Kol Deracheha

Welcome to Kol Deracheha, a podcast about women and mitzvot, from deracheha.org, a Yeshivat Har Etzion Initiative. Our name comes from the pasuk in Mishlei 3:10, which says “be-chol derachecha da’ehu.” “In all your ways, know God.” We’ve changed that to Kol Deracheha, which means “all her ways,” and also “the voice of Deracheha.” Our goal is that Kol Deracheha will inspire you wherever you walk on the pathways of Torah. Season 1 of Kol Deracheha is dedicated in memory of Mrs. Anita Hirsch Silverman, Yehudit Raizel bat Eliezer v'Esther, zichrona livracha.

Shabbat and Yom Tov Meals 04/28/2025

Shabbat and Yom Tov Meals What is the nature of the obligation to eat on Shabbat and Yom Tov? How does it apply to women? Who can make ha-motzi? Where do seuda shelishit and melaveh malka fit in? Episode transcipt and sources here: To sponsor an episode of Kol Deracheha email [email protected] /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/36336135

Candle-lighting II: When and How 04/09/2025

Candle-lighting II: When and How At what time do we light candles? How does this relate to accepting Shabbat? What is the optimal procedure for lighting? Transcript and sources available here: To sponsor an episode of Kol Deracheha email [email protected] /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/36064440

Candle-Lighting I: Who, What, Where 03/30/2025

Candle-Lighting I: Who, What, Where What is the mitzva of Lighting Shabbat and Yom Tov candles? Who lights? Where? Transcript and sources available at To sponsor an episode of Kol Deracheha email [email protected] /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/35922150

Bat Mitzva 02/01/2023

Bat Mitzva In this episode we discuss the halachic significance of bat mitzva and how should it be observed or celebrated. Full article available here: https://www.deracheha.org/bat-mitzva/ /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/25796025

Chinuch 01/15/2023

Chinuch In this episode we discuss what is chinuch for mitzvot, who is obligated, and at what stage. Dedicated by Sarah Kenigsberg Le-ilui Nishmat Chaya Miriam Bat Kasriel. Full article available here: /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/25610982

Behind the Scenes: Talking about Chinuch with Ora & Laurie 07/07/2022

Behind the Scenes: Talking about Chinuch with Ora & Laurie In this episode, we discuss our personal inspirations and approaches to chinuch for our children. Article on Chinuch available here: https://www.deracheha.org/chinuch/ /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/23666354

Mechitza III: Separation in Society 04/03/2022

Mechitza III: Separation in Society In this episode we discuss when we need a mechitza or gender separation outside of prayer. To read all the sources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.deracheha.org/mechitza-3-separation-in-society/ /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/22661594

Mechitza II: Structure 03/27/2022

Mechitza II: Structure In this episode we discuss the structural requirements for a mechitza and whether the ezrat nashim‘s structure has a halachic effect on prayers said within it. Find all the sources discussed in this episode on our website here: https://www.deracheha.org/mechitza-2-structure/ /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/22581590

Mechitza I: Purpose 03/20/2022

Mechitza I: Purpose In this episode we discuss the purpose of mechitza and why gender separation is a part of prayer. This episode is dedicated in honor of Ilana Abramson's birthday by her daughter, Raphaela. Full article available here: https://www.deracheha.org/mechitza-1-purpose/ /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/22504196

Megilla Reading II: Quorum and Reading for Others 02/15/2022

Megilla Reading II: Quorum and Reading for Others In part 2 of our megilla reading podcast we discuss who constitutes a quorum for megilla reading, and whether women may read for herself and others. Read all the sources here: https://www.deracheha.org/megilla-reading/ /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/22137599

Megilla Reading I: The Mitzva and Brachot 02/08/2022

Megilla Reading I: The Mitzva and Brachot In this episode we discuss the nature of women's obligation in megilla reading and the brachot recited. Part 2 will discuss who constitutes a quorum for megilla reading, and who a woman may read for. Read more in our article here: https://www.deracheha.org/megilla-reading/ /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/22069235

Women and Tefilla Be-tzibbur 01/17/2022

Women and Tefilla Be-tzibbur In this episode we dicuss women and tefilla be-tzibbur. Specifically, what is the nature of communal prayer? What is the role of Shaliach Tzibbur, and who can fill it? What is the significance of women’s participation? Click here for the full article: This episode was dedicated in memory of Michael ben Yosef Halevi Lebenbaum /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/21796670

Women and Minyan 01/09/2022

Women and Minyan In this episode we address some fundamental questions about minyan. What is a minyan and what is it for? Who does and doesn’t count toward a minyan, and why? To read all the sources mentions in this podcast, head to https://www.deracheha.org/minyan/ /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/21717290

Behind the Scenes: Menstruation and Shabbat 01/02/2022

Behind the Scenes: Menstruation and Shabbat In this short episode, Rachel goes behind the scenes with Laurie to discuss Deracheha's most recent article on menstruation and Shabbat. Learn what made writing this article so challenging, what surprised Laurie as she was writing it, and what's next on Deracheha's to-do list. To read the article, click here: www.deracheha.org/menstruation-and-shabbat/ /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/21651194

Learning about Sigd with Brhan Worku 11/04/2021

Learning about Sigd with Brhan Worku Deracheha's Rachel Weber Leshaw spoke to Brhan Worku about the Ethiopian Jewish holiday of Sigd. Brhan talked about the meaning of Sigd, her family's journey from Ethiopia, cultural differences between Ethiopian and Israeli society, and whether non-Ethiopian Jews should celebrate Sigd too. Speaking engagements for Brhan can be arranged through /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/21051539

Erev Yom Kippur 09/01/2021

Erev Yom Kippur What are the the mitzvot and customs of Erev Yom Kippur? Why are they significant? How do they apply to women? Full article here: www.deracheha.org/erev-yom-kippur/ Tefilla Zakah adapted for women here: https://www.kipa.co.il/userFiles/zaka_yomKipur.pdf /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/20336861

Selichot 08/17/2021

Selichot In this espisode we discuss Selicht - what are Selichot? Are women obligated to recite them? Do they require a minyan? Read the full article here: Rav Ezra Bick's commentary on the Yud Gimmel Middot - https://www.etzion.org.il/en/series/understanding-13-middot-en All Deracheha's Elul content available here: https://www.deracheha.org/elul-tishrei/ /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/20168579

Dress IV: Keli Gever 07/28/2021

Dress IV: Keli Gever In this episode we address the halacha of keli gever - what is a man’s article, a keli gever? What is the prohibition of a woman’s wearing one? How does intent affect this halacha? Read the full article here: https://www.deracheha.org/dress-4-keli-gever/ /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/19955519

Talking About Eicha and More with Dr. Yael Ziegler 07/08/2021

Talking About Eicha and More with Dr. Yael Ziegler In this special Pre-Tish'a Be-Av episode we talk to Dr. Yael Ziegler about her new book "Lamentations: Faith in a Turbulent World" and her experience writing on such a seemingly sad topic. We also discuss her new appointment as Rosh Beit Midrash of Matan, and her career path until today. Buy the book here: https://korenpub.com/products/lamentations-faith-in-a-turbulent-world /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/19743743

Kiddush 2: Practical Issues 07/04/2021

Kiddush 2: Practical Issues In this episode we discuss some practical issues relating to kiddush. Can someone eat before kiddush? Does a woman recite or respond to she-hechiyyanu in Yom Tov kiddush? Does prayer affect the ability to make kiddush for others? Full article available here: https://www.deracheha.org/kiddush-2-practical-issues/ /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/19698683

Kiddush I: Obligation 06/23/2021

Kiddush I: Obligation In this episode we discuss the mitzva of kiddush, both on Shabbat and Yom Tov, at night and during the day. We discuss a woman's obligation, and also how a couple should handle kiddush during nidda. Read the article here: https://www.deracheha.org/kiddush-1-obligation/ /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/19584512

Discharging Obligations in Practice 06/15/2021

Discharging Obligations in Practice In this episode we discuss when a woman can discharge a man's mitzva obligations, and cases where she technically can, but maybe should not. Why would that be the case?Listen to find out, and gain insight into differences between birkat hamazon, kiddush and megilla. /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/19480808

Talking about Trust and Fear in Halakha Education with Shayna Goldberg 05/26/2021

Talking about Trust and Fear in Halakha Education with Shayna Goldberg In this new podcast we go behind-the-scenes with Shayna Goldberg, Contributing Editor to Deracheha and author of the new book "What Do You Really Want?" In her conversation with Rachel, Shayna explains how the book came to be, how it relates to her work as an educator, and lessons she's learned from her years of teaching. /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/19246943

Discharging Another's Mitzva Obligations 05/20/2021

Discharging Another's Mitzva Obligations In this episode we discuss how and when a person can discharge someone else’s halachic obligation. Who can do this for whom, and what are the halachic mechanisms that allow this to work? /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/19175897

Talking about Shavuot with Rachel Sharansky Danziger 05/11/2021

Talking about Shavuot with Rachel Sharansky Danziger In this special pre-Shavuot interview episode, we spoke to Rachel Sharansky Danziger about Torah, story-telling, immigration, Megillat Rut, Shavuot at the Kotel and more! /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/19060313

Zimmun 2: The Text and Mixed Zimmun 04/20/2021

Zimmun 2: The Text and Mixed Zimmun In the second episode in our podcast series we discuss whether men and women can combine to form a zimmun. We also discuss who can make a zimmun be-Shem, and the parameters for the text of zimmun. /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/18791315

Zimmun 1: The Mitzva and Women's Zimmun 04/13/2021

Zimmun 1: The Mitzva and Women's Zimmun In our first podcast on Zimmun we discuss the mitzva of zimmun, who is obligated in it, and under what circumstances women recite it. /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/18705608

Talking Chametz, Matza and More with Devorah Katz of Pat Bamelach 03/15/2021

Talking Chametz, Matza and More with Devorah Katz of Pat Bamelach In this interview, Rachel sat down with Devorah Katz of Pat Bamelach bakery in Efrat right before Pesach to talk about chametz, matza and more. Listen to find out what a bakery does with its sourdough starter on Pesach, and how food brought people together during the pandemic. (Plus Deracheha's zimmun cards, the creative women of Pat Bamelach, and the Katz family Pesach Seder!) /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/18331988

Women at the Seder - Part 2 03/10/2021

Women at the Seder - Part 2 In this episode we discuss women's obligation in reclining at the seder and telling the story of the exodus from Egypt. /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/18267272

Women at the Seder - Part 1 03/02/2021

Women at the Seder - Part 1 In this episode we discuss women's obligation at the Pesach seder. Are women obligated in Pesach, matza and maror? In the four cups? In Hallel? /episode/index/show/deracheha/id/18153590

Kol Deracheha

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