Daled Amos shel Halacha with Rabbi Eliyahu Rapoport
Rabbi Eliyahu Rapoport 155 episodes May 4, 2026
Daled Amos shel Halacha with Rabbi Eliyahu Rapoport explores halachic topics in depth. The podcast presents discussions of Jewish law with Rabbi Eliyahu Rapoport, aimed at listeners who want a deeper understanding of practical and conceptual halachic issues. Episodes are delivered in English and center on analyzing halacha from a rabbinic perspective.
Episodes
158. Spiritual Imposter Syndrome: Do You Have to Be a Kabbalist to Count the Omer?
PDF of kavanos with the numberingdrive.google.com/file/d/1Ik5fFkDjj4YtWKLmfe2Zu5ON8Ix_Zfsf/view?usp=sharing
154b. Chabad's Attitude to Slichos
Some brief follow up thoughts to the previous episode
154. Chabad's Most Puzzling Custom? Slichos Around Rosh Hashana
In this class, we explore the various reasons for reciting Slichos around Rosh Hashanah and the different customs that have developed regarding the exact days on which they are said.
153. An Ill Conceived Name Change
Halachic implications of changing the name of a sick person
152. Why Do Some Mitzvos Follow Reason While Others Defy It?
The paradox of mitzvos; are they about submission to the incomprehensible? Or are we meant to integrate Torah’s perspective into our lives? In this class we examine the Rambam’s assertion that all mitzvos serve to improve us, alongside his acknowledgement that some remain beyond human understanding. By analyzing all of his relevant works, we gain a clear picture that we can apply to our daily live
151. Ta'amei Hamitzvos, Good Taste Or Bad Philosophy?
Finding the perfect balance between a personal and relevant Yiddishkeit and submission to the Divine will.
150. Centuries of Confusion, Explained At Long Last
A few notes: 1) As the Maharsha and others point out, there are in fact many sources that attribute the mitzva of אותו ואת בנו to compassion on the animal. The specific question of Tosfos is that the Kalir instituted it to be said by the שליח ציבור during שמונה עשרה, which is precisely what the Gemara forbids and tells us to silence such a person! 2) Now that we have the full text of the קדושתא, i
149. When Rabeinu Tam Cracked Down On Rampant Robbing of The Dead
A question about drinking water on Shabbos afternoon reveals a deep schism between Rabbeinu Tam and Rabbeinu Meshulam and the divergent worldviews that shaped their halachic approach.
148. A Unique Sandak For Each Son - Socialism Or Mysticism?
Exploring the origins of this custom
147. Did You Even Fulfill The Mitzvah If You Think 'Pesach' Means Passover?
In part 3 of this series we delve into the true meaning of Pesach and discover how Rashi changed the trajectory of Hagadahs for centuries.
146. How Many Questions Are There In The Four Questions?
Do you have to be the wise son in order to follow the Haggadah?
145. What's That Egg Doing On Your Seder Plate?
Making A Seder of The Seder
144. Selichos for Ta'anis Esther - An Overview
Exploring the meaning of the piyutim for taanis esther
143. Achashverosh Knew All Along That Esther Was A Jewess!
A novel approach to the story of Megilas Esther
142. Is Shabbos an Unlucky Day?!
The impact of the planets on mundane activities performed on Shabbos
141. Do Angels Understand English? What language can you best concentrate in?
Overview of the laws of prayer in Aramaic and other languages other than Hebrew
(Mic error - please excuse audio quality)
140. Can You Find the Hidden Code in Kaddish? How We Elude Illiterate Angels!
Why do we say kaddish in Aramaic? Did it used to be said in Hebrew? What do the angels have against Kaddish?
139. Is It Forbidden To Write 'BH' On Letterhead?
On the Rebbe's earliest published letter, 100 years later.
138. Selichos for Hey Teves?!
Exploring the structure and the meaning of selichos, and specificaly the piyutim that we recite on the fast of the 10th of Teves.
Should we be fasting on the 5th or the 10th of Teves?
When Rabeinu Tam argued with Moshe Rabeinu.
Will Tzom Gedalya be transformed into celebration with the coming of Mashiach?
Source sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sKfVwiXKZFFHlyFE7loTigYeLcltSnBi/view?us
137. Chanukah Insights from the Books of Maccabees
Chanukah Insights from the Books of Maccabees
136. Is Turkey Kosher?
In order for a bird to be considered kosher, we must have a tradition that explicitly tells us that this bird is allowed. How does a new-world bird such as the turkey come to be kosher?
For an overview of the calendar topic mentioned in this class see here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3LLQYeSi067muibodtjGGo?si=072fe88de7d54f54
135. The Everlasting Impact of the Destruction of Sedom
The bracha on seeing Lot's wife, the smoke and infertile land in the region.
Links to videos mentioned in class:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh0q2NcVRfE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzjHE3UtE0A
134. Brief Overview & Highlights of Slichos for Tzom Gedalya
Brief Overview & Highlights of Slichos for Tzom Gedalya
133. Brief Overview & Highlights of Slichos for Erev Rosh Hashana
Brief Overview & Highlights of Slichos for Erev Rosh Hashana
132. Reciting L'Dovid Ori
Exploring the history, the reasons and the controversies related to the practice of saying the chapter during the months of Elul and Tishrei
131. When The Younger Sibling is Actually Older
Exploring a fascinating halachic controversy.
130. Can we really confuse the Satan? Why do we blow shofar in Elul?
Overview of various customs, and of various approaches to the notion of confusing the Satan
129. Kiddush Standing or Sitting? (revisited)
In this class we discuss the underlying principles that pertain to one person making a bracha on behalf of another.
Along the way we address many practical questions, such as: May a husband who has heard kiddush in shul make kiddush for his wife at home? When listening to havdala, do I recite my own bracha on bsamim? Should one sit or stand for Kiddush?
128. Birchas Kohanim On A Daily Basis Part 1
The origins of the Ashkenazi practice to limit the priestly blessing to yom tov.
127. Akdamus. Its Murky History and The Halachic Debates Surrounding It
Akdamus
126. Training Oneself By Saying Mashiv Haru'ach 90 Times
Understanding this practice
125. Is Matza Baked Before Erev Pesach Kosher?
Baking matza on erev pesach
124. The History of Gebrokts | Part 2
Many Jews refrain from eating knaidlech, matzah brei or any wet matza on Pesach. What is the basis for this chumra?
Link to video mentioned in class:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czDhgQ0M_gM&t=853s
123. The History of Gebrokts | Part 1
Many Jews refrain from eating knaidlech, matzah brei or any wet matza on Pesach. What is the basis for this chumra?
122. Purim Parodies & Their Halachic Implications
A Haggadah for Purim?!
121. Artwork in the Megillah
Overview of the history of the halachic considerations.
120. Parental Favoritism & Consanguineous Marriages
The marriage proposal between the Rebbe Mahara"sh & his niece and the ensuing turmoil
119. An Eye For An Eye, Literally!
How to exact payment for damages in Torah law.
118. 'Tu Bishvat'; Happy New Year?
The history of celebrating the 15th of Shevat.
117. Why Were the Jews Enslaved to Pharoh?
Did the Jews deserve to suffer so much in Egypt?
116. Brazilian Summer & European Winter
When should Jews in the southern hemisphere make the seasonal changes to their prayers? Does it make sense for them to be asking for rain when it would be detrimental to them?
115. The History of Gaza Part 3 - Contemporary Israel
The halachic ramifications of Israel occupying or annexing new territory
114. The History of Gaza Part 2 - The Era of Joshua
Can a husband unilaterally decide to move to Gaza and 'obligate' his wife to join him? Exploring the halachic complexities of the Gaza strip through the lens of 16th century halachic authorities.
Source sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rx78sku-YY5KuvjWNASXHgo-xB-7QBkJ/view?usp=drive_link
113. The History of Gaza Part 1 - The Era of The Patriarchs
What is the status of the 'Land of Pelishtim' in the 'Promised Land'? In Peshat and in Chasidus.
112. Akeidas Yitzchak, The Ultimate Self Sacrifice
What makes Jewish mesirus nefesh unique?
Source sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VKvDA5rcg_SNmXw0zeF-oripWO3m-Aup/view?usp=sharing
111. Prisoner Exchanges
What does halacha say about paying exorbitant sums of money or releasing prisoners in exchange for Jewish hostages?
110. The Land of Israel As Gift & Inheritance
Understanding the basis for the eternal sanctity of the Holy Land based on an analysis of the verses in this week's parsha and on the Rambam.
109. A Deep Dive Into V'chol Ma'aminim
Understanding this famous piyut
108. When Should We Start Putting On Tefillin?
We train children to do all mitzvos even before they turn 13. Is there any reason that tefillin should be different?
107. Understanding the Law of the Three Weeks
An overview of the laws
106. Moshe Rabeinu Hitting the Rock
What exactly were Moshe & Aron at fault for?
105. Controversies of the Jewish Calendar
Understanding the fabric of the Jewish calendar and various challenges that it faced over the years.
Note: Ben Meir's view does indeed effect the regular 'noon' postponement.
See our full Kiddush Hachodesh playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo9ktvnrkglK3GNxy8P-gP5L2LW1v3_OK
104. Kohanim Visiting the Resting Place of Tzadikim
Are these laws suspended for a tzadik?
103. Further Elaboration on Tefilas Haderech
Clarifying some lose ends from previous episode - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eliyahu-rapoport/episodes/102--Tefilas-Haderech---Prayer-for-Dangerous-Journeys-If--When--How-e25777r
102. Tefilas Haderech - Prayer for Dangerous Journeys; If, When & How?
Overview of the laws pertaining to Tefilas Haderech.
101. Hilchos Cheese Cake
Halachic topics related to eating dairy on Shavuos
100. Using Hot Water on Yom Tov
For which purposes may I use the hot water faucet on Yom Tov?
99. Eiruv Tavshilin - When Ignorance Is Indeed Bliss
Overview of the underlying principles and practical application of this mitzvah.
98. Discrimination Against Disabled Cohanim?
May a cohen who wears glasses perform the service in the Bais Hamikdash?
97. Pidyon Haben & Torah Currency
The background and significance of this mitzvah and an overview of Torah's currencies.
96. The Big Revi'is Debate
An overview of the various approaches
95. The Big Kezayis Debate
How much Matza does one actually have to eat? An overview of this much debated topic.
94. Drinking Water After Afikoman
Understanding the roles of the Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch and his Siddur, and how this shapes our interpretation of the requirement to refrain from drinking after the Afikoman.
93. What Color Was The Red Heifer?
An overview of the history of para aduma and when and how we can renew its practice
92. Should Kiddsuh Be Recited Standing Or Sitting?
NOTE: The calculations at the end of this class are not 100% accurate. See beginning of next class for correction:
91. Chartering A Plane For Kiddush Levana | Part 1
Until when can one recite kiddush levana?
90. Yaakov's Blessings to Yosef
Understanding the poetry in these cryptic verses.
89. Haste Makes Waste
Why Did Reuven Lose The Monarchy? And Why Does Yehuda Deserve it?
#ProjectLikkuteiSichos
88. Raba Adjudicates a Dispute Between G-d & The Heavenly Academy. For Real?!
Understanding the earthly & the heavenly approach to tzara'as as described in the Talmud (Bava Metzia 86a).
Can we uplift ourselves to a place where our challenges no longer threaten us?
87. WHICH PART OF A HORSE IS KOSHER?
Why do we keep the Mitzvos that pre-date Sinai? The Rambam's sharp words for his antagonists.
86 Ascending, Praying & Pilgriming to the Temple Mount
A most important mitzva or something to steer clear from?
85. The Origins of Tzedaka
In this class we explore the origins of tzedaka as they are anchored in the very foundation of our nation, in the lives of Avraham Yitzchok & Ya'akov.
84. The Cause of Yitzchok's Blindness
Rashi seems to abandon the straightforward meaning of the pasuk, instead qouting 3 out of 7 possible midrashim. What is behind all of this?
82. Was Avraham Avinu Actually Considering Not Burying Sarah?
Is there a biblical mitvah to bury the dead? Are there exceptions to the rule?
81. Is Milk Kosher?
Avraham Avinu served milk and butter to the angles. Can we deduce from this that milk is kosher?
80. Drinking on Yom Kippur & Borre Nefashos on Coffee
In 1715 a woman gave birth on Tzom Gedalya and it was questionable if she would be able to fast on Yom Kippur. The Mahari"l shares a conversation that he had with his brother (the Alter Rebbe), in which the Alter Rebbe resolves a complex sugya with one simple idea. This sheds light on the laws of drinking on Yom Kippur and eases this woman's post-partum predicament.
79. Understanding Tekias Shofar
The reasons behind this mitzva
78. Are Truthful Oaths A Mitzvah Or An Aveira?
What's more compelling, a polygraph test or an oath?
77. Can I 'Do Early Shabbos' & Then Change My Mind?
What if I brought in Shabbos early and then have the opportunity to do a mitzva that belongs to Friday?
76. Must We Uphold All Minhagim?
What is the nature of our responsibility to minhag and its application to participating in a bris on Friday
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