The Q & A with Rabbi Breitowitz Podcast

Sponsored by the Kolatch Family in honor of the 10th Yahrzeit of Dr. Robin Goldman, Riza bas Tzvi Yaakov 🎙️ Dedicate a Shiur or Podcast Series: Opportunities available at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa 💬 Got Questions, Comments, or Suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu Q&A 0:15 Where is the international date according to Halacha? 6:10 What is tumah and its ramifications? 12:30 Why do we bow three times at the end of the amida? 14:31 Do kever tzaddikim convey tumah? 16:35 Where did the base-10 number system originate, and is there any relationship between its development and Jewish thought or practice?" 18:05 Whats the source for putting a letter into the Kotel? 22:15 The 13 principles of faith says you have to believe in all the words of prophets, so why does Moshe have his own principle that you have to believe his words if he is a prophet also? 27:00 Why is 3rd and 4th meal of Shabbat not view as important as 1st and 2nd meals of Shabbat? 32:25 When does the Torah decide to hyperbolize the sins of the Tzadikim? 36:25 Is there an heter to tell lashon hara to your wife, since a wife is considered like oneself? 39:42 Whats the Jewish perspective on extraterrestrials? 43:13 Why is there no Halacha of shechting fish? 44:50 How to avoid Meshane HaTeva being used as an argument against us? 52:47 Why is there a discrepancy between how old is the world according to science and Torah? 55:18 If a person fulfill the Torah can a person assume he has achieved life's purpose? 58:35 Can a person solve certain social disorders through the Torah? 1:01:25 Does Mussar induce OCD? 1:04:28 Is it allowed to take motivation from Goyim? 1:08:12 In the times of Mashiach, how is it possible that certain animals will be kosher to eat if the Torah can never change? 1:09:17 In Eretz Yisrael we have had more rain this year than prior years. Is there a meaning to this? 1:11:23 Is it better for a Goy to be a Noahide or convert to Judaism? 1:14:35 Why do unmarried Ashkenazim Jews not wear a Tallis? 1:16:43 Can an animal be a rasha? 1:18:40 Does a person have the free will to kill another person without heaven permitting it? 1:20:30 Is there a halachic basis to prohibit a younger sibling from getting married before an older sibling? 1:22:17 The Nefesh HaChaim that says that every action a person does impacts the spiritual and physical worlds. How does a person not become crazy from such a concept? 1:27:32 Is a person allowed to change his minhagim if it affects his shalom bayis? 1-28-26 📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs. 📚 Discover the perfect program for you: 🌐 Visit: https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel 📞 Call our placement specialist: +972 52-312-5921 Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

🎙️ Dedicate a Shiur or Podcast Series: Opportunities available at podcasts@ohr.edu 💬 Got Questions, Comments, or Suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu 📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs. 📚 Discover the perfect program for you: 🌐 Visit: https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel 📞 Call our placement specialist: +972 52-312-5921 Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

🎙️ Dedicate a Shiur or Podcast Series: Opportunities available at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa 💬 Got Questions, Comments, or Suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu 📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs. 📚 Discover the perfect program for you: 📞 Call our placement specialist: +972 52-312-5921 🌐 Visit: https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel 0:00 What will happen in the times of Mashiach to individuals that don't have a shevet? 2:15 How to understand the statement Talmud Torah keneged kulam? 5:50 What did Sarah see in Yishmael that he had to be removed? 10:10 Why in davening do we pray that Hashem not bring us to sin? 15:30 Where did Teferet Yisrael get the Midrash that Moshe should've been a cruel person by nature? 22:25 How did Shimon marry his sister Dina? 28:25 What is the origin of Kol Ishah? 38:02 How do we understand ayin hara? 44:08 Why do some frum married women not cover their hair? 51:33 How did we decide the girsa to use for our Gemara? 55:00 What is an aveira lishmah? 59:47 How to understand the relationship between psychology/therapy and mussar? 1:02:23 How do define baseless hatred? 1:04:30 How does tznius work when different communities have different understands? 1:10:22 Why in the Gemara did a father pray for his daughter to die, so other people will not sin because of her beauty? 1:15:40 What is special of the weeks Shovavim? 1:17:24 When in comes for co-ed events can we ever say that the good outweighs the bad? 1:23:20 Is emunah a mixture of emotion and intellect? 1:27:15 Whats the difference between chinuch at home compared to chinuch at school? 1:29:07 Since they have been tragedies in the last few demonstrations is it a sign that Hashem is not in favor of them? 1:32:02 Why does a person daven for change if everything Hashem does is for the good? 1:36:34 Why did Yosef not try to contact Yaakov when he became viceroy? Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS 1-14-26

🎙️ Dedicate a Shiur or Podcast Series: Opportunities available at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa 💬 Got Questions, Comments, or Suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu 📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs. 📚 Discover the perfect program for you: 🌐 Visit: https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel 📞 Call our placement specialist: +972 52-312-5921 Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

🎙️ Dedicate a Shiur or Podcast Series: Opportunities available at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa 📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs. Q&A 0:00 What is a women's role in this world and how do they obtain Olam Haba? 8:32 Should a person be involved full time learning or be working and supporting Torah? 14:15 Can a person make a bracha when smelling perfume and cologne? 16:52 Why is Torah always emphasized as equal to all the Miztvot when there are other Miztvot that have the same reward? 24:22 Why do Rabbinical Miztvot like Hannukah have so many halachot and details? 31:56 Why do a lot of people not learn the Torah Temimah? 36:17 What is the bracha on a granola bar? 42:07 How does a person apply Ahavat Yisrael to a person that takes others away from Torah Judaism? 48:20 Why did the Chida write Shem HaGedolim? 53:39 Who divided the Tanach to parshas, chapters, verses, etc? 1:05:55 How can Hillel and Shammai say it would've been better that man should not have been created? 1:10:22 When a child becomes bar mitzvah is there a big change within a child that makes him into an adult? 1:15:55 Can a person learn a book where the author has a different hashkafa than himself or Yeshiva? 1:23:23 Can a person have a dog and are they good animals? 1:27:12 Why did the Gra put Hassidim in cherem? 1:35:53 Why do people have the custom not learn Hilchot Aveilut? (12-24-25) 📚 Discover the perfect program for you: 🌐 Visit: https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel 📱 WhatsApp: https://bit.ly/OhrRegister 📞 Call our program placement specialist: +972 52-312-5921 💬 Got Questions, Comments, or Suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu Produced by : Cedar Media Studios

🎙️ Dedicate a Shiur or Podcast Series: Opportunities available at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa 💬 Got Questions, Comments, or Suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu 📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs. 📚 Discover the perfect program for you: 🌐 Visit: https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel 📞 Call our placement specialist: +972 52-312-5921 Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

🎙️ Dedicate a Shiur or Podcast Series: Opportunities available at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa 💬 Got Questions, Comments, or Suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu 📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs. 📚 Discover the perfect program for you: 🌐 Visit: https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel 📞 Call our placement specialist: +972 52-312-5921 🎙️ Dedicate a Shiur or Podcast Series: Opportunities available at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Q&A 11-19-25 0:05 Can you take the figs that are on the trees at the Yeshiva and would you have to give Terumah and Maaser? 3:00 What is the difference between a Bas Kol, Ruach Hakodesh and Nevua? 7:00 What is the halacha regarding asking someone for forgiveness for speaking lashon hara about him? 10:42 How did the Tanna R'Elisha ben Avuha become a heretic and was it possible for him to do a teshuva? 21:33 Is the average person under the haschaha pratis or haschaha klalis? 29:47 What is Daas Torah and why should we go to them for life advice? 40:32 How to differentiate between a valid opinion and a heretical one? 43:50 How to understand the passages in the Gemara that says that certain Rabbis attribute their greatness in Torah to seeing a great Rav of the previous generation? 48:30 How was Rebbi allowed to write down the Oral Torah? 55:06 Why don't Yeshivas teach Jewish philosophy such Moreh Nevuim and Kuzari? 59:55 When Mashiach comes do bechorim become Kohanim? 1:06:25 Are Goyim able to build the Beit Hamikdash? 1:08:25 If you daven a different nusach than the tzibbur and they don't have a siddur with your nusach should you daven from memory or daven the nusach of the tzibbur? 1:13:35 There are certain communities that only follow the Halacha of the a certain Rav like the Rambam or Gra exclusively. Is it proper to follow a single Rav's Halacha even if goes against the mainstream Halacha? 1:19:30 Gemara speaks highly about tefillah, but also says that a person shouldn't daven for a long period of time. How can we answer this contradiction? 1:22:10 Can a person have a girlfriend if she makes him have a stronger connection to Judaism? 1:24:33 There a some concepts in Kabbalah that seem very similar to other religions. Is it possible that other religions were influenced by Jewish Kabbalah? 1:29:48 Does Hashem answer our prayers before we daven? Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

🎙️ Dedicate a Shiur or Podcast Series: Opportunities available at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa 💬 Got Questions, Comments, or Suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu 📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs. 📚 Discover the perfect program for you: 🌐 Visit: https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel 📞 Call our placement specialist: +972 52-312-5921 Q&A 11-12-25 0:05 During the 9th month of pregnancy, it is the minhag for the husband to open the Aron Hakodesh. What is the source of this minhag? 3:10 In some Shuls the Aron Hakodesh is not in the same direction as the Beit Hamikdash, so in which direction should he daven? 6:25 Why is a black hat and jacket such an important uniform for some communities? 10:00 Is it allowed to live in the Judah Samaria area of Israel? 12:12 Why does Yeshivah put such a strong emphasis on Gemara? 16:40 What is meant by the statement that all the tragedies that occurr is because of the loss of the Beit Hamikdash? 23:10 Why don't religious Jews have dogs? 27:50 In Gemara Makkot it says that the 365 negative commandments in corresponding to 365 days in a year. Why did Hashem choose to link the commandments to a solar calendar, which we do not use? 33:37 How to love a fellow Jew who spreads lies of about the Jewish people? 41:15 Does a person have to work for a living when Mashiach comes? 45:32 What is the Halacha regarding Jews living on government assistance, for example Food stamps, medicaid, receiving help with heating/cooling costs, etc? Is it OK temporarily rely of government assistance or is it better to rely on our own communities when we need help? 51:45 It says the following generations will be on a lower level than the previous ones. Does this concept apply to Goyim? 55:05 Does Divine Providence apply to Goyim and is it similar to the Divine Providence that the Jews receive? 1:00:40 What does it mean when Chazal says "without Divine assistance we would not able to overcome our evil inclination"? 1:03:40 When Gedolim attribute tragedies to a certain reason how should we relate to this? 1:07:15 It says, R'Yochanan Ben Zakkai would always greet people first, even Goyim, should we be emulating this character trait? 1:09:40 Why do we sometimes suspend the rules of Torah in a time of crisis if the Torah is suppose to be perfect? 1:14:02 According to Halacha is it allowed to give capital punishment to a terrorist? 1:20:15 Is it good to go to the Mikveh on Erev Shabbat? 1:21:15 The Gemara says, that every blade of grass has angel that is station to hit it so that it will grow. Why does the blade of grass need an angel? 1:25:10 Is it possible to stop bullying? 1:31:00 What is the Rav's opinion on the Yanuka? 1:34:00 What is tumah and their applications? 1:39:40 Why are we bounded to the Shulchan Aruch and are not able to follow other Rishonim? 1:43:20 Why do we follow the Talmud Bavli over the Talmud Yerushalmi? Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

🎙️ Dedicate a Shiur or Podcast Series: Opportunities available at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa 💬 Got Questions, Comments, or Suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu Q&A 11-5-25 0:00 The Gemara says there is a kosher way to have any enjoyment in the world. How does that apply to the sin adultery? 1:40 Where will be the safest place to be during the war of Gog HaMagog? 8:55 If the Torah is infinite how can it be confined to a Sefer Torah/Tanach/Gemara which are finite? 15:05 Does Hashem care if we follow every intricate detail of the halacha? 29:35 If all blessing for the world comes through Shabbos, how do those who don't keep Shabbos receive that blessing? 31:27 Why are some poskim against wearing Sheitels? 38:40 Why do people need to daven? Many Jews and gentiles who don't pray are still successful, and it seems that the overall success rate is relative the same between someone who davens and someone who does not. 42:35 What does that mean that Eliyahu Navi didn't die? 46:10 What is the Jewish perspective on exercise? 49:12 Why does Hashem give us test that he knows we will not be able to pass? 51:21 Does bitachon mean only good things happen when you trust in Hashem? 55:37 In Iggeret Haramban, it says to honor wealthy person? Why? 1:00:52 How to advise a woman who becomes depressed during and after pregnancy? 1:04:13 How to look at and perceive the mayoral election in NYC? 1:08:16 Are the Avot considered the bnei Noah and can a Kohen go to Kever Machpelah? 1:13:03 Why do we hold the Akedat Yitzchak in such high regard, when it is just simply a command of Hashem? 1:14:10 Does Rabbi have any word about the passing Rabbi Ezra Neuberger ZT'L? 1:16:15 Is it good for the Jewish people to have a uniform? 1:22:00 Why do some people have long beards, but have short peyot? 1:24:00 Where does the concept of cutting a child's hair at 3 years old come from? 1:28:15 Does the concept of a "goyish" style of music exist, and if so, why and how does it work? 1:34:05 Can we learn from Avraham's battle with the five Kings that when we have close friend in trouble that doesn't involve us that we should involve ourself to help them? 📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs. 📚 Discover the perfect program for you: 🌐 Visit: https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel 📞 Call our placement specialist: +972 52-312-5921 Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

🎙️ Dedicate a Shiur or Podcast Series: Opportunities available at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa 💬 Got Questions, Comments, or Suggestions? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu Q&A 10-29-25 Q&A: Negiah, Kabbalah & Smartphones 0:00 Why don't we mention the sins/mistakes of modern Gedolim? 5:55 When a person speak lashon hara does he receive all of the sins of the person he spoke lashon hara about? 6:50 What's is the extent and details of the prohibition of shomer negiah? 15:09 How was it morally correct for the Israelites to conquer the land the Canaan from the Canaanite's? 29:40 Why is it when you daven you are required to wear shoes, but when Moshe was at the burning bush he was told to remove his shoes because he was in a holy place? 33:02 Mishnah in Pirke Avot says Hashem created tens things on erev Shabbat. Why did Hashem create them at that time? Why was Bilam's donkey created and this seems to contradict the Rambam who says the whole episode was a prophecy and not an actually occurrence? 37:20 Why is there so many different opinions regarding the resurrection of the dead? 46:10 Why do we daven silently today? 50:40 Why has it changed today that we are more open to learning the hidden parts of the Torah, when there was a reluctance in the engagement of this knowledge in the previous generations? 58:00 When a person die his marriage is severed and his wife is allowed to marry someone else. How would this apply during the resurrection of dead, will a person marry his same wife and what would happen if his wife married someone after he passed in his previous life? 1:01:00 Why is it that when the Kohen Gadol davens on Yom Kippur it seems he prays for trivial things during the auspicious time? 1:05:02 Why is it do we still eat cholent and gefilte fish when we don't live in those countries where this tradition originated? 1:09:50 Why is the religious community so against smart phones even with filters, while they are accepting of laptops? 1:14:53 Is whistling allowed and is there a source that whistling summons demons? 1:17:47 Why was there a disagreement between Avraham and Sarah regarding what to do with Yishmael and why do we learn from their disagreement that the wife is always right? 📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs. 📚 Discover the perfect program for you: 🌐 Visit: https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel 📞 Call our placement specialist: +972 52-312-5921 Email us at: podcasts@ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS