

The Q & A with Rabbi Breitowitz Podcast
Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz
Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Breitowitz's weekly Question and Answer sessions at Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem.
A Project of Ohr.edu
Questions? Comments?
We'd love to hear from you at:
Podcasts@ohr.edu
A Project of Ohr.edu
Questions? Comments?
We'd love to hear from you at:
Podcasts@ohr.edu
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 24, 2021 • 1h 22min
Q&A- Tzimtzum, Nefilim & Artscroll
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 Can you speak on the makloches of tzimtzum? 6:03 Is laboratory meat an issue of eiver min hachai/basar min hachai? 14:08 How do we get around milk from a treifa cow when milk is mixed together in factories? 22:57 What became of Nephilim? Are they around? Could it explain alien encounters? 25:35 Does lashon hara apply in reference to sports players? —What of politicians? 30:24 When Moshiach comes, will Moshe Rabbeinu have modern technology? 32:26 With regards to abortion, why is there an apparent discrepancy between Jews and non-Jews? 38:40 How are non-Jews expected to know the 7 Noahide laws? 42:42 If someone consents for an aveira (e.g. dueling) is this permissible?—what of losing when gambling? 47:00 Where does the bill stop if all aveiras are judged including the repercussions of previous generations? 50:58 Why does the Torah have a greater penalty for a thief (ganav) than a one-time burglar? 52:38 How do we have different shitas for the order of parshios in tefilin that we had an original pair and no period without tefilin? 56:57 What are practical ways to deal with geiva without diminishing self-esteem? 59:18 Are voice-operated technology (eg Amazon Alexa) allowed for Shabbos for lights? 1:04:02 How can HaShem know the future if we have free-will? 1:11:46 According to Chazal, if the baby is born on the 8th month the baby is considered certainly dead, but this is not true if a baby is the baby is born in the 7th month. Doesnt this seems out of order? 1:13:34 One shouldn't shop around for poskim, but if one is told for life-and-death (eg heart-transplant) that might be considered murder but might save ones life, can one go on a that opinion? 1:16:30 If one should avoid seeking honor except when necessary, how does one know his intentions won't be egotistical? 1:18:32 In light of books which have commentary added (eg ArtScroll) what does this mean for the need for a rebbe? (Produced by CedarMediaStudios Podcasting)

Jun 20, 2021 • 1h 2min
Q&A- Murder, Challah & Meat
0:00:00 What else do we know about Korach's death? 0:01:35 If a Jewish woman is a surrogate is the child Jewish? Can someone be a surrogate for her sister? 0:07:40 If people don't get their good inclination until 13, how do you understand that kids underage do good things? 0:10:00 Is there any halachic problem in taking medication to lower testosterone levels? 0:11:50 In the shortest pasuk in Torah, oobnei Dan choshim, why does it have extra vav? 0:14:14 When was the term Halacha le Moshe mi Sinai first used? 0:16:00 Why do we say the blessing that we thank G-d for not making us a woman? 0:18:50 Is the essential part of the mitzvah of Talmud Torah specific for teaching or learning? 0:21:05 What is the difference between chochma, bina, and daat? 0:23:27 We say that the order of tefillah as praise, request, and gratitude. Why do the last couple brachot not seem like gratitude prayers? 0:27:00 How do we understand the parah aduma when the person who cleans the ashes would get tameh? What is its significance? 0:34:40 We know certain halachot are dependent on having a walled city. From do we know the names of the cities that were walled from the time of Yehoshoah Ben Nun? 0:38:00 With regards to Bilam, is there a need to be righteous or spiritual merit to be a prophet? 0:42:00 We know when someone is sent to a refugee city his Rebbe has to go with him. Doesn't the other students lose out from their rebbe? 0:46:05 When there was a murder they would do eglah arufa, what is the connection of that ritual to murder? 0:48:23 We know that women have the mitzvah of challah to atone for the sin of challah. What does this mean and why is Adam called challah? 0:52:20 In Moshe's last speech he tells us to remember a lot of things. Mitzvah of mezuzah would seem as a zecher from the Torah. However, why is it shown as a protection of the house? 0:55:30 Why are there different halachot about walled cities? 0:56:00 Is there a real problem of having names that have no tanach source as Rav Chaim Kanievsky said? 0:58:40 Eating meat is allowed but...Why is eating meat okay? It may not be healthy, especially in large quantities.... 1:00:00 Has fake meat been declared "fleishig" and does it fulfill the idea of kavod shabbos? 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 CedarMediaStudios Podcasting)

Jun 10, 2021 • 1h 11min
Q&A- Sorcery, Modern Science & Gerus
0:00:00 When we say "Each person has a chelek of Torah" what does that mean and how to do acquire it? 0:02:34 When the spies came back from EY, why did Moshe strongly support the Jews? Why was the punishment of the golden calf carried over to meraglim of the 40 year punishment? 0:07:00 If a ger converts and then find out afterwards that he was a Jew before his conversion, does he return to being a Jew or remain a ger? 0:12:16 Following Rabbi Moshe Feinstein's psak on kalei habishul, what is an issue in a kli shlishi for tea? 0:17:50 Can one wax or pluck hair from the body? 0:20:52 In Josephus's writings, was there a real movement at the time of Yashka or was it something created by the Romans? 0:27:07 What do we do when Josephus contradicts the accounts of Rabbinic literature? How do we reconcile this? 0:32:36 If Hashem loves us, how can he give us challenges that seemingly we can't overcome? 0:36:25 How much burden should we put on previous generations sin and similarly how do much burden do we put on our own sins? 0:41:40 Was there inflation in time of the Gemara? 0:44:20 Does the character traits of Moshiach have to match that of David? 0:45:28 In the laws of Niddah, is going in to mayim chayim rabbinic? Also, the body of water is described in different terms. Why so? 0:50:17 What is an aveira lishma and are there any records of this? 0:54:00 Why didn't Hashem respond Moshe's question on why does bad things happen to righteous people? 0:57:20 Can one interview someone for a job if they have no intention to hire them and they just need information from them? Does it matter if it's a Jew or a non Jew? 1:00:38 In shemoneh esrei why didn't the rabbis invoke the merits of the Imahot? 1:03:00 Where do you draw the line between magic/sorcery and modern science which might seem sorcery like? 1:05:47 Gemara says don't live in cities run by a Talmid Chacham. Is that a validation of a secular politician? 1:07:35 What are the pressing issues facing Torah society? What is a greater motivator than competition?

Jun 4, 2021 • 43min
SPECIAL: Gender Identity - Why Is This Happening Now & How It Affects Us
Would you like to dedicate an episode? A series? We'd love to hear from you! : podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu ! (Produced by CedarMediaStudios Podcasting)

May 31, 2021 • 1h 9min
Q&A- Colors, Names and Anthropomorphisms
0:00:05 Origin of Moshes staff? 0:01:49 If one considers Marcus Arelies as Tanah, can we consider his meditations as Torah source? 0:04:48 What is halacha for men wearing red? Also what about undergarments? 0:06:50 In the morning brachos, how do we interpret Talmud Torah keneged Koolam? 0:09:06 How did Rebbe Yehuda Hanasi decide what is a Mishnah and what is breitsa? 0:14:25 In the Talmud Bavli they have non Jewish names. why didn't they have seemingly Jewish names? Why can't be called up to the Torah with an english name if Hashem knows their name? 0:23:43 If called by nicknames, do those names become a name if people call u that name as well? 0:25:20 At end of parashat Vayigash with Yosef in mizrayim organizing land owner of land in Egypt, What does the pasuk mean when it says "ad hayom hazeh" for the land of the kohanim? 0:33:32 How is it possible for Hashem to be disappointed? Can Hashem feel emotions? 0:38:15 How does Rambam explain Hashem wearing tefillin? 0:43:30 Isn't it taught that G-d doesn't have an image? Is that not a limitation? 0:50:14 It is said that every four amot one takes in Israel is a mitzvah. what is the source for this statement and what does that mean? 0:54:57 Should one prioritize breadth or depth of knowledge in Torah study? 0:59:20 Is the schar from learning not from the efforts one makes? 1:02:00 Halachot Shabbat, bishul in sun that isn't cooking in Gemara, what if you cook it something that was heated by sun? Do u treat it as it's source? 1:04:00 Can u say shehechianu in personal life events? Finishing Sefer, etc? 1:07:40 What is the origin of languages? 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 CedarMediaStudios Podcasting)

May 20, 2021 • 1h 36min
Q&A- Hamas, Anti-Semitism & The Abraham Accords (@Derech)
Would you like to sponsor an episode? A series? We'd Love To Hear From You At: podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ Visit us @ ohr.edu ! (Produced by CedarMediaStudios Podcasting)

May 14, 2021 • 58min
SPECIAL: When Was the Torah REALLY Given?
Pre Shavuos Seminar - 2021 / 5781 ________ A Project Of Ohr.Edu Questions? Comments? We'd Love To Hear From You At: podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ (Produced by CedarMediaStudios Podcasting)

May 6, 2021 • 44min
Q&A- Chabad, Mashiach & The Abarbanel
00:00 - Being paid for learning Torah according to the Rambam 9:58 - Why do we say in tefilla "I am Hashem" 11:02 - Chabad and Moshichists, Avoda Zara or misunderstood? Any problems halachically believing someone to be the moshiach? 23:30 - Is it a problem to sing yechi? 25:45 - Abarbanel on moshiach coming back from the dead 28:13 - Why did Rav Shach look down on Lubavitch? 32:50 - If theres a Moshiach in every generation how can moshiach be revived from the dead? 34:30 - Saying Hallel on Yom Yerushalayim? 38:00 - Is Chabad tefillin a halachic problem? 39:09 - Is it better to daven alone at the usual zman or to daven in a Chabad minyan that davens at an unusual zman? 43:00 - Selling chometz to a goy, how could that be a definite sale? ________________________ A Project Of Ohr.Edu Questions? Comments? We'd Love To Hear From You At: podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ (Produced by CedarMediaStudios Podcasting)

Apr 29, 2021 • 55min
Q&A- Yarmulka, Organ Donation & Pikuach Nefesh
00:00 Can you make deals with Hashem? 3:56 Is there a reason why there haven't been more prayer rallies for Moshiach especially this year? 8:24 Why do we wear a kippah? Did Moshe Rabbeinu wear a headcovering? 13:52 Was there no one to bench for Shlomzion Hamalka and Yanai Hamelech that they needed Shimon ben Shetach? 24:19 When Techiyas Hameisim happens, what does that means for how our levels don't compare (e.g. Moshe Rabbeinu and R' Chaim Kanievsky)? 27:10 In the 2nd perek of Brachos, it mentions an Eved Kanani as kosher. What does that mean and why was Rabban Gamliel accepting condolences? 29:52 There is concept of a person wanting/trying to do a mitzva but is prevented by oneis. Does this apply to pru urvu? 33:12 What is the main kavana for the first perek of Shema? (Followup) In light of that, how do we understand Derech Teva? 44:15 Can a Jew receive or donate an organ, & does it depends if the other person is a Goy? 50:12 How far does Pikuach Nefesh go? For instance, could one eat a shellfish to eliminate certain risks of future cancer? 53:08 (Followup) Would removing an ovary be totally asur in the same way as male castration? ________________________ A Project Of Ohr.Edu Questions? Comments? We'd Love To Hear From You At: podcasts@ohr.edu https://podcasts.ohr.edu/ (Produced by CedarMediaStudios Podcasting)

Apr 23, 2021 • 53min
SPECIAL: Introduction to Hilchos Shabbos Part 2 + Q&A
Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz, Rabbi of Ohr Somayach Jerusalem, discusses the Yisodos of Hilchoshabas, intentional and unintentional acts on Shabbos, the issue of turning on lights, 'schwistish schwist' in Shabbos observance, different opinions on Malachah Sha'anat-Sriqah-legufah, and giving a seal of approval and legal marriage requirements.


