A weekly halacha podcast from the Lemaan Yilmedu Institute, featuring Rabbi Yosef Y. Braun, Mara D’asra of Crown Heights, who shares fascinating, real-life halachic questions that reach his desk—together with the clear rulings he gave in each case.
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Can I cause a car to stop for me on Shabbos?
Episode 1
Thursday, January 29, 2026 • Duration 32:18
Episode #01:
Is there a halachic problem when the lines of a mezuza (and by extension tefillin and sefer Torah) are not exactly parallel, gradually becoming wider or narrower, and how many such lines constitute an issue?
May one rely on correcting such non-parallel lines (e.g., by stretching or shrinking letters) without creating a problem of shelo kesidran?
How should one deal with the halacha of not giving food to someone who will not make a Bracha when this concerns non-frum siblings or guests, and what are acceptable solutions?
Is it appropriate to use a large amount of water for Netilas Yadayim (washing “b’shefa”), or is this considered excess, gaavah, or bal tashchis in contemporary circumstances?
When walking on Shabbos in the street, is there any prohibition in causing a car (even driven by a Jew) to stop or slow down because of your presence?
If money was left in a coat pocket going into Shabbos, does the coat become a basis l’davar ha’asur and muktza, and does it depend on the type of pocket (shirt‑style vs. sewn-on pocket)?
When a person makes a Bracha on a Mitzvah to be motzi others (e.g., kiddush, Chanukah candles, leishev baSukkah) and then speaks before doing the act, are the listeners still yotzei the Bracha?
In Chutz La’aretz, if one forgot to separate challah before Shabbos and leaves over bread for hafrashas challah after Shabbos, what is the correct way to leave that portion, and what if one mistakenly designated an entire loaf as challah?
When separating challah after Shabbos from bread that was eaten on Shabbos without prior hafrashas challah (in Chutz La’aretz), does one recite a bracha at that time?
Is it Ever Permitted to Put on Tefillin With a Non-Jew?
Episode 2
Thursday, February 5, 2026 • Duration 32:52
In this week’s episode #2, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include:
Changing place while eating:
Changing location in the middle of eating or drinking: when is a new bracha rishona required?
Does one’s intention during the original bracha rishona to go to another room in the middle (even without intending to eat there) prevent the need for a new beracha?
Non‑Jews and mitzvos:
May a non‑Jew perform mitzvos (e.g., shaking lulav) to receive reward, and for which types of mitzvos is this discouraged or restricted?
Is the leniency of “not preventing him” limited to a ger toshav or someone accepting sheva mitzvos, rather than any non‑Jew?
May we actively assist or facilitate a non‑Jew in doing mitzvos, or must we only refrain from stopping him?
Prospective converts:
May a ger-in-process put on tefillin in order to learn how to do the mitzva?
To what extent do the restrictions on teaching Torah or allowing mitzva performance to non‑Jews apply to someone clearly on the path to conversion?
Is there a concern that allowing a non‑Jew (or prospective ger) to put on tefillin or similar mitzvos may lead to confusion about his Jewish status (e.g., intermarriage concerns)?
Shortcuts through shul:
Does the prohibition of using a shul as a shortcut apply when passing through one room of the shul only to reach an adjacent room of shul (when there’s an alternate, less direct route to the second room)?
What about walking across the bimah to get to the other side?
Eating from broken dishes:
Is there any real halachic basis for avoiding eating from broken dishes because of forgetting one’s learning, and if so, what type of break is included?
Would such a concern apply equally to women?
Shoveling Snow on Shabbos?
Episode 3
Sunday, February 15, 2026 • Duration 32:39
In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include:
Bris and baby naming:
If a bris needed to be done by a frummohel surgeon in a hospital, is it better to name the baby immediately with just the parents present, or to delay a few hours in order to name him at home with a minyan and a cup of wine?
How closely must the bracha of “asher kideish yedid” be to the actual bris?
Brachos for parents after birth:
What are the guidelines for the brachos made by the parents following the birth of a child?
And is this in fact the proper minhag despite rumored reports that this isn’t practiced among chassidim?
Shehecheyanu on new fruits:
When eating a new seasonal fruit, which bracha should be recited first: Shehechiyanu or ha’eitz, according to Chabad minhag?
Is there any evidence from the Rebbe to reverse the order?
Women and birkas hagomel:
Should a woman who has given birth recite hagomel after recovery?
Answering devarim shebikdusha during pesukei d’zimra:
During pesukei d’zimra, which devarim she’bikdusha should one answer, and which instances of amein during kaddish are included in the allowance?
Removing snow on Shabbos:
May one shovel snow on Shabbos in an enclosed area (where carrying is permitted) when there’s a concern for people getting hurt?
May I have an AI agent or robot perform work for me on Shabbos?
Episode 5
Friday, February 27, 2026 • Duration 27:36
In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include:
AI & Automation on Shabbos:
May one program an AI coding agent before Shabbos to build or maintain systems (fix bugs, run a production line, etc.) while it continues working on Shabbos?
Does the concern of avsha milsa (“noise-making”) apply to automated processes on Shabbos, and how is “noise” defined — is it the physical sound, or public awareness that work is being done?
Is there reason to enact new restrictions on automated systems (answering machines, automated factories) because they may erode the spirit and kedusha of Shabbos?
Shabbos Clocks:
Are Shabbos clocks for lights and other appliances fundamentally permitted, and are there limits to what may be automated?
When to Say “Shir Hamaalos”:
On which days or situations should one say “Al Naharos Bavel” versus “Shir Hamaalos” before bentching according to Chabad minhag, especially given conflicting stories and rumors about the Rebbeim’s practice?
“Ad D’lo Yada” on Motzaei Purim:
When the Rebbe instructed one person at the Purim farbrengen to reach a state of ad d’lo yada and motzi everyone else, how was this still applicable after bentching and Maariv, when Purim was technically over?
Is the requirement of “ad d’lo yoda” measured by an amount of drinking or by reaching a certain state (with a practical nafka mina)?
Mourning Practices for Non-Immediate Relatives:
Do relatives (beyond the formal aveilim) have to observe any signs of mourning during the shivah? And which restrictions (music, dancing, bathing, haircuts, fresh clothing) remain binding for them nowadays?
When Zaidy Asks for a Promise - What Does Halacha Say?
Episode 4
Thursday, February 19, 2026 • Duration 32:23
In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include:
Krias Shema on Mivtzoim:
When saying Krias Shema with people who do not understand Hebrew, is there a requirement that they understand the meaning or basic content of Shema?
During mivtza tefillin, what is the halachic value of having a person say Shema after the zman?
What types of mistakes in the reading of Shema necessitate repeating from the beginning of the passuk? And is there room for leniency for a person with OCD?
A Grandfather’s Request:
Grandchildren whose grandfather requested they never return to Poland: are they halachically obligated to keep this request as part of kibbud av and avi avihem?
Is there any way for them to visit without being considered as violating his will, and still be framed as respecting his intent?
Dealing With Multiple Sifrei Torah:
When two Sifrei Torah are taken out, until what stage of gelilah of the first Sefer is it prohibited to begin undressing the second Sefer?
How does the prohibition of opening the second Sefer Torah until after gelilah of the first Sefer relate to the rule of not beginning the haftorah until the completion of gelilah?
Shliach Tzibur With Past Aveiros:
May someone who previously committed serious aveiros and later did teshuvah serve as a shliach tzibur?
What about someone who was a tinok shenishbah, and not properly educated, serving as a shliach tzibur?
Changing Location While Eating – Follow-Up:
If someone makes a shehakol in one room and then moves to another room or to the yard, when does he need to make a new , and when does intent from the outset help?
Conversation Style on a Shidduch Date
Episode 6
Friday, March 13, 2026 • Duration 32:00
In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include:
Tefillin – Kavana and Mivtza Tefillin:
Is the detailed kavana printed in the siddur before putting on tefillin truly essential to fulfilling the mitzvah?
If proper kavana is required, how can we justify doing mivtzatefillin with people who are not instructed to have that kavana in mind?
Tzaar Baalei Chaim – Fish and Other Creatures:
When catching fish that continue to gasp for some minutes, is there a halachic obligation to kill the fish immediately to avoid tzaar baalei chaim?
Is there any difference, in this regard, between fish and other animals or insects killed in the home (e.g., roaches, mice)?
Daily Learning – Chitas, Rambam, and Fixed Shiurim:
Can a person fulfill the daily Chitas shiur by learning it the night before, or must it be done only on the “day” itself? And is Rambam any different in this regard?
For other fixed daily shiurim (Gemara, Chassidus, etc.), does learning it the previous night count, or is the “make-up” option only the following night after missing the day?
Greeting Women – She’eilas Shalom Be’isha:
In light of the prohibition of being sho’el bishlom isha, may a man say “how are you” or similar greetings to a woman in contemporary normal interaction?
How does this halacha apply practically when a bochur meets with a woman on a date for shidduch purposes?
Brachos – Chashivus, Shalem vs. Prusa:
According to the Rashba (quoted by the Rama), a bracha on a less chashuv (e.g., less preferred) fruit does not exempt a more chashuv one unless one specifically intended for the bracha to cover it. Would this also apply to sliced vs. whole fruit ( vs. )?
Matzah Zu or Zo – Which Is More Correct?
Episode 7
Sunday, March 22, 2026 • Duration 31:08
In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include:
Netilas Yadayim for Wet Foods:
When eating wet foods dipped in one of the seven liquids, does eating with a fork or spoon exempt you from washing, and how do we define what is “normally” eaten with utensils vs. by hand (e.g., chicken)?
If a cooked potato is usually eaten with a spoon or fork, do you still have to wash when you dip and eat it with your hands (e.g., karpas at the seder)?
Drops of Impure Water in the K’vort:
If water touched by unwashed (or impure) hands drips back into the k’vort, must the k’vort be completely emptied and even dried before refilling it for washing, as inferred from the Alter Rebbe?
Mechiras Chometz and Areiv Kablan:
Is there a hiddur not to buy chometz after Pesach from stores whose mechiras chometz was arranged without an areiv kablan (guarantor), given the Alter Rebbe’s strong emphasis on this method?
Nusach: “Zu” vs. “Zoi” in Haggadah and Under Chupah:
In the Haggadah text, is it more correct to say “matzazoi” with a cholam or “matza zu” with a shuruk? What is the preferred vocalization according to instances in Tanach, Chazal manuscripts, and the tradition of the Alter Rebbe’s Siddur and Haggadah?
Under the chuppah, when saying “harei at mekudeshes li b’tabba’as zoi / zu,” which form is most accurate, and are they both valid after the fact?
Bracha Acharona While Continuing to Eat or Drink Something Else:
May one recite a bracha acharona on one item (e.g., fish) while planning to continue eating or drinking other items (e.g., tea) that share the same after‑bracha, relying on specific to limit the bracha only to the first item?
May One Use Oat Matzah for the Seder?
Episode 8
Sunday, March 29, 2026 • Duration 32:44
In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include:
Asking Shailos via Technology:
Is it appropriate to ask shailos via text, email, or websites rather than in person or by phone, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of written communication with a rav?
Hefsek in Shema Due to a Siren:
If a minyan heard a missile siren in the middle of shema and had to go to a shelter, where a horrible smell prevented them from continuing to daven, and they waited longer than the time it takes to read the entire shema, must they go back to the beginning of shema?
Is the delay treated as an ones caused by an unsuitable place (makom she’eino ra’uy), which requires returning to the beginning, or as an external ones (like robbers), which does not?
Stopping Shemoneh Esrei for Danger:
Based on the Gemara’s story of the chossid who did not interrupt his Shemoneh Esrei when addressed by a minister, why can’t a person just continue davening and not go to a shelter when a siren sounds?
Is an incoming missile comparable to the case of a snake wrapped around a person’s heel (where one does not interrupt Shemoneh Esrei), or is it fundamentally different?
If a person receives a warning that a siren may come soon, may they begin Shemoneh Esrei with the plan to stop and go to a shelter if the siren actually sounds?
Oat Matzah for Pesach:
May a person who is gluten intolerant use oat matzah for Pesach, and what concerns exist regarding oat matzahs that are treated with heat?
Is oat matzah acceptable for fulfilling the mitzvah of eating matzah at the sedarim, given the preference for wheat?
If a person can only eat one of matzah at the , what is the proper order of the meal, and when should he eat the matzah and wash (and do they recite the for )?
When to Count Sefirah When Davening Maariv Early?
Episode 9
Sunday, April 26, 2026 • Duration 31:20
In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include:
Making Up Missed Shema:
Can a missed recitation of the morning Shema be made up later (similar to the tashlumin for a missed tefilah)?
If one chas v’shalom missed Shema, should they make it up later, and how would that be done practically?
What would the makeup accomplish if the opportunity for the mitzvas asei had already been lost?
Sefiras Haomer:
What is the earliest time to count Sefiras Haomer? And what’s the status of counting after plag hamincha or during bein hashmashos?
If someone counts early with a minyan, how can they avoid fulfilling the mitzvah before the proper time, so they can count again later at night with a bracha?
What exactly must one have in mind when hearing another person count out loud to avoid one’s own obligation being fulfilled through hearing (shome’a k’oneh) and be able to recite one’s own bracha?
Cutting Down Trees:
Is cutting down a dead tree permitted without a special halachic ruling?
Is there a concern of danger even in cases where halacha permits cutting down the tree?
Reheating Food on Shabbos:
May an Ashkenazi eat food that their Sephardic host reheated on Shabbos, following the Sephardic view that even cold, moist food may be reheated (provided it was previously fully cooked)?
What is the logic behind the accepted Ashkenazic custom that moist food may be reheated as long as it hasn’t yet cooled down completely?
Three Steps Back After Shemoneh Esrei:
What should someone do if they finished Shemoneh Esrei but cannot take three steps back because someone is still Shemoneh Esrei behind them?
Removing Mezuzos When Moving Out
Episode 10
Sunday, May 3, 2026 • Duration 33:51
In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include:
Neder to Hear Kiddush Only From Husband
If a woman committed to hear Kiddush only from her husband, does she need hataras nedarim when that’s not possible?
Does it make a difference whether the commitment was mental or verbal?
Can hataras nedarim for this purpose be done on Shabbos?
Transporting a Sefer Torah
May a Sefer Torah be taken out to a park for Krias HaTorah (e.g., for children to hear Aseres Hadibros)?
Does having ten people walk along with the Sefer Torah make it permitted?
What is the context of the Rebbe’s request for children to hear the Aseres Hadibros, and what is the proper way to fulfill it?
Eruv Tavshilin
Can a person appoint a Rov through a phone system as his shliach to make an eruv tavshilin on his behalf in case he forgets?
Does an eruv tavshilin need to be made with the person’s own food?
Does the host’s eruv tavshilin exempt guests who are eating over but sleeping elsewhere?
When do the guests need to be eating over to be included: on erev yom tov, on yom tov, or on Shabbos? What should the guests do practically?
Kesubah Design
Is it proper to use the pasuk “Ani l’dodi v’dodi li” in a kesubah design?
Are decorative pesukim on a kesubah appropriate in general?
Is there a problem if the design makes the kesubah text hard to read?
Responsibility for Breaking a Laptop
A person was stretching in a beis midrash and accidentally knocked a laptop off a nearby shtender: what factors do we account for to decide whether he must pay for the damage?
Is a person ever not held responsible for absolute accidents?
Hearing
krias haTorah:
To what extent must one hear all of krias haTorah to be yotzei their obligation?
When may someone who partially heard the leining join or count for a second minyan’s krias haTorah, and how many full listeners are required?
Determining the time of passing:
In a case of cardiac arrest where attempts at resuscitation continue into the night, which calendar day is halachically considered the person’s time of passing?
Hiddurim beyond one’s level:
Is there a source for the minhag of reading shema from a mezuza while wearing Rabbeinu Tam’s tefillin? And is it advisable to adopt such a minhag?
Is fresh snow considered muktzah?
Is spreading salt on ice and snow permissible on Shabbos?
What can be done about snow in areas where carrying isn’t allowed?
Adding a name for a choleh:
Under what conditions is a name added for a dangerously ill person?
Does the added name become the person’s permanent name for all halachic purposes, and what factors can affect this?
Bracha of al mitzvas tzizis on a tallis gadol:
If one mistakenly recites the bracha of al mitzvas tzitzis on a tallis gadol, is the bracha valid b’dieved, or must it be repeated?
What changes to the nusach constitute being “meshaneh matbei’a shetav’u chachamim”?
Switching rooms while eating cake and coffee:
If someone makes a mezonos on cake and a shehakol on coffee, and then leaves the room and returns, does the requirement to come back for al hamichya on the cake keep the original shehakol in force also for the coffee?
How does this compare to the case of a bread meal, where the ha’eitz made on fruit eaten in the meal remains in force even if one left and returned?
Is this extended mourning limited to being in the presence of the actual aveilim or even in another place?
Wine in the Kiddush Saucer:
Is there any halachic or kabbalistic basis for avoiding drinking the wine that overflows into the saucer under a kos shel bracha?
Does the concern about drinking directly from a bowl extend to wine that was in the bowl but is then poured back into a cup?
Tevilas Keilim for Storing the Rebbe’s Kos Shel Bracha:
If someone stores special wine (such as kos shel bracha from the Rebbe) in a glass bottle only as a segulah and not for drinking, must that bottle be toiveled?
Theoretically, if the wine of kos shel Eliyahu were disposed of and never used, would that becher require tevilah?
Signs in Shul Against Talking:
May a sign‑maker produce signs for shul that read “You’re allowed to talk in shul, but only with Hashem,” using a somewhat humorous and sarcastic tone, or is such language not in line with the Torah approach?
bracha
When in doubt whether a new bracha is required after changing locations, can one deliberately make a bracha acharona first and then a new bracha rishona, or is this considered an unnecessary bracha?
Is it effective to make a once-a-year stipulation that all one’s brachos are made with the intent to possibly move locations?
Yehareg Ve’al Ya’avor and “Me’achorei Hageder”:
In the Rambam’s case, where doctors say a man’s only cure is to interact with a woman in forbidden circumstances, what exactly is meant by the expression “me’achorei hageder” for which he must rather give up his life?
prusa
shalem
Does the Rashba’s rule extend to cases like pasta versus cake (where cake has greater halachic chashivus in that it has potential to become the basis of a meal)?
To what extent is the Rashba’s stringency actually followed in common practice today?
Aveilus – Parents Being Mochel Simchas:
Can a parent, in their lifetime or in a tzava’ah, be mochel the aveilus practices during the first twelve months so that their children may attend simchas such as weddings?
Is there a halachic basis to distinguish between being mochel all aveilus versus being mochel only specific aspects (e.g., allowing attendance at chassunas)?
Tzedakah Collectors During Davening:
If tzedakah collectors approach me during davening and make it difficult to concentrate, do I have an obligation to give them something?
Does the prohibitionagainst turning away a collector empty-handed apply when he is collecting on behalf of an institution?
kavana
Ratio of Drinking vs. Eating on Purim:
Is the directive to “drink more than eat” on Purim considered an authentic teaching of the Arizal, and if so, how is it practically interpreted today?
kezayis
Seder
bracha
netilas yadayim
Kashering With an Induction Stove:
May one use water heated on an induction stove to kasher utensils, or must the water specifically be heated by fire?
If an item became treif or chametz’dig through an induction stove, may it be kashered using water heated on an induction stove?
Saying “Baruch” and Continuing to Eat:
If a guest at someone’s meal began bentching and said just the first word, “Baruch,” but the host wants to serve more food, may he continue eating, or has his meal ended?
Does saying the word “Baruch” constitute a hesech hadaas from eating even when relying on the host’s table?
A chag kasher v’samei’ach to all our listeners!
davening
Could they daven or answer to devarim shebikdusha while waiting?
Listening to Havdalah in Middle of Shemoneh Esrei:
Could someone who is behind in davening stop to listen to Havdalah in the middle of Shemoneh Esrei?
Practically, is it better not to rely on this? And how does this compare to listening to Krias Hatorah in the middle of Shemoneh Esrei?
Reading Private Letters of a Deceased Relative:
May family members read the private letters of a deceased relative?
Does the halacha change if the letters might affect the person’s reputation? And what is the practical guidance regarding publicizing such letters?
