

The Q & A with Rabbi Breitowitz Podcast
Rabbi Dr Yitzchak Breitowitz
Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Breitowitz's weekly Question and Answer sessions at Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem.
A Project of Ohr.edu
Questions? Comments?
We'd love to hear from you at:
Podcasts@ohr.edu
A Project of Ohr.edu
Questions? Comments?
We'd love to hear from you at:
Podcasts@ohr.edu
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 22, 2024 • 54min
33 - Even Shelaima CH 8 PT 10-11 - Inculcating Torah, Midos & More
Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! 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 @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Feb 18, 2024 • 1h 52min
Q&A: Hostages, Army Manpower Shortage & Chareidi Feminism
Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! 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 Might there be concerns over endangering hostages through excessive response? 11:19 What constitutes tzedakah nowadays, and what is its relation to korbanos? 17:12 What is the nature of machlokes? 37:58 How can we guarantee an accurate transmission from Moshe to Mishnah? 44:16 What exactly is the Shechinah? 48:36 Why are kohanim today forbidden from coming near corpses if we assume everyone is already tamei meis? 57:50 Would a new, proven, scientific fact uproot a ruling of a Rishon? 1:06:55 What is the halachic international date line? 1:14:36 Is the authority of midrash equivalent with that of Mishnah? 1:17:11 Can foreign currency in a tzedakah box be reallocated to the currency's country of origin? Can one make change from a tzedakah box? 1:18:38 Since hashkafa often determines halacha, are they really different things? 1:24:35 Why did we trust Moshe's signs if we don't trust the signs of later prophets? 1:27:32 Is a service extension of drafted soldiers or a raising of the age limit of reservists enough of a manpower shortage for Haredim to serve in the military? 1:34:08 What are yichudim in Kabbalah? 1:38:44 Does it matter whether the menorah's branches are straight or curved, and is archaeology treated differently than the science in halacha? 1:41:49 Because we have archaeological evidence of an amah, can we end the debate over the size of an amah? 1:43:19 Is the recent trend of 'Haredi feminism' a good thing? 1:48:22 How applicable today is the heter of lashon hara in front of three people? 1:49:54 How does the Ramban explain the equivalence of 150 days to 5 months with the lunisolar calendar? 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 @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Feb 11, 2024 • 55min
32 - Even Shelaima CH 8 PTS 5-9 - Investing & Torah Economics 101
Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! 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 @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Feb 9, 2024 • 1h 47min
Q&A: Hate Mail, Carrying Guns & Autopsy Halacha
Dedicated in honor of Yaakov Chaim ben Sarah. May you grow up to be a ben Torah and continue to make Am Yisrael proud. Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! 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 Response to old questions and hate mail 06:30 How does one know whether a negative trait should be treated with standard therapy or with mussar and spiritual guidance? 12:10 How much would very negligent parents be held accountable in halacha? 16:15 Is making art from food a problem of bal tashchis? 20:27 When is there a heter to do an autopsy? 30:09 Do the souls of the Holocaust victims suffer because their bodies weren't buried? 35:40 Can one use a book as a shtender for another book? 38:00 Hilchos rotzeach ? 44:25 What is the halachic validity of DNR? 50:15 What is sorcery? 57:13 Is the phrase "speak now or forever hold your peace" of Jewish origin? 59:47 How does one balance davening and learning? 1:01:24 What if a ger katan was coerced or even regrets it later? 1:11:06 What are the different opinions on autopsy? 1:13:11 Is it simple to take off three weeks of learning to save a life? 1:17:46 At what point should Jews in Israel carry guns? 1:19:32 What is emunah peshuta? 1:23:31 What is daas Torah? 1:30:00 Is there a way to make certain things allowed on Shabbos so that more people keep it? 1:34:14 How could someone's righteousness not be considered regarding their death, as in a plague? 1:36:55 What would convening a Sanhedrin look like? 1:41:21 Is slavery immoral? 1:44:00 How do we pasken regarding a stolen lulav for the rabbinic obligation? 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 @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Feb 6, 2024 • 1h 47min
Q&A: Death Penalty, Minhagim & Pride Flags
Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! 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 are there varying numbers of remembrances in davening? 07:44 Should a religious Jew support a secular death penalty? 20:51 Is there a Torah source for keeping minhagim? 26:31 Are midrashic sources in verses just to cause a student to ask, and thereby learn the Oral Torah from his rabbi? 31:00 Is it permitted to listen to a recording of a woman singing? 43:08 Is there something inherently, spiritually inferior about mamzerim? 53:24 What is the proper middle ground between acting like a prince and separating from physicality? 58:30 Could a Syrian do an annulment of vows in order to marry a convert? 1:04:09 How can prophets receive money for their prophecies? 1:11:23 How is the word for cattle related to the word for morning? 1:16:35 How can one say that some numbers in the Tanakh are not exact? 1:22:47 If a restaurant that is open on Shabbos can't get a hechsher, why can a restaurant with a pride flag receive a hechsher? 1:27:20 Why don't mashgichim tell people what the berachos are? 1:28:43 Is use of the phrase "oh my G-d" a use of Hashem's name in vain? 1:29:58 How could a hashgacha decide to deny a restaurant if the food itself is kosher? 1:36:14 Why do some Rishonim and Acharonim spend time describing the final redemption if Chazal didn't describe it in detail? 1:40:07 How could two kosher witnesses validate a marriage that is forbidden from the Torah? 1:44:38 How does the Temple Institute understand Rashi's words about the Temple? 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 @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Feb 4, 2024 • 56min
31 - Even Shelaima CH 8 PT 2-3 - Learning Breadth Before Depth
Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! 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 @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Feb 1, 2024 • 1h 8min
Q&A: Poison, Censorship & The Rogatchover
Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! 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 did Yishai earn to have such important descendants? 04:29 Were the rabbis who were selling alcohol during Prohibition violating dina dmalchusa dina? 07:38 Must one make a bracha on good-tasting poison? 14:50 How could Olam Haba be the greatest pleasure if there is a constant reminder of worldly regrets in the form of different levels of pleasure? 19:15 Can one use a Pastafarian colander? 22:06 Does modern Christianity count as idolatry? 25:20 Does the Rosh's understanding of handwashing recognize hand sanitizer as water? 31:00 How can kasher shebegoyim harog be reconciled with chasidei umos haolam? 35:00 Is talking about corporal punishment in school lashon hara? 44:58 Is it deception to translate a sefer but censor without making a note? 49:39 Is one allowed to look at pictures of a face? 53:16 What exactly is the reward of having a great descendant? 57:49 How is the Rogatchever viewed regarding sensitivity to others? 1:03:38 Is there such a thing as 'faith in the righteous'? 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 @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Jan 27, 2024 • 1h 48min
Q&A: Joining the IDF, Abarbanel & Hashkafic Psak
Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! 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 are the priorities when the Torah is going from the aron to the bimah? 04:08 Would it be lashon hara to relate information on the public record? 08:01 Is it preferable, now in the war, to join a hesder yeshiva? 14:06 Why is there a controversy about using noble titles if there is a precedent from Abarbanel? 22:37 How do poskim decide what medical advice in the Gemara becomes halacha? 39:55 Would a landlord for AirBNB need glass and stainless steel, disposable, or just notify any potential renters? 41:58 What are the halachos of learning during the rchazaras hashatz? 49:27 Why did God need three signs if they all mean the same thing? 58:19 If incest is inherently bad, how could the entire world be the product of Cain, Seth, and their sisters? 1:00:48 Is someone who was davening before the minyan arrived considered part of the minyan? 1:04:04 Is it heresy to believe that God is bound by logic? 1:12:44 Why has the value of science changed in the Jewish tradition? 1:18:10 Is there psak by hashkafa? 1:26:58 Could the Rav share his favorite gedolim stories? 1:33:34 Is there a machlokes about whether Olam Haba or Olam Hazeh is the ikar? 1:35:56 What is ruach hakodesh? 1:38:10 Is it idolatry to believe Jesus was the Moshiach, so long as one believes he was not God? 1:41:08 Why did the canonization of Torah end when it did? 1:42:00 Is it heresy to say that a mitzvah no longer applies? 1:43:23 If a hashkafic point was accepted by most communities, can one still disagree without being a heretic? 1:45:23 Does that apply to halachic opinions as well? 1:46:59 Is it true that the Chazon Ish said that it is better to die than join the IDF? 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 @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Jan 24, 2024 • 53min
30 - Even Shelaima CH 8 PT 1 - Jobs and Learning
Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! 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 @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

Jan 21, 2024 • 1h 43min
Q&A- Haredim, Abortion & Music
Dedication opportunities are available for episodes and series at https://ohr.edu/donate/qa Questions? Comments? podcasts@ohr.edu Yeshivat Ohr Somayach located in the heart of Jerusalem, is an educational institution for young Jewish English-speaking men. We have a range of classes and programs designed for the intellectually curious and academically inclined - for those with no background in Jewish learning to those who are proficient in Gemara and other original source material. To find the perfect program for you, please visit our website https://ohr.edu/study_in_israel whatsapp us at https://bit.ly/OSREGISTER or call our placement specialist at 1-254-981-0133 today! 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 Is it permitted to listen to non-Jewish music, even if the music was written for Christian worship? 06:43 How far should one go to help their friend if it requires embarrassing oneself? 10:05 What is the difference between perushim and haredim? 15:19 How limited is visiting a parent's grave, and is it permitted to speak about nothing to it? 17:47 Is it worse to have premarital relations with a non-Jew or with a Jew? 27:41 Is it possible to be a good, rational Jew, if one has doubts without knowing how to dispel them? 36:40 Can an Ashkenazi duchan on a plane if the chazzan is Sephardi? 45:33 What is the Jewish approach to abortion? 54:14 Are there Torah sources for healthy habits? 58:28 What are kavanos in a Kabbalistic context? 1:07:36 Since so many soldiers dying in the war are bnei Torah, why should a yeshiva bochur not serve right now? 1:11:45 What are the origins of the various trops, and do they change the meanings of the words? 1:17:50 If dying on Shabbos causes chilul Shabbos, why should that be the consequence for being born on Shabbos? 1:21:15 Why would the Jews have asked for straw if they knew the work was meaningless? 1:25:59 Is there reason to visit sites of tragedy, like towns in the South or concentration camps? 1:28:52 When a person converts, where does the goyish soul go? 1:32:09 Should one refrain from listening to Jewish music in the bathroom? 1:34:57 Is it proper to say Asher Yatzar out loud? 1:36:21 Is it possible to believe Hashem created the world and still not keep Shabbos? 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 @ https://ohr.edu PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS


