Best Halachic Guidance Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 5: What's the Difference Between Withholding & Withdrawing Treatment? 48:52

Play Pause

2d ago48:52

48:52

In this episode of Refuah & Psak, Rabbi Brody speaks with Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner, senior consultant at Ematai as well as the executive director of the Spiritual Care Department at Cedars – Sinai in Los Angeles, about the halachic and ethical distinction between withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatments. They explore how Jewish law, sec…

1
Episode 4 : Understanding DNI 42:16

18h ago42:16

42:16

In this episode of Refuah & Psak, Rabbi Shlomo Brody speaks with Dr. Jonah (Yonah) Rubin, Ematai medical advisory board member and pulmonary and critical care physician at Mass General Hospital, about the medical and halachic complexities surrounding DNI (“do not intubate”) orders. Dr. Rubin explains the full spectrum of oxygen support, from nasal …

1
Episode 3: Pain Medication at the End-of-Life 32:51

22d ago32:51

32:51

In this episode of Refuah v’Psak, Rabbi Brody is joined by Ematai medical advisory board member and palliative care physician Dr. Moshe Cohen to demystify the halachic and medical concerns around pain management at the end-of-life. From addiction fears to end-of-life sedation, they explore how pain management at the end-of-life is not only possible…

1
Episode 2: Understanding DNR 38:13

2M ago38:13

38:13

In this episode of Refuah & Psak, Rabbi Shlomo Brody speaks with speaks with Dr. Jonah (Yonah) Rubin, Ematai medical advisory board member and pulmonary and critical care physician at Mass General Hospital, about the medical and halachic considerations surrounding DNR (“Do Not Resuscitate”) orders. Dr. Rubin explains what CPR includes and that succ…

1
Episode 1: Maximizing Rabbi/Physician Communication 53:41

2M ago53:41

53:41

In this episode of Refuah & Psak, Rabbi Brody speaks with Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt, Ematai rabbinic advisory board member and Chairman of Medicine and Chief of Infectious Diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau, and a medical halacha authority—about how rabbis can most effectively communicate with physicians to guide families through complex medical situ…

1
Intro Episode: Understanding Medical Terms 39:13

3M ago39:13

39:13

Welcome to Refuah & Psak, Ematai’s podcast for rabbis who support their congregants through life’s most sensitive moments.In this special introductory episode, Ematai associate director, Rachel Secunda PA-C, takes listeners on an imagined tour of the ICU with Dr. Jonah (Yonah) Rubin, Ematai medical advisory board member and pulmonary and critical c…

1
18. Lighting Shabbos Candles When You Are A Guest 19:11

4M ago19:11

19:11

If you're staying at someone else’s home or a hotel, do you still light Shabbos candles? And if you do… should you make a bracha? Rav Shlomo Katz explores the halachic layers of being an ore’ach—a guest—and whether lighting in someone else’s space fulfills the mitzvah of hadlakat nerot. Drawing from Peninei Halakha, the Shulchan Aruch, the Rema, an…

1
17. Neon Shabbos Lights 23:20

4M ago23:20

23:20

Can Shabbos candles be electric? What about fluorescent bulbs or LED lights? Rav Shlomo Katz dives into the halachic and spiritual criteria for fulfilling the mitzvah of Hadlakat Nerot. What qualifies as a kosher Shabbos light, and why?By Rav Shlomo Katz

1
16. Do We Light Before Blessing on the Candle？ 15:37

4M ago15:37

15:37

There’s a beautiful dance at candle-lighting time, but who leads first: the flame or the blessing? Rav Shlomo Katz explores the two primary minhagim surrounding the order of lighting Shabbos candles and reciting the bracha. Why do some light first and others bless first? What’s the deeper reasoning behind each approach? And how does this moment whi…

1
15. How Many Candles Do I Light？ 15:01

4M ago15:01

15:01

Is one candle enough, or should you light one for every member of your household? Rav Shlomo Katz explores the halachic foundations and evolving customs behind Shabbos candle lighting. From the Mishnah in Bameh Madlikin to the teachings of Peninei Halakha, we look at how oil, wicks, and even Shalom Bayis all play a part in the flame. We also unpack…

1
14. Why Are Women The Ones Who Light The Shabbos Candles？ 18:04

4M ago18:04

18:04

Why is the mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles traditionally given to women, and where should the candles be lit? Rav Shlomo Katz learns from Peninei Halakha the deeper reason behind women’s role in lighting Shabbos candles, and the practical halachos that come with it.By Rav Shlomo Katz

1
13. Lighting Shabbos Candles 10:00

4M ago10:00

10:00

Where did the mitzvah of lighting Shabbos candles come from? Rav Shlomo Katz learns from Peninei Halakha about the origins and halachic purpose of this cherished obligation. More than just a tradition, lighting candles brings shalom bayit, oneg, and kavod Shabbat into the home, transforming the atmosphere and marking the sacred transition from week…

1
12. Can You Daven Mincha After Accepting Shabbos? 28:10

4M ago28:10

28:10

What happens if you accept Shabbos early, but haven’t davened Mincha yet? Can you still pray a weekday Mincha after taking on Tosefet Shabbos? Rav Shlomo Katz walks us through the dance between Torah law and rabbinic law, intention and obligation, personal timing and communal practice. From the flickering candles of Friday afternoon to the timing o…

1
11. My Word Means Something 23:02

4M ago23:02

23:02

What is the proper way to acknowledge Tosefet Shabbat and actually make it real? Rav Shlomo Katz learns from Peninei Halakha how taking in Shabbos early isn’t just about lighting candles or watching the clock. It’s about intention, declaration, and honoring the power of your own word. Because when you say, “It’s Shabbos now,” it becomes Shabbos. An…

1
10. Tosefes Shabbos 21:00

4M ago21:00

21:00

Is adding onto Shabbos a luxury or an obligation? Rav Shlomo Katz learns from Peninei Halakha about the mitzvah of Tosefes Shabbos—extending the boundaries of holiness by welcoming Shabbos in early and saying goodbye a little later. We explore the halachic sources behind this practice and uncover its deeper meaning: how a few extra minutes can tran…

1
9. When Does Shabbos Begin？ 27:24

4M ago27:24

27:24

The moment Shabbos begins isn’t as simple as sunset. Rav Shlomo Katz learns from Peninei Halakha about the halachic weight of twilight—bein hashmashot—and how it shapes the way we welcome in the holy day. We explore how this in-between time carries deep significance, both legally and spiritually. Because knowing when Shabbos begins helps us know ho…

1
8. Irrigation System, Shabbos Clocks & Cruises 35:55

4M ago35:55

35:55

When it comes to Shabbos clocks, going on cruises, & even watering your garden, the world of Halacha provides for us a beautiful way of honoring Shabbos.By Rav Shlomo Katz

1
7. A Holy Friday Afternoon 21:29

4M ago21:29

21:29

Rav Shlomo Katz learns from Peninei Halakha about the do’s and don’ts of Erev Shabbat: what we should avoid in the final hours before candle lighting, and what we’re meant to embrace. Because how we transition into Shabbos sets the tone for everything that follows. When approached with intention, even the busiest Erev Shabbat becomes part of the ho…

1
6. Last Minute Preparations 16:11

4M ago16:11

16:11

Rav Shlomo Katz continues learning Peninei Halakha and covers the halachot and practical guidelines around last-minute preparations for Shabbos—what’s permitted, what to be careful with, and how to enter Shabbos with presence, even when time is short.By Rav Shlomo Katz

1
5. Borrowing Money for My Oneg Shabbos 19:17

4M ago19:17

19:17

How far should you go to honor Shabbos? I Rav Shlomo Katz explores the halachic and emotional tension between wanting to give Shabbos everything and being honest about our financial reality. Drawing from Peninei Halakha, the Rambam, and the words of Chazal, we learn when borrowing for Oneg Shabbos is a mitzvah, and when it crosses the line into fal…

1
4. Keeping Shabbos by Preparing for Shabbos 33:19

4M ago33:19

33:19

If Shabbos is a taste of Gan Eden, why does Friday afternoon so often feel like Gehinom? Rav Shlomo Katz explores how proper preparation is not just helpful, it’s halacha. Drawing from Peninei Halakha, we learn how getting ready for Shabbos is part of keeping Shabbos itself, and how small shifts during the week can bring peace, presence, and joy in…

1
3. A Day for Soul Expression 23:01

4M ago23:01

23:01

Why do our Sages consider Shabbos to be a taste of the World to Come? Because on Shabbos, the soul finally gets to speak. In this episode, Rav Shlomo Katz learns through Peninei Halakha to uncover how Shabbos gives voice to the neshama—a day when we pause the noise, the chase, and the pressure, and make space for what’s eternal. Shabbos is about re…

1
2. Remembering Shabbos During the Week 29:42

4M ago29:42

29:42

Shabbos doesn’t start on Friday night. It starts on Sunday. Rav Shlomo Katz learns through Peninei Halakha to show how the mitzvah of “Zachor et Yom HaShabbat”—remembering Shabbos—actually applies to every day of the week. Whether it’s how we speak, plan, shop, or prepare, each day draws meaning from the Shabbos it leads to. With insights from the …