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

AI & Automation on Shabbos:

• May one program an AI coding agent before Shabbos to build or maintain systems (fix bugs, run a production line, etc.) while it continues working on Shabbos?​
• Does the concern of avsha milsa (“noise-making”) apply to automated processes on Shabbos, and how is “noise” defined — is it the physical sound, or public awareness that work is being done?
• Is there reason to enact new restrictions on automated systems (answering machines, automated factories) because they may erode the spirit and kedusha of Shabbos?​

Shabbos Clocks:

• Are Shabbos clocks for lights and other appliances fundamentally permitted, and are there limits to what may be automated?​

When to Say “Shir Hamaalos”:

• On which days or situations should one say “Al Naharos Bavel” versus “Shir Hamaalos” before bentching according to Chabad minhag, especially given conflicting stories and rumors about the Rebbeim’s practice?​

“Ad D’lo Yada” on Motzaei Purim:

• When the Rebbe instructed one person at the Purim farbrengen to reach a state of ad d’lo yada and motzi everyone else, how was this still applicable after bentching and Maariv, when Purim was technically over?​
• Is the requirement of “ad d’lo yoda” measured by an amount of drinking or by reaching a certain state (with a practical nafka mina)?​

Mourning Practices for Non-Immediate Relatives:

• Do relatives (beyond the formal aveilim) have to observe any signs of mourning during the shivah?​ And which restrictions (music, dancing, bathing, haircuts, fresh clothing) remain binding for them nowadays?​
• Is this extended mourning limited to being in the presence of the actual aveilim or even in another place?​

Wine in the Kiddush Saucer:

• Is there any halachic or kabbalistic basis for avoiding drinking the wine that overflows into the saucer under a kos shel bracha?​
• Does the concern about drinking directly from a bowl extend to wine that was in the bowl but is then poured back into a cup?​

Tevilas Keilim for Storing the Rebbe’s Kos Shel Bracha:

• If someone stores special wine (such as kos shel bracha from the Rebbe) in a glass bottle only as a segulah and not for drinking, must that bottle be toiveled?​
• Theoretically, if the wine of kos shel Eliyahu were disposed of and never used, would that becher require tevilah?​

Signs in Shul Against Talking:

• May a sign‑maker produce signs for shul that read “You’re allowed to talk in shul, but only with Hashem,” using a somewhat humorous and sarcastic tone, or is such language not in line with the Torah approach?​

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

Krias Shema on Mivtzoim:

• When saying Krias Shema with people who do not understand Hebrew, is there a requirement that they understand the meaning or basic content of Shema?​
• During mivtza tefillin, what is the halachic value of having a person say Shema after the zman?​
• What types of mistakes in the reading of Shema necessitate repeating from the beginning of the passuk?​ And is there room for leniency for a person with OCD?​

A Grandfather’s Request:

• Grandchildren whose grandfather requested they never return to Poland: are they halachically obligated to keep this request as part of kibbud av and avi avihem?​
• Is there any way for them to visit without being considered as violating his will, and still be framed as respecting his intent?​

Dealing With Multiple Sifrei Torah:

• When two Sifrei Torah are taken out, until what stage of gelilah of the first Sefer is it prohibited to begin undressing the second Sefer?​
• How does the prohibition of opening the second Sefer Torah until after gelilah of the first Sefer relate to the rule of not beginning the haftorah until the completion of gelilah?​

Shliach Tzibur With Past Aveiros:

• May someone who previously committed serious aveiros and later did teshuvah serve as a shliach tzibur?​
• What about someone who was a tinok shenishbah, and not properly educated, serving as a shliach tzibur?​

Changing Location While Eating – Follow-Up:

• If someone makes a shehakol in one room and then moves to another room or to the yard, when does he need to make a new bracha, and when does intent from the outset help?​
• When in doubt whether a new bracha is required after changing locations, can one deliberately make a bracha acharona first and then a new bracha rishona, or is this considered an unnecessary bracha?​
• Is it effective to make a once-a-year stipulation that all one’s brachos are made with the intent to possibly move locations?​

Yehareg Ve’al Ya’avor and “Me’achorei Hageder”:

• In the Rambam’s case, where doctors say a man’s only cure is to interact with a woman in forbidden circumstances, what exactly is meant by the expression “me’achorei hageder” for which he must rather give up his life?​

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

Bris and baby naming:

• If a bris needed to be done by a frum mohel surgeon in a hospital, is it better to name the baby immediately with just the parents present, or to delay a few hours in order to name him at home with a minyan and a cup of wine?​
• How closely must the bracha of “asher kideish yedid” be to the actual bris?​

Brachos for parents after birth:

• What are the guidelines for the brachos made by the parents following the birth of a child?
• And is this in fact the proper minhag despite rumored reports that this isn’t practiced among chassidim?​

Shehecheyanu on new fruits:

• When eating a new seasonal fruit, which bracha should be recited first: Shehechiyanu or ha’eitz, according to Chabad minhag?​
• Is there any evidence from the Rebbe to reverse the order?​

Women and birkas hagomel:

• Should a woman who has given birth recite hagomel after recovery?​

Answering devarim shebikdusha during pesukei d’zimra:

• During pesukei d’zimra, which devarim she’bikdusha should one answer, and which instances of amein during kaddish are included in the allowance?​

Removing snow on Shabbos:

• May one shovel snow on Shabbos in an enclosed area (where carrying is permitted) when there’s a concern for people getting hurt?​
• Is fresh snow considered muktzah?​
• Is spreading salt on ice and snow permissible on Shabbos?​
• What can be done about snow in areas where carrying isn’t allowed?

Adding a name for a choleh:

• Under what conditions is a name added for a dangerously ill person?​
• Does the added name become the person’s permanent name for all halachic purposes, and what factors can affect this?​

Bracha of al mitzvas tzizis on a tallis gadol:

• If one mistakenly recites the bracha of al mitzvas tzitzis on a tallis gadol, is the bracha valid b’dieved, or must it be repeated?​
• What changes to the nusach constitute being “meshaneh matbei’a shetav’u chachamim”?

Switching rooms while eating cake and coffee:

• If someone makes a mezonos on cake and a shehakol on coffee, and then leaves the room and returns, does the requirement to come back for al hamichya on the cake keep the original shehakol in force also for the coffee?​
• How does this compare to the case of a bread meal, where the ha’eitz made on fruit eaten in the meal remains in force even if one left and returned?​