We’re pleased to present a new episode of “Lemaan Yishmeu,” the weekly halacha podcast featuring Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun, Mara D’asra, and member of the Crown Heights Beis Din, brought to you by AskTheRav.com in partnership with the Lemaan Yilmedu Halacha Institute.

Each week, Rabbi Braun explores fascinating halachic questions across a wide range of practical topics — real inquiries that have reached his desk, along with his clear and insightful responses.

You can listen to the podcast on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, 24Six, Amazon Music, and Pocket Casts.

The podcast is also available at https://asktherav.com/podcast, where you can see extensive marei mekomos for the answers.

In this week’s episode, the topics discussed by Rabbi Braun include:

AI & Automation on Shabbos

• May one program an AI coding agent before Shabbos to build or maintain systems (fix bugs, run a production line, etc.) while it continues working on Shabbos?
• Does the concern of avsha milsa (“noise-making”) apply to automated processes on Shabbos, and how is “noise” defined — is it the physical sound, or public awareness that work is being done?
• Is there reason to enact new restrictions on automated systems (answering machines, automated factories) because they may erode the spirit and kedusha of Shabbos?

Shabbos Clocks

• Are Shabbos clocks for lights and other appliances fundamentally permitted, and are there limits to what may be automated?

When to Say “Shir Hamaalos”

• On which days or situations should one say “Al Naharos Bavel” versus “Shir Hamaalos” before bentching according to Chabad minhag, especially given conflicting stories and rumors about the Rebbeim’s practice?

“Ad D’lo Yada” on Motzaei Purim

• When the Rebbe instructed one person at the Purim farbrengen to reach a state of ad d’lo yada and motzi everyone else, how was this still applicable after bentching and Maariv, when Purim was technically over?
• Is the requirement of “ad d’lo yoda” measured by an amount of drinking or by reaching a certain state (with a practical nafka mina)?

Mourning Practices for Non-Immediate Relatives

• Do relatives (beyond the formal aveilim) have to observe any signs of mourning during the shivah? And which restrictions (music, dancing, bathing, haircuts, fresh clothing) remain binding for them nowadays?
• Is this extended mourning limited to being in the presence of the actual aveilim or even in another place?

Wine in the Kiddush Saucer

• Is there any halachic or kabbalistic basis for avoiding drinking the wine that overflows into the saucer under a kos shel bracha?
• Does the concern about drinking directly from a bowl extend to wine that was in the bowl but is then poured back into a cup?

Tevilas Keilim for Storing the Rebbe’s Kos Shel Bracha

• If someone stores special wine (such as kos shel bracha from the Rebbe) in a glass bottle only as a segulah and not for drinking, must that bottle be toiveled?
• Theoretically, if the wine of kos shel Eliyahu were disposed of and never used, would that becher require tevilah?

Signs in Shul Against Talking

• May a sign‑maker produce signs for shul that read “You’re allowed to talk in shul, but only with Hashem,” using a somewhat humorous and sarcastic tone, or is such language not in line with the Torah approach?

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