Dear Yoetzet Lisa Septimus

In this episode Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus interviews Yoetzet Halacha Yaffa Setton. Together they explore the possibilities of how to handle mikveh on Seder night from a halachic perspective and share some practical advice as well.

Peri-menopause and menopause can be confusing stages of the life cycle, and they don’t always get too much airtime or attention. In this episode of Dear Yoetzet, in which Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus interviews menopause expert Dr. Avigayil Rapp, you will certainly learn something new about menopause and about how Taharat Hamishpacha observance interplays with the changes women experience during this stage.

In traditional Kallah classes, it is often emphasized that bathing is a crucial part of preparing for the Mikveh. However, certain situations, such as the unavailability of a bath or external circumstances like the Covid pandemic and specific conditions in Israel, can make bathing at the Mikveh challenging or unsafe. These scenarios raise important questions about the essential nature of the pre-Mikveh bath. In this episode, Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus, alongside Rebbetzin Abby Lerner, veteran kallah teacher and educator, delve into the halakhic aspects of this issue. They also discuss women's personal experiences and the most effective teaching practices surrounding this important aspect of Mikveh preparation.

We know that while right now, we as a nation are very focused on the war in Israel, individuals and couples are still experiencing normal struggles of life, sometimes even exacerbated by the current situation. In that light, we share this episode, in which Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus interviews Rabbi Yosef Blau, discussing some very real challenges that couples may experience in navigating their relationship with each other as each spouse navigates his or her own relationship with Taharat Hamishpacha and mikveh.

As the war in Israel rages on, questions Yoatzot are receiving range from the relatively mundane and typical niddah questions to extremely weighty ones. But, even when answering the seemingly more mundane and typical questions, there is so much beneath the surface. Join Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus as she interviews Yoetzet Halacha Michal Roness, who answers questions on Nishmat’s Golda Koschitzky Halachic Hotline, about what women’s questions during this time reflect about their experiences during war.

Have you wondered if it’s ok from a halachic perspective to skip your period using hormonal IUDs or OCPs? What about a hashkafic perspective? What if you experience light staining every month, but don’t get a full period—does that put you into niddah? Join Yoetzet Halacha Lisa Septimus as she and guest Rabbi Assaf Bednarsh, Rosh Yeshiva at RIETS and teacher of Yoatzot Halacha in Israel, discuss these questions and more.