What are the halachot and customs of the first steps of a wedding, from reception, to bedecken, to processional, to how the chuppa is made?

Transcript and sources here: https://www.deracheha.org/wedding-ceremony-1/ 

To sponsor an episode email us at deracheha@gmail.com 

What are the halachot and customs of the wedding day, from mikveh, to fasting, to the dress and accessories? May a couple see each other prior to the wedding?

Transcript and sources here: https://www.deracheha.org/the-wedding-day/ 

To dedicate an episode email us at deracheha@gmail.com 

What is kevod ha-tzibbur? How does this apply to the prospect of women reading from the Torah? Can it be waived or pushed aside?

Transcript and sources here: https://www.deracheha.org/keriat-ha-torah-3-kevod-ha-tzibbur/

To dedicate an episode of Kol Deracheha email us at deracheha@gmail.com

Today we're going to continue our series on prayer. We've already discussed the general obligation of women in prayer, including shemoneh esrei, the prayers we say immediately upon waking up, and birkot hashachar. In this week's podcast we're going to zoom in and take a closer look at the first 3 brachot of birkot hashachar. 

To see all the sources referenced in today's podcast, check out the full article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-5-she-lo-asani-isha-she-asani-kirtzono/

This week is the fourth installment in our series on prayer. We've already discussed the general obligation of women in prayer, including shemoneh esrei, and the prayers we say immediately upon waking up. In this week's podcast we are going to talk about what follows the initial berachot, namely, the recitation of bikot hashachar.

To see all the sources referenced in today's podcast, check out the full article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-4-birchot-ha-shachar/ 

This episode continues our eight part series on prayer. We've already discussed the general obligation of women in prayer, including shemoneh esrei, and now we're going to start from the beginning, discussing the prayers we say immediately upon waking up. In this episode we will discuss why we start our day the way we do, and the specific question of whether women are obligated in the birchot hatorah.

To see all the sources referenced in today's podcast, check out the full article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-3-upon-arising/ 

Last week we spoke about women's obligation in prayer in general. This week we'll focus on shemoneh esrei specifically. Do women have an obligation to recite Shemoneh Esrei? How many times a day? Are there justifications for women who recite fewer than two shemoneh esreis a day? We'll discuss all the different halachic approaches to this question, taking into account the different lived experiences of women at different periods in their lives. 

To see all the sources referenced in today's podcast, check out the full article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-2-shemoneh-esrei/

In this podcast, the first of our series on women's prayer, we'll identify prayer as "rachamei", seeking divine mercy. We'll discuss the various opinions about whether the obligation to pray daily is Biblical or Rabbinic, and how that relates to women's obligation in prayer. 

To see all the sources referenced in this episode, check out the article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-1-obligation/

Challa, candle-lighting and nidda are three mitzvot in which women's performance takes precedence over men's. Taken together, what do they teach us about women and halacha?

In our last podcast we discussed the general value of voluntary mitzva performance. This week we're discussing whether it's appropriate to make a beracha when voluntarily performing a mitzva. We'll discuss the purpose of a birkat hamitzva, the possible concerns with reciting one in this case, and the differences in practical halacha for Ashkenazim and Sefardim.

Read the full article here: https://www.deracheha.org/beracha-on-voluntary-performance/

May a woman perform mitzvot voluntarily? The test case is Smicha or semikhah (Hebrew: סמיכה‬, "leaning [of the hands]"), also smichut (סמיכות‬, "ordination"), smicha lerabbanut (סמיכה לרבנות‬, "rabbinical ordination"), or smicha lehazzanut (סמיכה לחזנות‬, "cantorial ordination"), is derived from a Hebrew word which means to "rely on" or "to be authorized".

Why are women generally exempt from positive time-bound mitzvot? We'll discuss the rule, exceptions, and possible rationales, including whether these explanations are "just apologetics".

After establishing in our previous podcast than men and women are viewed as having equal sanctity in Judaism, we'll explore the halachic obligations of men and women - when are they the same and when are they different? We'll discuss rules of thumb for gender differences in halacha, and how we're meant to understand these differences. 

What purpose do the berachot over keri'at ha-Torah serve, how are they structured, and who can say them? What is the role of the modern ba'al korei? What is the halachic standing of all-women's readings?

Was gender hierarchy built into creation? Are men and women really created equal? All this, and more, in the first of our three-part series on women's status in Judaism

Join us as we speak to Shayna Goldberg, contributing editor at Deracheha, about how Torah influences her life and what she envisions for her students. 

What areas of Torah may, and should, a woman study? And how? In this episode we'll discuss different modern approaches to women studying Oral Torah, from those who approve on a limited basis, to those who believe it's an absolute imperative at this stage in time.

To read the sources mentioned in this episode, click here https://www.deracheha.org/learning-torah-4-what-to-study/

What early opportunities developed for women's formal Torah study? On what halachic basis?

To read the sources mentioned in this episode, click here https://www.deracheha.org/learning-torah-3-openings/

What is a woman's obligation in Torah study? The Talmud teaches that women are exempt from the Torah-level obligation to learn or teach Torah. What does this mean women should actually do? In this episode we'll explore opinions that approve or disapprove of a father teaching Torah to his daughter, and discuss how this influences the obvious obligation for women to know basic halacha in order for them to practice as observant Jews.

To read more about the sources mentioned in this episode, click here https://www.deracheha.org/learning-torah-2-obligation/

What is the mitzvah of learning Torah? Does it apply to women? In this episode we'll see that the definition of Talmud Torah is more broad than we might have thought, although women are exempt from studying Torah in a formal way. 

To read the sources mentioned in this episode, click here https://www.deracheha.org/learning-torah/

Join us as we meet Laurie Novick, Deracheha's Site Director, and learn more about her goals for the site. We'll discuss everything from favorite holidays to the ways Deracheha is changing the conversation around the role women play in transmitting halacha. Trust us, you don't want to miss this conversation!

Want to read more about women and halacha? Click here https://www.deracheha.org/concepts-introduction/

Why is it important for women to engage directly with halachic texts? In this introduction to Deracheha we'll discuss the different ways Jewish tradition can be transmitted, and the role Jewish women have played in that transmission throughout Jewish history. 

To read the sources mentioned in this episode, click here https://www.deracheha.org/concepts-introduction/

How did keri'at ha-Torah develop? What is the nature of the obligation? Are women obligated to hear it? What would be the implications for the possibility of women reading the Torah?

Transcript and sources here: https://www.deracheha.org/keriat-ha-torah-1-the-reading/

To dedicate an episode of Kol Deracheha email us at deracheha@gmail.com

How did the custom of dancing with a Sefer Torah on Simchat Torah come about? How can women celebrate during the hakafot?

Transcript and sources here: https://www.deracheha.org/dancing-with-torah/

To sponsor an episode, email us at deracheha@gmail.com 

How should a Sefer Torah be treated? Who is permitted to handle it?

What is the mitzva of dwelling in a sukka? To whom does it apply? In what ways does it relate to women?

Sources and transcript here: https://www.deracheha.org/sukkot-2-sukka/

Sponsor an episode of Kol Deracheha by emailing us at deracheha@gmail.com 

What is the mitzva of taking arba'at ha-minim on Sukkot? Who takes arba'at ha-minim? What are the halachot of Hoshanot, and how do they apply to women?

Transcript and sources here: https://www.deracheha.org/sukkot-1-lulav/

To sponsor an episode of Kol Deracheha email us at deracheha@gmail.com

Is it permissible to remove makeup on Shabbat? How can a woman handle makeup when she needs to immerse on Shabbat?

Transcript and sources: https://www.deracheha.org/cosmetics-on-shabbat-4-makeup-removal-and-mikveh/

To sponsor an episode of Kol Deracheha email us at deracheha@gmail.com 

How do traditional texts relate to makeup? Is it permissible to apply makeup on Shabbat? What about Shabbat powder makeup?

May one apply scented or enriched products on Shabbat? What are the parameters of using skincare products for healing on Shabbat?

Transcipt and sources available here: https://www.deracheha.org/cosmetics-on-shabbat-2-scent-and-healing/

To sponsor an episode of Kol Deracheha email us at Deracheha@gmail.com 

What are Sheva Berachot and what role do they serve? Who can recite them?

What consistencies of skincare or haircare products—oils, creams, etc.—are permissible to apply on Shabbat?

Click here for the transcript and sources: https://www.deracheha.org/cosmetics-on-shabbat-1-types-of-product/

To dedicate an episode of Kol Deracheha email us at deracheha@gmail.com 

What are the halachot of managing menstrual pain, cleaning off blood, and using menstrual products on Shabbat?

Link to transcript and sources: https://www.deracheha.org/menstruation-and-shabbat/ 

To sponsor an episode of Kol Deracheha email us at deracheha@gmail.com

What is the mitzva of havdala? Are women obligated in it? May a woman recite havdala for herself or others?

Link to transcript and sources here: https://www.deracheha.org/havdala/

To dedicate an episode email deracheha@gmail.com

What is the nature of the obligation to eat on Shabbat and Yom Tov? How does it apply to women? Who can make ha-motzi? Where do seuda shelishit and melaveh malka fit in?

Episode transcipt and sources here: https://www.deracheha.org/shabbat-and-yom-tov-meals/

To sponsor an episode of Kol Deracheha email deracheha@gmail.com

At what time do we light candles? How does this relate to accepting Shabbat? What is the optimal procedure for lighting?

Transcript and sources available here: https://www.deracheha.org/candle-lighting-2/

To sponsor an episode of Kol Deracheha email deracheha@gmail.com

What is the mitzva of Lighting Shabbat and Yom Tov candles? Who lights? Where?

Transcript and sources available at https://www.deracheha.org/candle-lighting-1/

To sponsor an episode of Kol Deracheha email deracheha@gmail.com

In this episode we discuss the halachic significance of bat mitzva and how should it be observed or celebrated.

Full article available here: https://www.deracheha.org/bat-mitzva/

• In this episode we discuss what is chinuch for mitzvot, who is obligated, and at what stage.
• Dedicated by Sarah Kenigsberg Le-ilui Nishmat Chaya Miriam Bat Kasriel.
• Full article available here: https://www.deracheha.org/chinuch/

In this episode, we discuss our personal inspirations and approaches to chinuch for our children.

Article on Chinuch available here: https://www.deracheha.org/chinuch/

In this episode we discuss when we need a mechitza or gender separation outside of prayer.

To read all the sources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.deracheha.org/mechitza-3-separation-in-society/

What is the ketuba? What are its contents and purpose?

Transcript and sources here: https://www.deracheha.org/ketuba/

To dedicate an episode of Kol Deracheha email us at deracheha@gmail.com

In this episode we discuss the structural requirements for a mechitza and whether the ezrat nashim's structure has a halachic effect on prayers said within it.

Find all the sources discussed in this episode on our website here: https://www.deracheha.org/mechitza-2-structure/

In this episode we discuss the purpose of mechitza and why gender separation is a part of prayer.

This episode is dedicated in honor of Ilana Abramson's birthday by her daughter, Raphaela.

Full article available here: https://www.deracheha.org/mechitza-1-purpose/

In part 2 of our megilla reading podcast we discuss who constitutes a quorum for megilla reading, and whether women may read for herself and others.

Read all the sources here: https://www.deracheha.org/megilla-reading/

In this episode we discuss the nature of women's obligation in megilla reading and the brachot recited. Part 2 will discuss who constitutes a quorum for megilla reading, and who a woman may read for.

Read more in our article here: https://www.deracheha.org/megilla-reading/

In this episode we dicuss women and tefilla be-tzibbur. Specifically, what is the nature of communal prayer? What is the role of Shaliach Tzibbur, and who can fill it? What is the significance of women's participation?

Click here for the full article: https://www.deracheha.org/tefilla-be-tzibbur/

This episode was dedicated in memory of Michael ben Yosef Halevi Lebenbaum

In this episode we address some fundamental questions about minyan.

What is a minyan and what is it for? Who does and doesn't count toward a minyan, and why?

To read all the sources mentions in this podcast, head to https://www.deracheha.org/minyan/

In this short episode, Rachel goes behind the scenes with Laurie to discuss Deracheha's most recent article on menstruation and Shabbat. Learn what made writing this article so challenging, what surprised Laurie as she was writing it, and what's next on Deracheha's to-do list.

To read the article, click here: www.deracheha.org/menstruation-and-shabbat/