In this episode, Rabbi Yossi Kamman joins us to explore a fascinating responsum (Likutei Sichos, Vol. 16, p. 518) of the Lubavitcher Rebbe (R. Menachem Mendel Schneerson) against scheduling elective surgeries within a few days of Shabbos. Rabbi Kamman presents us with an insightful profile of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, his approach to halachah, and what made him unique and so widely renowned. A synopsis of this topic, can be found in Rabbi Kamman's publication, a A Chassidisher Derher.

This episode is sponsored by Lev Podelko in honor of the upcoming 30th wedding anniversary of his parents Marina and Dr. Alexander Podelko.

We attended the Rabbinical Council of America Conference 2024 and did some rapid fire interviews with many of the rabbis who were present. They were given a few minutes to share their favorite responsa and which topic they (in theory or in practice) would write a teshuva about.

Order of guests:

Rabbi Mark Dratch

Rabbi Jordan Aurebach

Rabbi Maury Kelman

Rabbi Yitzchak Sprung

Rabbi Shlomo Weissman

Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe

Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon

In this episode, we're joined by Rabbanit Ayelet Schlesinger for a fascinating exploration of a recurring question: What happens when minhag (custom) conflicts with halacha (Jewish law)? Using the case study of Friday Night Kiddush, we delve into how three responsa - Yachin U'Boaz (1:118), Or Zarua (Vol. 1, Responsum no. 752), and Yabia Omer (1:15) - addressed this tension. From the debates of the Talmud to the insights of modern poskim, Rabbanit Schlesinger guides us through the complex interplay between tradition and law. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on the dynamics of minhag and halacha, and how they shape our Jewish practices.

May later generations disagree with their predecessors? Can religious authority be controlled by a specific locale? Our guest, Rabbi Shmuel Phillips addresses these questions and distills several fundamental lessons from a lesser known responsum of the Rambam (Iggeres no. 18).

More info and the best links for buying his books are at www.TalmudReclaimed.com.

Should I Study Biblical Criticism?
In this episode, we provide a glimpse into the complex and often contentious world of Biblical criticism, exploring how two prominent theological schools of thought - Conservative and Orthodox - approach the study of our holy Torah. While both sides affirm the general authority of the Bible, they diverge sharply on the role of historical and cultural context, the relationship between human and Divine authorship, and the implications of scholarly inquiry for faith and practice.

To illustrate this, our guest, Rabbi Steven Gotlib, presents a responsum from Conservative scholar R. Prof. David Golinkin and contrasts it with Rabbi Jonathan Sack's letter to Rabbi Louis Jacobs (author of Theology in the Responsa).

Let us know if you liked our exploration of this unique teshuva topic in the comments. Enjoy!

In this episode, we explore the Rambam's Iggeres Teiman (Epistle to Yemen) - a powerful and poignant letter written to the Jewish community of Yemen around the year 1173/1174. Our guest, Rabbi Chezkie Glatt explains how the letter offers words of comfort, encouragement, and hope in the face of heresy and hardship. We provide a general survey of the document to understand the Rambam's message of resilience and faith, and its enduring message for today.

It's finally here! In this episode, we go through YOUR reactions to previous episodes of the podcast and much more! God willing, we will return with more regular episodes following Pesach.

Links to references made in the episode:

1) Support the Podcast / Sponsor an Episode - Eichlers Registry.

2) Igros Moshe Series with Tradition Online.

3) Challenging Assumptions (Mosaica Press, 2023) on Amazon.

4) Rabbi Moshe Kurtz's general website.

5) Email for speaking requests and general inquiries: rabbikurtz@cas-stamford.org

The Mishnah (Beitzah 36b) forbids dancing and clapping on Shabbos/Yom Tov. How do we make sense of the many ostensibly observant people, including Torah scholars, who appear to disregard this explicit stricture? R. Dr. Zvi Leshem, an expert in Chassidic thought, breaks down the unique approach of the Minchas Elazar (1:29) who argues that dancing on Shabbos/Yom tov is not just permissible...it's a mitzvah!

A special thanks to Mr. Ben Rothke for his help with making this episode a reality.