Ep. 73 - Ask Away! #22: Mevushal Wine, Hasidic Hats and Mikvah Magic [The Q&A Series]

Everyday Judaism · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe

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6d ago 1:08:01

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Episode 22 of Ask Away dives into kosher, mikvah, and customs, with 18 questions from Benjamin (NY) and in-person queries. Rabbi Wolbe addresses antisemitism’s rise as a call to prioritize Temple/exile awareness, urging discomfort for closeness to Hashem.

Key themes:

Kosher Details: Spleen/liver differences, roasting liver, gid hanasheh (sciatic nerve) removal, fish blood rinsing (1:03–3:03, 39:54–40:37, 1:06:47–1:07:20).
Mevushal Wine: Pasteurized kosher wine safe for non-Jew touch; non-mevushal fine sealed, invalid post-opening if touched (20:50–26:24, 39:09–39:54).
Mikvah: Pools valid with 40 se’ah rainwater (biblical for women); showers/bathtubs for men (tisha kavim); blessings for women/utensils (al hat’vilah), not men; conversion TBD (42:45–56:58).
Shabbos Candles/Prayers: Personal requests OK (18 minutes early); general prayers (e.g., Sim Shalom) fine, but no specifics on Shabbos—use intent (31:52–36:38).
Dishwasher: Separate or hand-wash; hot water transfers taste (33:03–34:43).
Organ Donation/DNR: Living OK (mitzvah); post-mortem complex; DNR permissible if pain excruciating, after rabbinic consult (18:35–20:47).
Hasidic Dress: Emotional inspiration (Baal Shem Tov); uniqueness (Tzitzis’ free strings); don’t judge—focus on Chessed (Hatzalah example) (3:04–16:13).
Behab (Fasting): Custom post-Pesach/Sukkot for atonement (lashon hara); uncommon, sunrise to stars (1:03:33–1:05:02).
613 Mitzvot: 248 positive (limbs), 365 prohibitions (days); total 613—no sequence significance (58:40–59:07).

Please submit your questions at [email protected]

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The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way.
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This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen Lerner

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This episode (Ep. #73) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!

Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on October 26, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on November 12, 2025
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Keywords:
#AskAway, #Torah, #Halacha, #Q&A, #Jewish, #Traditions, #Law, #DietaryLaws, #Liver, #Blood, #Clothing, #GoldenAge, #Salt, #Mikvah, #Conversion, #Tefillin, #Shabbat, #Mitzvah, #Gratitude

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