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:

Krias Shema on Mivtzoim

• When saying Krias Shema with people who do not understand Hebrew, is there a requirement that they understand the meaning or basic content of Shema?
• During mivtza tefillin, what is the halachic value of having a person say Shema after the zman?
• What types of mistakes in the reading of Shema necessitate repeating from the beginning of the passuk? And is there room for leniency for a person with OCD?

A Grandfather’s Request

• Grandchildren whose grandfather requested they never return to Poland: are they halachically obligated to keep this request as part of kibbud av and avi avihem?
• Is there any way for them to visit without being considered as violating his will, and still be framed as respecting his intent?

Dealing With Multiple Sifrei Torah

• When two Sifrei Torah are taken out, until what stage of gelilah of the first Sefer is it prohibited to begin undressing the second Sefer?
• How does the prohibition of opening the second Sefer Torah until after gelilah of the first Sefer relate to the rule of not beginning the haftorah until the completion of gelilah?

Shliach Tzibur With Past Aveiros

• May someone who previously committed serious aveiros and later did teshuvah serve as a shliach tzibur?
• What about someone who was a tinok shenishbah, and not properly educated, serving as a shliach tzibur?

Changing Location While Eating – Follow-Up

• If someone makes a shehakol in one room and then moves to another room or to the yard, when does he need to make a new bracha, and when does intent from the outset help?
• When in doubt whether a new bracha is required after changing locations, can one deliberately make a bracha acharona first and then a new bracha rishona, or is this considered an unnecessary bracha?
• Is it effective to make a once-a-year stipulation that all one’s brachos are made with the intent to possibly move locations?

Yehareg Ve’al Ya’avor and “Me’achorei Hageder”

• In the Rambam’s case, where doctors say a man’s only cure is to interact with a woman in forbidden circumstances, what exactly is meant by the expression “me’achorei hageder” for which he must rather give up his life?

LISTEN