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Q&A 11-12-25 0:05

During the 9th month of pregnancy, it is the minhag for the husband to open the Aron Hakodesh. What is the source of this minhag?

3:10 In some Shuls the Aron Hakodesh is not in the same direction as the Beit Hamikdash, so in which direction should he daven?

6:25 Why is a black hat and jacket such an important uniform for some communities?

10:00 Is it allowed to live in the Judah Samaria area of Israel?

12:12 Why does Yeshivah put such a strong emphasis on Gemara? 16:40 What is meant by the statement that all the tragedies that occurr is because of the loss of the Beit Hamikdash? 23:10 Why don't religious Jews have dogs? 27:50 In Gemara Makkot it says that the 365 negative commandments in corresponding to 365 days in a year. Why did Hashem choose to link the commandments to a solar calendar, which we do not use? 33:37 How to love a fellow Jew who spreads lies of about the Jewish people? 41:15 Does a person have to work for a living when Mashiach comes? 45:32 What is the Halacha regarding Jews living on government assistance, for example Food stamps, medicaid, receiving help with heating/cooling costs, etc? Is it OK temporarily rely of government assistance or is it better to rely on our own communities when we need help? 51:45 It says the following generations will be on a lower level than the previous ones. Does this concept apply to Goyim? 55:05 Does Divine Providence apply to Goyim and is it similar to the Divine Providence that the Jews receive? 1:00:40 What does it mean when Chazal says "without Divine assistance we would not able to overcome our evil inclination"? 1:03:40 When Gedolim attribute tragedies to a certain reason how should we relate to this? 1:07:15 It says, R'Yochanan Ben Zakkai would always greet people first, even Goyim, should we be emulating this character trait? 1:09:40 Why do we sometimes suspend the rules of Torah in a time of crisis if the Torah is suppose to be perfect? 1:14:02 According to Halacha is it allowed to give capital punishment to a terrorist? 1:20:15 Is it good to go to the Mikveh on Erev Shabbat? 1:21:15 The Gemara says, that every blade of grass has angel that is station to hit it so that it will grow. Why does the blade of grass need an angel? 1:25:10 Is it possible to stop bullying? 1:31:00 What is the Rav's opinion on the Yanuka? 1:34:00 What is tumah and their applications? 1:39:40 Why are we bounded to the Shulchan Aruch and are not able to follow other Rishonim? 1:43:20 Why do we follow the Talmud Bavli over the Talmud Yerushalmi?

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PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

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Q&A 11-5-25

0:00 The Gemara says there is a kosher way to have any enjoyment in the world. How does that apply to the sin adultery? 1:40 Where will be the safest place to be during the war of Gog HaMagog? 8:55 If the Torah is infinite how can it be confined to a Sefer Torah/Tanach/Gemara which are finite? 15:05 Does Hashem care if we follow every intricate detail of the halacha? 29:35 If all blessing for the world comes through Shabbos, how do those who don't keep Shabbos receive that blessing? 31:27 Why are some poskim against wearing Sheitels? 38:40 Why do people need to daven? Many Jews and gentiles who don't pray are still successful, and it seems that the overall success rate is relative the same between someone who davens and someone who does not. 42:35 What does that mean that Eliyahu Navi didn't die? 46:10 What is the Jewish perspective on exercise? 49:12 Why does Hashem give us test that he knows we will not be able to pass? 51:21 Does bitachon mean only good things happen when you trust in Hashem? 55:37 In Iggeret Haramban, it says to honor wealthy person? Why? 1:00:52 How to advise a woman who becomes depressed during and after pregnancy? 1:04:13 How to look at and perceive the mayoral election in NYC? 1:08:16 Are the Avot considered the bnei Noah and can a Kohen go to Kever Machpelah? 1:13:03 Why do we hold the Akedat Yitzchak in such high regard, when it is just simply a command of Hashem? 1:14:10 Does Rabbi have any word about the passing Rabbi Ezra Neuberger ZT'L? 1:16:15 Is it good for the Jewish people to have a uniform? 1:22:00 Why do some people have long beards, but have short peyot? 1:24:00 Where does the concept of cutting a child's hair at 3 years old come from? 1:28:15 Does the concept of a "goyish" style of music exist, and if so, why and how does it work? 1:34:05 Can we learn from Avraham's battle with the five Kings that when we have close friend in trouble that doesn't involve us that we should involve ourself to help them?

📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs.

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Q&A 10-29-25 Q&A: Negiah, Kabbalah & Smartphones

0:00 Why don't we mention the sins/mistakes of modern Gedolim? 5:55 When a person speak lashon hara does he receive all of the sins of the person he spoke lashon hara about? 6:50 What's is the extent and details of the prohibition of shomer negiah? 15:09 How was it morally correct for the Israelites to conquer the land the Canaan from the Canaanite's? 29:40 Why is it when you daven you are required to wear shoes, but when Moshe was at the burning bush he was told to remove his shoes because he was in a holy place? 33:02 Mishnah in Pirke Avot says Hashem created tens things on erev Shabbat. Why did Hashem create them at that time? Why was Bilam's donkey created and this seems to contradict the Rambam who says the whole episode was a prophecy and not an actually occurrence? 37:20 Why is there so many different opinions regarding the resurrection of the dead? 46:10 Why do we daven silently today? 50:40 Why has it changed today that we are more open to learning the hidden parts of the Torah, when there was a reluctance in the engagement of this knowledge in the previous generations? 58:00 When a person die his marriage is severed and his wife is allowed to marry someone else. How would this apply during the resurrection of dead, will a person marry his same wife and what would happen if his wife married someone after he passed in his previous life? 1:01:00 Why is it that when the Kohen Gadol davens on Yom Kippur it seems he prays for trivial things during the auspicious time? 1:05:02 Why is it do we still eat cholent and gefilte fish when we don't live in those countries where this tradition originated? 1:09:50 Why is the religious community so against smart phones even with filters, while they are accepting of laptops? 1:14:53 Is whistling allowed and is there a source that whistling summons demons? 1:17:47 Why was there a disagreement between Avraham and Sarah regarding what to do with Yishmael and why do we learn from their disagreement that the wife is always right?

📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs.

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PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

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📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs.

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0:00 why are LED lights not ok on Shabbat for not being in the spirit of Shabbat? 7:30 do we have to be careful on Sun-Tues not to michshol secular Jews who don't say havdala in being mehalal Shabbat mederabban? 12:10 how do you know when a thought is coming from the yetzer hara or yetzer tov? 18:20 would Hashem want one to interrupt his tefilahs when an ani approaches him for tzedakah? 24:35 do we assume that disputable hashkafas that became accepted became so according to divine will? 29:00 when or how did lashon hakodesh come into use? 35:20 that modern phsychology avoids classifying human behavior by a yetzer hara or tov 47:15 does Hashem have desires but not needs? 47:30 why is the lashon in selichot very challenging? 52:30 The Ramban's view on the creation of matter? 54:10 is one held accountable for averahs that are beyond one's bechirah? 55:00 what's the idea behind the fact that the world survives on the merit of 36 tzadikim? 59:00 how did the avot metaken tefilot without a Sanhedrin? 1:02:50 regarding a maaseh in the Gemara about one half of a chavruta pair who decided to leave to make a parnaseh? 1:09:40 does G-d feel emotions and what does it mean for him to love? 1:13:20 why did Yehoshuah marry Rachav who used to be a prostitute? 1:16:45 did the Rav know Rav Moshe Hauer ztl?

Q&A 10-22-25

PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

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Q&A

0:00 is there a difference between taking anxiety medication and micro dosing on hallucinogenics 3:45 how do we balance separating ourselves from secular people with the need to make a kiddush Hashem 9:30 is there any religious purposes to psychedelics 16:00 to what extent are traditional Jews held accountable for not being shomer mitzvot 22:15 why does the lack of a bet hamikdash absolve secular Jews for not attaining clarity 26:05 why didn't the lubavich rebbe come to eretz yisrael 31:20 what is the criteria for something to become a minhag on the community 40:00 how is a physical attribute like lust that's necessary for human procreation be so destructive at the same time 45:50 what's the point of creating a world of challenges rather than a world of angels 52:15 what is das Torah and has it been changed over time 59:05 is fitness important to making oneself a vessel more suited to receiving holiness 1:01:55 why is order in nusach Ashkenaz of the 2nd ashrei of shacharit different on weekday Torah reading days vs on Shabbat 1:04:40 were the sefarim of neviim and ketuvim all canonized at the same time 1:50:20 why can't we make a shofar from a parah and was Oct 7 connected to not being able to blow shofar that year 1:11:00 if everyone is using AI to cheat on academics, does it become permissible to do likewise to avoid a disadvantage 1:14:20 how does one navigate halachic disagreements of whether one must daven the nusach of the minyan he's in 1:16:30 what does the Rav make of tzedakah organizations that promote alleged tzedakah habits of gedolei yisrael

Q&A 9-10-25

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📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs.

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Sponsored by Mark and Tammy Friedman and family in memory of the 1st yartzeit of their father Marshall Friedman, Mutyah Yechezkel ben Shimon.

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📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs.

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0:00 why do we allow Cohanim to duchan given the psak of Moshe Feinstein for a convert married to a cohen 5:50 does Halacha require Israel to release many of their prison inmates who were not convicted al pi halacha 13:40 how do we decipher bad simanim such as eating vinegar on Rosh Hashana 17:40 how is it that the planet sustains itself and yet is also damaged by what we do to it 23:05 addressing family problems privately vs publicly 28:55 can we learn from avraham, Yaakov, and David that silence is the best response to harsh outcomes 34:14 do we have a definite list of mitzvot that are purely chok 36:00 does the akedah teach us that human sacrifice is wrong 41:10 why is it important to attend Jewish philosophy classes here 44:00 does a phone that has a Torah app open allow you to rest it atop comparable sefarim to the one on the phone 46:40 is there utility to writing tehilim verses in a comic book 48:45 what were the steps between scribes and the modern printing press for sefarim 52:30 why is there no Gemara on perkei avot 56:00 can puberty blockers be given to special needs kids to prolong their cuteness so they receive more care and attention 1:00:35 how to avoid prohibiting things under the assumption of being magical that may later be discovered to have a scientific basis 1:06:50 what is the issue with the book The Making of a Gadol 1:13:10 why was it more dangerous for the Jews in the midbar to get a Brit Milah than Avraham who was an old man 1:16:30 how should the current generation learn about Elul in contrast to earlier ones where fear was more real 1:20:15 does one have to stop an audio shiur whenever passing by garbage on the street 1:21:50 how has the medical process of circumcision changed since its inception 1:24:20 should one engage with mysterious science

Q&A 9-3-25

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PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS

0:00 when do Amoraim and Rishonim argue on metzius? 21:20 should minhagim be determined by what your father does or by your own actions? 32:55 may ashkenazim rely on Sephardi hekshers in yerushalayim for eating meat? 35:15 is there a drawback to Hashem answering your prayers since the benefit you requested for is taken out of your Olam Haba? 37:50 what is the validity of the Zohar? 42:00 in contrast to the Canaanites, what was the sin of the current Ishmaelites to warrant their divine replacement for the Messianic era? 46:00 How do we explain Rashi al ha Riff and how to we identify the bale tosfos in the Gemara? 53:45 why did Torah study recently change about 200 years ago from learning practical halacha to understanding lamdus? 59:50 is kalabat malkut shamayim creating something new or acknowledging something that already exists? 1:01:50 do we know how Moshe was physically able to speak to the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael 1:04:25 since yirat shamayim gives more protection to one's Torah learning, would that lead to an advantage in chiddushim despite having a lower IQ 1:07:01 how can the Torah realistically tell us to refrain from having emotions such as in fear on the battlefield?

Episode dedicated by Moshe, Naftoli & Avigdor Streicher

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📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs.

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0:00 gedolim using aggressive language 4:00 how did the view of G-d switch to hashkacha pratis 12:30 was is the practical difference is between the Koach of tefilah and tehilim 20:00 teachings of geula 30:00 can one be yotzei kedusha without hearing the chazan 31:30 what caused the switch from Jewish poverty in shtetles to Jewish wealth 36:00 can the Rav speak on the mahloket on whether mitzvot need cavanah 47:30 can a slave master also be with non-Jewish women to make more slaves 1:04:20 why must we repeatedly be mochel those in a different gilgul every kriat shema alhamita, given that we also don't know them 1:05:50 should we believe that mashiach will come today every day despite the disappointment that may entail 1:10:15 are we mechiuv to follow traffic laws that are non-dangerous 1:12:00 what's the rationale for corbanot 1:16:00 since we need bachira to grow, then why should we want mashiach to come which would end that 1:21:00 what is the Torah view on the alleged miracles that Yashka performed 1:23:00 why does the shulhan aruch quote multiple opinions 1:26:50 how do we reconcile free will with divine providence 1:30:00 is slavery inherently bad 1:32:45 why does Jewish identity come through the mother and is Judaism both a nationality and religion 1:35:00 did Hashem create the world so we could be better off

(7-17-25)

Produced by: Cedar Media Studios

Episode generously dedicated by Anonymous lrefuah shelaima דנה דניאלה בת סוניה and for the safety of Eretz Yisroel and Jewish People everywhere.

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📍 About Yeshivat Ohr Somayach Located in the heart of Jerusalem, Ohr Somayach is a premier institution for young, English-speaking Jewish men. Whether you're new to Jewish learning or already proficient in Gemara and other original sources, we offer tailored programs to meet your needs.

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0:00 Explanation of pardes 2:35 is there a halachic basis for tucking out tzitzit as being gaivadic 4:50 what is gehenom like, does saying Kaddish do anything for a neshama that's already in olam haba 15:45 who is qualified to receive nevuah, are gerim eligible 21:45 what Torah laws are assur for goyim to keep, are they allowed to enforce halachic observance on Jews 30:00 since limud Torah is so excluded, why are women excluded and why are there discrepancies in learning talent 40:00 what criteria did Hashem use for selecting Bilam and Moshe 45:50 how do kiruv leaders of Jewish co-ed camps best maintain their shomer einayim and kedusha onsite 56:20 can you explain the vilna gon in saying that Torah will strengthen midot 1:00:40 why did Rav Ovadia matir heter mechira given that it is assur for non-Jews to own land in Eretz Yisrael 1:04:25 can you explain the recent daf yomi gemera instructing the right way to learn Torah 1:10:00 may Benei Torah maintain close friendships with non-Jews, does the sin of intermarriage apply to non-Jews 1:13:50 advice for Baal tshuvas struggling in conformity within the litvish system 1:18:40 is there anything going on today like a student initiative in Harvard 40 years ago in which married frum couples invited non religious students to their Shabbat meals 1:20:35 what's the Halacha if a Jew is forced to do avodah Zara and he does so without kavanah

(7-9-25)

PRODUCED BY: CEDAR MEDIA STUDIOS