Ematai’s podcast for rabbis who support their congregants through life's most sensitive moments. Join Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody to deepen your understanding of halachic and medical issues around end-of-life care with real-world halacha, medical realities, and rabbinic care. Each episode brings you practical guidance, expert insight, and thoughtful conversation, so you can be there when it matters most. To submit feedback or ask a question, reach out to [email protected] Learn more about Ematai’ ...
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Psak Podcasts
Asking For A Friend is a podcast where real life dilemmas meet clear, thoughtful Torah perspective. Hosted by Mena Reisner, each episode features conversations with Rabbi Zimmerman, Dayan Hool, or Dayan Posen, Rabbonim with decades of experience in mediation, dinei Torah, shidduchim, family dynamics, business disputes, and the complex situations people face every day. It’s not personal psak and it’s not a shiur. Just honest, grounded discussion on the issues people grapple with behind closed ...
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Sweet Halachah: Clear and Joyously Done: Often Based on the Psak of R' Eliezer Melamed's Pniney Halacha Also Based on the Dirshu Mishnah Berurah
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lways wanted to learn Mishnah Berura? Don't let it sit on the shelf for aesthetic purposes! Now you can learn the Mishneh Berura following the Dirshu cycle of an amud Yomi. The shiur will cover some background information, the Shulchan Aruch, Mishneh Berura, and select psakim from contemporary poskim. This podcast is powered for free by Torahcasts. Start your own forever free Torah podcast today at https://torahcasts.com/sign-up/ and share your Torah with the world.
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Bestselling authors William Bernhardt and Lara Bernhardt, with audiobook producer Jesse Ulrich, discuss the latest news from publishing, offer writing tips, and interview major authors, agents, editors, and other book-world professionals.
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Shiurim by Rabbi Aryeh Klapper and CMTL alums
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Shu"T First, Ask Questions Later puts the study of Torah front-and-center by inviting guest scholars to present, debate and provide listeners with a dynamic conversation of the topic at hand. In addressing the responsum of their choice, they will be asked to provide relevant historical background, distill the halachic/social considerations, offer unique methodological insights, and make an argument for its relevance today.
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Rav Shlomo Katz journeys through the halachot of Shabbat using the sefer Peninei Halakha by Rav Eliezer Melamed, weaving together clarity in psak with the depth of Chassidus and the soul of niggun. From candle lighting to last-minute preparations, from the halachic to the emotional—each episode is a doorway into a more alive, more rooted Shabbos. Whether you’re just beginning or relearning it all again, come enter the holiness of Shabbos from the inside out.
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The teachings of Torah are eternal but todays culture and society can be overwhelming. We presented application of the Great Teaching of our Torah Scholars.
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Migdal Dialogues is a forum to discuss important questions about life, philosophy, science, and Judaism. We will think through critical questions, focusing on the process of how we think as much as the conclusions we reach. In this way, we will extend our community beyond the confines of the Migdal HaTorah Beit Midrash. Get ready to expand your mind, nourish your intellect, and discover ideas at the cutting edge of Torah Judaism.
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Episode 6: Understanding Cyclical Treatments
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46:25In this episode of Refuah & Psak, Rabbi Brody speaks with Dr. Ernest Mandel, member of the Ematai medical advisory board and nephrologist about the halachic and medical nuances of cyclical treatments, with a focus on dialysis and vasopressors. They discuss how treatments that naturally start and stop differ from continuous interventions, and why th…
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90. Answers to Allentown: R' Solomon Krevsky and R' Abraham Isaac Kook - Feat. Dr. Noam Cohen
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52:29
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52:29As listeners might know, the host of this show, Moshe Kurtz, has the honor of serving as the rabbi of Congregation Sons of Israel in Allentown, PA. In this episode, he is joined by Dr. Noam Cohen, a professor at Muhlenberg College who will be teaching a course on the history of the Jews of Allentown. He shares with us a responsum (Orach Mishpat, #1…
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89. What Is and What Should Never Be (Published) - Feat. Dr. Yaakov Weinstein
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45:36Dr. Yaakov Weinstein shares with us how the Netziv (Meishiv Davar 1:24) and other prominent poskim addressed a request to prevent the publication of another rabbi's Torah and its implications for intellectual property. We also briefly discussed his Torah from Narnia blog at the end. https://torahfromnarnia.blogspot.com/…
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Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Janet Yeager, author of the high-tech thriller, Two Birds, One Stone. 0:00 Opening Thoughts How Writers Prep for the Holidays 4:51 News 1) Amazon Offers Free AI Foreign-Language Translations 2) …
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#1: Bringing Up Children in Today’s Generation: With Rabbi Zimmerman
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1:15:42
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1:15:42In the first episode of Asking for a Friend, Mena Reisner sits down with Rabbi Zimmerman to explore the questions shaping today’s Jewish childhood. Why are so many more children anxious? Has therapy become too normalised? Should parents be concerned about the sheer amount of instant frum entertainment? What should we make of teenagers constantly tr…
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88. The Art of the Ask: The Rashba's Approach to Fundraising - Feat. Rabbi Pinny Rosenthal
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38:48Rabbi Pinny Rosenthal, OU-JLIC's National Development Director, reveals a game-changing responsum of the Rashba (1:581) that informs how we understand the world of fundraising and Jewish philanthropy today.
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200th Anniversary Episode!!! with Will and Julia Bryan Thomas
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45:37Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Will Thomas, author of the Victorian-era Barker & Llewelyn mysteries, and Julia Bryan Thomas, author of five novels, most recently The Kennedy Girl. 0:00 Opening Thoughts The Best Memories from …
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Asking For A Friend is a new podcast from Kehillas Federation, exploring the real questions that come up in everyday life, in halacha, hashkafa, chinuch, relationships, community, and everything in between. Hosted by Mena Reisner, each episode features one of the Federation’s senior Dayonim, Rabbi S. F. Zimmerman, Dayan Posen, or Dayan Hool, offeri…
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Episode 5: What's the Difference Between Withholding & Withdrawing Treatment?
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48:52In 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…
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sample/demo for projected weekly shiur on Talmud Temurah according to Rashi
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87. Thanksgiving Revisited - Feat. Rabbi Michael J. Broyde
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49:34Rabbi Michael J. Broyde is the author of Jewish Law and the American Thanksgiving Celebration: Secular or Religious Holiday? He is the expert on all things Judaism and Thanksgiving related. So, naturally, we were excited to hear his perspectives in advance of the holiday. His book can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Law-American-Th…
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Capturing Media Attention for Your Book with Leah Paulos
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38:16Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Leah Paulos, the founder and leader of Press Shop PR, who for more than 25 years has helped promote top titles from major publishers. Note: Because the team was on the road, the sound quality of…
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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 …
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sample/demo for projected weekly shiur on Talmud Temurah according to Rashi
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Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars)and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Courtney Psak, author of the new thriller The Tutor. 0:00 Opening Thoughts The Crew talk about recent travels and debate whether Bill is tragically unhip. 4:23 News The All-Lawsuit Edition! 1) Ju…
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86. L'Shem Yichud on a Gett? - Feat. Rabbi Avi Kahan
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45:33
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45:33Should L'Shem Yichud be said before giving a gett (bill of divorce)? Should it be said before any mitzvah? What even is L'Shem Yichud in the first place? In this episode, Rav Avi Kahan discusses the Noda B'Yehuda's approach and contextualize it in the broader discourse. ---Rav Avi Kahan is a Dayan at the Vaad Hadin V’Horaah Beis Din, with over a de…
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Episode 3: Pain Medication at the End-of-Life
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32:51In 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…
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Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Sam J Miller and Mary Robinette Kuwal, both award-winning authors of one-half of a new science fiction "Saga Double." 0:00 Opening Thoughts How are you celebrating Halloween? 05:03 News 1) Lawsu…
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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…
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Episode 1: Maximizing Rabbi/Physician Communication
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53:41
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53:41In 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…
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Christmas in October with Shanna Hatfield
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32:58
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32:58Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Shanna Hatfiled, the author of more than one hundred novels about her new Christmas novel, The Bridge. 0:00 Opening Thoughts Welcome to Season Five of the WriterCon Podcast! We're going to reach…
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LIVE from WriterCon 2025: The Joy of Writing
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31:41This episode was recorded LIVE at WriterCon 2025 on August 31, 2025. Our fifth season will begin next week. See you there! Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Laurie L Dove (Mask of the Deer Woman) and Nova McBee (Calculated), the keynote speakers for WriterCo…
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85. Umbrellas and the Austerity Gospel - Feat. Rabbi Elli Fischer
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56:22We welcome back Rabbi Elli Fischer who regales us with his historical detective work to piece together an angle to the 18th-19th century umbrella controversy that most readers miss when they study the Noda B'Yehuda (vol. 2, O.C. #30) and Chasam Sofer (O.C. #72). Our discussion serves a perfect case study for how responsa not only inform the study o…
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84. Rabbi Lamm and Rabbi Gifter: The Reality of Their Relationship - Feat. Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Sinensky
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18:25Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Sinensky is Director of the Lamm Legacy Project and Director of Judaic Studies at Main Line Classical Academy. We wish him a mazal tov on the re-launch of the new and improved Lamm Legacy Archives. And to celebrate it, we are sharing this special bonus episode. To browse the archives, click here: https://lammlegacy.org/…
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83. A Paradigm Shift in Palliative Care - Feat. Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner
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41:30Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner joins the podcast to discuss a new paradigm in palliative care, one that redefines the conversation around end-of-life decisions. This episode explores how two of today's most respected halachic authorities, Rav Asher Weiss and Rav Hershel Schachter, have provided rulings that completely change the game. Rabbi Dr. Weiner unpa…
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Intro Episode: Understanding Medical Terms
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39:13
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39:13Welcome 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…
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"Have a Fulfilling LIfe—Then Write About It" with Candace Kade
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27:54
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27:54Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Candace Kade, the author of The Hybrid series, a YA sci-fi trilogy. 00:00 Opening Thoughts LAST CALL for WriterCon 2025 at the Skirvin Hilton in OKC over Labor Day weekend, August 29-September 1. Over 60 speakers and over 10…
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Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Sydney Pruett, a therapist who helps authors make their characters (fiction and nonfiction) psychologically compelling and consistent. 00:00 Opening Thoughts WriterCon is almost here! Come join the best writers conference in…
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Romantasy & Fairy Tales with Abigail O'Bryan
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34:53Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Abigail O'Bryan, who recently released her first novel, Iron Rose—a dark YA reimagining of Beauty & the Beast meets Hunger Games. 0:00 Opening Thoughts You are cordially invited to WriterCon, our annual writers conference, t…
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82. Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm's Halachic Heroism - Feat. R. Dr. Tzvi Sinensky
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52:24Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Sinensky shares with us the scholarship of Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, who was a leading figure in Modern Orthodoxy known for his ability to bridge traditional Jewish law with contemporary thought. R. Dr. Sinensky highlights a particularly challenging case that he addressed: whether a kohanim who did not observe Shabbos could duchen (perf…
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4th and final episode of "Reading Yirmiyahu as a Religious Zionist"
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Reading Yirmiyah as a Religious Zionist Part 3
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Fourth and last in the series "How Halakhah Learns About Reality"
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18. Lighting Shabbos Candles When You Are A Guest
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19:11If 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…
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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
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16. Do We Light Before Blessing on the Candle?
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15:37There’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…
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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…
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14. Why Are Women The Ones Who Light The Shabbos Candles?
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18:04Why 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
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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…
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12. Can You Daven Mincha After Accepting Shabbos?
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28:10What 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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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8. Irrigation System, Shabbos Clocks & Cruises
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35:55When 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
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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…
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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
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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…
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Summer Beit Midrash shiur in honor of Rabbi Jason Strauss at Cong. Kadima- Toraa Moshe
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4. Keeping Shabbos by Preparing for Shabbos
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33:19If 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…
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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…
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