# Ep. 53 - 🎤 Ask Away! #13 [The Q&A Series]

From **Everyday Judaism: Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe** by R Aryeh Wolbe.

- **Published:** Fri, 05 Sep 2025 01:00:00 -0500
- **Duration:** 51:39
- **Audio:** https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.transistor.fm/677c9788/fab83ac2.mp3
- **Page:** https://share.transistor.fm/s/677c9788
- **TorahApp:** https://torahapp.org/share/p/3P_torch_r_aryeh_wolbe_everyday_judaism/e/92da791e-cd78-4ff4-8233-c657797c8979

<p>In the 13th episode of the <em>Ask Away</em> series on the <em>Everyday Judaism Podcast</em>, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe responds to a variety of student questions, exploring the meaning and origin of <em>Amen</em> as an affirmation of truth derived from <em>El Melech Ne’eman</em>, clarifying that the person reciting a blessing does not say <em>Amen</em> but others should to join in the blessing’s merit. He addresses whether saying <em>Amen</em> at a communal <em>Motzi</em> is appropriate, discusses the importance of integrity in light of Bernie Madoff’s actions, and explains how to overcome negative traits like cruelty or anger through small, consistent steps toward God-like qualities, as taught in <em>Mussar</em>. Rabbi Wolbe also emphasizes the priority of supporting Torah study through non-profits as a form of charity, the value of anonymous giving, and the spiritual significance of the <em>Mishnah</em> recitation after Torah study with a minyan, concluding with a call to verify rabbinic teachings with sources and a blessing for a meaningful week.</p><p><br><strong>In this episode of Ask Away we address these questions and topics:</strong></p><ul><li>Here are the questions asked by the students in the provided transcript of the <em>Ask Away</em> series on the <em>Everyday Judaism Podcast</em>:<ul><li><strong>Ed</strong>: What is the origin of <em>Amen</em>, and if it is said after a blessing, does the person who gives/recites the blessing say <em>Amen</em>?</li><li><strong>Jimmy</strong>: When we say the Ha<em>Motzi</em> at our dinner table or any of our meals and we all say <em>Amen</em>, are we incorrect?</li><li><strong>Ed</strong>: You said that Jews are not cruel, and if they are cruel, you got to inspect their lineage. Did anybody ever inspect Bernie Madoff's lineage?</li><li><strong>Anna</strong>: If you find yourself with a trait of cruelty, is there no workaround? You just do <em>teshuvah</em> and change your ways, or is there another approach, like becoming a butcher or surgeon for someone who favors bloodletting?</li><li><strong>Anna</strong>: Are non-profits considered poor in the context of the obligation to help the poor?</li><li><strong>Anna</strong>: If someone doesn't ask for charity, but you give to them anyway (e.g., a smile, food, or beverage), is that the same mitzvah as charity, or is it a different mitzvah?</li><li><strong>Jimmy</strong>: What is the good side of the trait of anger? (Combined with an online listener’s question about how to be more patient.)</li><li><strong>Carlos</strong>: If we talk about <em>Midrash</em> and <em>Gemara</em> in classes, why doesn't the Rabbi end his classes with <em>Rabbi Chananya ben Akashya Omer</em>?</li></ul></li></ul><p>And much more ... Please submit your questions at <a href="mailto:askaway@torchweb.org">askaway@torchweb.org</a></p><p>_____________<br>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.<br>_____________<br>This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by <strong>Marshall &amp; Doreen Lerner</strong></p><ul><li>Download &amp; Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:<br><a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5">https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5</a></li></ul><p>This episode (Ep. #50) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, <strong>Marshall &amp; Doreen Lerner!</strong> May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!</p><p><br>Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on June 15, 2025, in Houston, Texas.<br>Released as Podcast on September 5, 2025<br>_____________<br><strong>Connect with Us:</strong><br>Subscribe to the Everyday Judaism Podcast on Apple Podcasts (<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-judaism-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1600622789">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-judaism-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1600622789</a>) or Spotify (<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3AXCNcyKSVsaOLsLQsCN1C">https://open.spotify.com/show/3AXCNcyKSVsaOLsLQsCN1C</a>) to stay inspired! <br>Share your questions at askaway@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  <br>_____________</p><p><strong>About the Host:</strong><br>Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: <a href="mailto:awolbe@torchweb.org"><strong>awolbe@torchweb.org</strong></a><br>_____________</p><p><strong>Support Our Mission:</strong><br>Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at <a href="http://www.torchweb.org/"><strong>torchweb.org</strong></a>. Your support makes a difference!<br>_____________<br><strong>Subscribe and Listen </strong>to other podcasts by <a href="https://linktr.ee/ariwol">Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe</a>: </p><ul><li>NEW!! <strong>Prayer </strong>Podcast: <a href="https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes">https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes</a></li><li><strong>Jewish Inspiration</strong> Podcast: <a href="https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes">https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes</a></li><li><strong>Parsha Review</strong> Podcast: <a href="https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes">https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes</a></li><li><strong>Living Jewishly</strong> Podcast: <a href="https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes">https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes</a></li><li><strong>Thinking Talmudist</strong> Podcast: <a href="https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes">https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes</a></li><li><strong>Unboxing Judaism</strong> Podcast: <a href="https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes">https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes</a></li><li><strong>Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection</strong>: <a href="https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes">https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes</a></li></ul><p>For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at <a href="http://podcast.torchweb.org/">http://podcast.torchweb.org</a><br>_____________</p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong><br>#Torah, #Halacha, #Amen, #JewishBlessings, #Community, #RoshHashanah, #Shabbos, #Compassion, #SpiritualGrowth, #Mussar, #NegativeTraits, #Transformation, #Madoff, #Charity, #TorahStudy, #Institutions, #AnonymousDonations, #JewishOralLaw, #JewishLife, #Practice, #Q&amp;A, #Sponsorship</p>
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