Jpmedia: Responsa Radio

I want to be more observant. Where do I start? Rav Avi and Rav Eitan reflect on this important question as they also celebrate our 100th episode! In honor of our 100th episode, over the next few weeks we will be updating and re-releasing some of our favorite episodes ever. Stay tuned!

Why might cheese not be kosher even if all the ingredients are? What does this say about relationships between Jews and non-Jews today?

For centuries, the process of halakhah has relied on a rabbi or posek, someone who is learned in Jewish texts, who has trained for years to be a resource for our halakhic questions. But now, with the release of large language models like ChatGPT, I'm wondering: is the human interaction an essential part of the halakhic process, or can I get my halakhic answers from an AI chatbot?

If I find myself at a large Hanukkah party or a communal gathering where Hanukkah candles are lit, do I still need light when I get home? If I do, is it okay to say the blessing two times? What if I said the blessing at Ma'ariv while leading the service? Does it matter how late I'm getting home?Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org.

My shul has started reciting extra Tehilim and adding the Mi SheBerakh for captives. I've heard that some communities in Israel are saying Avinu Malkeinu every day, even on Shabbat. Is that something we should be doing? How should we be thinking about liturgical changes right now? How will we know when it's time to stop saying Tehilim?Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org.

What is our obligation to redeem captives from a halakhic perspective? How far does this obligation extend and are there limits? Email us at responsa@hadar.org if you have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio.

There's a new community that just started in my neighborhood and I want to check them out but I heard they use instruments during their Shabbat service. What is the problem with instruments on Shabbat? What are the factors I should think about when working out if I want to attend this service?

I live in Australia and I have a Zoom call with someone in the UK. The call is scheduled at 9:00 PM for me and 12:00 PM for them - it is therefore not Shabbat for me but *is* Shabbat for them. Do I have to reschedule this Zoom call? Am I allowed to be involved with someone else doing violating Shabbat when I'm not doing anything wrong at all?

I have a blue tallit with white tzitzit. Someone recently told me that the tallit is supposed to be white. Is this true? Do I have to go out and get a white tallit?Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org.

After learning about green burials and mushroom death suits, I’m wondering about halakhic implications of such burials. It seems to me that such methods for burial uphold the charge to go up to the dust even better than traditional burial where the body remains intact in a casket or even sometimes in a concrete box for a very long time. Should all Jews switch to a mushroom burial?Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org.

I was recently at a sporting event where the line to exit the bathroom took close to five minutes. How long following an action or event requiring a berakhah can you still make the berakhah? How does one behave while waiting for the opportunity if you are conscious of the fact that you need to make the berakhah but are temporarily unable and what ultimately severs the connection to the berakhah?Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org.

If I spend Passover with family members who don't kasher their kitchens for the holiday can I eat kosher for Passover food from their pots or dishes? Is there room for leniency because they're my family? What if my roommates want to use non-kosher for Passover dishes and products? How can we share the kitchen? 

Can I use ingredients like spices, pure dried fruit, oil, or nut butter, without Passover certification on Passover? Are there ingredients you can use without a certification?Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org.

It is common in some shuls for the family of the Bnei Mitzvah to say Shehehiyyanu at some point during the Shabbat service. What is the function of Shehehiyyanu in this context?Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org.

On a previous episode (Can You Make Seltzer on Shabbat? Responsa Radio #80), you mentioned that there is room to be lenient on the rules of food preparation when welcoming guests on Shabbat. Is that the really the case? If so, what are the limits?Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org.

The Shema is one of the most important prayers in Judaism, which is supposed to be recited when we go to sleep and when we wake up. But it's also part of the liturgy for morning and evening prayers. Which is more important? How many times a day should we be saying Shema?Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org.

As a veterinary technology student, I'm struggling with ethics of the use of animals in biomedical research. How does the halakhic concept of avoiding pain experienced by living things -  tza'ar ba'alei hayyim - inform the treatment of animals in modern research? And is there a Jewish way to mark the death of animal outside of ritual slaughter?Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org.

Content warning: this episode discusses suicide.As an oncologist, I am often asked for guidance as patients approach end-of-life. To what extent am I obligated to encourage patients to continue life-prolonging treatment? How much does their quality of life matter? Am I allowed to mention physician-assisted suicide? Does anything if the patient is Jewish?Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org.

I recently heard the idea that if the reason behind a rabbinic ruling (gezeirah) becomes irrelevant, because the surrounding factors are no longer applicable, the decree no longer applies. This sounds like it could undermine a lot of halakhah in modern times. What is the definition of this concept how and when can it be applied? Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org.

We have an obligation to give tzedekah and care for those in need. At the same time, life is expensive and often requires having savings. Is it wrong to save money when others are suffering?