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 What kind of changes in Halacha or otherwise will happen after Mashiach comes? 08:18 What's with saying G-d is of one name but He has more than that? 13:02 What is the proper kavod for wearing the begged of tzitzis outside your clothes? 17:16 What is special about Ashrei that we remove the letter nun, when we don't do that in other alphabetical supplications? 21:22 Is technology something that ideally we wouldn't have, but now that we do, we have to use it responsibly with rules and gedarim, or alternatively is it something we should embrace and prefer, while being aware and alert of potential consequences? 27:59 What is the source for a certain pasuk in sfarad mussaf? 32:35 Is it permissible to associate with friends who are not on the same Torah level as me? Should we try to be mekarev them? 37:14 What should our attitude be towards area of halacha that are seemingly less effective or suitable in a modern society compared with today's secular laws, specifically in regards to contracts and financial matters. Should our attitude be that we are not appreciating the halacha properly, or should we acknowledge it's not ideal and be extra hopeful for Mashiach to come so a Sanhedrin can make some updates. 42:36 Why is Rabbi Jonathan Sacks not so accepted in the frum world? 49:36 In uncensored Gemara Avoda Zara, it mentions that Jesus was not real, is this true? 53:20: What is a heavenly decree and when exactly are they made? How do we have the power to rip them up? 54:51 Is there a heter for a convert to use their biological father's name when called to the Torah? 56:37 How can someone tell when they are starting to burn out in their learning? 59:55 Would it be halachally mutar to buy clothes at a store in America and bring them back to Israel and sell them at a higher price to bachurim or otherwise? 1:01:03 Should we use our YH to try to be better in learning? 1:03:53 Gematria is incredible, but many seem to dismiss it as fluffy. Is there practical gain from knowing it? 1:06:03 What do we do with Gematrias of politicians or otherwise? 1:08:54 Are we allowed to calculate the messianic timeline? 1:12:50 What is Rebbe's view on reading secular books - theoretically, alternatively, one could be reading a Jewish book (even if not a Sefer); would it affect anything if there are yesodos in human psyche and/or Etzahs on life? Especially if the book has been held in a very high regard by society (a classic)? For example: Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky (a classic), or, in the other regard, Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankel (life-changing)? 1:20:26 Can I rely on a leniency just to be convenient or for pleasure? 1:21:12 Do halachos of shomer negia, yichud, etc. apply to transgender people? 1:25:40 When we read the amida we pray for the return of the Davidic dynasty, would it be possible to re-establish the kingdom without mashiach? 1:30:20 How do we understand the malchus of Shaul when he was from Binyamin? 1:32:08 Do we say amen to brachos said incorrectly? 1:33:07 Do we say brachos in order, even if I want to cover something less chashuv than others? 1:34:11 Is being clean-shaven an issur d'oraissa? 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 the Rav make of the recent antisemitic comments of Kyrie Irving? 04:48 How do we know that we're not missing important mesora after Catholic censorship? 20:12 If we die when we've made our tikkun, it's fair to assume each day we wake up we still have work to do. If so, why are there ways to extend our life? 23:00 the fruits of genosar in Gemara Brachos? 30:40 Does Tinok shel nishbah apply to goyim? What about Teshuva? 39:25 Should we learn more Ibn Ezra this year, given the 5783rd pasuk in the Torah? 44:20 What is the proper burial process for Jews and why is cremation not acceptable? Is it also bad for non-Jews to be cremated? And what does ashes to ashes dust to dust entail? 52:45 How do we explain the Jewish view of homosexuality to non-religious family members? 59:00 Is it an aveira to follow the royal news? 1:03:50 Is it appropriate to use religious themes to advance political purposes? "It's a mitzvah to vote for Gimmel" or "possible to acquire Olam HaBah in one moment next to a picture of Shas? 1:15:50 Since it is said that Hashem is making Shidduchim, how do we understand the idea that people can marry the wrong person and their soul may not be complete? 1:19:52 The Chazon Ish said we don't change halacha based on new discoveries, but didn't he argue on certain halachos? 1:21:50 Is it Mutar to ask for some of your friend's food (ex: "can I have some" to your friend who is eating his snack in the hallway of Yeshiva)? If someone asks and you don't want to give them, but you feel uncomfortable saying no, are you being Nichshal them in Avak Gezel by giving them from your food? 1:26:02 Can the Rebbe help us understand why the halacha is to not put out a tiny fire on Shabbat and allow it to burn your house down, and if someone doesn't put out a fire on Shabbat and it spreads to the neighbors properties is he obligated in monetary damages?

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 did Rav Chaim Brisker not posken? 18:07 What is the advantage of aveira lishma? Is it advisable? 30:10 What's the point of a positive and negative Mitzvah being seemingly the same. You must salt every offering, you must not bring an offering without salt. Guard the temple. Don't leave it unguarded. Etc. 37:45 Is there an idea that Torah calls for extra respect toward a divorced woman in the same way it calls for the respect of a widow? 46:12 Given that the NJ Chinese restaurant that was recently found to be serving tarfus had a mashgiach at all times, and only the O-K agency officially had a key to the establishment, and yet it got away with serving trief for six months, how can we rely on these hashgachos? And is this situation worse in Israel, where none of the hashgachos require a mashgiach temidi? 53:38 If, according to Rambam, Avraham was only experiencing nevua with the three strangers, how do we know that any other miracle in Torah isn't considered a vision? 1:02:12 Did the snake have free will? 1:05:00 How can Hashem challenge someone by making them homosexual? 1:16:24 Why is it that regardless of how great and knowledgeable a ger is, he can not become a dayan? 1:19:58 In terms of the last question, how do we look at the prophet Ovadia? 1:20:34 What's the significance of Noach and the dove and a leper and releasing doves? 1:22:28 If a person is born of a Jewish mother and a non-Jewish father, is that person a mistake? What would have happened to this soul had this improper relationship not taken place? 1:26:17 How do we invite someone who is not frum to our Shabbos meal? 1:31:00 Can a non-religious Ashkenazi eat rice on Pesach at a Sefardi table? 1:32:57 If the first mitzva for Adam was Pru U'rvu, why is this not a mitzva for non-Jews? 1:35:42 What is the basis for that rule? If women join the army, are they obligated to get married? 1:38:44 Is there Kivush (conquest) by Adam or Noach?

WATCH THIS & OUR OTHER YOMIM NORAIM / SUKKOS CONTENT AT https://ohr.edu/Tishrei/ 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

WATCH THIS & OUR OTHER YOMIM NORAIM / SUKKOS CONTENT AT https://ohr.edu/Tishrei/ 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 How do we view the snake and the keruvim as not avoda zara? 02:05 What's the Rav's opinion about integrating secular subjects into Jewish education? 11:30 How does somebody decide to start a life in Israel versus sincere else? 19:40 How do we understand how Hashem judges people who are not exposed to a Judaism? 25:39 Why do some people go to the mivkah at certain times and some not? 29:14 Often people say a certain halacha and then include a comment "Al Pi Kabbalah, one might do this"—why would we dismiss this otherwise, isn't Kabbalah the deepest secrets of Torah? And same with Chassic vorts—why are they often treated as "fluffy"? 37:40 In terms of Teshuva, what should be emphasized during Elul and why? 46:03 Is the Septuagint relevant to Jews today, same with Dead Sea scrolls? 53:10 How is it possible for us to regret and promise to never do something again? 57:47 When is abortion not considered murder? 59:59 How much can someone with mental issues be blamed for their sins? 1:03:55 What's the history of the black felt kippah being the mainstream yeshivish kippah? 1:07:58 Why does the Torah condemn so many sins that ended up fading away with time? 1:15:40 Are Rav Nachman of Breslov's teachings considered legitimate? 1:19:29 How could someone say that leaving for Uman is better than Israel? 1:21:00 If G-d's open revelation is a challenge to free will, how were figures in the Chumash able to have free will? 1:22:43 If certain mitzvahs are easy to do, should we exert more spiritual energy to them? Is it possible to deplete spiritual energy? 1:24:20 What is a woman really required to cover in terms of tznius? 1:28:58 How should a bachur whose day is taken up by learning, how can they balance exercise? 1:31:11 Is it a mitzvah to fight in the Israeli army? 1:34:30 What does the Rav say about people coming to Yeshiva and wearing black and white just to blend in rather than out of an actual want? 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 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

Dedicated LeRefuah Shleimah for שמחה יצחק בן מירעלע יודקא & אסתר תהלה בת אריאל ציפורה 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 an urgent world event happens, how do we approach giving tzedaka to that cause? 02:40 Can I fly a country flag with a Christian or other religious symbol on it? 03:37 Do people who are heretics still somewhat believe in tefilla and is it more or less the case today? 14:34 Why is POSEACH ES YADECHA seemingly the whole reason we say the Ashrei? 19:39 What should a Yeshiva Bachur do if after a while at Yeshiva he feels disenchanted in learning/davening, etc.? 33:30 What are the Rav's views on Hisbodedus and Jewish mediation? 39:30 In terms of secular music, specifically country music which heavily focuses on their god and on women/relationships but (for the most part) is not nearly as sexually explicit or openly immoral—some find that meaningful and sometimes touching —is listening to that considered krum? 45:31 How much of Avraham Avinu's Torah is preserved in Oral Torah? And why didn't Hashem simply give him or his sons the Torah before Sinai? 52:59 What is the Rav's opinion of women (moms) who work full time and often leave kids to be raised by babysitters? 59:18 Would a different Torah narrative entail still going to Jerusalem and all the laws associated as such? 1:03:23 When the great flood happened, was it regional or global? 1:06:02 Can one value secular education for its own sake? Meaning, the value of knowledge beyond the practical use. 1:16:08 How exactly did Avraham reverse engineer the mitzvos? 1:18:11 If a single girl goes through all the required purifications, could she touch a man? 1:22:40 In terms of a person who grew up as a secular Jew and then became frum, are they accountable for all the mitzvos they didn't know about? 1:27:41 What are the exact definitions of Chochma, Bina, and Daas, and how does one relate to the other? 1:32:51 When it comes to tzedaka, we are allowed to "test Hashem"—should we take this literally and what are the parameters of that? 1:40:57 Why are there so many reasons we could be redeemed? 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

Dedicated LeRefuah Shleimah for שמחה יצחק בן מירעלע יודקא & אסתר תהלה בת אריאל ציפורה 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 do witchcraft and superstitions differ from Kabbalah? 4:43 What is a Bas kol? 12:06 Recently, dinosaur tracks were found—how do we deal with that time issue relative to the age of the earth according to Torah? 22:38 What is the purpose of the previous worlds (before creation)? 23:55 What does the Rav think about Vayoel Moshe? 36:08 What is the Jewish approach to medicine? 54:14 What are the Rav's opinions on going to Uman for Rosh Hashana? 57:36 Are we allowed to take sides, sell weapons, etc., during non-jewish wars? 1:04:40 What is the heter to medically treat a terrorist? 1:12:04 Given there's no death penalty in the State of Israel, and there are no prisons in halacha, what is the proper galactic punishment for criminals? 1:16:14 Why are there separate Oral and Written Torahs? 1:19:39 How can we remove women from shiurim advertised for men and women (e.g. they are forced to sit in the back when there is plenty of room)? 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