The Q & A with Rabbi Breitowitz Podcast

Sponsored in honor of Yeshivas Ohr Somayach & HaRav Breitowitz shlit"a Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel​ whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos 0:00 - Can we defeat our enemies before Moshiach? 2:00 - Do my motives/emotions effect my Mitzvos? 6:00 - What are are the major positions on Tzimzum? 10:00 - What to do about ego in davening? 18:00 - In terms of physical contact, what do we do regarding secular female family members? 27:00 - Concerns with the Mitzvah of shofar blowing? 30:00 - How do we approach potential false beliefs in Judaism? 35:00 - Can women take on positions of authority in Judaism? 43:00 - Why is there such a gulf between Haredim and the Modern Orthodox/Dati Leumi? 54:00 - How should we approach discrimination against arabs? 58:00 - Why does the Yeitzer HaRah return old problems to us over and over? 01:02:00 - Which way/sect to go for in Judaism? You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel​ whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

This episode is dedicated in honor of Kobe Gross's upcoming Aufruf and marriage to Faigy Shenker, may they be Zoche to build a Bayis Ne'eman B'Yisroel. Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu 00:00 Should one underpay or overpay when neither party remembers the proper amount of debt? 04:01 What does it mean that there is a human-parallel in the sea? 7:08 Why did Chazal seemingly create such a complex system for the berachos on food? 12:12 If Hashem is omniscient, how does free will exist? 23:41 Is there a policy not to adopt minhagim from non-halachic origins, despite the minhagim not being problematic in and of themselves? 31:08 Could the Rav give book recommendations on Hilchos Borer? 34:16 Why did God have the intention of revelation followed by concealment? 39:08 When a rabbi in the gemara disagrees with a quoted rabbi, is he disagreeing with the quoter or the author? 43:22 Why is resurrection such a great praise of Hashem if every tanna and amora could do it? 48:41 Does one listen to the majority against his Rav, even if his Rav is the gadol hador? 52:13 What are some halachos of ad hoc minyanim? 55:43 What qualities are most important for a man to develop before marriage? 59:18 Why does Judaism go through the mother, whereas the tribe goes through the father? 1:08:22 What exactly is ervah? There is a seeming contradiction in Berachos. 1:17:14 Are train cars considered different rooms for the purpose of ohel? 1:19:06 A few questions regarding maaser kesafim. 1:25:58 Is one allowed to test Hashem, and if so, when? 1:29:00 What does it mean that the first rule of the Torah is not to be foolish? 1:38:10 If there's din v'cheshbon every day, why is Rosh Hashanah different? 1:41:08 Why does Rambam single out Erev Yom Kippur for vidui so that one doesn't die before doing teshuva? 1:44:55 What does one do when he is overwhelmed during davening by people asking for tzedakah? 1:49:40 How does one come to feel that Torah is more important than anything? 1:52:53 How does one improve their middos? 1:58:07 How does one guard one's eyes in today's world? Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel​ whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel​ whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

This Tisha B'av, join Rabbi Breitowitz reading and explaining Kinnos followed by a day of Shiurim at https://ohr.edu/tishabav/ Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel​ whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos 00:00 What is the source of the custom not to do birkat kohanim, and how can a custom nullify a commandment? 08:03 Why do some say 'na' in the third blessing of birkat hamazon, and why do we not bless everyone in the 'harachaman's every time? 15:13 How does the idea of soulmates work with converts, and is it possible for one to miss out on their soulmate? 23:16 If a waiver only goes into effect when a person understands it, and it's safe to assume no one ever reads it, does it still apply? 29:00 Why don't we read megillas Eicha in the day? 29:55 Does a convert need to do tevilas keilim after conversion? 34:10 Did Ruth convert before marrying Naomi's son or after? 37:37 How can a Hacham's curse ever be hinam? And why should God's curse be avoidable but man's curse not? 43:50 Why does Rava forgive Bar Hedya for his children's deaths, but not for his wife's death? 46:44 What is the definition of kofer in halacha? 1:00:30 Is it true that we should only respect those non-Jews who do good for us? 1:05:33 Does a Levite get the first aliyah when there is no cohen? 1:05:56 What is the nature of the disagreement between the Hasidim and the Misnagdim? 1:15:36 Should we want trials and tribulations to get more reward? Why would one get more reward from trials anyway? 1:21:50 Does the Rav have book recommendations? 1:24:57 Are protests good? 1:29:53 Where do the tunes for Eicha and the other megillos come from? 1:33:56 How old are the brackets and parentheses in the Talmud? 1:35:25 Should one set high prices according to the rules of economics, or does halacha set a price ceiling? 1:41:04 How should one comfort their loved ones after having done the standard condolences? 1:44:34 What is the fundamental issue with non-kosher food? 1:46:24 What is resurrection and are there exceptions? 1:51:42 What should be done with the recent parah adumah? 1:55:10 Is it permitted to apply to jobs in the week before Tisha B'Av? 1:56:00 How does the Torah view money? You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

This Tisha B'av, join Rabbi Breitowitz reading and explaining Kinnos followed by a day of Shiurim at https://ohr.edu/tishabav/ Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel​ whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

This Tisha B'av, join Rabbi Breitowitz reading and explaining Kinnos followed by a day of Shiurim at ohr.edu Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel​ whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos 00:00 A few questions about Reuven and Gad's request in Parshas Mattos. 05:02 Why do both 'mateh' and 'shevet' mean both 'staff' and 'tribe'? 11:42 If Moshiach would come during the 3 weeks, what haftaros would we read? 14:50 What are the parameters of tofel, and how might those apply to ice cream cones and other such foods? 21:48 If all the questions will be answered when Moshiach comes, what will be the purpose of learning Torah, and will there still be chiddushim? 26:39 Why does Tisha B'Av not have tachanun? 31:11 How do we tell the difference between halacha and hadracha? 38:30 Why do we try to name our children with matching English and Hebrew names? 46:30 Why does Rashi sometimes contradict himself? 50:59 How often should one check one's tefillin? 53:01 Why should tzadikim who have natural talents get more Olam Haba because of those talents? 1:00:43 How does one keep the inspiration one feels as a new baal teshuva as one delves deeper into the halachos and the standard Jewish world? 1:07:41 What is the argument, from both sides, on wrapping tefillin in the street? 1:12:31 Should one have his tefillin checked if they were bought before one paid close attention? 1:15:33 What should the relationship be between a Rav and a halachically well-versed individual? 1:19:19 Can a girl have a bar mitzvah? Can she have a bat mitzvah? 1:23:14 Should Jews boycott German products, particularly those brands associated with the Nazi Party? 1:30:30 How much does our free will affect the world at the expense of the power of God's plan? 1:35:20 Is it better, in order to become a well-rounded learner, to focus on gemara then branch out or to diversify one's learning? 1:40:26 How does one ration time for all his responsibilities? 1:42:39 What should one do with family or friends who disparage Judaism? 1:44:27 Should one cut ties with such family/friends? You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel​ whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

This Tisha B'av, join Rabbi Breitowitz reading and explaining Kinnos followed by a day of Shiurim at ohr.edu. For dedication opportunities email podcasts@ohr.edu This episode is dedicated as a zechus for the health and well being of Yehuda Ben Miriam and Victoria 00:00 Why are Zimri and Cozbi only mentioned as an afterthought, and why is the vav of 'shalom' incomplete? 07:08 How would Jews calculate zmanim in a submarine, and if there had been Jews on the Titan, would their wives have been allowed to remarry? 14:28 Why is spirituality so delicate and vulnerable? 20:19 How could an entire species be forbidden because of idolatrous use, as in the case of cocoa when it was first discovered? 24:37 What is the story of the Ten Lost Tribes? 32:56 When the gemara says that nothing treif comes from heaven, does that include the creations of heaven? 34:03 What is a possible source for yoetzet halacha? 42:55 How could the Benjaminites take women from Shiloh and Yavesh Gilead? 46:52 Is it bitul Torah to travel, and will Jews in the Messianic Era take vacations? 54:04 How does the Ramban understand the gemara that Israel heard 611 mitzvos from Moshe? 58:35 Is one allowed to enter a Buddhist temple? 1:01:05 How were nusachot made, and can one do so today? 1:08:30 How did those at the time of Chazal know when the zmanim were? 1:11:11 Why not start our mourning period from the 9th of Tammuz? 1:15:35 What is the source for long peyos, and why do so many do it? 1:16:52 What is the heter for contraception? 1:20:50 How does one maintain kavana in our fixed davening? 1:23:27 Why do we use the word 'rabbi'? 1:24:42 Is it worth discouraging intermarriage if there's a 50/50 chance of acceptance? 1:25:42 Can we use the recent innovations in torat hanefesh that come from the non-Jewish world? 1:32:17 How does one capitalize on moments of inspiration, motivation, and connection to God? 1:34:15 Since there are so many opposing ideas in mussar, how do we know when to be pulled by one force and when to be pulled by its opposite? Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel​ whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Founded in the late 1980s, and accredited by the Israel Ministry of Education, Ohr Lagolah (Ohr Somayach's two-year rabbinic, outreach and teacher training program) is the world's longest running program of its kind. To translate Judaism into the language of the 21st century, educators today need more than knowledge. They need skills. And they need training. Ohr Lagolah features Integrated Semicha Preparation Comprehensive training in kiruv, chinuch and rabbonus Practical Hands-On Experience World Renowned Lecturers Israeli Government Certification Job Placement Assistance and Guidance Kollel Stipends Make a Lasting Impact! Since the program started over 30 years ago, hundreds of Ohr Lagolah graduates have found meaningful positions as rabbonim, mechanchim, campus rabbis and in community kollelim, inspiring thousands of young Jews to investigate, connect to and grow in their Judaism. You too, can make an impact on Klal Yisrael. Spend the next two years preparing yourself, learning how to translate Judaism into the language of the 21st century. For more information contact Rabbi Klein on 02-5810-315 x111, whatsapp or email lagolah@ohr.edu Apply Now Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel​ whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS