We’re pleased to share a new episode of “Lemaan Yishmeu,” the weekly halacha podcast with Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun, Mara D’asra, and member of the Crown Heights Beis Din, brought to you by AskTheRav.com in partnership with the Lemaan Yilmedu Halacha Institute.
Each week, Rabbi Braun addresses intriguing halachic questions on a wide range of practical topics – real questions that have come to his desk, along with his clear and insightful responses.
You can listen to the podcast on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, 24Six Amazon Music and Pocket Casts
The podcast is also available at https://asktherav.com/podcast, where you can see extensive marei mekomos for each answer.
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 kezayis of matzah at the Seder, what is the proper order of the meal, and when should he eat the matzah and wash (and do they recite the bracha for 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!
