Responsa Radio

4th of July Special: R. Ethan Tucker: 250 Years of Judaism in America

Over 250 years in America, Judaism—a way of life that centers obligation—has had to negotiate a culture defined by autonomy and freedom. How has that tension shaped Jewis

Can You Count the Omer Early?

Many communities begin Shabbat services early during the summer months — sometimes before sunset. This poses a probem during the Omer when the service includes counting t

Are Women Exempt from Mitzvot?

I grew up in a non-egalitarian Jewish community where I was taught that women are exempt from many mitzvot and that's why egalitarian prayer is not an option. Is tha

Does Jewish Law Permit Getting a Reversible Vasectomy?

Jewish law has long prohibited certain forms of sterilization, particularly for men. But what happens when medical technology changes the equation? Does the possibility o

Are Jews Allowed to Spay or Neuter Pets?

I was surprised to hear recently that Jews are not allowed to neuter pets. Is that true? What is that about, where does it come from, and are there any ways around it, gi

Is Buying Jewish a Mitzvah?

Is there a Jewish obligation to support your Jewish-owned local businesses? If prices are higher or the store is farther away, how much effort or expense does halakha exp

Can Women Give the Priestly Blessing?

The priestly blessing (Birkat Kohanim) is a powerful moment in Jewish communal prayer. Traditionally performed by kohanim, it raises important questions about lineage, ri

Is Seeing Yourself on Zoom Like Looking in a Mirror During Shiva?

A long-standing mourning practice is to cover mirrors during shiva. But what happens when shiva takes place on Zoom? Does seeing yourself on screen raise the same concern

Can I Lead Prayer if I Don't Believe in God?

What does it mean to serve as shaliach tzibbur—the representative of a community in prayer—if you struggle with belief in God? This episode explores the halakhic and theo

Can We Have Joint/Group Aliyot?

I recently started attending a shul that gives joint aliyot. What, if any, are the halakhic issues with two people receiving an aliyah at the same time? Do any of the iss

Can We Add Aliyot to the Torah Reading?

I am starting an adult b'nai mitzvah program this year and will be holding a Shabbat morning service for the students in the program. I have twelve students particip

Can I Get a Reiki Treatment?

I occasionally get a massage. Recently, there was a change in massage therapists. The new therapist emphasized that she uses Reiki, which is  concentrating an energy fiel

What Is the Scope of Pikuach Nefesh (Can I File a Death Penalty Appeal on Shabbat)?

I am an attorney currently working on a death penalty appeal on behalf of a convicted client. We have a brief in the case due on a Friday, and I lined up assistance from

What Does Halakhah Have to Say About Plasma Donation?

Can one sell their plasma for export? The US is a major player in this field of plasma export. Does Halacha say anything relevant about this? Are there any specific consi

How Do I Dispose of Christian Religious Items After I Convert?

I grew up in a very religious Catholic family and attended Catholic schools through college. Through my upbringing, I accumulated a number of rosaries, bibles, and other

Can I Attend a Wedding in a Church?

A close friend is getting married in a church and I'm very conflicted about what to do. I have always avoided entering churches as I was taught that this was forbidd

Blowing the Shofar: Tips, Tricks, and Considerations

It's my first time blowing the shofar for my community this year. What tips can you share and what considerations should I be thinking about as I prepare? Have a qu

Minor Fast Days

I grew up fasting on Yom Kippur, and usually on Tisha B’Av also, but I never even knew about the minor fast days. Now I am in a community that does observe them, and I am

Can We Decorate Shul With Flowers for Shavuot? And Should I Pull an All-Nighter?

This episode deals with Shavuot questions about decorating shul with flowers, as well as the custom of having a Tikkun Leil Shavuot, a night of staying up to learn Torah.

Can I Bring in a Second Day of Yom Tov Early?

As a parent of little children, our family always has a lot of tension around the second night of a two day Yom Tov, especially when it gets dark very late. I was always