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One of the defining characteristics of an Orthodox synagogue is the mechitzah.  But where does it come from and what is it about? On this episode, we discuss the ins-and-outs of mechitza. Is the goal to make women invisible, to create a gender-separate space, or something else?  And does mechitza truly make for a better […]

This month our first topic is Honeycake, a new Jewish magazine for kids. And for our second segment we are taking about God. Why isn’t God the topic of more Jewish conversation? And how do we talk about God in our Jewish communities? Endorsements Zahava endorses the poem “Questions About Angels,” by Billy Collins. Mimi […]

In this mini text episode, we look at a passage in the Gemara (Niddah 16b-17a) which forbids or discourages sex during the daytime and try to parse the different reasons given for this ruling.  In the end we discuss how some of this plays out practically and to what degree this is applicable nowadays.

This week on Responsa Radio: Why do rabbis “turn converts away three times”? As a non-rabbi, and in our day and age, what can and should I do as I interact with non-Jews who are deepening their interest in Judaism? Tune in to learn from Rabbi Ethan Tucker and Rabbi Avi Killip.

This episode is a re-release, and was originally recorded at Limmud NY in 2016. In this episode, Dr. Marcus and Rabbi Linzer tackle female masturbation and interview Miryam Kabakov about Eshel, a group for LGBT Orthodox Jews. In the Q&A: is it permissible to talk “dirty”?

This week on Responsa Radio: I’m learning Hebrew, and loving it. But I’m stuck when it comes to praying from the siddur–it takes forever! Which is more important: reading the prayers in their original language, or reading them in a language I actually understand? Tune in to learn from Rabbi Avi Killip and Rabbi Ethan […]

This month our first topic is Covered Up, a documentary about wearing a wig by director Rachel Elitzur. For our second segment we’re talking about a recent episode of This American Life that featured a segment about the Chabad community in Crown Heights in a not so flattering way.  Covered Up Covered Up trailer:  The […]

What to Do with Grandma’s Treyf China? Tune in to find out more from Rabbi Avi Killip and Rabbi Ethan Tucker.

Kissing as a spiritual experience? In this episode, we explore a cryptic text of the Zohar about the deeper meaning of a kiss. If you would like to learn it yourself, check out Zohar 2:124B.

What are the halakhic and emotional issues associated with infertility and the Jewish community?  In this episode, we explore the question of fertility treatments and the mitzvah to procreate, and what allowances halakha makes for undergoing such treatments on Shabbat and the halakhic category that applies in this case (is the person sick? Are they […]