY – 1:12:12
with Rabbi Immanuel Bernstein – popular teacher and prolific author – 1:22:26
with Rabbi David Foreman – noted lecturer and founder of Aleph Beta – 1:32:03

Conclusion and Takeaways  - 1:49:52

 מראי מקומות

 

4/6/24 – Shiur 463 – Revisiting Bachurim in the IDF: Is Shevet Levi Patur from Milchemes Mitzvah? Are all Bochurim Shevet Levi?

Does Eretz Yisroel need an army or can it totally rely on Torah protection?
Do we have responsibility to serve - besides the learning protection - like we find previous generations?
The Bochurim who aren't learning should they go to the army?
Can we have Frum battalions run according to Torah?
What's are we going to do when the Chareidim are a majority?

with Rabbi Nachum Eisenstein - Talmid Muvhak of HaRav Eliyashiv ZT"L – 22:54
with Yossi Levy – Nachal Chareidi Officer – 48:08
with Rabbi Shay Tahan – Rosh Kollel and Av Beis Din of Shaarei Ezra – 1:00:51

 מראי מקומות

 

3/30/24 – Shiur 462 – What are our “Yeshiva bochers” struggling with nowadays?

What are the biggest challenges, struggles and difficulties confronting our boys today?
How do those challenges differ from those of the girls?
What impact are technology and alcohol consumption having on the boys?
Should Gemara be the focus of yeshiva learning?
What’s holding the boys back from performing at their best?

***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman ***

with Rabbi Avi Wiesenfeld – Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Dovid and posek of Kav Halacha Beis Hora'ah – 9:43
with Rabbi Naftali Kaplan – zekan hamashgichim B'Eretz Yisrael, mashgiach of Yeshivat Netiv Ha’Da’at – 33:05
with Rabbi Dovid Kaplan – Mashgiach Ruchani, Yeshivas Beis Yisrael – 50:09
with Rabbi Daniel Mechanic – Director of Project Chazon – 1:09:30
with Rabbi Aharon Spivak – Rav, Author and Therapist – 1:33:53

Wrap-up, takeaways and lessons learned – 1:58:32

 מראי מקומות

 

3/23/24 – Shiur 461 – Everyone should be a shadchan – how to set up a shidduch

Should each of us be setting up Shidduchim?
What are the biggest challenges and difficulties?
Is the “shadchanus” fee only paid to a professional Shadchan, or even to beginners?
What does the Shadchan need to do to earn the fee?
Can you set up two non-observant Jews? One frum and one not frum? Two non-Jews?
What advice do professional Shadchanim have for amateurs?

***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman *** , Maggid Shiur, Yerushalayim

with Rabbi Moshe Walter – Rabbi of Woodside Synagogue Ahavas Torah and noted author  – 13:41
with Rabbi Dovid Schoen – Av Bais Din for The Bais Din of Florida – 39:16
with Mrs. Miriam Levitan – Noted Shadchan, Eretz Yisroel – 1:09:49
with Shlomo Lewenstein – Noted Shadchan, Lakewood – 1:09:49
with David Katzoff – “amateur” shadchan – 1:49:11
with Noah and Ruchama Tradonsky – “amateur” shadchanim – 2:09:53

Wrap-up, takeaways and lessons learned – 2:32:20

 מראי מקומות

 

3/16/24 – Shiur 460 – זכרון לנצח – Preserving the memory of Fallen Soldiers Through Posthumous Retrieval of זרע for Procreation

Is it permitted, forbidden or a Mitzvah?
Are you מקיים פריה וריבה?
Does it exempt you from חליצה?
Is there an issue of ניוול המת?
Is there an issue of הנאה ממת?
Is there an issue of ביטול מצוות קבורה?
Are there any moral issues?

with Rabbi Shlomo Brody – Renowned Lecturer and Author – 15:00
with Irit Rosenblum – Attorney, Founder & Executive Director of New Family – 46:11
with Rabbi Gideon Weitzman – Director of the Puah Institute – 1:07:26

 מראי מקומות

 

3/9/24 – Shiur 459 – The Haredi Dilemma in Military Conscription | Scaling Tradition: Reevaluating the Chazon Ish's Conscription Exemption | Study Time Required for והגית בו יומם ולילה

Yeshiva Bochurim in the IDF | Is it possible to be Frum in the IDF?
Don’t we have an Achrayus  הַאַחֵיכֶם יָבֹאוּ לַמִּלְחָמָה וְאַתֶּם תֵּשְׁבוּ פֹה?
What difficulties – if any – do Frum soldiers face in the army?
What would a Frum army look like?
When a majority of Eretz Yisroel is Frum what will become of the army?
with Rabbi..... – Rov, Talmid of Tifrach, Reb Shmuel Auerbach, Chevron, 20 Years in the army – 17:46
with Rabbi Pinchas Friedman – Rosh Hakollel of Belz Kollelim, Mechaber Shvilei Pinchos – 42:47
with Naftoli Pudell – Solider – 55:04
with Rabbi Yehosua Pfeffer – Rav in Yerushalayim, Head of Netzach Yisrael – Nachal Chareidi – 1:01:47

והגית בו יומם ולילה – All day and night?
Are you obligated to learn every spare second you have?
Does it depend on someone’s health, wealth or stamina?
with Rabbi Moshe Aharon Friedman – Maggid Shiur in the Mir – 1:26:58

 מראי מקומות

 

3/2/24 – Shiur 458 – Frum on the outside and empty on the inside - why are some of our best girls struggling with Yiddishkite?

What are the biggest challenges, struggles and difficulties confronting our girls today?
How have things changed over the years?
Should money be given to children if they will use it for the wrong purposes?
What’s the impact that technology/smartphones/social media is having on the girls?
What solutions do we have to inspire girls today?

***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman ***

with Rabbi Dovid Ostroff – Posek and teacher at many seminaries in Yerushalayim – 13:33
with Rabbi Yitzchak Schwartz – Posek, Rosh Yeshiva & Rav, Givat Ze’ev, Israel – 38:27
with Rebbetzin Esti Hamilton – popular lecturer and teacher – 1:08:55
with Rabbi Daniel Mechanic – Director of Project Chazon – 1:36:48

Wrap-up, takeaways and lessons learned – 2:07:21

 מראי מקומות

 

2/24/24 – Shiur 457 – Avoiding the #1 reason for divorce - how to stay connected with your spouse and not drift apart

What are the halachic obligations spouses have to each other?
How does a relationship change over the course of a marriage?
Are there differences in how to stay connected at the beginning of marriage, in the middle and later in life?
What causes spouses to disconnect from each other?
Can you reconnect once you have already disconnected?
What’s the impact of social media on marriages?

***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman *** Author of "Making it Work", "Making it ALL Work" (for women) and 10 other Seforim, Maggid Shiur, Yerushalayim

with Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger – Rabbi of Congregation Beth Abraham, New Jersey – 12:43
with Mrs. Chani Juravel, LCSW – popular lecturer and therapist – 32:00
with Rabbi Shmuel Maybruch, LCSW – psychotherapist specializing in dating & marriage – 55:21
with Mrs. Sara Yoheved Rigler – bestselling author and inspirational teacher – 1:26:26

Wrap-up, takeaways and lessons learned – 1:48:19
Reflections on the levaya of Maoz Ben Eitan Morell – 1:59:47

 מראי מקומות

 

2/17/24 – Shiur 456 – The Brisker Rov zt"l and Medinas Yisroel | Rav Shach zt"l and the IDF (צה"ל) – What did they really hold?

Hakaros Hatov to the soldiers

Being Mevaker Choleh soldiers

Being Menachem Avel these families

Saying a Mi Shebeirach for the soliders

with Rabbi Refoel Wolf – Gabbai of Reb Shach zt"l for over 30 years – 28:04
with Rabbi Yissocher Eichorn– Talmud Muvhak of Reb Meir Solovietchik zt"l, Rav of Kehilas Avreicihim in Yerushalayim, Mechaber Sifrei Pi Kohein – 38:10

 מראי מקומות

 

2/10/24 – Shiur 455 – Getting over our fears - in dating, marriage, religious observance, of failure and more

What are the most common fears that people have?
How do we get over those fears?
What is “Jewish Mindfulness” and how can it help?
What are the most common fears in dating and marriage?
Can anxiety or OCD ever make a person patur from mitzvos?
Is it permitted to take experimental/homeopathic/Chinese medication treatments?

***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman *** Author of "Making it Work", "Making it ALL Work" (for women) and 10 other Seforim, Maggid Shiur, Yerushalayim

with Rabbi Yitzchak Schwartz – Posek, Rosh Yeshiva & Rav, Givat Ze’ev, Israel – 12:37
with Dr. Jacob Freedman – noted psychiatrist, speaker and author – 1:03:23
with Rabbi Avraham Willig, MSW – Rav, lecturer and psychotherapist – 1:23:00
with Rabbi Dr. Benjamin Epstein – psychologist and author of Living in the Presence – 1:40:00

Wrap-up, takeaways and lessons learned – 1:58:27

 מראי מקומות

 

2/3/24 – Shiur 454 – Raising unspoiled children in a spoiled world

How much should parents do for their children?
What are parents’ financial obligations to their children? Is there a maximum?
What causes a child to be spoiled?
Is it detrimental to grow up with less than your peers?
Do we need to treat all of our own children the same when buying them items?
What are the implications of having a spoiled child when they grow up?

***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman *** Author of "Making it Work", "Making it ALL Work" (for women) and 10 other Seforim, Maggid Shiur, Yerushalayim

with Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz – Rabbi of Beis Haknesses of North Woodmere, Head of Semicha at REITS – 13:12
with Dr. David Pelcovitz – Renowned Psychologist – 37:37
with Mrs. Elisheva Liss – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, popular lecturer and author – 1:00:31
with “Leah” – a twelve-year old girl giving her wise insights – 1:29:26
with Rabbi Berel Wein - renowned Rav, author, historian and lecturer – 1:36:50
Wrap-up, takeaways and lessons learned – 1:40:47

 מראי מקומות

 

1/27/24 – Shiur 453 –The Shulchan Aruch of war

Abortion of a fetus conceived through rape
Women tying tzitzis
Sheva brachos without the chosson or kallah
Returning home before Shabbos if one knows they will be called up on Shabbos
Returning home while one's wife is niddah if he doesn't think he'll be able to withstand the temptation to hug
A hug before a spouse leaves for battle if the wife is Niddah
Burying blood-soaked cars
Pidyon Haben when the father or kohen is not present
Shortening the taharah process for a Niddah during wartime
Saying shehecheyanu when one will not light or even see Chanukah candles
Eating homemade foods sent to the front
Matzah bakery that ran into a shelter in middle of making Matzos
Running to a shelter in middle of Shemone Esrei or Krias HaTorah
Yichud in a shelter
Rewriting Kesubos for people in the North or South who evacuated their homes
A Kohein entering an Ohel Hameis for shelter during a siren

with Rabbi Chaim Jachter – Rav of Sha’arei Orah in Teaneck, Dayan on the Elizabeth Beis Din, Mechaber Seforim – 23:25
with Rabbi Elli Fisher – Talmud of Reb Osher Weiss – 36:10
with Rabbi Moshe Bransdorfer – Av Beis Din and Rov of Heichal Ho'raah in Yerushalayim, M'Gedolei Haposkim in Eretz Yisroel – 1:01:30

 מראי מקומות

 

1/20/24 – Shiur 452 – Dealing with traumatic times – how to dig out of a rut

What’s currently causing us the most trauma? The war? The captives? Antisemitism? Something else?
What’s the implication of not getting a body back from Hamas, and therefore no Kevura and no closure?
Is hearing the news and looking at war images helpful or hurtful?
How are students from out of Israel who are studying in Yeshivos and Seminaries in Israel handling the war?
How can we turn our current plight into a growth opportunity?
Will we have “Post-Traumatic Stress” or “Post-Traumatic Growth” from the war?

***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman *** Author of "Making it Work", "Making it ALL Work" (for women) and 10 other Seforim, Maggid Shiur, Yerushalayim

with Rabbi YY Jacobson – world-renowned educator and lecturer – 11:47
with Rabbi Aviad Goldvicht – a “Rav Tzvaii,” a rabbi/businessman serving in the IDF as a Rabbi – 35:26
with Dr. Jacob Freedman – noted psychiatrist, speaker and author – 1:04:55
with Mrs. Batya Widowsky BSW – social worker and volunteer for the psycho-trauma unit of Ichud Hatzalah – 1:35:56
Wrap-up, takeaways and lessons learned – 1:52:30

 מראי מקומות

 

1/13/24 – Shiur 451 – What’s really going on in the Gaza battlefield. In Memory of Yakir and David HY”D – “Chavrusas in life, Chavrusas in death, Chavrusas in Olam Habah”

How to handle the stress of having a close relative fighting in Gaza and the loss of a loved one killed in battle.
Is there a halachic requirement that the IDF bury dead Hamas terrorists? Other Gazans?
What are the IDF soldiers experiencing? What about their parents, wives, and close friends?
Is it okay for soldiers to use the homes of Gazans without consent? Can soldiers use the food of Gazans left in their pantries and cook in their pots?
What are some of the unique halachic questions being asked by soldiers, their wives, and their families?

***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman *** Author of "Making it Work", "Making it ALL Work" (for women) and 10 other Seforim, Maggid Shiur, Yerushalayim

with Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon – Rosh Yeshiva, Jerusalem College of Technology – 17:33
with Professor Yisrael Aumann – recipient of the Nobel Prize in economics, his son was killed in battle while serving in the IDF – 41:53
with Rabbi Mordechai Becher – popular lecturer and author, with two sons in the IDF – 59:59

 מראי מקומות

 

1/6/24 – Shiur 450 – Amazon in Halacha

Hear from the trenches – How are the Kehilos and families in Eretz Yisroel Managing 
with Rabbi Elyada Goldvicht – Rav in Ranana, Head of Semichat Chaver Program, Head of Chevra Kadish in the IDF – 3:58

Shabbos:
Is it permissible to place an order with one-day delivery on a Friday?
If a package arrives on Shabbos, is it permissible to open and use it?
Is it permissible to make an online purchase on Friday when it is already Shabbos in the seller's time zone, knowing the seller is Jewish?
Is it permissible to keep an Amazon account active during Shabbos and Yom Tov?

Ratings:
Is it permissible to leave negative reviews on products?
Is it permissible to create positive, but fictitious reviews for your own products to enhance sales?

Can one purchase items during the nine days (items like clothes and Keilim that is forbidden to buy in those days), to be delivered after tisha b'av?
Can one purchase item prior to the nine day to be delivered during the nine days?
Can one purchase items on Chol Hamoed (that are forbidden to purchase on Chol Hamoed) to be delivered after Yom Tov?
Can one purchase Chometz on Chol Hamoed to be delivered after Pesach?

with Rabbi Yitzchok Berkovits – Renowned Rov Poseik and Rosh Yeshiva of Aish Hatorah – 36:50
with Rabbi Yosef Kushner – Dayan in Beis Havaad, Lakewood, Author of Commerce and Shabbos – 42:40
with Rabbi Tsvi Heber – Halacha Coordinator for COR – 1:32:30

 מראי מקומות

 

12/30/23 – Shiur 449 – Of course there should be Hakaras Hatov to the IDF soldiers. A response to a small minority who think otherwise. Does Torah-learning fully protect us, or is an army necessary?

Is Hakaras Hatov a halachic requirement, or just a nice thing to do?
Do we just feel gratitude, or do we need to say “thank you” or more?
Historically, did the Gedolim show Hakaras Hatov towards the soldiers of the IDF?
Why have a few Roshei Yeshiva said they are concerned about showing gratitude?
If Torah learning protects, why does Israel need an army?
Does the Israeli army enable those in Yeshiva to learn? Do those learning in Yeshiva enable the army to have military success?

***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman *** Author of "Making it Work", "Making it ALL Work" (for women) and 10 other Seforim, Maggid Shiur, Yerushalayim

with Rabbi YY Jacobson – world-renowned educator and lecturer – 24:19
with Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb – Rabbi in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Director of Tzalash https://tzalash.org/ – 53:55
with Rabbi Doniel Haymann – Rosh Kollel, author of Hakaras Hatov L’Halacha – 1:26:59
with Rabbi Joshua Friedman – founder of Israel Select https://thechesedfund.com/israelselect/tefillin?aff=WA – 1:53:32
Clip from Rabbi Baruch Rosenblum – educator, author, and popular magid shiur – 2:16:47

 מראי מקומות

 

12/23/23 – Shiur 448 – Is Israel an “occupier” of Palestinian land? Who owns “from the River to the Sea”?

Is there such a thing as the country of “Palestine”?
What are the halachic borders of Israel?
Is it mutar to give the Gaza Strip back now that Israel has retaken possession of it?
Is there a mitzvah to be buried in Israel? To make Aliyah? To exhume a body to Israel?
What does international law say about the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights?

***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman *** Author of "Making it Work", "Making it ALL Work" (for women) and 10 other Seforim, Maggid Shiur, Yerushalayim

with Rabbi Hershel Schachter – Rosh Yeshivah of REITs, Poseik of the OU – 16:15
with Professor Eugene Kontorovitch – legal scholar of international law – 48:40
with Dr. Henry Abramson – historian and a Dean of Touro College – 01:12:39

 מראי מקומות

 

12/16/23 – Shiur 447 – Zionism – Is today’s Zionism the same movement that caused so many religious to leave their roots and become irreligious?

Before WWII a lot of Gedolim were opposed to Zionism, what were their reasons?
After the war did a lot of the attitudes switch?
Why did they switch?
Is Zionism a danger to religion nowadays?

with Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro – Author of The Empty Wagon, A book against Zionism – 13:56

with Rabbi Yehuda Geberer – Noted Historian – 53:33

with Dr. Einat Wilf – Former Member of Knesset, Author of numerous books on Zionism – 1:16:51

with Professor Derek Penslar – Historian, Author, Professor of Jewish history in Harvard – 1:37:51

with Rabbi Shnayor Burton – Prolific Author – 1:55:47

 

 מראי מקומות

 

12/9/23 – Shiur 446 – Daas Torah In Halacha and Hashkafa

Is there a Torah idea called Daas Torah?
Can it override doctors?
Does the "Daas Torah" have to know the facts?
Can it override Shulchan Aruch?
Even if it's not in contradiction with Halacha, must we listen to it ?
Is there such a thing as saying blanket statements without proofs that must be listened to?
Are we supposed to be using our heads?
If someone questions "Daas Torah" should he be explained the position or be branded a Kofer?
Do we believe in infallibility of Gedolim?
Can there be two "Daas Torah's"?
Are two different people allowed to have different views, or is it my way or the highway?
How should we treat someone who disagrees with us?

with Rabbi Ahron Lopiansky – Rosh Yeshiva of yeshivah Gedolah of Greater Washington – 25:55
with Rabbi Aharon Sorscher – Poseik of the Yeshivah Community of Waterbuty Connecticut – 1:00:15

  מראי מקומות

 

12/2/23 – Shiur 445 – Is “Zionism” a bad word? Where do Satmar and Neturei Karta disagree?

What’s the original Samtar Rav’s argument against the State of Israel?
Has the concept and definition of Zionism changed over time, and what does it mean today?
How are Satmar and Neturei Karta similar, and how do they differ?
Is there a prohibition of publicly going against the consensus view of Klal Yisrael?

***Guest Hosted by Ari Wasserman *** Author of "Making it Work", "Making it ALL Work" (for women) and 10 other Seforim, Maggid Shiur, Yerushalayim

with Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Breitowitz – Renowned Posek and Senior Lecturer at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach – 16:26
with Rabbi Pini Dunner – British Rabbi in Los Angeles, lecturer, historian and author – 44:28
with Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox – Dayan, Forensic and clinical psychologist, Director of Crisis and Trauma Services for Chai Lifeline – 1:06:06
with Rabbi Eliyahu Reingold – Rosh Kollel in the Yeshiva of Greater Washington – 1:24:46
with Rebbetzin Feige Twerski – noted teacher and prolific author – 1:46:21

  מראי מקומות