Responsa Radio

About Responsa Radio

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.

Publisher

Hadar Institute

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Feb 2015

Latest episode

3 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

6 of 188 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   3 Jul 2026

   4th of July Special: R. Ethan Tucker: 250 Years of Judaism in America

   Over 250 years in America, Judaism—a way of life that centers obligation—has had to negotiate a culture defined by autonomy and freedom. How has that tension shaped Jewish life, mitzvot, and halakhah over the past 250 years? What will it take to sustain a culture of mitzvot over the next 250 years? Recorded at Hadar's Summer 2026 Kickoff Event. Source sheet: https://mechonhadar.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/mh_torah_source_sheets/250YearsJudaismAmericaTucker2026.pdf

2. 

   30 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Can You Count the Omer Early?

   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 situation? Should they not say the blessing or count with their community and count again at home like all the other days? If they count later at home, should they not say the blessing? Source sheet: https://voices.sefaria.org/sheets/717193 Have a...

3. 

   25 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Are Women Exempt from Mitzvot?

   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 way of addressing it? Source sheet: https://voices.sefaria.org/sheets/716409 Have a question you'd like answered on Responsa Radio? Email us at responsa@hadar.org Music featured in this episode: Women of Today by Faith Rivera

Inside a recent episode

Can You Count the Omer Early?

Published 30 Mar 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] I'll translate it that way. Mone imahem belo bracha. Counts with them without saying a blessing. This is exactly what Rashi did. Ve'im yizkor balayla, yevarech ve'yispor. If you remember at night, you should make a bracha and count. So we're codifying from Rashi? Seems we're codifying from Rashi, but we are... offering a little bit of clarification that the later counting is meant to be with a blessing. Your instinct that it can't be that this system was meant to cancel the blessing entirely. That's how the Shulchan Aruch brings Rashi's case. But I want you to hear how the Shulchan Aruch just gives its general guidance about the timing. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

290,600

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

86 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

32 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 49 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

37

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

67

Contact Responsa Radio

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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