- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Crown Heights Today
By the People, for the People
Halacha Podcast Explores Tefillin Use by Non-Jews
Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun addresses questions on mitzvah performance by non-Jews and prospective converts.
Published on Feb. 8, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
In the latest episode of the 'Lemaan Yishmeu' halacha podcast, Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun, Mara D'asra and member of the Crown Heights Beis Din, discusses whether it is ever permitted for a non-Jew to put on tefillin, as well as other intriguing halachic questions on a range of practical topics.
Why it matters
The podcast addresses important questions around the boundaries of mitzvah observance for non-Jews and those on the path to conversion, which can have implications for Jewish identity and community cohesion.
The details
In the episode, Rabbi Braun explores whether non-Jews can perform mitzvos to receive reward, the extent to which we can assist or facilitate a non-Jew in doing mitzvos, and the concerns around allowing a prospective convert to perform mitzvos like putting on tefillin. He also addresses other halachic topics such as changing location while eating, using a synagogue as a shortcut, and the requirements for hearing the Torah reading.
- The podcast episode was recorded and released on February 9, 2026.
The players
Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun
Mara D'asra and member of the Crown Heights Beis Din, who hosts the 'Lemaan Yishmeu' halacha podcast.
Lemaan Yilmedu Halacha Institute
The organization that partners with AskTheRav.com to produce the 'Lemaan Yishmeu' podcast.
What’s next
The next episode of the 'Lemaan Yishmeu' podcast will be released on February 16, 2026, addressing additional halachic topics.
The takeaway
The 'Lemaan Yishmeu' podcast provides an important platform for discussing complex halachic questions that have real-world implications for the Jewish community, helping to clarify the boundaries and nuances around mitzvah observance.
