Best Sephardic Halacha Center Podcasts (2024)

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40. [Special Episode] Letters to the Editor - Feat. The Listeners! 21:04

14d ago21:04

21:04

It's finally here! In this episode, we go through YOUR reactions to previous episodes of the podcast and much more! God willing, we will return with more regular episodes following Pesach. Links to references made in the episode: 1) Support the Podcast / Sponsor an Episode - Eichlers Registry. 2) Igros Moshe Series with Tradition Online. 3) Challen…

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39. Dancing on Shabbos: Where Halacha Meets Hasidut - Feat. Rabbi Dr. Zvi Leshem 36:29

17d ago36:29

36:29

The Mishnah (Beitzah 36b) forbids dancing and clapping on Shabbos/Yom Tov. How do we make sense of the many ostensibly observant people, including Torah scholars, who appear to disregard this explicit stricture? R. Dr. Zvi Leshem, an expert in Chassidic thought, breaks down the unique approach of the Minchas Elazar (1:29) who argues that dancing on…

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38. Who Let the Dogs In? A Study of Service Animals & the Synagogue - Feat. Rabbi Dan Margulies 38:04

17d ago38:04

38:04

Are animals permitted in the synagogue? What if they provide a service, such as guiding those who are blind? R. Dan Margulies, a former service dog trainer, provides a unique glimpse into R. Moshe Feinstein's iconic responsum (Igros Moshe, O.C. 1:45 on the topic, and a critical data point that many of his detractors were missing.…

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37. Rabbinic Rifts & Family Feuds: A Compelling Yibum Controversy - Feat. Mr. Gedaliah Wielgus, Esq. 36:22

24d ago36:22

36:22

What happens when someone cannot afford to do Yibum but insists on it? What happens when the widow is Ashkenazic and the Yavam is Sephardic? Does it make a difference whether the rabbis are Ashkenazic or Sephardic? Should the mother/mother-in-law's opinion count? In this episode, Mr. Gedaliah Wielgus, who teaches "Shu"T al haDaf", shares with us a …

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36. Have You Ever Seen the Rain? A Radical Ruling of the Rosh - Feat. Rabbi Elli Fischer 39:00

24d ago39:00

39:00

Why do we seem to pray for rain at the wrong times? Can we adjust the dates for V'sein Tal U'matar? Who even came up with setting December 4th/5th as a day of halachic significance? Rabbi Elli Fischer shares with us a radical ruling of the Rosh (Responsum 4:10) on this topic and its intriguingly fraught reception.Rabbi Fischer's very own translatio…

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35. Sephardic Simplicity: Chacham Ovadia's Approach to Chametz - Feat. Rabbi Moses Haber 31:59

1M ago31:59

31:59

In the lead up to Pesach, Rabbi Moses Haber unpacks a seminal responsum of Rav Ovadia Yosef (Yechaveh Da'as 1:11) to clarify how many Sephardim obviate potential mixtures of chametz and to highlight Rav Yosef's programmatic approach to the development of Sephardic halachic-public-policy. This episode is dedicated in memory of Rose Nuni Dayan.…

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34. The Shabbos Bride…Literally! - Feat. Rabbi Zachary Beer 30:46

1M ago30:46

30:46

Rabbi Zachary Beer presents one of the most iconic responsa of the Rema (no. 125) about performing a marriage on shabbos in extenuating circumstances and what it means for broader halachic methodology. This episode is dedicated liyuli nishmas Yitzchak Elimelech ben Akiva Ze’ev by his family.

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33. Uncorking The Rema's Censored Wine Responsum - Feat. Rabbi Drew Kaplan 33:14

1M ago33:14

33:14

Rabbi Drew Kaplan, an aficionado in all things Torah & alcohol related, uncorks a controversial responsum of the Rema (no. 124) about the tenuous permissibility of Stam Yeinam.

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32. From Scandal to Seder: How Geonic Polemic Shaped the Text of the Haggadah - Feat. Yosef Lindell 36:06

1M ago36:06

36:06

In this episode, we go back to one of the earliest examples of responsa literature: The Siddur of Rav Amram Gaon. Yosef Lindell provides us with a framework for understanding the fluidity and development the Haggadah and uses it as a case study in understanding the development of Jewish liturgy, from the ancient Talmuds to the Rabbanite-Karaite con…

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31. Spirits and Slaughter: A (Halachic) Purim Murder Mystery - Feat. Rabbi Avi Hoffman 38:04

2M ago38:04

38:04

From Ancient Persia to Medieval France, Rabbi Avi Hoffman provides a halachic and historical framework for understanding the role of alcohol throughout the ages. In particular, we focus on Rav Avraham ben Yitzchak M'Narbonah (Teshuvos HaRa'Avi ABa"D, no. 149), and how he ruled in a case of negligent homicide committed while under the influence.…

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30. Sacred Study: May One Learn Medicine on Shabbos? - Feat. R' Yaakov Wolff 33:41

2M ago33:41

33:41

May a medical student observe a surgery performed on Shabbos? What about a common person who wants to observe it out of curiosity or "entertainment"? R' Yaakov Wolff, host of Shtark Tank, unpacks a responsum from Rav Yaakov Emden (She'ailas Ya'avetz, no. 41) on this topic and contextualizes it within the broader literature. Check out the Shtark Tan…

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29. Money, Mikvah and Minhag: The Rise of "Big Funeral" - Feat. Rabbi Daniel Sayani 35:10

2M ago35:10

35:10

In this episode, Rabbi Daniel Sayani presents two diametrically opposed traditions of approaching Taharah and other post-mortem religious practices. The Mystical/Sephardic approach found in Responsa Yaskil Avdi (Y.D. 4:24) and the pragmatic/"litvishe" approach espoused by the Igros Moshe (Y.D. 3:135-137). We discuss the later innovation of dipping …

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28. An Inadvertent Infidelity - Feat. Rabbi Gil Student 37:09

2M ago37:09

37:09

In the lead up to Purim, R. Gil Student analyzes a pivotal responsum of the Maharik (no. 167) regarding an inadvertent infidelity, what we can learn from Esther, and its implications for post-Talmudic hermeneutics. (As the title indicates, we discuss some sensitive topics so listeners' discretion is advised.) At the end of this episode, Rabbi Stude…

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27. The Razor-Sharp Incisiveness of Rav Nachum Rabinovitch - Feat. Rabbi Yitzchak Sprung 36:50

2M ago36:50

36:50

Rav Nachum Rabinovitch zt"l was one of the great Israeli poskim of recent memory. In this episode we welcome a talmid of his, Rabbi Yitzchak Sprung, who shares one of his rebbe's responsa (Siach Nachum, no. 30) about shaving and uses it to profile Rav Rabinovitch's unique approach to paskening halacha.…

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26. From Sabbateanism to Hinduism: Does Teshuvah Have Its Limits? - Feat. Rabbi Mordechai Becher 37:51

2M ago37:51

37:51

A person can always repent and completely atone for their previous sins, right? In the cases of a penitent ex-follower of Shabbtai Tzvi and a previous "worshipper" of Hindu deities we see that this matter is not so simple. Rabbi Mordechai Becher, Jewish historian and lecturer, provides us with a remarkable responsum of the Chacham Tzvi (no. 13) and…

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25. Gaza: Past, Present and Future - Feat. Rabbi Michael Freund 39:58

2M ago39:58

39:58

In this episode, Rabbi Michael Freund, a scholar, previous member of the Netanyahu administration, and father of sons serving in the IDF, discusses the religious significance of the land of Gaza, and what it means for the broader Land of Israel. We explore a teshuvah of Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, published by the Machon Torah V'Ha'aretz (cf. Responsa B'Oh…

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24. Pandora's Soda Bottle and the Jewish "Shabbos Goy" - Feat. Rabbi Mark Glass 39:08

2M ago39:08

39:08

May someone who subscribes to a stringent halachic position ask someone else to be his "shabbos goy"? Our guest, Rabbi Mark Glass unpacks a responsum of the Minchas Asher (1:11) to help us understand the difference between stringencies that result from a pious practice versus principled disregard for other opinions.…

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23. Daughters and Kaddish - Feat. Rabbanit Shalhevet Cahana 39:50

3M ago39:50

39:50

Recently, we looked at R. Shlomo Wahrman's opposition to women reciting Kaddish. In this episode, we welcome Shalhevet Cahana who addresses the Chavos Yair (no. 222), Teshuvah m'Ahava (2:229) and R. Yosef Eliyahu Henkin (HaPardes, Year 38, Issue 6) - and also shares her personal experience with reciting Kaddish. (See also Igros Moshe O.C. 512:2 for…

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22. Of Grammar and Grit: Does Dikduk Really Matter? - Feat. R. Daniel Mann 37:50

3M ago37:50

37:50

In this episode R. Daniel Mann contrasts a personal letter of R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (v'Aleihu Lo Yibol, p. 268) with how it is presented in Halichos Shlomo (Krias HaTorah 12:24) to address how concerned we should be for understanding Hebrew grammar by and what it means for the responsible application of Responsa Literature writ large.…

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21. A Gadol in Disguise: The Wisdom & Warmth of Rav Shlomo Wahrman zt"l - Feat. Rabbi Eli Slomnicki 37:33

3M ago37:33

37:33

How many people can say that their high school rebbe was a gadol b'Torah (first-rate Torah scholar)? This was the case in HANC (Hebrew Academy of Nassau County) in which our guest, R. Eli Slomnicki - who now serves as the principal of the upper school - had the privilege of learning under Rav Shlomo Wahrman zt"l for many years. In this episode, we …

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20. All Aboard the Zebu (Halachic) Safari! - Feat. Rabbi Binyomin Fishman 36:29

3M ago36:29

36:29

Are Zebu kosher? Wait, what's a Zebu? In this episode, R. Binyomin Fishman breaks down a disagreement between The Chazon Ish (Hilchos Beheima v'Chaya, no. 11) and R. Yisroel Belsky (Responsa Shulchan HaLevi 1:19) on the nature of Zebu, Bison and other marvelous animals - and what their kashrus status means for the broader question of how we determi…

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19. The Case for Coeducation - Feat. Michael Feldstein & Joseph Kaplan, Esq. 37:54

3M ago37:54

37:54

In this episode we explore whether there is a case to be made for coeducation in our Yeshivos and Jewish Day Schools. We open up with two (of several) responsa from Igros Moshe (Y.D. 2:104 and 4:28) and contrast it with a lesser known letter from Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. This is a special episode in which we are joined by two guests, Messrs. M…

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18. Riots, Protests and Property Damage - Feat. Rabbi Yitzchok Oratz 37:41

4M ago37:41

37:41

Should a Jew care so much about material possessions? Ethical discourses generally emphasize the significance of money, but many halachic sources point to the importance of respecting one's property. R. Yitzchok Oratz focuses on a remarkable responsum of the Binyan Tzion (1:167) to infer how a Jew should think about protests that turn violent. See …

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17. Conversion & Unfortunate Estrangement - Feat. Rabbi Zvi Romm 38:41

4M ago38:41

38:41

What should family life look like post-conversion? R. Zvi Romm shares a bittersweet responsum from Igros Moshe (Y.D. 2:130) in which R. Moshe Feinstein argues that it may not only be permissible for a convert to maintain a relationship with their biological parents, but a mitzvah.

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16. Ransoming Hostages: Where Methodology Meets Morale - Feat. Rabbi Johnny Solomon 36:54

4M ago36:54

36:54

At the time of this recording the State of Israel faces a hostage crisis on an unprecedented scale. R. Johnny Solomon shares a responsum from Aseh Lecha Rav (7:53) who argues that state-based-needs require state-based-solutions - and what that means for the broader genre of responsa literature. Our prayer is that this discussion be rendered l'drosh…

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15. The Tallis Status Symbol and its Implications for Single Men - Feat. Rabbi Noah Marlowe 37:19

4M ago37:19

37:19

In many Ashkenazi communities, a tallis gadol has become a symbol of adulthood, putting many single, male adults in a jarring position when they see men far younger than themselves donning a tallis purely by dint of marriage. The challenge becomes compounded for a single Rabbi who finds himself leading a congregation and - as the most religious fig…

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14. Can We Get Rid of Chazaras HaShatz? - Feat. Rabbi Pesach Sommer 38:45

4M ago38:45

38:45

Is davening too long or do we not appreciate it enough? In this episode R. Pesach Sommer distills a responsum of R. Dovid Tzvi Hoffman (Melamed L'Hoil, no. 12) regarding a request to revoke the prayer leader's repetition of the Amida, and its implications for how we relate to prayer writ large.

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13. Forgery, Censorship, and the "No True Lamdan Fallacy" - Feat. Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Zuckier 34:44

5M ago34:44

34:44

What happens when a revered Torah figure writes something that goes against the basic tenets of our faith? In this episode, R. Dr. Shlomo Zuckier unpacks how recent Torah giants such as R. Moshe Feinstein's (Igros Moshe Y.D. 3:114-115) and R. Menashe Klein (Mishneh Halachos 12:214) reckoned with an alarming commentary of R. Yehuda HaChassid and whe…

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12. The O.C.D. Heter: Appraised by a Mental Health Professional - Feat. Rabbi Dr. Saul Haimoff 36:56

5M ago36:56

36:56

In recent years, Rav Asher Weiss published a landmark responsum (Minchas Asher 2:134) in which he issued signifcant halachic dispensations for one undergoing therapy for O.C.D. In this epsiode, we bring on Rabbi Dr. Saul Haimoff, a rabbi and clinical psychologist, to assess the metzius, the facts on the ground. To purchase his book, the Handbook of…

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11. A Forced Divorce and its Rabbinic Repercussions - Feat. Rabbi Elie Weissman 34:21

5M ago34:21

34:21

Rabbi Elie Weissman presents a responsum of the Noda B'Yehudah (E.H. 75) in which a shliach (agent) is appointed to force a woman to accept a divorce document. R. Weissman delves into the halachic considerations and also reveals a not-so-obvious historical context to this responsum...that it was very personal for both the Noda B'Yehudah - and his i…

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10. Are There Appeals Courts in the Jewish Judicial System? - Feat. Dr. Chagai Schlesinger 37:12

5M ago37:12

37:12

In this episode we explore a landmark responsum of R. Ben-Zion Meir Chai Uziel (Mishpatei Uziel, C.M. no. 1) whether Jewish courts should offer an option to appeal and its implications for the judiciary in modern day Eretz Yisrael.

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9. The Limits of Pikuach Nefesh - Feat. Rabbi Aryeh Klapper 36:10

5M ago36:10

36:10

Pikuach Nefesh, the imperative to preserve life, is one of the most supreme Torah commandments, as it has the power supersede almost any other mitzvah. But are there limits? Our guest Rabbi Aryeh Klapper provides a close reading of a responsum of the Noda B'Yehudah (Y.D. 210) to shed light on this critical issue. Want to learn more from Rabbi Klapp…

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8. The Ethics of Confidentiality - Feat. Rabbi Gidon Rothstein 29:53

5M ago29:53

29:53

A woman is keeping a significant medical secret from her husband that has profound implications for their entire marriage. May (must) a doctor inform the husband? In this episode, Rabbi Gidon Rothstein shares a landmark responsum of the Tzitz Eliezer (16:4) who addresses both the halachic and psychological elements of how to approach this high stak…

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7. When Does an Employee Have a Right (Obligation) to Quit? - Feat. Rabbi Tzvi Goldstein 34:59

5M ago34:59

34:59

When does employment become servitude? Rabbi Tzvi Goldstein presents us with a responsum of the Chavos Yair (no. 106) which addresses a contentious dispute between a woman and the girl she hired to work for her. When the latter claims she is being mistreated it raises the question whether she has the right to unilaterally pull out of her employment…

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6. Artificial Intelligence & Psak Halacha - Feat. Rabbi Shimshon Nadel 38:12

5M ago38:12

38:12

What are the implications of artificial intelligence for halachic decision making? In this episode, Rabbi Shimshon Nadel utilizes a responsum of the Chasam Sofer (Y.D. 2:94), Igros Moshe (Y.D. 3:91) and teachings from Rabbi Dr. Moshe D. Tendler zt"l to shed light on this cutting edge issue.

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5. Using Non-Jewish Courts and Non-Jewish Laws - Feat. Rabbi Yona Reiss 36:02

6M ago36:02

36:02

Rabbi Yona Reiss presents a fundamental responsum of the Rashba (6:254) to clarify when one may adapt halachic practices for new situations and how to ensure that such innovations remain faithful to both the law and spirit of the Torah. A special thanks to Henry Goldberg for helping organize this episode.…

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4. Bar/Bas Mitzvah Ceremonies: Mitzvah or Mistake? - Feat. Rabbi Elchanan Poupko 38:15

6M ago38:15

38:15

In this episode we explore Rav Moshe Feinstein's opposition to Bas (and Bar) Mitzvah ceremonies - found in Igros Moshe (O.C. 1:104, cf. 2:97 and 4:36) - as well as a brief nod to his relatively permissive stance on using a single dishwasher for meat and dairy (separately). At the end. Rav Elchanan Poupko articulates what made Rav Moshe Feinstein un…

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3. Should Jews Host Thanksgiving Meals? - Feat. Yisroel Ben-Porat 40:25

6M ago40:25

40:25

In this episode, Yisroel Ben-Porat takes us on a tour of Rav Moshe Feinstein's various responsa (Igros Moshe E.H. 2:13, O.C. 5:20, YD 4:11-12) about Thanksgiving and uses his historical expertise to evaluate whether poskim and the general public understand the holiday's true origins. Subsequent to this episode, the guest wrote up his ideas in a mor…

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2. Should a Boy from a Jewish Father and Gentile Mother be Circumcised? - Feat. Rabbi Oran Zweiter 38:36

6M ago38:36

38:36

In this episode, R. Oran Zweiter presents a debate between R. Zvi Hirsch Kalischer and R. Azriel Hildesheimer (Shu"T RA'aZ, no. 229-230) about circumcising a boy from a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother that took place in 19th century America.

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1. Can You Disagree with a Gadol? - Feat. Rabbi Yehoshua Grunstein 33:50

7M ago33:50

33:50

In this episode, R. Yehoshua Grunstein presents an exchange between R. Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe O.C. 1:109) and R. Menashe Klein (Mishneh Halachos 8:92, 136) about the nature of rabbinic disagreement and what it means for pulpit rabbis and congregants alike.