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Responsa Radio

Hadar Institute
Jewish Law
Halacha
Judaism
Talmud
Kashrut
Hadar
Pesach
Bathrooms
Jewish Observance
Shabbat
Hadar Institute
Total Solar Eclipse
Kol Yisrael Arevim Zebazeh
Non-Jewish Life
Generative AI
Mitzvot
Blessings
Megillah Reading
Eruv
Jewish Responsibility

A podcast where you ask and we answer questions of Jewish law in modern times. Hosted by Rabbi Ethan Tucker and Rabbi Avi Killip. To submit a question, email responsa@hadar.org.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes160Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityJudaism

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Artwork for Responsa Radio

Latest Episodes

Many communities begin Shabbat services early during the summer months — sometimes before sunset. This poses a probem during the Omer when the service includes counting the new day of the Omer before its proper time. What should one do in this situat... more

YouTube

I grew up in a non-egalitarian Jewish community where I was taught that women are exempt from many mitzvot and that's why egalitarian prayer is not an option. Is that true? Does egalitarian prayer simply ignore this part of halakhah or is there some ... more

YouTube

Jewish law has long prohibited certain forms of sterilization, particularly for men. But what happens when medical technology changes the equation? Does the possibility of reversal affect the halakhic status of vasectomy?

Source sheet: voice... more

YouTube

I was surprised to hear recently that Jews are not allowed to neuter pets. Is that true? What is that about, where does it come from, and are there any ways around it, given that most people I know have pets that aren’t able to reproduce?

Source she... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

David Zvi Kalman
Host of Belief in the Future, a podcast about religion and technology
Belief in the Future
Episode: Can I Use Generative Artifical Intelligence?

Hosts

Avi Killip
Host of Responsa Radio; Executive Vice President, Hadar Institute
Ethan Tucker
Co-host; Rosh Yeshiva at Hadar

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 123 ratings
  • An incredible achievement

    I’m a big podcast person but this is the only Jewish podcast I listen to consistently. It’s like being in a great shiur that gets you excited about Jewish life and tradition and practice. So much wisdom in every episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jasaroony
    United States2 years ago
  • Spasibo veShkoyakh

    I wish I’d make it available in Russian

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alykysy
    Russia4 years ago
  • Excellent podcast!

    If you have any interest in Jewish law, I highly recommend this excellent podcast. Learned, relevant, and unfailingly interesting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    A fan in Australia
    Australia6 years ago
  • Contemporary and In Depth

    One of the best modern discussions of Halacha. Relevant, contemporary, and insightful. Recommend for any Jew, religious or not.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    alicethepickle
    United States7 years ago
  • Insightful

    Engaging discussions that make sense of a wide variety of topics in Jewish law.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    efishm
    United States8 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

- Considered and respectful exploration of controversial topics, with emphasis on scholarly sources.
- Clear, practical Halacha with thoughtful interpretation and modern relevance.
- Engaging, insightful discussions with high production quality and a strong back-and-forth dynamic.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can You Count the Omer Early?
Q: Should I count at Shul and then count without a blessing at home later that same night?
The hosts explain that if the community is counting during the day, one can count with them without a blessing and later, if one remembers, recite the blessing when it becomes properly night. If you don't feel confident about the timing, you can count later with a blessing, treating the early counting as an insurance policy against forgetting.
Does Jewish Law Permit Getting a Reversible Vasectomy?
Q: If something is truly reversible, is that not sterilization?
They discuss that a temporary or reversible method may be treated as non-sterilization according to some authorities, but emphasize the need to distinguish between temporary and permanent changes and that undoing a first action does not erase the initial act.
Does Jewish Law Permit Getting a Reversible Vasectomy?
Q: Is this actually reversible?
They define true reversibility as a medical outcome where fertility could return, argue that such a temporary result may avoid the category of sterilization, and stress that even reversible procedures have historical skepticism among post-scheme authorities.
Does Jewish Law Permit Getting a Reversible Vasectomy?
Q: Okay, so where should we put our attention in this episode?
The hosts outline two framing angles: first to consider the halachic sources and then to address the practical question of reversible vasectomy within a couple, keeping in view health, autonomy, and the unity of the marriage.
Are Women Exempt from Mitzvot?
Q: The paradigm shift was based on a tripartite group of women, slaves, and minors being marginalized. How would you respond to arguments that this marginalization is justified in theology?
They respond by distinguishing whether marginalization was a historical social category or a theological principle about dignity and ritual integrity. They argue that modern contexts can reinterpret or move beyond those categories, using category shift to preserve ritual dignity while expanding inclusion.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Responsa Radio

What is Responsa Radio about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two rabbis explore Jewish law through contemporary questions, blending traditional sources with modern dilemmas. Episodes cover topics like communal prayer dynamics, gender roles in liturgy, medical ethics, and ritual practice, all grounded in classical texts yet tailored to today's realities. The hosts' dynamic—combining rigorous analysis with accessible discussion and occasional lighthearted moments—helps listeners navigate halachic decision-making in personal, communal, and ethical contexts. Noteworthy is how often the conversations connect textual reasoning to lived experiences, making it useful for listeners curious about how halacha interfaces with modern life and communal values.

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Which podcasts are similar to Responsa Radio?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Responsa Radio:

1. Ta Shma
2. Identity/Crisis
3. For Heaven's Sake
4. The Promised Podcast
5. SAPIR Conversations

How many episodes of Responsa Radio are there?

Responsa Radio launched 12 years ago and published 160 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Recent guests on Responsa Radio include:

1. David Zvi Kalman

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