Halacha Headlines

Halacha Headlines
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Dec 26, 2025 • 1h 46min

12/27/25 – Shiur 541 – Are sheitels only b’deieved?

Join Rabbi Michoel Frank, a community rabbi from Silver Spring, and Rabbi Dovid Genish, a Sephardic expert, as they debate the nuances of women's hair covering. Rabbi Tzvi Ortner shares Hasidic insights, discussing the pros and cons of sheitels versus tichels. Rebbetzin Shalvie Friedman offers a personal touch, exploring the spiritual significance behind these practices. Delve into topics like the origins of sheitel customs, the significance of shaving heads after marriage, and the balance between leniency and community expectations.
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Dec 19, 2025 • 1h 49min

12/19/25 – Shiur 540 – “Leil Shishi” & Friday “To’ameha” – Do they enhance Shabbos or detract from it?

What draws men to these gatherings? How do they impact the home — especially when alcohol is involved? What is the halachic basis for tasting food before Shabbos? What are the halachic concerns with entering Shabbos intoxicated or eating too close to Shabbos? What should an ideal Erev Shabbos look like? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges and Halachic Q & A on the Job with Rabbi Chaim Aryeh Zev Ginzberg – Rav of the Chofetz Chaim Torah Center, Cedarhurst NY  – 13:11 with Rabbi Isaac Rice – Mora De’asra of Congregation Anshei Chesed, Hewlitt NY  – 34:36 with Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser – Rav of Khal Bais Yitzchok, Flatbush NY  – 1:05:41 with Mrs. Elisheva Liss – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, lecturer, and author  – 1:22:52 Conclusions and takeaways – 1:42:55 מראי מקומות 
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Dec 12, 2025 • 1h 31min

12/13/25 – Shiur 539 – Narco Terrorist being blown out of the water – How does the Torah view it ? | The fascinating saga of the Bochurim in Japan | Dealing with suicide in our community

Dayan Chaim Yosef Dovid Weiss, a prominent rabbinic judge from Antwerp, discusses the complexities of drug smuggling in light of Jewish law. Rabbi Moshe Taub emphasizes community responsibility in reporting drug activity, especially with the rising dangers of fentanyl. Tzvi Gluck, founder of Amudim, addresses addiction and the critical need for emotional support to prevent suicide. The fascinating case of Bochurim trapped in Japan illustrates the often unseen challenges faced by the community.
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Dec 5, 2025 • 1h 16min

12/5/25 – Shiur 538 – Ponevezh Yeshiva: Understanding the Machlokes and is it finally over?

How common are controversies over leadership in the Litvish yeshiva system? Is the Ponevezh controversy unique? What were the main points of the machlokes and how did they develop? Who halachically owns assets donated to a yeshiva — the Rosh Yeshiva, the fundraiser, or the institution itself? When, if ever, may a yeshiva bring a dispute to secular arbitration or secular court rather than to Beis Din? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges and Halachic Q & A on the Job with Professor Benjamin Brown – Professor at Hebrew University, expert on contemporary Haredi society – 6:49 with Dayan Shlomo Cohen – Dayan and author of the two-volume work Pure Money – 29:08 with Rabbi Pini Dunner – Rov in Beverly Hills CA, historian and lecturer – 45:54 Conclusions and takeaways – 1:10:30 מראי מקומות   
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Nov 28, 2025 • 1h 37min

11/29/25 – Shiur 537 – Sacred Roles, Serious Risks: When Rabbis, Male Therapists, and Kiruv Professionals Work With Women

What are the primary risks and the necessary gedarim? May a Rabbi teach Torah to women or girls? What about one-on-one? How should one handle a situation where women attending a class are not dressed modestly? What can be done about predators who exploit those they are being mekareiv? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges and Halachic Q & A on the Job With Rabbi Larry Rothwachs, LCSW – Rabbi of Congregation Beth Aaron, Teaneck, NJ – 9:19 With Rabbi Daniel Travis – Rosh Kollel Torah Chaim, Yerushalayim; Mechaber Takanas HaShavim – 43:59 With Rabbi Benzion Klatzko – National Director of College Outreach for Olami – 1:07:37 Conclusions and takeaways – 1:37:22 מראי מקומות   
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Nov 20, 2025 • 1h 48min

11/22/25 – Shiur 536 – Chareidim in the IDF – Now that there's Frum Battalions is it an obligation to join? – Hear from the inside!!!

Now that there's a Frum brigade what's the justification of Frum people at least who aren't learning not to go to the army? If there's a shortage of soliders why wouldn't yeshiva bochurim be obligated to join – isn't Pikuach Nefesh Doche the whole Torah? If the Frum will become a majority in the country what will you do then? If Torah obligates hishtadlus, what is the minimum practical hishtadlus a nation must take to prevent harm? Can tefillah alone replace defensive capability? If the IDF ceased to exist tomorrow, what do you realistically foresee happening to Jewish cities like Bnei Brak, Ashdod, or Yerushalayim? with Yonatan - Father of 5 In Miluim for over 400 days – 15:41 with Rabbi Zev Leff - Rav of Moshav Mattisyahu, Renowned teacher and lecturer –  24:39 with Commander Amram Chivan – Commander of Chashmonaim Brigade – 57:39 with Rabbi Yehoshua Pffeffer – Rov in Yerushalayim, Head of Netzach Yehuda – 1:04:45 with Rabbi Nachum Eisenstein – Rav of Ma'alot Dafna neighborhood, Head of the International Rabbinical Committee on Conversion – 1:22:34 מראי מקומות   
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Nov 14, 2025 • 1h 53min

11/15/25 – Shiur 535 – Online Dating in the Orthodox World

How common is online dating in the Yeshivish community? What about Modern Orthodox? Is it ever acceptable to adjust your age, height, or weight on a dating profile? Should men and women post profile photos, and what are the concerns? Is using an older photo to appear younger misleading? What are the halachos of leaving feedback or “reviews” for shadchanim or daters? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges and Halachic Q & A on the Job with Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz – Rov of Bais Haknesses of North Woodmere and Head of Semicha at RIETS – 10:37 with Dr. Rachel Ginsberg – Principal Researcher at the Center for Communal Research of the OU – 39:37 with Mrs. Lisa Elefant – Founder and Program Developer of AdoptAShadchan (www.adoptashadchan.com) – 1:09:30 with Mrs. Malka Levitin – Founder of Canopy Shidduchim (www.canopyshidduchim.com) – 1:28:25 Conclusions and takeaways – 1:45:08 מראי מקומות   
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Nov 7, 2025 • 1h 45min

11/8/25 – Shiur 534 – Bullying by children and adults – Who Bullies? Who Gets Bullied? How Should It Be Handled?

Why does bullying happen, and who is most at risk? How should victims respond, and what are the best ways for families, teachers, and community leaders to intervene? How should the bullies themselves be dealt with? What practical strategies can we employ to prevent abuse and foster respect? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges and Halachic Q & A on the Job Guests: Rabbi Yitzchok Berkowitz – Rosh Yeshiva of Aish HaTorah – 9:47 Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky – Vice Chairman of Vaad Rabbanei Chabad in Israel – 30:14 Dr. Rona Novick – Dean of Azrieli, Clinical Psychologist and expert on bullying – 59:07 Conclusions and takeaways – 1:36:46 Please donate to the 10 orphans of the Makeler family in Rechovot, Israel https://www.charidy.com/keren375?2 מראי מקומות   
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Oct 30, 2025 • 1h 22min

11/1/25 – Shiur 533 – NYC EXCLUSIVES: THE ERUV CONTROVERSY | NY ELECTIONS

NYC ELECTIONS with Curtis Sliwa – 1:14 The NY Eruv: Should you be carrying - Become educated Is NY surrounded by walls? Does that help? Was Reb Moshe's Shita a Chumra or a Kula And much much more.... with Rabbi Shmuel Pultman – Eruv expert on the board of the Eruv, Talmid of Reb Fishel Hershkowitz – 21:39 with 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 – 1:03:39  מראי מקומות   
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Oct 23, 2025 • 2h 2min

10/25/25 – Shiur 532 – Men & Women Working Together: The Frum Woman’s Perspective

Risks, Concerns, and Practical Solutions What’s the proper way to interact with male colleagues? How should a frum woman dress in the workplace? How do Heimish workplaces compare to secular ones? How should a woman respond to uncomfortable moments – like a handshake or a hug? Should she attend office events, parties, and social gatherings? Host: Ari Wasserman, author of the newly published, revised and expanded book Making it Work, on workplace challenges and Halachic Q & A on the Job with Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner – Moreh D’asra of Congregation Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park – 12:36 with Mrs. Sara Gordon – sharing her experiences in the Heimish workplace – 36:25 with Mrs. Cohen – sharing her experiences in the Heimish workplace – 47:53 with Mrs. Elisheva Liss – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, lecturer, and author – 56:06 with Mrs. Miriam Brilleman – human resources (HR) executive – 1:38:43 Conclusions and takeaways – 1:53:32 מראי מקומות   

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