Shu"T First, Ask Questions Later

Returning to his early educational roots, Moshe Kurtz interviews his lifelong Rebbe and Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Yaakov Bender about an array of questions pertaining to Jewish education. Through the lens of several teshuvos in Igros Moshe (Y.D. 2:104, Y.D. 4:30, and C.M. 2:51), Rabbi Bender emphasizes the importance of compassion and inclusivity as a hallmark of Jewish education. 

Rav Yaakov Bender is the Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah in Far Rockaway, NY. He is a Musmach of the Mirrer Yeshiva, Founder of Hatzalah in Flatbush and Far Rockaway, member of the Vaad Roshei Yeshivos of Torah Umesorah and Resident Rabbi at Camp Banim for over 50 years.

In this episode, Rabbi Jeffrey Saks delves into the intriguing world of Chalitza, a Jewish law procedure for dissolving a levirate marriage, through the lens of the Maharsham's Responsum (1:14). This complex case involves a hot air balloon ride, obscure texts, and an exclusive revelation about the Nobel laureate Shai Agnon's potential influence from this case.

Rabbi Jeffrey Saks is the founding director of ATID – The Academy for Torah Initiatives and Directions in Jewish Education, in Jerusalem, and its WebYeshiva.org program. He is the Editor of the journal Tradition, Director of Research at the Agnon House in Jerusalem, and teaches at Midreshet Amudim. A three-time graduate of Yeshiva University (BA, MA, Semicha), Rabbi Saks has published widely on Jewish thought, education, and literature and served as Series Editor of The S.Y. Agnon Library at The Toby Press.

In this episode, Dr. Elana Stein Hain examines a unique pair of responsa by the Rambam (no. 160-161, Mechon Yerushalayim Ed.), which present a harrowing marital dispute from two opposing perspectives - one from the wife's point of view and the other from the husband's. By analyzing these two teshuvos, Dr. Stein Hain gets to the deeper meaning of the place for legal workarounds (ha'aramos) and how they actually help by maintaining the integrity of the halachic system.

In addition to his sha'atnez expertise, our guest, Rabbi Yirmiyah Moldovan, is a sofer, shochet, ba'al kriah, and ba'al tokeah. Through the prism of Igros Moshe (Y.D. 1:72), he delves into the obscure world of sha'atnez, exploring both the halachic issues and practical methods for determining which clothing ACTUALLY needs to be tested for the prohibited wool/linen admixture. 

To request Rabbi Moldovan's Sha'atnez and STa"M services, please email: [email protected]

In this episode, we sit down with Rabbi Asher Bush, a contemporary posek (Jewish legal authority), who offers a unique glimpse into the mind of a modern halachic decisor. Rabbi Bush shares his experiences and insights on how he navigates the complex challenges of the modern world while rendering halachic decisions. We touch on a host of topics from his responsa, Shoel B'Shlomo, including Health, Shabbos, Kashrus and Eretz Yisrael. 

Rabbi Bush's sefer can be purchased here:

https://oupress.org/product/shoel-bshlomo/

What happens when a posek steps into the realm of history? Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter, one of today's leading Jewish scholars, assesses the historical claims advanced in a late responsum of R. Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe, Y.D. 4:57:11) against instituting new fast days. R. Dr. Schacter raises several fundamental questions that arise from R. Feinstein's analysis. Chief among them - what happens when a halacha appears to be predicated on a historical error? 

In this episode, Rabbi Chaim Metzger explores the groundbreaking halachic rulings of Rav Shlomo Goren, a pioneer and previous Chief Rabbi of the Israeli Defense Forces, based on his sefer Meishiv Milchamah (no. 2). Through an analysis of Rav Goren's innovative rulings, Rabbi Metzger reveals how he navigated complex issues facing both the Israeli military and civilian life. His scholarly, yet controversial rulings have impacted the reception of his books, which we discuss toward the end of the show.

Rabbi David Fried explores how a responsum of the Rambam (Shu"T HaRambam, Mechon Yerushalayim Edition, No. 104) sheds light on ambiguities and seeming contradictions in his magnum opus, the Mishneh Torah. He demonstrates how reading the "original" responsum can possibly settle a debate between Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe, Y.D. 2:7) and Rav Aharon Kotler (Mishnas Rebbi Aharon 35:6) - which has implications for the entire enterprise of Brisker methodology.

In this episode, Rabbi Yossi Katz delves into the fascinating life and works of Rav Nosson Nota Zuber, a Talmudic scholar who served as the rabbi of Roselle, NJ. Through a general exploration of Rav Zuber's responsa contained in Zichron Menachem, Rabbi Katz reveals the remarkable rulings and insights made by this less-well-known, yet exceedingly erudite 20th century rabbinic figure. 

In this episode, Rabbi Tzvi Benoff explores the concept of Ona'as Mamon, a Jewish law regulating fair business practices and economic conduct. With a focus on Responsa Shevet HeLevi (O.C. 4:1), he delves into the nuances of this principle, discussing various approaches to its interpretation and application in contemporary economic life.