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 Jewish life, mitzvot, and halakhah over the past 250 years? What will it take to sustain a culture of mitzvot over the next 250 years? Recorded at Hadar's Summer 2026 Kickoff Event. Source sheet: https://mechonhadar.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/mh_torah_source_sheets/250YearsJudaismAmericaTucker2026.pdf

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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 the new day of the Omer before its proper time. What should one do in this situation? Should they not say the blessing or count with their community and count again at home like all the other days? If they count later at home, should they not say the blessing? Source sheet: https://voices.sefaria.org/sheets/717193 Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: My Time Is Now by Bamtone

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 that true? Does egalitarian prayer simply ignore this part of halakhah or is there some way of addressing it? Source sheet: https://voices.sefaria.org/sheets/716409 Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: Women of Today by Faith Rivera

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 of reversal affect the halakhic status of vasectomy? Source sheet: https://voices.sefaria.org/sheets/714995 Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: U Turns by Mary Jennings

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, given that most people I know have pets that aren’t able to reproduce? Source sheet: https://voices.sefaria.org/sheets/711708 Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: Vinyl Stripes by Pretty Kitty

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 expect? Source sheet: https://voices.sefaria.org/sheets/711520 Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: Salesman by Ted Hoagland

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, ritual roles, and gender equality. Can women offer this blessing to their communities? How can we think about this ritual in a gender egalitarian context? Source sheet: https://voices.sefaria.org/sheets/710207 Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: Dear Daughter by Rebekah McLeod

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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 as an uncovered mirror? This episode explores the meaning behind the custom of covering mirrors and how Jewish practice adapts to new technologies of communal presence. Source sheet: https://voices.sefaria.org/sheets/709534 Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: Mirror by Mike Schmid

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 theological dimensions of a question that sits at the heart of Jewish spiritual life. Does disbelief disqualify someone from leading davening, or does the act of prayer itself create a space that transcends personal theology? Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: Shema by Saul Kaye

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 issues rise to the level that I should privately request only solo aliyot from the gabbai, or perhaps even ask not to receive an aliyah at all? Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: A Prayer for Everyone by Cindy Alexander

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 participating and am trying to figure out a way to give them each an individual aliyah. Is it permissible to add aliyot in order to do so? If so, would you repeat an aliyah or divide the aliyot into smaller sections? Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: American Dreams by John Torres

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 field to help in healing. I mentioned this to a friend who is very knowledgeable in Reiki, and she mentioned that Reiki is an independent, sentient entity with volition and intelligence. She also says that someone doing Reiki involves the spirit of the Reiki entity through specific chants and phrases. Now I am concerned that what I thought was just an energy healing technique is somehow tied up with sorcery, witchcraft, divination. Bottom line: is it okay to get massages that include Reiki energy healing?

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 non-Jewish colleagues in case the brief isn’t ready when Shabbat starts. Was that necessary here, given that I am trying to prevent an execution and save a life? Are there any circumstances in which it would be permissible to work on a death penalty case on Shabbat? Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: Heavy Weight by White Noise Maker

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 considerations about use of blood? And do we need to take into account the risk of taking advantage of desperate people, who may not really be doing this voluntarily? Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: Young Blood by The Solarists

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 accoutrements. When I started converting, I took all these things and put them in a box. My family is no longer religious whatsoever and also has no use for them. I didn't want to throw all these things away because this felt disrespectful, but I I feel uncomfortable still owning all of them. Is there a proper way to dispose of the items? Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: Finer Things In Life by The Texas Gypsies

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 forbidden. But I feel terrible skipping my friend's wedding. What are the relevant halakhic considerations and sources? Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: Wedding March (Mendelssohn) by Cyrus Farrah

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 question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: Girl Can Wail by Chloe Dolandis

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 curious about their importance. Is my obligation to fast on these days the same as on Yom Kippur? Why is there so much variety in how they are observed by people who are otherwise observant? Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: A Hymn For Tomorrow By Anjou

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. Where do these customs originate, and what is their status? Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: Sleep by BJSR

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 taught that you have to wait until it is fully dark after the first day of Yom Tov to start preparing anything for the second day. That means we don’t start cooking or even setting the table until after 9 PM. This wreaks havoc on my family schedule. Is there any wiggle room here? Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: Prayer For My Children by Soul Aviv