Halacha Headlines

• How did lavish Simchas Beis HaShoeva celebrations turn into drinking parties with out-of-control buchurim - and who is responsible for what happens?
• Are wealthy “gevirim” fueling a dangerous drinking culture in our community? Are they violating Lo Sa'amod al Dam Re'echa?
• Why are some Roshei Yeshiva unwilling to confront the problem? Is “Boys will be boys” an acceptable response?
• Why is alcohol such a serious problem among Orthodox teenagers and bochurim?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Chaim Aryeh Zev Ginzberg – Rav of the Chofetz Chaim Torah Center, Cedarhurst NY – 10:00
with Eliezer – Resident of Yerushalayim – 40:30
with Rabbi Dovid Kaplan – Mashgiach Ruchani, Yeshivas Beis Yisrael and Senior Lecturer, Ohr Somayach – 46:03
with Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz – Associate Principal of SAR High School and Director of Research at Machon Siach – 1:03:17

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:30:19

מראי מקומות

Is drinking among American yeshiva bochurim learning in Israel getting worse?
Why has drunkenness become part of Simchas Beis Hashoeva celebrations?
Who is responsible - yeshivos, parents, the bochurim themselves, or the Gevirim throwing the parties?
What can be done to change the yeshiva drinking culture?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Rafael Kleinman – educator and resident of Yerushalayim – 7:38
with Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Breitowitz – posek, Rav and Senior Lecturer at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach – 17:31
with Rabbi Dr. Ethan Eisen – Licensed clinical psychologist in Israel and the U.S. – 41:56

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:19:27

מראי מקומות

Why does the Mishnah say בן שמונה עשרה לחופה? Is 18 an ideal age or a requirement?
How do we reconcile the different ages for marriage mentioned by Chazal and the Poskim?
What should a young man have in place before getting married - Torah learning, parnassah, and emotional maturity?
Are the considerations for girls different from those for boys?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Yitzchok Silber – Posek, Rav at the Mir Yeshiva, author, and expert on shidduchim and Shalom Bayis – 5:20
with Yehuda Geberer – historian specializing in Jewish history and the history of Jewish communities – 38:57
with Mrs. Chana Levitan – couples’ therapist, lecturer, and author with over 30 years of experience – 1:00:58
with Dr. Yaakov Freedman – psychiatrist specializing in mental health and the Orthodox Jewish community – 1:29:26

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:40:15

מראי מקומות

How does this affect the frum community?
Are there important points for us to watch out for?
Is it ever permitted?
The Torah's view on DNR
and much more....

with Rabbi Asher Millman – Rav of Khal Shaarei Avraham in Passaic NJ, Rabbinic Advisor for Hatzolah of Passaic-Clifton, Rav on Chayim Aruchim – 9:53
with Rabbi Yehuda Leib Weiner – Senior Rabbi Cedars Sinai Medical Center LA, Rov of Knesses Yisrael – 32:52
with Harav Dovid Feintein ZT"L – Rosh Yeshivah of MTJ, Renowned Poseik, Son of the RASHKABAHAG Reb Moshe ZT"L – 57:45

מראי מקומות

Private investment or stock market – what’s the difference, and what are you really risking?
How much due diligence should you do before investing your money?
What are the red flags that should make you walk away from an investment?
If the investment goes bad, who is responsible – you or the people who sold it to you?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Yonah Reiss – Av Beis Din of the CRC – 11:43
with Rabbi Daniel Rapp – Dayan at the Beis Din of America, Maggid Shiur at RIETS – 41:08
with Michael Eisenberg – General Partner at Aleph venture capital fund – 50:51

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:06:10

מראי מקומות

What’s your favorite Devar Torah for the Yamim Noraim?
Why do our Kabbalos so often fade – and what actually makes them last?
How can we turn the inspiration of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur into real, lasting change?
What’s one small thing we can do this year that could make a big difference?

with Rabbi Binyomin Wolff – Mora De'asra of Yad Avraham Shul, Yerushalayim – 10:10
with Mrs. Michal Horowitz – lecturer and teacher – 19:22
with Rabbi Isaac Rice – Mora De'asra of Congregation Anshei Chesed, Hewlitt NY – 27:01
with Rebbetzin Slovie Jungreis Wolff – teacher, author and lecturer – 37:22
with Rabbi Michoel Frank – Rav, Ohr HaTorah, Silver Spring, Maryland – 43:41
with Mrs. Chani Juravel, LCSW – Author, lecturer and therapist – 55:51
with Rabbi Dovid Ostroff – Posek and teacher at many seminaries in Yerushalayim – 1:06:48
with Rabbi Shaul Felman – Maggid Shiur at Nevi Tzion Yeshiva – 1:15:26

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:25:57

Collectors during davening - must give, can give or shouldn't give?
Are you מקיים a Mitzvah?
Are you obligated to give Tzedaka for someone who's collecting to buy their children an apartment?
Are musical Selichos prohibited or on the contrary should they be encouraged?
with Rabbi Aharon Sorscher – Rov of Yeshivah community in Waterbury – 11:08

ELECTIONS IN ISRAEL!
CHAREIDIM AND THE DRAFT!
WHAT’S BEST WAY FORWARD?
HEAR THEIR STRATEGIES
with Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer – Rov and Dayan in Yerushalayim, Rabbinical chairman of Hatzibbur Hareidi – 42:00
with Rabbi Yitzchak Pindrus – MK for United Torah Judaism – 1:05:34

מראי מקומות

• What should the shevarim and teruah sound like? What are the different minhagim?
• The tekiah’s tone changed or wavered in the middle – is it still valid?
• When is it necessary to repeat only that particular blast, and when must the entire set be repeated?
• Is there a reason to hear more than 100 blasts in order to fulfill the various minhagim?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Shimon Boxer – expert in all aspects of the Shofar, author of Shufra D’Shofar – 10:05
with Rabbi Shaul Felman – Ba’al Tokeah for 40 years, Maggid Shiur at Nevi Tzion Yeshiva – 48:10

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:12:01

מראי מקומות

When should a ba’al tefillah or ba’al keriyah be corrected - and when is it better to let the mistake go?
If someone’s talking, pacing, or other behavior is distracting the congregation, when is it appropriate for a gabbai or rav to intervene?
What about a chazzan who is davening too slowly? When should he be asked to speed up - and when should the tzibbur simply be more patient?
Which shul halachos should be enforced, and which are we too strict about?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Yitzchok Berkowitz – Rosh Yeshiva of Aish HaTorah – 10:46
with Rabbi Isaac Rice – Mora De'asra of Congregation Anshei Chesed, Hewlitt NY – 30:50

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:03:50

מראי מקומות

May a guest take leftover food home, or does the food remain the property of the host or caterer?
May a guest take flowers, centerpieces, decorations, or unopened bottles from the table after the simcha?
If someone accepted an invitation but failed to attend, must he reimburse the host for the meal ordered on his behalf?
Who owns gifts distributed at the tables—such as bentchers, souvenirs, yarmulkes, or children’s prizes—and may a guest take additional ones for family members?
Is there a halachic obligation to attend a wedding, bris, bar mitzvah, or sheva brachos after being invited? When does attending a simcha override one’s regular Torah-learning schedule?
Must parents go into debt to make a respectable wedding?
Can parents or grandparents use maaser money to pay for their child’s bris, bar mitzvah, or wedding? Does it matter whether they could afford it without maaser?
May maaser money be used to pay for a nicer wedding—or only the minimum necessary expenses for someone who cannot afford a wedding?
If a wedding is canceled, who bears the loss—the family or the caterer, photographer, band, florist, and hall? Can they keep the deposits?
And much more….

with Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst – Rov of Agudas Yisroel in Chicago and world renowned Poseik – 17:47
with Rabbi Chaim Jachter – Rav of Sha’arei Orah in Teaneck, Dayan on the Elizabeth Beis Din – 35:24

מראי מקומות

What's the Tafkid of a Rov
What's the challenges of a Rov
What's the rewarding parts of Rabbonus
What's unique challenges to Rabbonim these days?
Hear fascinating Shailos that come up

Guest host: Rabbi Moshe Taub – Rov of Young Israel of Holliswood

with Rabbi Noach Isaac Oelbaum – Rov Khal Nachlas Yitzchok Queens, Renowned Mechaber Seforim and Speaker – 3:30
with Rabbi Moshe Weinberger – Rov of Aish Kodesh Woodmere, Renowned Mashpia and Mechaber Seforim – 41:12
with Rabbi Elyada Goldvicht – Rov of Kehilat Lev Ra'anana, Founder of Semichas Chaver – 1:34:32

מראי מקומות

The history and the present reality of antisemitism in America.
What can we do?
How to deal with it?
The history of Five Towns
and much more...

Guest host: Rabbi Moshe Taub – Rov of Young Israel of Holliswood

with Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky – Rosh Yeshivah Yeshiva of South Shore, writer and author – 22:20
with Chaskel Bennett – Business Owner, Political Activist, and longtime Hatzolah member – 49:08

מראי מקומות

What makes a successful Bein Hazmanim?
When should parents intervene if a son isn't thriving in yeshiva?
What's the biggest parenting mistake during Bein Hazmanim?
Can enthusiasm for Torah and tefillah be taught?
How much learning and minyan should parents expect during Bein Hazmanim?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger – Rabbi of Congregation Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, New Jersey – 8:24
with Rabbi Dovid Kaplan – Mashgiach Ruchani, Yeshivas Beis Yisrael – 33:48
with Rabbi Aharon Spivak – Rav of KBY in Monsey, author and therapist – 56:08

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:15:21

מראי מקומות

What’s behind the push to integrate women into combat roles in the IDF?
Is this debate unique to the IDF, or does it reflect broader issues in Israeli society?
Does the prohibition of yichud apply inside a tank?
How should religious soldiers navigate these challenges?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Dovid Fendel – Founder and Rosh Yeshiva of the Hesder Yeshiva in Sderot – 14:34
with Rabbi Dovid Stav – Founder and Chairman of Tzohar and Chief Rabbi of Shoham – 34:01
with Rabbi Itai Asman – co-founder of Torat Lechima, promoting Jewish identity in the IDF – 57:17

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:14:11

מראי מקומות

Skiing, Heli Skiing, Sky Diving, Bungee Jumping, Escooters, Ebikes, Rock Climbing
Is it Muttar?
How do we reconcile 'ונשמרתם מאד לנפשותיכם & שומר פתאים ה?
with Eli Rowe – Captain of HatzalahAir – 7:28
with Rabbi Aryeh Kerzner – Rav, Agudah of Montreal, Rosh Kollel Ichud Hakehillos D'Montreal, writer for Mishpacha Magazine – 19:23

How to have a successful marriage
with Rabbi Avraham Kaas – Social Worker and Marriage Therapist – 54:02

מראי מקומות

• Is it wise to buy stocks based on a “hot tip”?
• When does investing cross the line into gambling?
• How does halacha view margin investing (borrowing money to invest)?
• What is the status of trading options and other derivatives?
• Is it permitted to invest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies?
• Is there a way to realistically double your money without taking on significant risk?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Daniel Rapp – Dayan at the Beis Din of America, Maggid Shiur at RIETS – 12:08
with Mr. Morris Smith – Former Manager of the Fidelity Magellan Fund – 38:20
with Mrs. Stacey Zrihen – Senior Director of Coaching for Living Smarter Jewish and Senior Financial Advisor for Achiezer – 1:15:15

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:29:55

מראי מקומות

Gambling has moved from casinos to our phones.
FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, ESPN Bet, Kalshi, and day-trading platforms have made “action” available every minute of the day.
When is risk-taking legitimate, and when does it become gambling?
Is sports betting different from day trading or prediction markets?
What are the dangers of addiction, wasted time, and chasing easy money?

with Rabbi Chaim Jachter – Rav of Sha’arei Orah in Teaneck, Dayan on the Elizabeth Beis Din – 28:15
with Rabbi Moshe Rotberg – Rav of Zichron Yechezkel, Toms River NJ, Rov of Hatzalah of Central Jersey, Pyscotherapist - 50:16
with Mr. Yehuda Liff – Therapist at Retorno, Specializing in addiction – 1:12:43

מראי מקומות

Is there a mitzvah to live in Israel nowadays?
What are the largest financial differences between living in Israel and out of Israel?
What budget is necessary to come, at least for a year?
What lends to being successful in moving to Israel and what are the challenges?
What trade-offs do people usually face between cost, community, and lifestyle?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Akiva Dershowitz – Rosh Kollel, Toras Efrayim Shlomo, Yerushalayim – 10:42
with Jonathan Rosenblum – Mishpacha Columnist and author – 39:30
with Rabbi Paysach Freedman – CEO and co-founder of Chaim V'Chessed - 50:24
with Mrs. Rifka Lebowitz – CFP and founder of Living Financially Smarter In Israel – 1:15:17
with Naftali Derovan - Head of the Aliyah Guidance Division of Nefesh B’Nefesh – 1:41:15

Conclusions and Takeaways – 2:04:31

מראי מקומות

Is “Dati Leumi” in Israel the same as “Modern Orthodox” elsewhere?
Is “Chareidi” in Israel the same as “Yeshivish” elsewhere?
What are their respective views of secular studies, engaging in the modern world, and serving in the IDF?
What are the most common misperceptions each has of the other, and what can each learn from the other?

Host: Ari Wasserman

with Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Breitowitz – posek, Rav and Senior Lecturer at Yeshivas Ohr Somayach – 11:14
with Jonathan Rosenblum – Mishpacha Columnist and author – 40:02
with Rabbi Moshe Taragin – Ram at Yeshivat Har Etzion, Gush Etzion, Israel – 1:02:02
https://www.mtaraginbooks.com/

Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:56:37

מראי מקומות

A boy lost 150 pounds through Ozempic. Does he have to disclose?
A girl struggles with anxiety and takes medication occasionally. Does she haveto disclose? At what stage?
A boy has mild asthma controlled by an inhaler. Is that considered a medical condition requiring disclosure?
A girl once had depression in college but has been stable for 5 years. Does “past history” need to be revealed?
A boy’s father spent time in prison decades ago and completely rebuilt his life. Must that be disclosed to the other side?
A girl has a sibling who left religion entirely. Is that relevant information or lashon hara?
And much more……

with Rabbi Dovid Jaffee – Author, What Can I Say..Today, Maggid Shiur – 16:55
with Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Lowy – Rov of Agudas Yisrael Toronto' Renowned Mechaber Seforim and Poseik on Hilchos Loshon Hora – 46:09
with Rabbi Shlomo Goldberger – MSW, Former Executive Director of The Shidduch of Baltimore – 1:14:18