The Q & A with Rabbi Breitowitz Podcast

Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to Ohr Somayach! https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ 00:00 Rav address two sent it questions, regarding anistanus and talmud Torah 08:30 It is said that if someone makes 3 shidduchim, they are guaranteed Olami Habo—how does this work? 13:42 Where do the traditions for tefillin designs and wrapping techniques come from? 21:37 What are the pleasures of this world that we are essentially obligated to enjoy according to the Yerushalmi? 27:52 If Judaism is meant to be authentic, why is it that in Kiruv, we offer so many fancy trips and gourmet food? 33:09 In terms of the sun being stopped for Moshe and Joshua, it says it never happened before by Joshua—how do we understand this? 35:30 What are the different opinions of taking early Shabbos? 45:03 These days, there are often discounts given by insurance companies to women and the gender is defined by what the insured person states. Would it be mutar for a biological man to say he identifies as a woman in order to pay a smaller premium? 49:57 How could two opposite statement be true? 52:38 In terms of Tu B'Av, how do we understand the gemara's reasons for a public shidduch day so to speak and how did times change? 58:56 How is it that Targum Onkelos was min HaShamyim? 1:02:29 Do we make Yam Hagadol bracha on the Pacific Ocean? 1:03:24 Why wouldn't the whole world be made Jewish such that everyone would have the maximum opportunity for closeness to Hashem? 1:07:02 if the Talmud discusses 8 genders of Judaism, what does that mean? 1:08:37 Why do we accept Kabbalah today in Halacha? 1:13:09 If I can't finish slichos, tachanun, general tefillah or the like, am I'm missing out on certain forgiveness capacity? 1:16:43 How do we relate to the destruction of the Temple if we never experienced it and why would our lowly generation be fortunate enough to have it rebuilt? 1:22:53 Why do Ashkenazim and Sephardim differ in the way they cover their eyes in Shema? 1:24:50 Kesubos is the current masechta in Daf Yomi cycle. A lot of the material discussed is about rape and other material that some may find disturbing. Can the Rav share some advice on how to approach this masechta with the right perspective. Alternatively, if learning this masechta will bother or discourage someone everyday, is it better to just learn something else? 1:30:16 How does it work that Torah is the ultimate healer but the Rambam states that one needs other outlets? 1:32:30 Why do we follow certain halachos today that some rabbanim wouldn't have approved of? 1:36:25 Rashi in Moed Katon explains the practice of the Beis Din placing a stone on someone's coffin as a זכר בעלמא of stoning someone who died while excommunicated. If so, why do we place stones on graves today? 1:37:32 Why didn't Avraham get punished for asking for a guarantee for Israel's quality while the Meraglim did? 1:39:36 How do we view the seemingly vain descriptions of women in Ta'anis? 1:41:31 If creative acts are forbidden on Shabbos (melachos) why is intimacy permitted, isn't that the most creative act? 1:43:47 What messages was Hashem trying to convey to Eliyahu during Har HaCarmel events? Visit us @ ohr.edu

Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to Ohr Somayach! https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ 00:00 Rav address two sent it questions, regarding anistanus and talmud Torah 08:30 It is said that if someone makes 3 shidduchim, they are guaranteed Olami Habo—how does this work? 13:42 Where do the traditions for tefillin designs and wrapping techniques come from? 21:37 What are the pleasures of this world that we are essentially obligated to enjoy according to the Yerushalmi? 27:52 If Judaism is meant to be authentic, why is it that in Kiruv, we offer so many fancy trips and gourmet food? 33:09 In terms of the sun being stopped for Moshe and Joshua, it says it never happened before by Joshua—how do we understand this? 35:30 What are the different opinions of taking early Shabbos? 45:03 These days, there are often discounts given by insurance companies to women and the gender is defined by what the insured person states. Would it be mutar for a biological man to say he identifies as a woman in order to pay a smaller premium? 49:57 How could two opposite statement be true? 52:38 In terms of Tu B'Av, how do we understand the gemara's reasons for a public shidduch day so to speak and how did times change? 58:56 How is it that Targum Onkelos was min HaShamyim? 1:02:29 Do we make Yam Hagadol bracha on the Pacific Ocean? 1:03:24 Why wouldn't the whole world be made Jewish such that everyone would have the maximum opportunity for closeness to Hashem? 1:07:02 if the Talmud discusses 8 genders of Judaism, what does that mean? 1:08:37 Why do we accept Kabbalah today in Halacha? 1:13:09 If I can't finish slichos, tachanun, general tefillah or the like, am I'm missing out on certain forgiveness capacity? 1:16:43 How do we relate to the destruction of the Temple if we never experienced it and why would our lowly generation be fortunate enough to have it rebuilt? 1:22:53 Why do Ashkenazim and Sephardim differ in the way they cover their eyes in Shema? 1:24:50 Kesubos is the current masechta in Daf Yomi cycle. A lot of the material discussed is about rape and other material that some may find disturbing. Can the Rav share some advice on how to approach this masechta with the right perspective. Alternatively, if learning this masechta will bother or discourage someone everyday, is it better to just learn something else? 1:30:16 How does it work that Torah is the ultimate healer but the Rambam states that one needs other outlets? 1:32:30 Why do we follow certain halachos today that some rabbanim wouldn't have approved of? 1:36:25 Rashi in Moed Katon explains the practice of the Beis Din placing a stone on someone's coffin as a זכר בעלמא of stoning someone who died while excommunicated. If so, why do we place stones on graves today? 1:37:32 Why didn't Avraham get punished for asking for a guarantee for Israel's quality while the Meraglim did? 1:39:36 How do we view the seemingly vain descriptions of women in Ta'anis? 1:41:31 If creative acts are forbidden on Shabbos (melachos) why is intimacy permitted, isn't that the most creative act? 1:43:47 What messages was Hashem trying to convey to Eliyahu during Har HaCarmel events? Visit us @ ohr.edu

Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to Ohr Somayach! https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu

Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu 00:00 What does the notion of writing BS"D on top of documents mean? 04:55 Can I throw away documents that have an image of the Temple? 06:38 Why does the chazan say the duchening bracha before the Kohanim? 10:10 What is the Rebbe's personal approach to kiruv rechokim? 17:00 Since the Torah forbids usury, are we allowed to invest in interest-bearing assets? 20:19 In terms of the above, what about Israeli bonds? 23:45 What exactly is the shidduch crisis and are secular people involved? 27:52 If a non-Jew who is a chalal converts to Judaism do they retain their status as chalal? 31:45 What kinds of methods do stores use to check for shatnez? 35:18 Why would someone be able to lend on interest to an apostate Jew? 38:07 What is the story with Yushkas death? 42:27 Should we trust Rambam's health advice more than present day nutritionists and doctors? 45:27 What do we learn from the Choni Hamagul story in maseches Taanis—"I'd rather find a friend or die"? 50:30 Why does the Torah allow polygamy? 54:28 According to the sugya in Succah, why do we repeat words in Hallel but seemingly shouldn't repeat Hashem's name (Kah)? 1:02:04 How do we understand beseeching Hashem in prayer with written, fixed prayer versus my own words? 1:12:05 What is the difference between the prayer statements of Baruch Atah Hashem and Yehi Ratzon? 1:13:00 In the Haftora for Mattos, why is there a pun and then not a pun? 1:16:30 How do we view Israeli land sold to gentiles? 1:21:04 If the order of Brachos in Shemona Esrei were predetermined and there was leeway in terms of content, why are brachos still so similar? 1:23:47 How old is the Ashkenazi nusach? 1:25:10 Why don't we see rhymes so much in Psalms or Torah songs? 1:28:45 Is there a real source for Armenians being Amalek? 1:32:23 How would you respond to someone who used dinosaurs and other similar points as attacks on Judaism? 1:37:33 How should we view modern day biblical criticism? 1:42:01 Were the wives of Bnei Korach allowed to remarry? 1:44:24 In terms of the counting of Bnei Israel, what is the significance of the age of 20? 1:48:27 What is the proper kavana to have in praying at the grave of a tzadik? Why would I physically go there? https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu Produced by: Cedar Media Studios

Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu 00:40 - How do we look at intergenerational guilt from the Holocaust? 5:15 - Why does the man study while the woman works instead of vice versa? 11:06 - If the husband is working, but the wife is still not satisfied with the amount of money coming in, how much more does he have to do? 14:45 - Can you break Shabbos to relieve someone's suffering? 19:12 - If women don't have a mitzvah to learn, how can they have as close of a relationship with G-d? 22:30 - Thoughts on Conservative, Reform and Egalitarianism? 35:44 - What institutions are there for women who struggle in their gender role? 37:41 - Being that Judaism celebrates the individual, why do we all try to look the same? 40:08 - How can we understand the relationship between Chassidim and their Rebbes? 43:10 - What is the root cause of the fear of excessive punishment, and what is the cure? 47:12 - How do you draw the line between good and bad drugs, like caffeine and cannabis? 51:25 - Would moderation apply to harder drugs as well? 52:18 - Should we be worried that caffeine might be ruining our life? 54:29 - Is there any wisdom in the world that we may be missing? https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu Produced by: Cedar Media Studios

Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu 00:00 Rav addresses possible controversial discussions 01:39 Why do we thank G-d for freeing us when He put us in Egypt in the first place? 06:09 Why do people say Baruch Shem Kavod in some capacities? 12:12 Why are there so many rules in Judaism? 19:38 How strict should someone be for checking their food for bugs? 25:35 Do people who support others in learning for the zechus of someone lose out on the reward? 32:02 Why do we read the first aliyah during the week and what is the function of maftir? 35:32 If someone chas vshalom suffered a miscarriage l, Are there Heterim to allow her husband to comfort her (touch, hug)? 40:06 If someone has the Tetragrammaton tattooed on their body, (how) can they go in the bathroom? 42:30 The Gemara in Sotah (46b) says that the angel of death wasn't allowed to work in Luz. It says that when the elderly's mind becomes difficult on them, they would leave the city and die. Was this allowed? And if so, why wouldn't it be evidence that we should be able to pull the plug in a case of brain death? 49:16 How did the chapter divisions of Tanach make it if they are based on non-Jewish sources? Should they stay? 58:32 When someone may not have the right kavana, because of emotion or otherwise, is there a way to deal with that or an exemption of mitzvos of sorts? 59:37 How do we understand taking revenge on the midyanites, and why were women and children saved? 1:10:35 Why in orthodoxy is there absolutely no allowance of physical contact until marriage night where everything happens at once? 1:16:52 What is the purpose of G-d putting evil people into the world only to have them be killed? 1:18:47 What was the magic barrier around Egypt that prevented the Jewish slaves from leaving? 1:20:30 When I am trying to see messages from Hashem, how do I know I'm seeing it the right way or at all? 1:23:42 What is the specific quality of grape-products (wine/grape juice) that in the nine days and regarding nidah harchakos, one can have other alcoholic drinks, or (non-alcoholic) pomegranate juice? 1:26:34 Does the Hamsa ward off ayin horo and what is the basis for this? 1:30:18 Is there such thing as eminent domain in Halacha? 1:34:37 Why in some cases in Tanach were allowed to take the booty but other times we must destroy all their possessions? 1:37:14 What is the best way to improve in Ahavas Yisroel? https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu Produced by: Cedar Media Studios

Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu

Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu 00:00 Rav addresses asking controversial questions 00:39 What is Ramban's view on premarital sex? 04:42 How can Shlomo HaMelech send sheidim? Isn't that kishuf? 11:20 Why was Torah given so late if that was purpose of the world? 18:50 Did Yitzchak Avinu die during sacrifice or after? 22:30 How do we regard a figure like David Weiss HaLivni (who recently died) and the Union for Traditional Judaism in general? 27:10 What is the significance of Hashem's name "Shakai"? 32:40 What is the Rav's view on psychedelic drugs? 36:25 What was religion of people of Haran? 44:20 Why was Shlomo able to build multiple extra kruvim? 48:30 How did Baer Miriam make it to the kinneret? 50:45 What is the issur of woman ordination? 56:15 How do we address skeptics of Flood of Noach? 59:18 How do we understand when Chazal say that Rabbi Akiva was greater than Moshe Rabbenu? 1:01:30 What's the minimum you have to say of the pesukim for Krias Shema Al Ha Mitah? 1:02:10 Are there any proofs in Torah that prove its validity? 1:04:38 What is the origin of making a wish on a wish bone and is it avoda zara? 1:07:40 Does reading Zohar itself purify someone? 1:09:00 What does it mean the Pinchas is Eliyahu? What are practical implications? 1:14:10 Is there a fourth individual that lived eternally? Eliyahu, Chanoch, and Sarach Bat Asher are known. What is the commonality amongst them? 1:16:50 How can Iyov be listed as a non-Jewish prophet if we know it's only a minority opinion that he was a goy? 1:20:20 Do Jews who have only a Jewish mother have inheritance? Also will there status change at time of Messiah? 1:22:35 Why is the word Bar mitzvah in Aramaic and Bat Mitzvah in Hebrew? 1:24:07 Why do some halachos depend on looking at a Goyish majority? 1:27:42 What are the views on talking in the bathroom? 1:29:08 Should we respond to Palestinian treatment of Jews in a similar way as we did with the Soviets? 1:34:52 Is it morally wrong for a Cohen to be grateful for Chet HaEgel which gave him his kehunna? 1:36:50 When would shaking a hand with a woman be permissible? https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu Produced by: Cedar Media Studios

Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu

Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you : podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu