We’re pleased to share a new episode of “Lemaan Yishmeu,” the weekly halacha podcast with 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 addresses intriguing halachic questions on a wide range of practical topics — real questions that have come to 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 each answer.

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

Tefillin – Kavana and Mivtza Tefillin

• Is the detailed kavana printed in the siddur before putting on tefillin truly essential to fulfilling the mitzvah?
• If proper kavana is required, how can we justify doing mivtza tefillin with people who are not instructed to have that kavana in mind?

Tzaar Baalei Chaim – Fish and Other Creatures

• When catching fish that continue to gasp for some minutes, is there a halachic obligation to kill the fish immediately to avoid tzaar baalei chaim?
• Is there any difference, in this regard, between fish and other animals or insects killed in the home (e.g., roaches, mice)?

Daily Learning – Chitas, Rambam, and Fixed Shiurim

• Can a person fulfill the daily Chitas shiur by learning it the night before, or must it be done only on the “day” itself? And is Rambam any different in this regard?
• For other fixed daily shiurim (Gemara, Chassidus, etc.), does learning it the previous night count, or is the “make-up” option only the following night after missing the day?

Greeting Women – She’eilas Shalom Be’isha

• In light of the prohibition of being sho’el bishlom isha, may a man say “how are you” or similar greetings to a woman in contemporary normal interaction?
• How does this halacha apply practically when a bochur meets with a woman on a date for shidduch purposes?

Brachos – Chashivus, Shalem vs. Prusa

• According to the Rashba (quoted by the Rama), a bracha on a less chashuv (e.g., less preferred) fruit does not exempt a more chashuv one unless one specifically intended for the bracha to cover it. Would this also apply to sliced vs. whole fruit (prusa vs. shalem)?
• Does the Rashba’s rule extend to cases like pasta versus cake (where cake has greater halachic chashivus in that it has potential to become the basis of a meal)?
• To what extent is the Rashba’s stringency actually followed in common practice today?

Aveilus – Parents Being Mochel Simchas

• Can a parent, in their lifetime or in a tzava’ah, be mochel the aveilus practices during the first twelve months so that their children may attend simchas such as weddings?
• Is there a halachic basis to distinguish between being mochel all aveilus versus being mochel only specific aspects (e.g., allowing attendance at chassunas)?

Tzedakah Collectors During Davening

• If tzedakah collectors approach me during davening and make it difficult to concentrate, do I have an obligation to give them something?
• Does the prohibition against turning away a collector empty-handed apply when he is collecting on behalf of an institution?

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