Episode Details

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

Challah knives

• Is there a preference to use a smooth knife over a serrated one for cutting challah on Shabbos?
• Does a serrated knife create a halachic concern because it has “pegimos”?
• What are the reasons for sharpening knives before Shabbos? And does it apply to serrated knives?

AI and psak:

• Is it halachically proper to rely on AI for halachic rulings? Does a posek need to be human?
• Theoretically, if and when an AI were perfectly accurate, would that change the halachic status of using it for answering shailos?
• What are the dangers involved in asking halachic questions to AI?

Bracha on tzitzis:

• When is a bracha on tallis katan appropriate, and when should the tallis gadol cover it?
• Is wearing “night tzitzis” a good idea or does it become a kesus lailah (a garment designated for sleeping)?
• What is the best way to arrange the rotation of tzitzis to be able to make the bracha every morning?
• Is the interruption of a night’s sleep sufficient to require a new bracha in the morning?

Birchas kohanim at a chuppah: 

• Is a kohen obligated to go up for birchas kohanim when called independent of davening (e.g. at a chuppah)?
• Why do non-kohanim use the nusach of birchas kohanim when blessing children?