Halacha Headlines

Episode

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  9/12/26 – Shiur 576 – Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur Special: Making 5787 Your Best Year Yet 10.09.2026 1j 27mnt

  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 – 10:10with Mrs. Michal Horowitz – lecturer and teacher – 19:22with Rabbi Isaac Rice – Mora De'asra of Congregation Anshei Chesed, Hewlitt NY – 27:01with Rebbetzin Slovie Jungreis Wolff – teacher, author and lecturer – 37:22with Rabbi Michoel Frank – Rav, Ohr HaTorah, Silver Spring, Maryland – 43:41with Mrs. Chani Juravel, LCSW – Author, lecturer and therapist – 55:51with Rabbi Dovid Ostroff – Posek and teacher at many seminaries in Yerushalayim – 1:06:48with Rabbi Shaul Felman – Maggid Shiur at Nevi Tzion Yeshiva – 1:15:26 Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:25:57  
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  9/5/26 – Shiur 575 – ELECTIONS IN ISRAEL – CHAREIDIM AND THE DRAFT | TZEDAKA QUESTIONS | MUSICAL SELICHOS 04.09.2026 1j 34mnt

  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 STRATEGIESwith Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer – Rov and Dayan in Yerushalayim, Rabbinical chairman of Hatzibbur Hareidi – 42:00with Rabbi Yitzchak Pindrus – MK for United Torah Judaism – 1:05:34 מראי מקומות   
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  8/29/26 – Shiur 574 – Shofar Blowing – When Have We Fulfilled the Mitzvah? 27.08.2026 1j 18mnt

  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 – 10:05with 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   
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  8/22/26 – Shiur 573 – Correct Him - or Let It Go? When Should Mistakes in Shul Be Corrected? 20.08.2026 1j 10mnt

  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 – 10:46with Rabbi Isaac Rice – Mora De'asra of Congregation Anshei Chesed, Hewlitt NY – 30:50 Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:03:50 מראי מקומות   
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  8/15/26 – Shiur 572 – SIMCHOS IN HALACHA – MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED SHAILOS 14.08.2026 1j 7mnt

  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 – 17:47with Rabbi Chaim Jachter – Rav of Sha’arei Orah in Teaneck, Dayan on the Elizabeth Beis Din – 35:24 מראי מקומות  
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  8/8/26 – Shiur 571 – A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A RAV!! – Hear things you'll never see in writing – A peek behind the curtain 07.08.2026 2j 13mnt

  What's the Tafkid of a Rov What's the challenges of a RovWhat's the rewarding parts of RabbonusWhat'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 – 3:30with Rabbi Moshe Weinberger –  Rov of Aish Kodesh Woodmere, Renowned Mashpia and Mechaber Seforim – 41:12with Rabbi Elyada Goldvicht – Rov of Kehilat Lev Ra'anana, Founder of Semichas Chaver – 1:34:32 מראי מקומות  
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  8/1/26 – Shiur 570 – Jews in America 1776 - Jews in America 2026 - Anti Semitism In America 31.07.2026 1j 12mnt

  The history and the present reality of antisemitism in America.What can we do?How to deal with it?The history of Five Townsand 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 – 22:20with Chaskel Bennett – Business Owner, Political Activist, and longtime Hatzolah member – 49:08 מראי מקומות   
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  7/25/26 – Shiur 569 – The Biggest Mistakes Bochurim (and Parents) Make During Bein Hazmanim 23.07.2026 1j 23mnt

  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 – 8:24with Rabbi Dovid Kaplan – Mashgiach Ruchani, Yeshivas Beis Yisrael – 33:48with Rabbi Aharon Spivak – Rav of KBY in Monsey, author and therapist – 56:08 Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:15:21 מראי מקומות   
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  7/18/26 – Shiur 568 – The Battle Over Mixed-Gender Combat Units in the IDF 16.07.2026 1j 23mnt

  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 – 14:34with Rabbi Dovid Stav – Founder and Chairman of Tzohar and Chief Rabbi of Shoham – 34:01with Rabbi Itai Asman – co-founder of Torat Lechima, promoting Jewish identity in the IDF – 57:17 Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:14:11 מראי מקומות   
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  7/11/26 – Shiur 567 – Extreme Sports and Halacha| How to have a successful marriage 10.07.2026 1j 9mnt

  Skiing, Heli Skiing, Sky Diving, Bungee Jumping, Escooters, Ebikes, Rock ClimbingIs it Muttar?How do we reconcile 'ונשמרתם מאד לנפשותיכם & שומר פתאים ה?with Eli Rowe – Captain of HatzalahAir – 7:28with Rabbi Aryeh Kerzner – Rav, Agudah of Montreal, Rosh Kollel Ichud Hakehillos D'Montreal, writer for Mishpacha Magazine – 19:23 How to have a successful marriagewith Rabbi Avraham Kaas – Social Worker and Marriage Therapist – 54:02 מראי מקומות   
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  7/4/26 – Shiur 566 – Stock Market Investing: How Much Risk Is Too Much? 02.07.2026 1j 38mnt

  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 – 12:08with Mr. Morris Smith – Former Manager of the Fidelity Magellan Fund – 38:20with 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   
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  6/27/26 – Shiur 565 – The New Gambling Epidemic: Sports Betting, Kalshi, Day Trading, and Halacha 25.06.2026 1j 26mnt

  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 – 28:15with Rabbi Moshe Rotberg – Rav of Zichron Yechezkel, Toms River NJ, Rov of Hatzalah of Central Jersey, Pyscotherapist - 50:16with Mr. Yehuda Liff – Therapist at Retorno, Specializing in addiction – 1:12:43 מראי מקומות   
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  6/20/26 – Shiur 564 – Should You Move to Israel? What about trying it for a year? 18.06.2026 2j 13mnt

  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 – 10:42with Jonathan Rosenblum – Mishpacha Columnist and author – 39:30with Rabbi Paysach Freedman – CEO and co-founder of Chaim V'Chessed - 50:24with Mrs. Rifka Lebowitz – CFP and founder of Living Financially Smarter In Israel – 1:15:17with Naftali Derovan - Head of the Aliyah Guidance Division of Nefesh B’Nefesh – 1:41:15 Conclusions and Takeaways – 2:04:31 מראי מקומות   
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  6/13/26 – Shiur 563 –Modern Orthodox, Dati Leumi, and Charedi: Are the Differences Halachic or Hashkafic? 11.06.2026 2j 4mnt

  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 – 11:14with Jonathan Rosenblum – Mishpacha Columnist and author – 40:02with Rabbi Moshe Taragin – Ram at Yeshivat Har Etzion, Gush Etzion, Israel – 1:02:02https://www.mtaraginbooks.com/ Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:56:37 מראי מקומות   
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  6/6/26 – Shiur 562 – Shidduchim — What do you have to disclose? At what point does privacy become deception? At what point does “full disclosure” become cruelty, stigma, and impossible perfectionism? 04.06.2026 1j 47mnt

  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 – 16:55with Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Lowy – Rov of Agudas Yisrael Toronto' Renowned Mechaber Seforim and Poseik on Hilchos Loshon Hora – 46:09with Rabbi Shlomo Goldberger – MSW, Former Executive Director of The Shidduch of Baltimore – 1:14:18  
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  5/30/26 – Shiur 561 – Finances 101 – financial conflict in marriage 26.05.2026 2j 5mnt

  What financial conversations absolutely need to happen before a couple gets married — beyond just “how much money do we have”?What are the most common financial disagreements between couples?How can couples get control of their finances instead of constantly living “in the red”?When spouses come from very different financial backgrounds or mindsets, can those differences realistically be bridged? Host: Ari Wasserman with Rabbi Dr. Jeremy Wieder – Rosh Yeshiva at REITS – 9:30with Mrs. Stacey Zrihen – Senior Director of Coaching for Living Smarter Jewish and Senior Financial Advisor for Achiezer – 34:02with Mrs. Chani Juravel, LCSW – Author, lecturer and therapist – 1:03:50with Rabbi Shimon Taub – Author, Laws of Tzedakah and Ma’aser – 1:35:56 Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:53:01 מראי מקומות   
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  5/16/26 – Shiur 560 – Hear the Skinny on Ozempic in Halacha 14.05.2026 1j 7mnt

  SCP Shavuos Challenge 5786 is here!🔥🎉Sign up and download material here: Bit.ly/SCPchallengewith Rabbi Elyada Goldvicht – Rov in Rannana, Founder of Semichas Chaver – 20:04 Is there an obligation to keep healthy? If yes what is the source?Does a spouse have a say in your health? Can you stop your spouse from donating a kidney etc?Can you take ozempic if isn't doesnt have enough testing what the long-term side effects can be? Or can it be taken even if it has doing some side effects?Are you allowed to cause damage to your body?Does it lengthen the time of Birchas Hamazon and every brocha Achrona because it takes longer to digest?  Or vice versa if someone has quick digestion?Are you obligated in brocha achrona even less than a kzayis because it makes you full?Are you allowed to take on Yom Kippur even though it takes away ?עינוי Is there an issue of Refuah on Shabbos?Is there an issue of chilul shabbos with an injection?Do you have to disclose in Shidduchim? with Rabbi Shay Tahan – Rav, Cong. Ohel Moshe, Brooklyn, Dayan, Rosh Kollel Shaarei Ezra – 25:17with Tanya Rosen – Founder Nutririon by Tanya – 52:12 מראי מקומות   
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  5/9/26 – Shiur 559 – Are our young men and women "ready for marriage"? How are we preparing them and where are we failing them? 07.05.2026 1j 46mnt

  What does it mean to be “ready” for marriage?What’s currently taught to chassanim and kallos – and what’s still missing?Are too many singles entering marriage with unrealistic expectations?Which common marital struggles could be prevented through better preparation? Host: Ari Wasserman with Rabbi Yosef Greenfeld – Rav of the Chestnut Shul in Lakewood & Chosson teacher – 6:16with Dr. Shloimie Zimmerman – psychologist & author of From Boys to Men – 34:08with Mrs. Elisheva Liss – licensed marriage and family therapist, lecturer & author – 1:05:05 Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:37:35 מראי מקומות   
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  5/2/26 – Shiur 558 – What's new with Chodosh II – Is there room for leniency? 01.05.2026 1j 45mnt

  Find out from farmers what percent of grain in circulation is ChodoshHow to practically keep YoshonCan we rely on a dream of the Baal Shem Tov in Halacha?Is the dream accurate?What's called a Shaas Hadchak?Was the Heter only based on Shaas HaDchak?Does it make sense to be Machmir on Cholov Yisroel and be Meikel on Chodosh?Can you be Makpid on Chodosh only when you are home?And much more…… with Rabbi Mordechai Farkash – Chabad Shaliach, Rov and Poseik in Bellevue Washington – 24:25with Rabbi Zalman Graus – Dayan for over 50 years, Formerly Magid Shiur in Belzer Yeshivah,  Editor of Otzar HaPoskim,  Mechaber Seforim:  Habori Vehashemoh;  Kol Boi on Eiruvin;  Milim shel Halacha - A dictionary of Halachic Words and more – 50:49with Mr. Randy Watson – Quality Control Stafford Mills – 1:06:09with Rabbi Beirach Steinfeld – Rov of Khal Dover Tov in Flatbush and head of Khal Dover Tov Kashrus, Halacha Columnist – 1:19:13with Rabbi Nechemia Salzman – Representative of Kemach – 1:32:54 מראי מקומות   
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  4/25/26 – Shiur 557 –Can a non-profit (school, shul, etc.) be run for profit? Can it be treated as a family business? 23.04.2026 1j 15mnt

  Are there halachic caps or guidelines on salaries and benefits?Does nepotism ever become a legal or halachic problem?What constitutes "reasonable compensation" for operators of religious non-profits?Can money be taken out in indirect ways, such as consulting fees? Host: Ari Wasserman with Rabbi Chaim Kohn – founder of the Business Halacha Institute (“BHI”) and Av Beis Din – 10:20with Mr. Raphael Grossman – C.P.A. representing individuals, families, corporations and numerous non-profits – 26:23with Rabbi Jonathan (Yoni) Schick – president of GOAL Consulting Group – 50:50 Conclusions and Takeaways – 1:05:58 מראי מקומות