The Q & A with Rabbi Breitowitz Podcast

Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos 00:00 Does Rashi mean to imply that the blessings in this week's parsha are b'dieved? 01:25 If someone is forced to eat non-kosher, should they make a bracha? What if they're getting all nutrients through IV? 04:07 How does something become the hashkafic norm? 11:44 Why does Levi become accepted and blessed, whereas Shimon becomes relatively rejected? 18:15 Should someone name their child after an irreligious ancestor? 20:40 Is there a cognovit promissory note in halacha? 22:44 Is a cash discount a form of ribis? 25:03 Is there a halachic basis for co-ed events? 34:01 Where is radioactivity in the Torah? 37:56 How can we reconcile the Rambam's opinion on the immutability of the Torah with the multiple versions that existed before the Masoretes? 45:34 How early of a source do we have for gilgul? 48:30 Why doesn't every shul daven for the welfare of IDF soldiers? 52:17 What happened to the masorah during the reigns of Menashe and Amon? 56:44 Should one rely on their Rav to determine who to vote for? 1:00:13 Why should it be that one can get a retrial when coming to Eretz Yisrael? 1:04:09 Do Sephardim have a spiritually stronger nusach, based on extra amen, vidui, etc.? If so, should we all follow their nusachot? 1:06:56 What is the source for "daas Torah"? 1:12:00 Why don't yeshivos teach Nach? 1:18:48 Is there a good reason to visit Har haBayis, especially that people might forget we have a connection to the Mount? 1:24:00 Can Jews say the name of a goy, if that goy's name is a Shem Hashem? 1:26:34 Is there a mitzvah today to build a Beis Hamikdash? Or must we wait until Moshiach? 1:30:37 Why wear a kippah all day? 1:33:07 Should we take Rashi's supernatural midrashim literally? 1:34:13 Can we use teabags on Shabbos? 1:36:25 There might be an opinion that the learning of only Gemara applies only to talmidei chachamim. Is this true? 1:37:52 How can we blame someone for not believing the fundamental principles, considering the world we live in today? 1:41:12 What is the source for everything being in the Torah? 1:43:39 How does one give maaser with expenses? 1:47:20 Can the extreme phrasing of a true, halachic statement be a chilul Hashem? 1:50:59 Is it universally accepted that the Moshiach comes after 6000 years? 1:53:20 Are recorded shiurim talmud Torah? Should one say amen to a recorded bracha? 1:54:23 Is there a concept of giving a good impression in Judaism? You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos 00:00 Why show the brothers the bris mila? 2:50 What is the Torah's perspective on Open AI? 10:45 How did the brothers not know he was an Ivri when all Egypt knew? 12:19 Why is there no archaeological evidence of the Israelite presence in Egypt? 17:48 What are some halachos of trimming the beard? 21:14 Did the Nazis learn from the Egyptians? Who was worse: Pharaoh or Hitler? 24:38 Why should the School in Heaven allow Levi back in, just because Shmuel asked? 28:29 What is the origin of the "Jewish mother" stereotype, and does it have significance? 34:55 Why should it be that the most assimilated Jews celebrate Chanukah? Why are all exiles mentioned in Maoz Tzur? 44:45 How is there machlokes in the Mishnah, since the Sanhedrin still existed at that time? 48:17 Why does God need to mention the Exodus after He revealed Himself at Har Sinai? 52:47 Why did the Sages have to destroy Rabbi Eliezer's vessels in front of him? 54:28 Why are we thanking Hashem for taking us out of Egypt when He's the One Who put us there? 1:00:36 Have our Rabbanim made themselves unreliable to determine who the Moshiach is? 1:05:45 What is a person allowed to do before davening in the morning? 1:07:51 What does it mean that animals sing pesukim? 1:12:29 What signs might the Moshiach provide to prove to us, in the same way that Moshe had signs? 1:13:47 Is King Saul's "ruach ra" a violation of free will? 1:18:56 What are the halachos of yoga? 1:24:01 For a better relationship with a non-Jewish relative, what can one say and do on their holidays? 1:27:04 How does Har haBayis have kedushah of the shechinah if the shechinah left with the people? 1:31:22 Can one celebrate Thanksgiving? 1:33:59 What's the connection of the brothers' crying to the destructions of the Mishkan and the Beis haMikdash? 1:37:06 Why did the ring specifically say "This too shall pass"? 1:37:32 Why are there many Jews who dress like Polish nobility or like American businessmen? 1:39:31 How could one "reject" certain Midrashim? 1:41:35 What level of control does a neighborhood have within its borders, halachically? 1:43:39 Do we have a pronunciation for the Tetragrammaton, and when should it be pronounced? 1:47:31 How can there be chiddushim if Hashem gave the whole Torah to Moshe? 1:49:50 What is the source for holding the thumb during havdalah? 1:50:13 What is Sheol and why does Yaakov say he's going there? You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos 56:20 Can the Rav clarify what he meant when he said follow through with what Hashem sends you, even if it's something meaningless? 1:00:00 What does the Rav think of John Gray's 'how to get what you want out of marriage'? 1:01:57 If a man forces himself on a woman, he pays the father and marries her if she wants (unless she's married). How is that a moral response? 1:04:50 Society now treats women more fairly. Is that a positive thing according to the torah? 1:11:00 Why should or should not someone wear tcheiles? 1:18:48 Emuna pshuta is a big thing in Breslov. How do we know it's right if we can't ask? Where do you draw the line? 1:23:26 When it comes to family mesora, if the child thinks it's against the ethos of being Jewish, can they decide it's not right for them? You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos 00:00 When people put on tefillin incorrectly at Chabad stations, are they yotzei? 04:17 To what extent is the criticism against Peshuto shel Mikra valid? How can we trust haskamos? 13:30 If a kippah is just a minhag, why is it considered so valuable in Masechet Kiddushin? 17:07 Should someone wear a kippah when going to a bar, for example? 19:20 How do we reconcile the simple words with Chazal's interpretation of Esav's kiss? Especially since Esav was so irate before? 24:52 Rachel is criticized on honoring her father when she hid Lavan's idols, but Avraham is lauded when he smashed Terach's idols. What is the difference? 27:23 Where do we draw the line between davening for someone and calling that someone a rasha? 33:54 Do laws relying on the land apply to hydroponics? To seaweed in the ocean? 38:55 Why in Hebrew grammar do numbers switch between feminine and masculine? 39:54 What can we learn from Devorah, the nursemaid of Rivka? 45:20 Should we fear Trump's meeting with Kanye, and should we retract our support? 49:15 How did we get away with Haftarah when we were forbidden to read the Torah? 52:34 What is included under 'wisdom among the gentiles'? 57:36 Why is Moreh Nevuchim not encouraged reading nowadays? 1:05:19 Was the Torah meant to have machlokes? 1:12:28 What do we do with Midrashim? 1:17:04 Are stories in the Torah what really happened, or are they metaphors for deep spiritual truths? 1:20:37 And are these creatures-- the werewolf, the phoenix, etc.-- metaphors or literal? Must they be accepted? 1:22:12 How can one follow the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch in an abridged Pesukei dZimrah when one davens nusach Sefard? 1:24:37 What is the difference in kedusha of the Torah and that of Neviim? 1:26:01 Is vinegar good for teeth or not? 1:27:22 How did the three-year cycle work with the parshiyos? 1:30:03 How can one answer someone who wants to go to a club or a bar, when they won't accept that it's not how a ben Torah behaves? 1:31:49 How could Og have survived everything despite being such a rasha? 1:34:08 Who split up Tehillim into the 30-day cycle? 1:36:49 If time is infinite, how can Hashem be outside it? You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos 00:00 Can someone who wraps tefillin Ashkenaz daven nusach Sefard? 01:57 What is the source of double head-covering? 03:09 Why aren't the Books of Maccabees in the Tanakh? 11:35 Why does lashon hakodesh have antonyms so close in pronunciation? 16:44 Can one count a donation of labor as maaser? Does quality make a difference? 22:48 How does one who works for room and board give maaser? 23:51 Is one who receives an allowance chayav in maaser? 27:44 Can one pledge maaser ahead of time, in order to receive a bracha? 33:50 Can one account one's own aveiros that give the curse of poverty? 34:23 Is there a deeper explanation of the brothers' actions than jealousy? 47:16 What do we think of non-Jews who fought for civil rights? How do we prioritize Jewish issues over general issues? 52:01 Shouldn't there be more clarity in the Oral Tradition? 55:54 Why are there machlokos in Rabbinic mitzvos? 59:45 In bitul b'shishim, is it still a good idea to eat it? 1:02:13 If one had to choose between mitzvos between man and God and mitzvos between man and man, which should one choose? Especially considering that the latter group might not be visibly Jewish. 1:09:14 Why does the yeshivish world accent the penultimate syllable in Hebrew, and should we try to correct this in davening? 1:12:05 Why does it matter whether someone differentiates between aleph and ayin when determining if their pronunciation is correct? 1:13:51 How could the brothers enforce a cherem upon Hashem? 1:15:12 What's special about the Ten Commandments? 1:18:57 Is there a mitzvah to conquer Eretz Yisrael? 1:21:29 Is there a tradition of the more minor kvarim? 1:23:47 What is the spiritual essence of Assyria? 1:25:20 Are piyutim in the chazzan's repetition a mafsik? 1:29:55 Aren't the brothers considered rashaim for the pit, and so for the cherem? Isn't movement after shechita treif? 1:34:00 Could the Ohr haChaim's opinion of bechira be applied to things that aren't death? 1:38:20 Why is there a separation between chicken and milk? You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos 00:00 What does it mean when a Rabbi in the Gemara kills another, like Rabbi Yochanan learning with Rav Kahana? 09:55 How does the genetic study that the Lebanese are 90% Canaanite influence the decision in Berachos, that a man living in Ammon could marry into the Jewish people? 16:09 Will the distinction between Ashkenazim and Sepharadim continue forever, or will they be unified in the times of Moshiach? 23:36 Can we judge those who go on Har haBayis favorably? 26:31 When one sees another do something wrong, should he rebuke? If so, how? 31:03 If an observant Jew learns that they are not halachically Jewish, do they have an obligation to convert? 36:50 Can one request the difference of inflation on a loan? 38:58 What does the Torah mean when it says Yitzchak was "playing" with Rivkah? Is that tzanua? 45:00 How could Yaakov "explode" at Lavan in next week's parsha? What did he seek to gain? 47:05 What is the standard of men's tznius? 50:07 What is the place of scientific discovery and experimentation in Torah? 56:41 How should we relate to Leah, considering some of her statements in this week's parsha? 1:05:47 Is it agreed that Hebrew is the original language? 1:12:43 What do mitzvos bein adam l'chavero only apply to Jews and not to goyim? 1:23:46 Should we judge Neturei Karta favorably, or can we call them reshaim? 1:30:35 How could Shimon and Levi destroy all of Shechem? What's the halachic justification? 1:36:12 Is Sefer haYashar an authoritative Midrash? 1:38:27 Is one allowed to listen to Jewish music in the bathroom? 1:39:31 Can one speak in the bathroom? 1:41:32 If a kohen isn't tamei, what is the issur of going on Har haBayis? 1:43:51 Does the concept of interest account for exchange rate? 1:45:05 Why is it good to be normal? You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos 00:00 How will the 4 Amos of owned land be divided amongst Jews? 03:48 What should we make of Yitzchok and Rivkah playing favorites? 12:20 Why wasn't Yitzchak involved in Yaakov's shidduch process? 14:55 How do we view certain kashrus approaches in Israel? 19:16 How should a Baal Teshuva approach minhagim they took on early but then decided they changed their mind? 27:46 Why doesn't the Torah mention all the women amongst the 70 members of Yaakov's family going down to Egypt? 32:13 Rambam says that if someone lives in a city of Rashaim, what is Avraham's justification to save Sedom? 35:21 Should gentiles refrain from driving on Shabbos? 36:26 How do we understand the idea from Chovos HaLevavos that when someone speaks lashon horo their mitzvos get transferred to the victim and the victim's sins get transferred to the speaker? 40:55 Why was Abraham worried about Sarah being abducted if she was in a box and not exposed? 43:04 What are the guidelines in terms of calling someone a rasha? 47:57 Could the Rav explain the approach of Yaakov deceiving Yitzchok? 54:00 In the covenant of the parts, Gd mentions the Jews will be enslaved for 400 years, how do we make sense of Ibn Ezra's calculation? 58:18 Can a Jew in Israel send a text or email to a shomer Jew in America while it is still Shabbos for them? 1:00:08 What is the function in relation of a Jew of Goyim in the world and how should a convert relate to his non-Jewish family? 1:10:55 If a righteous non-Jew believes in the Torah coming from God, why wouldn't they convert? 1:13:40 Can a woman get her eyebrows microbladed? 1:18:37 How should young students or people currently learning in Israel react to terrorist attacks and deciding to stay in Israel? 1:22:43 If everyone in my building or Kollel has cleaning help once a week, but I can't afford it, is it better to give maaser or provide my wife cleaning help? 1:24:05 What's the justification for making a bracha publically on a menorah? 1:25:47 If one lives in a mobile home (RV/ boat) do they need a mezuzo? 1:26:22 Can one use baby wipes on Shabbos? 1:29:30 Do wipes count if they are alcoholic? 1:31:02 If a Baal Teshuva grew up in a Native American environment, which has many similar beliefs, can they integrate their upbringing into their Jewish life? 1:33:00 How do we define "Yoshev" as dwelling?

Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Subscribe to the Rabbi Breitowitz Q&A Podcast at https://plnk.to/rbq&a Submit questions for the Q&A with Rabbi Breitowitz https://forms.gle/VCZSK3wQJJ4fSd3Q7 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/OhrSomayach/videos 00:00 What is the definition of a rasha and a talmid chochom? 04:20 What is the Bircas hamozon etiquette and who says tehilas Hashem? 11:34 How do we relate to Halacha vs mitzvos consequentially? 16:57 Does doing teshuva on spilling seed retroactively get rid of the demons that were created from the act? 26:50 I listened to one of the lectures on real jewish intimacy and it mentioned that couples that don't get along in this world will also continue driving each other crazy in the next world (Zohar). What about those jewish couples that got divorced and don't get remarried? 28:28 What does it mean to be a Jewish doctor? Are there certain halachos that need to be followed differently? 31:40 Does one get reward for wearing tzitzis at night or while sleeping? 34:40 Where does someone draw the line between bitul Torah and time for relaxing? 39:20 What's the argument from Avraham to save Sodom? 48:00 I have recently started learning ערוך השולחן as my Halacha Sefer. What I find best about the Aruch is that, unlike the Mishnah brura, he always gives a psak. My question is whether i can I use this Sefer as my go to Halacha resource and can rely on all the aruch's Psak, even if it goes against the MB and other more embraced piskei Halacha. Essentially, can the Aruch HaShulchan be my 'rebbi'. 58:35 What Torah is exactly taught to the baby by the angel in the womb? 1:03:45 What is the origin of saying or not saying a bracha on mezonos by dessert at a bread meal? 1:09:00 When exactly should a davener interrupt to answer the chazan? 1:11:30 Should we consider learning the Netivos Olam sefer by Maharal in English? 1:15:25 What are the general principles of giving cavod to rebbeim? 1:19:07 How many people does a chazan have to wait for in order to begin the chazaras hashatz? 1:20:12 What's the value of making a siyum? 1:22:02 If I am at a concert or sporting event, can I move to a vacant, more expensive seat assuming there is no chillul Hashem? Is there a difference if I want to move to a less expensive seat, if it's superior in my eyes? Can I walk into a hotel and use the lobby bathroom without asking permission, or is this a form of gezel? 1:25:17 What are the parameters of doing certain acts of charity for a person based on their wealth? 1:28:42 Does the standing for a Rav minimally make a difference? 1:29:58 What makes a Rav merit to have their own psak? Like the GRA? Why is it accepted? 1:31:45 Is there a source for saying mazal tov by a simcha, and is this a tefila or a bracha? 1:34:10 When exactly should we say amen? 1:36:02 Does saying mazal tov count for loving my neighbor as myself? 1:36:30 Should I notify someone not to count me in a minyan if I already davened? 1:37:04 How should someone be sure that their humility is not coming from an arrogant place? You can listen to this and many other Ohr Somayach programs by downloading our app, on Apple and Google Play, ohr.edu and all major podcast platforms. Visit us @ ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS