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 https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu 00:00 What is the secret of Sasson and Simcha in Gemara Sukkah? 04:55 Does MUTAR mean it's good and allowed or just not forbidden but could be questionable? 09:11 What is the significance of the blood on the earlobe, the thumb, and the big toe of a Kohen? 14:42 Why would Moshe care about Hashem relinquishing his connection to the other nations of the world (Parshas Ki Tisa)? 31:59 We fight the Yetzer Hara every day, so how is that not analogous to the idea that Christians believe we are born evil? 34:45 Is the point of Tanya to mitigate our animal soul? 37:38 Can you contradict the Tanya? 42:19 How much should we value the five levels of a person mentioned in Tanya? 43:47 Why didn't the Jews in the desert turn to Aharon as their conduit to Hashem? Why did they seemingly go straight to an idol? 45:36 How should we deal with climate change? 48:06 There are three exceptions to not living in Israel. Parnasa, learning, and shiduchim. Are these exceptions derived from the Torah? Otherwise, where are these exceptions derived from? 56:40 For Shnei mikra v'echod targum, do pictures yotzei you? 58:25 Why does it seem like Gd needs to be "calmed down" by Moshe so often? 1:04:30 In a chassidus setting or otherwise, how is it possible to do so much learning and whatnot in the morning (from 6am-11am) without eating? 1:09:50 How do I justify my Teshuva when I know I'll sin again, even the same sin? 1:13:32 When it comes to Dor Yesharim blood testing, could the Rav elaborate why we should or should not, and what we should do? And what is the general view on genetic testing when it comes to kids, couples, etc.? 1:21:58 What about genetic engineering? 1:27:00 Did Adam HaRishon have a first wife? Produced by: Cedar Media Studios

Video available here 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 Produced by: Cedar Media Studios

Video available here 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 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 Video available here 00:00 What is the classical understanding of the size of the letters in Megillas Esther before 1945? 04:10 Why couldn't Gd just give us Israel uninhabited? Why did we have to fight for it? 08:12 What is the origin of the Reisha and the Seifa in a Mishna? 13:32 Is there any issue with having a temporary bima in a shul? 19:13 How does it make sense that we're commanded to love Hashem? 26:00 In terms of kavod of Torah and Beis Midrash, what's halachically acceptable to help you stay awake or otherwise? 29:34 There are 72 3-letter names of Gd. Which names were written on the Urim v Turim? 31:37 How do we understand the point of existence without having eaten from the Etz HaDa'as? 37:20 What is the importance of saying the recitation of Korbanos? 40:55 How should a mainstream Yeshiva handle a former Talmid who is mchalel mitzvos bfarhesia by leading a publicly homesexual lifestyle, but expresses a genuine interest in attending an alumni Shabbos and will actually keep that Shabbos properly. On one hand, this may send a bad message to the attendees and their kids, but on the other hand he will keep that Shabbos and will have a better shaichus to Torah. What should they do? Is it worth having him? 43:58 What exactly does the term "mazal" mean? 53:32 What exactly did it mean to learn Torah before Chumash and Mishna? 56:52 What was the source of Kabbalah before Chumash/Zohar? 58:55 How could Jews derive certain laws without the Torah itself? 1:03:16 What is the purpose of the activity of the deep ocean in relation to Jewish avoda? 1:07:14 What was part of the tefillin before Moshe? 1:09:32 How do we understand or accept the grandchildren of a Rasha teaching Torah? 1:14:45 Is there Teshuva for non-Jews? 1:17:40 Why do we sometimes switch Chazzanim at Yishtabach? 1:19:36 Do nidoi and cherem apply today? 1:22:58 Why does Hashem put special needs children in the world? 1:24:48 What are the specifics of the cherem from the GRA to the chassidim? 1:30:20 Kosher phones in Israel? 1:32:34 If the GRA considers our universe absent of G-d, how would he see the idea of Hashem Echod? 1:36:31 Why did Hashem make angels? 1:38:54 What is the argument of tucking peyos behind the ear? 1:39:57 Rav Breitowitz talks on a question from last week regarding someone's mission in life vs. learning Torah. 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 00:00 Why are there state-nations now versus how there used to be tribes? 03:32 Will we ever be able to identify Amalek? 05:48 What is the halacha when people commit suicide? 11:20 What did people do before Rashi or Rabbeinu Tam tefillin? 17:16 When a reform rabbi and orthodox rabbi did a tour, a question was asked that if a Jewish student had one hour a week to either learn Torah with the reform Rabbi or watch HBO, what's a better use of his time? 23:32 What if we said we will send haredim to the army if all Israelis had one mandatory year in Yeshiva? 32:36 What is the story with Miriam bas Bilga? 36:27 Which Gemara mentions kids only go by what they hear from parents? 36:46 How come the biggest intellectuals don't come to accept Judaism? 41:13 How do we reconcile that Parnasa is variable when it is relatively predictable with a good job, etc.? 47:48 What about the 50th level of Tumah makes someone irredeemable? 49:30 Does din hamalchusa apply in Israel? 55:05 What will happen near end of days in terms of Gog UMagog? 58:52 Would Hashem reward Jews who went off the derech but became more involved (and successful) in scientific and/or philosophical achievement? 1:04:16 What is the definition of Zionism and why would a lot of Haredim be opposed? 1:11:01 How can we base the idea of not embarrassing someone off Tamar if it's possible that she may not have been believed? 1:14:22 What other significant roles did Ezra play? 1:16:08 Did scrolls with Ksav Ivri become passul after the script changed? 1:17:08 What is the Rav's view on Tikkun HaKlali? 1:19:00 What are some more views on Ezra and what is the authenticity of Torah scrolls older than the Dead Sea scrolls? 1:24:49 What message does a hair covering for women give? And what is the size of C'Beya? 1:29:39 Why do Jews wear suits and hats? 1:35:12 We don't wear black on Shabbos, so why do we wear black hats? 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 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 00:00 R Breitowitz follow up on AKIVA spelling and Ashkanazi skin color 03:05 How does one balance mussar books with new books ? 05:10 What does the Rav see occurring from the last Mishna in Sotah? 09:26 Can Jews who have strong emunah be sad and how do they react to seemingly tragic events if everything is for the good? 12:17 Are heart transplants halachically allowed? 17:31 How are performative arts historically viewed in Judaism? 22:28 If I have good intentions but do a sin, why am I punished when I'm not punished for intending to sin but not sinning? 29:42 What does it mean when one Beis Din doesn't accept the decision of another Beis Din? 38:54 Why are some things halachically allowed but we don't publicize it? 41:54 What should we focus on when learning Tanya or Mesilas Yesharim in terms of this world or the next? 44:09 Why does Hashem pay the "wicked upfront"? 47:43 Why can't women wear tzitzis or tefillin? 55:20 What is the origin of gilgul and are there any textual allusions to it? 59:46 What are the mechanics of the clothing of women and men today? 1:02:00 Did the Brisker Rav hold that there is no hishtadlut in shidduchim? 1:04:04 What is the role of humor and jokes in Judaism? 1:08:05 Is Olam Habo is such a central part of Yiddishkeit, why is it not mentioned directly in the Written Torah? 1:12:15 How can Kol Isha be legal if everything has a purpose? 1:16:07 How do we understand the possible return of paganism from a Torah perspective? 1:21:05 Why can't there be an option in the machloches in Bava Kamma about the wall of thorns in which both are chayev? 1:22:23 What are some common mistakes that students make in learning Gemara and the like and how should we overcome them? 1:25:30 What significance is there in putting notes into the Kotel and are there mekoros for it? 1:26:41 What about mekoros for praying at kivrei tzadikim? 1:27:50 Are there any allowances of fortune telling? 1:29:39 What should one look for when making someone their Rabbi? 1:32:00 Is there a sin that one cannot do Teshuva on and can one return from kares? 1:34:50 How should a frum Jew conduct himself in regards to alcohol on Purim? 1:38:43 Is it assur to get drunk any time? 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 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 00:00 Why can we pronounce or give people names with Hashem's name in it (such as Raphael, Gavriel, etc.)? 01:17 Why do we say "halleluka"? 02:56 Should we be davening for a shidduch at the right time or as soon as possible? 07:51 Why is there seemingly fewer gedolim than in generations before? 15:42 Are the 13 principles of faith deoraissa and why is there such an emphasis on Techias HaMeisim? 25:20 How do we understand Ashkenazic lighter skin color in accordance with the indigenous features of the Middle East and Avraham's origins? 27:23 In regards to a Canaanite slave, how do we reconcile the morality of slavery through a Torah lens? 36:53 Why can't a Canaanite slave be a Noahide follower? 44:47 Are people who don't know they're Jewish considered Jewish? 52:58 Is there an overlap of Jewish and Stoic philosophies? 58:04 As a Baal Teshuva, how do we catch up for Maaser we may have missed? 1:00:09 Do you give Maaser after taxes? 1:01:48 Do you have to pay Maaser on unrealized gains? 1:05:15 How do we understand the proverb one who hates gifts lives long, since Judaism puts such an importance on giving? 1:08:09 Are politicians puppets or do they have free will? 1:11:57 Was there anyone that created their own form of the Talmud aside from Rebbe? 1:14:53 Is it is possible for a kiddush Hashem to come from a non-religious Jew? 1:16:17 How did a Rishon with the name "Akiva" in his name understand how to spell his name? 1:17:25 What are practical ways to anticipate Mashiach (in preparation for the questions at the end of one's life)? 1:18:50 How can we bring Mashiach in today's age if we are so much lower spiritually than previous generations? 1:22:42 How do we view the chashuvos of living in Israel? 1:26:04 How do we understand the longing of the Chofetz Chaim to come to Israel but he didn't? 1:29:35 Could someone become as Kabballistically attuned as the Arizal today? 1:31:28 What lessons did the Rav take from his time in law school? 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 00:00 is it considered Avoda Zara to believe in multiple gods but only serve one? 03:16 Why wasn't the Torah given at Creation? 09:36 Can I be mekabel maisa rishon giving to a Cohen or can I give it to a Levi? (see addition at 1:51:33 ) 16:53 Does the rav have any tips for remembering what we've learned? 23:40 Is Kol Isha applied to new music styles and recorded music? 38:50 Is it consistent with Jewish Hashkafa to support the death penalty in secular courts? 46:20 How were the Ruvnitzer rabbi and others able to "break the rules" of Torah? 48:08 Is a single person able to work on a kiruv trip with mixed activities, assuming all laws of yichud and shomer negiah being observed? 52:53 Are Muslim prayer techniques based on Jewish bows, etc.? 1:00:44 How do we know how to navigate which Aggadic stories to take literally in the Gemara and Midrash? 1:00:06 Is it permissible to drink coffee, tea, or anything during Pesukei HaZimra? 1:07:27 According to Gemara in Succah, why can we consider STAM land in the hands of non-Jews as stolen? How can I rely on the produce right of non-Jewish land? 1:12:07 How does one train himself that Mashiach could come at any second? 1:14:21 Does the rav believe there are 36 hidden tzaddikim holding up the world? 1:16:47 Are there different ways to fulfill the Mitzvah of Shnayim Mikra V'echad Targum? 1:20:57 Why is there such a significance put on wine in Judaism? 1:22:17 What should one's outlook be on Jewish or Christian archaeologists who try to prove or disprove biblical events? 1:24:56 Why is the word for acts of loving-kindness "GOMEL," which entails something that is earned or deserved? 1:26:21 What are the prerequisites to being a Kabbalist? 1:28:37 What should someone consider when choosing a posek? 1:30:30 Can someone have relations with one's wife while she is pregnant? 1:32:00 Does the chiyuv to read Targum Onkelos make it the primary or superior translation/interpretation? 1:33:48 Is a tallit katan less yotzi than one of cotton or the like? 1:36:14 Why are some fruits not bound by the laws of Shmitta? 1:39:00 How can one wholeheartedly daven for mashiach to come if there will be no more chance for Teshuva? 1:41:00 As a parent / teacher, what could the rav advise to help prevent kids going off the Derech? 1:44:29 How do we reconcile exhuming bodies for archaeology of holy gravesites? 1:47:30 Which did Rashi work on first, Talmud or Chumash, and why does Rashi sometimes switch from Aramaic and Hebrew in his commentaries? 1:49:19 Were most of the gedolim nonconformists and what does that say for a system that relies on conformity? Produced by: Cedar Media Studios