AskTheRav Hotline Marks Three Years of Instant Halachic Guidance
Three years after its launch, the AskTheRav Hotline continues to offer clear, immediate halachic answers to all. From shluchim leading communities to Crown Heights locals, students, and even non-Jews, it operates as part of an international Beis Hora’ah under the Crown Heights Beis Din.
Three years after its launch, the AskTheRav Hotline continues to revolutionize access to halacha – providing direct, reliable, and immediate answers to callers around the world. Operating as part of an international virtual Beis Hora’ah under the Crown Heights Beis Din and the dedicated guidance of Harav Yosef Braun, Mara D’asra and member of the Beis Din, the hotline has already fielded over 32,000 questions on virtually every area of Jewish law.
“It’s incredible to see the range of questions we receive daily,” says a member of the AskTheRav backend team. “From shluchim leading their communities who need immediate answers, to Crown Heights locals, college students, other frum communities, and even non-Jews seeking clarity – people from all walks of life turn to AskTheRav every single day.”
From kashrus and Shabbos to taharah, ribbis, business halacha, and urgent family matters, calls are handled by a team of experienced dayanim and rabbanim, who respond with precision, empathy, and care. Every answer is reviewed by Harav Braun to ensure accuracy and uphold the highest halachic standards.
The hotline’s operating hours are:
Sunday–Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM EST
Friday & Erev Yomtov: 9:00 AM – one hour before candle lighting
Motzei Shabbos/Yomtov: one hour after until 10:30 PM
The hotline is part of the broader AskTheRav platform, which has fielded over 50,000 questions through its website – one of the largest and most respected halachic resources available online. The site’s vast, searchable archive includes tens of thousands of sourced answers organized by topic, lifecycle event, and Shulchan Aruch reference.
“AskTheRav is an incredible resource,” says longtime user Menachem Weiss. “When I have a question, I know I’ll get a clear, sourced response within a day. It’s dependable, authentic, and easy to use.”
What began three years ago as a modest extension of the AskTheRav website has, over the past year and a half, dramatically expanded its hours and accessibility, becoming a trusted international address for halachic clarity – available to anyone, anywhere, at nearly any time.
Shluchim and others who often require immediate or time-sensitive halachic responses are encouraged to note it – whether in an online question or by phone – to ensure quicker service and priority handling.
