Podcast Episode Details

Ep. 50 - Ask Away! #12 [The Q&A Series] Navigating Jewish Practice: Balancing Respect, Study, and Responsibility in Everyday Life

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Season 2

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In this episode of the Ask Away series on the Everyday Judaism Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe addresses a variety of listener questions about Jewish practices and beliefs at the Torch Center in Houston. He clarifies that one does not need to stand when a covered Torah scroll is at rest on the bimah, but standing is required during its transportation, such as when it’s removed from the ark or carried, with varying opinions on standing during its reading or blessings. On writing in sacred texts, Rabbi Wolbe explains that notes can be taken to aid Torah study if done respectfully, avoiding excessive markings that diminish a book’s sanctity, and encourages maintaining a notebook for learning, as historical sages did. He addresses the disposal of holy texts in a genizah, a designated burial for worn-out sacred items, contrasting past preservation efforts with modern abundance due to printing and digital resources. Finally, Rabbi Wolbe attributes the root of antisemitism to a historical jealousy of the Jewish people’s unique relationship with God and the Torah, exacerbated when Jews fail to uphold their responsibilities, urging greater commitment to Jewish values to mitigate such tensions.

In this episode of Ask Away we address these questions and topics:

• Sitting while the Torah is out of the Ark, when it’s covered and uncovered, or regarding the person holding the Torah during the Haftorah reading?
• Is it permissible to write notes in a book like the Book of Judges during a Torah study class? Does it matter if notes are written in pen or pencil?
• Is it okay to own a Torah book you haven’t yet learned from but intend to study?
• How does the concept of genizah (storing or burying sacred texts) align with the practice of preserving or burying holy texts?
• Is it permissible to delete digital files containing Hashem’s name, such as on a phone?
• What is the root of antisemitism, especially given current global issues?
• Does the rule of placing books from greatest to least importance apply only when they are laid on a table, not on a bookshelf?

And much more ... Please submit your questions at askaway@torchweb.org

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The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way.
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This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen Lerner

• Download & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:
  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5

This episode (Ep. #50) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!

Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on June 8, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on July 16, 2025
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Share your questions at askaway@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  
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About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wol

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Published on 5 months, 1 week ago