Jewish Thought and Halacha
Exploring Halacha, Minhag, and Jewish Thought and History with Rabbi Moshe Becker My goal is to shed light on our practices and demystify the process of learning about them. Drawing on both traditional and less familiar sources, I aim to curate and present a range of source material on engaging and relevant topics, often with surprises along the way. Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z Share this podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fRYnzj2Mb58S8ck7CNgOm?si=boxaoJhTR-qD-YqrQZImnw
Missing Years Series III: Resolutions
In Part 3, we look at different perspectives and possible resolutions to this issue.
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Missing Years Series II: Exploring the Sources
In the second part of this series, we explore the evidence from both sides regarding how many years there were of the גלות and בית שני.
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Missing Years Series I: Introducing the Issue
Starting our new series on the missing years during the Bayis Sheini period, we introduce the issue and what discuss the discrepancy between the Jewish and secular timelines.
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Kuzari Series VI: Conclusion - Kuzari's Impact on Jewish Thought
How did the idea expressed in the Kuzari impact later works and philosophies?
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Debate on Techeiles at Yeshiva Ohr Reuven
On May 26, 2025, I participated in a debate at Yeshiva Ohr Reuven regarding the validity of tcheiles produced from the murex trunculus. Due to the format and short time slot, we were unable to address many important aspects of this discussion.The full episode on techeiles in modern times is linked belowJoin the WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z
Kuzari Series V: Eretz Yisrael
Exploring the role of Eretz Yisrael according to R' Yehudah Halevi in the Kuzari
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Kuzari Series IV: The Role of Mitzvos
What is the Kuzari's approach to Mitzvos?
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Kuzari Series III: Are Jews Special?
Are Jews special/different from the other nations? How and why?
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Kuzari Series: I - Background and Opening
Part 1 of a new series on ספר הכוזרי. In this episode, we begin the ספר by discussing the background and introduction to the writing of ר' יהודה הלוי.
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What Day of the Week was Pesach in 4682? The Calendar Crisis of 921-923
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Parah Adumah: Past, Present, Future
How many Parah Adumahs were there? Are there any now? Can we bring a Parah Adumah today?
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Purim Sheini: Halachah and History
What is Purim Sheini, where and by whom is it celebrated, and what is its status in Halachah?
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Where is the Aron HaBris Today?
What happened to the Aron after the churban and where is it today?
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Slavery in Jewish Thought and Practice
The idea of Judaism condoning or even allowing slavery can make us very uncomfortable. What is the Torah's perspective on this and how does slavery align with the idea that everyone is created in the image of G-d?
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Mysticsm and the Siddur: Kabbolas Shabbos
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Zohar and the Siddur: כגוונא
What is כגוונא, what does it speak about, and why is it said in some shuls on Friday night?
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Zohar and the Siddur: The בריך שמיה Controversies
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Zohar Controversy Continued: On Substance
Continuing last week's discussion on the history of the Zohar, this time looking at proofs within the Zohar itself on its origins
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Repost - What Did the Menorah Really Look Like?
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Zohar Origin Controversy
Exploring what we know if the history, origin, and author of the Zohar, and whether it's a reputable source for Halacha and beyond
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Rambam and Kabbala
What was the Rambam's view on kabbala? Did he learn it? Did he write anything on it? Was the Rambam opposed to kabbala? Find out here
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Rambam's Understanding of Anthropomorphism (Human Attributes) In Tanach
If G-d has no form, how do we interpret verses in Tanach that seem to state otherwise?
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How Did Rambam Know? Proofs Against Corporealism
How does Rambam arrive at the conclusion that G-d has no physical form?
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Avraham and Idols Pt. II: Why Was Rambam Banned?
Should one attempt to try to 'understand' G-d? How do we understand G-d? Differing views of the Rambam and his contemporaries
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Why Did Avraham Smash the Idols? Pt. I
What caused Avraham to arrive at the conclusion that there is one Creator and that the idols had no power? Exploring proofs brought down by Rambam and others on G-d's existence
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Haircuts, Shaving, & Nails on Rosh Chodesh
Are there restrictions to shaving, cutting nails, and getting a haircut on Rosh Chodesh, and why?
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Should Hoshanos Follow Shacharis or Mussaf? Halacha and Beyond
When is the proper time for Hoshanos and why?
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Eruv Tavshilin: Purpose & Practicalities
What's the reason for an Eruv Tavshilin and how can one fulfill this?
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Must One Hear 100 Shofar Blasts on Rosh Hashanah?
How many Shofar blasts is one required to hear on Rosh Hashanah? Why do we blow 100?
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ביומו תתן שכרו - Paying Employees and Service Providers On Time
Contracts and delaying pay in Halacha
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Harry Potter in Halachah: Performing and Attending Magic Shows
What are the Halachos regarding practicing and watching modern day magic, illusions, and sleight of hand shows? Download source sheets here
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Does the Torah allow Dolls, Statues, and Sculptures?
Does the Torah allow Dolls, Statues, and Sculptures?
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Tearing Keriya for Yerushalayim and the Kosel
Tearing Keriya for Yerushalayim and the Kosel
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Leaving One's House Unfinished זכר לחורבן
Leaving One's House Unfinished זכר לחורבן
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ירושה ברבנות - Hereditary Authority in Halachah
ירושה ברבנות - Hereditary Authority in Halachah
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הן עם כלביא יקום - How Important is Sof Kman Kerias Shema?
How Important is Sof Kman Kerias Shema?
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Erev Shabbos Chukas - The Fast Without a Date
Erev Shabbos Chukas - The Fast Without a Date
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Halachic Status of a Baal Machlokes
Halachic Status of a Baal Machlokes
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Bakery or Homemade? Erev Shabbos Challah in Halachah
Bakery or Homemade? Erev Shabbos Challah in Halachah
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Dairy on Shavuos: Why, What, When?
Dairy on Shavuos: Why, What, When?
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