Responsa Radio

A reasonable and not-boring podcast about Jewish law


Ever wanted to know the answer to some deep and challenging questions in halakhah (Jewish law)? Join R. Avi Killip interviewing R. Ethan Tucker with questions sent in by you (the public!) on all sorts of details of Jewish law.

Have a question about Jewish law you’d like answered on the show? Send an email to R. Ethan Tucker at halakhah@mechonhadar.org. You can also leave a message at 215-297-4254.

Ways to listen:

1. Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/jpmedia-responsa-radio/id929388589
2. Subscribe through our RSS feed: http://jpmedia.co/category/podcast/responsaradio/feed/
3. On SoundCloud (scroll down).

How Will We Return to Running Minyanim Virtually and In-Person?

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How Will We Return to Running Minyanim Virtually and In-Person?

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?

Announcement: Pre-Pesach Responsa Radio Live

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Announcement: Pre-Pesach Responsa Radio Live

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

I’ve Been Offered the Covid Vaccine—Now What?

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I’ve Been Offered the Covid Vaccine—Now What?

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 this episode as Rabbi Ethan Tucker and Rabbi Avi Killip dive into this timely halakhic question.

Can the essence of obligation to visit the sick and comfort mourners really be fulfilled over Zoom?

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Can the essence of obligation to visit the sick and comfort mourners really be fulfilled over Zoom?

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 into this timely halakhic question.

Responsa Radio #71: Can I staff a suicide hotline on Shabbat?

Posted by on 9:26 pm in Podcast, Responsa Radio | Comments Off on Responsa Radio #71: Can I staff a suicide hotline on Shabbat?

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 Episode: Can I staff a suicide hotline on Shabbat? Have a question about Jewish law you’d like answered on the show? Send an email to halakhah@hadar.org

Responsa Radio #69: Can I read about Corona Virus on Shabbat?

Posted by on 6:00 pm in Podcast, Responsa Radio | 0 comments

Ever wanted to know the answer to some deep and challenging questions in halakhah (Jewish Law)? Join Rabbi Avi Killip interviewing Rabbi Ethan Tucker 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 Episode: This special live edition of Responsa Radio was recorded as part of Hadar’s Virtual Halakhah Intensive. Have a question about Jewish law you’d like answered on the show? Send an email to halakhah@hadar.org

Why Don’t Jews Proselytize? …Can They?

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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.

If I can pronounce the Hebrew, do I need to understand it?

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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 Tucker.

What to Do with Grandma’s Treyf China

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We’re kicking off this season of Responsa Radio with a burning (…or cooking) question: What should I do if I’m offered fine china that came from a non-kosher kitchen? Tune in to learn from Rabbi Avi Killip and Rabbi Ethan Tucker. 

How Do We Use Space During Yom Kippur Services?

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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.