JPMedia: Responsa Radio

As a veterinary technology student, I'm struggling with ethics of the use of animals in biomedical research. How does the halakhic concept of avoiding pain experienced by living things -  tza'ar ba'alei hayyim - inform the treatment of animals in modern research? And is there a Jewish way to mark the death of animal outside of ritual slaughter?Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org.

Content warning: this episode discusses suicide.As an oncologist, I am often asked for guidance as patients approach end-of-life. To what extent am I obligated to encourage patients to continue life-prolonging treatment? How much does their quality of life matter? Am I allowed to mention physician-assisted suicide? Does anything if the patient is Jewish?Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org.

I recently heard the idea that if the reason behind a rabbinic ruling (gezeirah) becomes irrelevant, because the surrounding factors are no longer applicable, the decree no longer applies. This sounds like it could undermine a lot of halakhah in modern times. What is the definition of this concept how and when can it be applied? Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org.

We have an obligation to give tzedekah and care for those in need. At the same time, life is expensive and often requires having savings. Is it wrong to save money when others are suffering?

Can Jews conduct audit studies? These are studies in which researchers send out fictitious job or service applications, a random selection of which have a characteristic that may be discriminated against. Researchers then measure the differences in callback rates. This kind of study is often considered ethical because the scientific gains outweigh the deception and lack of consent, but is that the case in Jewish law? What does halakhah have to say about lying for the sake of research?

Can I make seltzer, using a home soda maker, on Shabbat? How about on Yom Tov? R. Ethan Tucker and R. Avi Killip discuss the religious instincts and halakhic issues at play.

Many people in aveilut (mourning) observe a practice of changing their usual seat in shul. But mourners are also supposed to avoid public demonstrations of mourning on Shabbat. If you are in mourning, and going to shul on Shabbat, should you change your seat?

In my family, after eating meat, we wait 3 hours until we eat dairy. Why 3 hours? And why don't I have to wait after eating dairy?

A 5-year-old named Ya'ara asks - when moshiach comes, and people come back from the dead, how old will everyone be? In this episode of Responsa Radio Kids Edition, R. Ethan Tucker and R. Avi Killip discuss the concept of the resurrection of the dead.

Did the sages have last names? When did people start using last names anyway? In the next episode of Responsa Radio Kids Edition, R. Ethan Tucker and R. Avi Killip answer a question from a 6th grader named Avital.

Did the sages have last names? When did people start using last names anyway? In the next episode of Responsa Radio Kids Edition, R. Ethan Tucker and R. Avi Killip answer a question from a 6th grader named Avital.

Can you make Kiddush on frozen grapes if that's all you have? In the first episode of Responsa Radio Kids Edition, a new mini-series produced with a little help from Hadar's Children and Families Division, R. Ethan Tucker and R. Avi Killip answer a scrumptious question from a 5th grader named Ronit.

Can you make Kiddush on frozen grapes if that's all you have? In the first episode of Responsa Radio Kids Edition, a new mini-series produced with a little help from Hadar's Children and Families Division, R. Ethan Tucker and R. Avi Killip answer a scrumptious question from a 5th grader named Ronit.

A few months ago, one of the largest kosher certification agencies announced that it would not certify "Impossible Pork," despite the fact that nothing in the ingredients or preparation of Impossible Pork is not kosher. What determines whether or not a food is kosher, apart from the ingredients?

A few months ago, one of the largest kosher certification agencies announced that it would not certify "Impossible Pork," despite the fact that nothing in the ingredients or preparation of Impossible Pork is not kosher. What determines whether or not a food is kosher, apart from the ingredients?

Now that Covid-19 rapid antigen tests are widely available, can I take them on Shabbat? We've previously talked about the halakhic restrictions on medical therapeutics on Shabbat (Responsa Radio #21), do these restrictions extend to diagnostics? Are there challenges that arise from the mechanics of the test itself, such as erasing the control line or dying a new color on the test strip?

Now that Covid-19 rapid antigen tests are widely available, can I take them on Shabbat? We've previously talked about the halakhic restrictions on medical therapeutics on Shabbat (Responsa Radio #21), do these restrictions extend to diagnostics? Are there challenges that arise from the mechanics of the test itself, such as erasing the control line or dying a new color on the test strip?

My minyan will likely want to keep broadcasting on Zoom after the pandemic is over and we are back in person. As someone who doesn’t use technology on Shabbat, what does that mean for me? Should I decline to lead or read Torah or have an aliyah knowing that it is being broadcast? JewishPublicMedia · […] The post How Will We Return to Running Minyanim Virtually and In-Person? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

Pesach is coming up and that means you might have some halakhic questions. Join us for a pre-Pesach live edition of Responsa Radio on March 18. Sign up at hadar.org/live The post Announcement: Pre-Pesach Responsa Radio Live appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

The rollout of a vaccine involves trying to answer impossible questions about prioritizing one life over another. What Jewish values are in play when thinking about this? What is my personal responsibility once the vaccine was offered to me, even if I don’t think it’s strictly necessary for me to take it? Tune in to […] The post I’ve Been Offered the Covid Vaccine—Now What? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

This week on Responsa Radio: Can the essence of obligation to visit the sick and comfort mourners really be fulfilled over Zoom? How are we to fulfill our (interpersonal) obligations while keeping ourselves safe and without making this pandemic worse? Tune in to learn from Rabbi Ethan Tucker and Rabbi Avi Killip as they dive […] The post Can the essence of obligation to visit the sick and comfort mourners really be fulfilled over Zoom? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

Ever wanted to know the answer to some deep and challenging questions in halakhah (Jewish Law)? Join Rabbis Ethan Tucker, Avi Killip, with questions sent in by you on all sorts of details of Jewish law. This is a joint project between the Center for Jewish Law and Values and Jewish Public Media. In This […] The post Responsa Radio #71: Can I staff a suicide hotline on Shabbat? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

Can I read about Corona Virus on Shabbat? The post Responsa Radio #69: Can I read about Corona Virus on Shabbat? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

This week on Responsa Radio: Why do rabbis “turn converts away three times”? As a non-rabbi, and in our day and age, what can and should I do as I interact with non-Jews who are deepening their interest in Judaism? Tune in to learn from Rabbi Ethan Tucker and Rabbi Avi Killip. The post Why Don’t Jews Proselytize? …Can They? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

This week on Responsa Radio: I’m learning Hebrew, and loving it. But I’m stuck when it comes to praying from the siddur–it takes forever! Which is more important: reading the prayers in their original language, or reading them in a language I actually understand? Tune in to learn from Rabbi Avi Killip and Rabbi Ethan […] The post If I can pronounce the Hebrew, do I need to understand it? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

What to Do with Grandma’s Treyf China? Tune in to find out more from Rabbi Avi Killip and Rabbi Ethan Tucker. The post What to Do with Grandma’s Treyf China appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

We’re back with more from Responsa Radio, this time asking the question: How do we use space during Yom Kippur services? Tune in to find out more from Rabbi Avi Killip and Rabbi Ethan Tucker. The post How Do We Use Space During Yom Kippur Services? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

The post Can I extinguish my gas burner on Yom Tov? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

The post Can I attend the theatre on Shabbat? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

The post Can Kohanim attend funerals? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

We’re back with more from Responsa Radio, this time asking the question: Can non-Jews observe mitzvot? Tune in to find out more from Rabbi Avi Killip and Rabbi Ethan Tucker. The post Are non-Jews allowed to take on mitzvot? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

Can I See My Therapist on Shabbat? Tune in to find out more from Rabbi Avi Killip and Rabbi Ethan Tucker. The post Can I See My Therapist on Shabbat? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

Can I bow down to the elders during my Karate class? Does Jewish law treat all bowing and salutes - whether part of a traditional class ceremony or directed toward a civic leader - the same? The post Can I bow down during karate class? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

Can I prepare non-Kosher food for a soup kitchen? Does it matter if I look identifiably Jewish? The post Responsa Radio: Can I Prepare Non-Kosher Food for a Soup Kitchen? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

What's the problem with getting a tattoo? The post Responsa Radio: What’s the problem with getting a tattoo? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

Why can't Europeans eat beans? Can you start the Seder early? How fancy are Rabbi Tucker's knives? These and other questions answered. The post Responsa Radio: Passover Special Edition! (Re-release) appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

Is protest a Shabbat-appropriate activity? The post Responsa Radio #56: Is Protest Prayer? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

Who gets to decide that a minyan has been reached? The post Responsa Radio #55: How to Count to Ten appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

And how much should they pay for it? The post Responsa Radio #54: Can the Government Seize My Property? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

You're supposed to open up a mezuzah every few years. But why? The post Responsa Radio #53: Whatever Could Be Wrong With My Mezuzah? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

Recorded live at Limmud UK. The post Responsa Radio #52: Online Communities & Other Questions appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

Recorded live at Limmud UK The post Responsa Radio #51: Pervasive Electricity & Other Questions appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

And what about interfaith prayer spaces? The post Responsa Radio #50: Can I pray next to people of other faiths? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

Can I talk to it? The post Responsa Radio #49: Can I keep an Amazon Echo active on Shabbat? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.

Is it allowed? Is it appropriate? The post Responsa Radio #48: Can I Take An Oath of Office? appeared first on Jewish Public Media.