Shiurim

10/19/23 - SHIUR 439 (27,400 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

Israel at War – Halachos of warfare, “collateral damage,” prisoner swaps, refusing medical treatment to terrorists, and much more

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Do we need to worry about “collateral damage” when bombing Gaza?
Can a Jewish doctor refuse to treat an injured terrorist?
What does halacha say about having a death sentence for terrorists?
Are prisoner swaps permitted, if Israel exchanges many more prisoners than it receives?
How can we process the trauma we are experiencing?
What can we do to be there for families directly affected?

10/13/23 - SHIUR 438 (24,494 Downloads)

עת צרה היא ליעקב וממנה יושע – The Torah outlook and our responsibility

Should we be sending our Bochurim to Yeshivos and our daughters to seminaries in Eretz Yisroel?
Can a Doctor go to Eretz Yisroel to help the war effort
How can we help the war effort from America?
How should we act in such times?
How do we show empathy with the Yidden in Eretz Yisroel
Should we be toning down our simchas and lifestyle in general?
How should we improve?
How are the Yidden in Yerushalayim dealing with the situation?
Words of Chizzuk
The Torah view on the situation
And much more……

09/14/23 - SHIUR 436 (25,634 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

Making 5784 into “THE YEAR”

What’s your favorite Yamim Noraim devar Torah?
What’s your advice for improving ourselves?
What’s worked for you?

09/08/23 - SHIUR 435 (22,270 Downloads)

מי אנכי שאזכה להתפלל – The Halachos and beauty of Tefillah – The decorum in Shul

If a person knows that he only if he Davens everything he won’t have Kavanah & he Davens less he’ll have can he skip anything? If yes which parts can he skip?
If a person can’t have Kavanah because he doesn’t understand the language should he Daven in English?
Should a person Daven at length at the expense of learning Torah?
If a person can compose his own Tefilah is that better than davening the standard (more personal & heartfelt when coming from the composer- more than he can relate to Chazal’s Tefillos).
Where’s the source(s) of not talking during davening? If the only minyan he has is one which they talk in is it better to Daven Byechidus?
Is it better to Daven with a Minyan without a hat and jacket or B’Yechidus with a hat and jacket?
Is there any reason to daven Pesukei D’zimra with a minyan or come to Shul for Borchu? Likewise Kabbalas Shabbos with a minyan or just come for Maariv?
Someone who’s not dressed properly for Davening but if he waits until he gets his clothing he won’t have a minyan should he daven with the minyan dressed as is or wait?
Someone is on the beach with only a bathing suit and it’s getting night and he didn’t Daven Mincha and by the time he gets clothes it’ll be too late to Daven?
If someone is traveling and doesn’t have a siddur and he doesn’t remember all the words of Shemone Esrei just most can he Daven with skipping some words? (Also Tefilas Haderech)
Someone is not feeling well and is sleeping should they be woken up to say Krias Shma and Daven before the Zman?
What takes precedence if you can’t do both Tefillah BTzibbur or Krias Hatorah?
A Shul doesn’t say Tachnun for no good reason do you have to say afterwards by yourself?
That was it says in Shulchan Aruch to give Tzedaka before Davening does this include Tzedaka to non-Jews?

09/01/23 - SHIUR 434 (27,182 Downloads)

מי יחיה מי ימות Community organizations dealing with life and death issues daily and some of the שאלות that arise

For what type of situations should you be calling Hatzalah.
How should you call Hatzalah – with a shinui etc ?
Can you turn on outside lights to make it easier for Hatzalah to identify the house?
If you have to go to the hospital on Shabbos what do you have to know – what can you take clothes, phone, wallet etc?
Is it better to go with Hatzalah or drive yourself or go with uber?
Do you have to go to the closest hospital or to a further one – out of the T’Chum
Should you cancel Hatzolah if all is good and you don’t need them anymore?
If you madean early Shabbos should you be Matir Neder and then drive youself to the hospital?
Who can go along with the patient?
What can you or can’t you do in the hospital?
When can you come back home on Shabbos and when not?

08/24/23 - SHIUR 433 (25,696 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

Conflict in marriage – how to fight effectively

Are there Halachos on how spouses should engage in conflict?
Do men and women fight differently?
What are the top 3 things men complain about regarding their wives and vice versa?
Should conflict be avoided or embraced?
What are effective methods to deal with conflicts?

08/18/23 - SHIUR 432 (26,604 Downloads)

Exclusivity or Community: The dilemma of school selection policies | The love of the Tosher Rebbe ZT”L

Is having discriminatory school acceptance policies Halachically allowed?
What damage are we doing to our children?
Do we have a communal obligation to accept all children into schools?
Is there a difference between a boys school and a girls school?
Can schools force people to accept upon themselves Chumros, in order that their kids should be accepted?
Can schools claim they hold themselves to certain standards, if they overlook these standards for affluent members of the community?
Is this the first time in history there was an elitist attitude?

08/11/23 - SHIUR 431 (24,076 Downloads)

Navigating the Halachic landscape of vacation

What can you buy in a store without a Hechsher?
Halachos of Cholov Stam 
Going mixed swimming with family
Taking a walk on the boardwalk
Sitting next to women on planes
Should you visit a Beis Hakvaros?
Are you allowed to Daven to the dead or just in the Zechus of the dead?
Can expectenat ladies go to a Beis Hakvaros?
Can a Kohein go to Kivrei Tzadikim?
Putting on a Tallis and Tefillin by Kivrei Tzadikim
And much more……

08/03/23 - SHIUR 430 (31,288 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

LGBTQ+ and “Pride Parades” – How is it impacting us? Should we explain it to our children?

How should I react when the “Pride Parade” goes by my home in Yerushalayim?
How should I explain the rainbow flag to my 10-year-old?
Are we being influenced by secular values? If so, how are we seeing those influences?
How do we strengthen our own values?
Is being active in the rainbow movement worse than Chilul Shabbos?
Is it a chilul Hashem to go against the “enlightened” values of secular society?

07/28/23 - SHIUR 427 (33,138 Downloads)

Jewish Influencers: The Facts The Fears The Responsibilities

What responsibility does an influencer have to do due dilgience when endorsing a product or business deal?
If an influencer didn’t do due diligence and people suffered financial loss is the influencer responsible?
Not letting people know you’re getting paid for what you’re promoting is it גניבת דעת?
Are you allowed to push people to live beyond their means or become envious?
What responsibility does someone on social media have?
Are influencers a danger to the influence of Rabbonim?

07/13/23 - SHIUR 427 (29,148 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

Women Singers – Is it preferable that women attend a performance by a male or female singer?

Is there a prohibition of Histaklus of a woman staring at a man performing? What about “Kol Ish” in hearing a man sing?
Is there a problem posting videos of women singing online? Does a “Kol Isha Warning” help?
Do female performances not reflect “yiddishe values”?
Where do we draw the line of Tznius in public?

06/30/23 - SHIUR 425 (48,028 Downloads)

HOT DEAL OR HOT AIR – Ponzi Schemes Proliferating – The Halachic, legal, and monetary ramifiactions

Is it Loshon Horah to say the name of the perperators?
Is it Mesirah to report such people to the authorities?
What is the proper way to deal with the families of the perpetrators?
What’s the Halachic status of the returns that insvestors received from the swindlers?
Is there a legal requirement to report fraudsters?
How should someone invest?

06/22/23 - SHIUR 424 (28,802 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

Segulos – Do they really work? Are they mutar and advisable or ineffective and prohibited?

How do we judge if a segulah is valid or not?
Is the $1 given out by the Lubavitcher Rebbe meant as a segulah?
Are the red bendel (bracelet) and Schlissel Challah actual segulos or prohibited?
Is buying Kol Hanearim, Maftir Yona or Pesicha for Neilah effective?
Are there any valid segulos for parnassah, shidduchim, health, Shalom Bayis and great children?
How do fake segulos catch on? 

06/16/23 - SHIUR 423 (24,732 Downloads)

Subway Chokehold – Daniel Penny VS Jordan Neely through the lense of Halacha | AI Paskening II

Overreacting in self defense, is it Muttar?
Do you have have to try to be מציל באחד מאבריו when someone’s attacking you?
When unsure if someone is attacking what can you do to protect youself?
(ספק רודף)
Self defense against people who are mentally unstable – does a שוטה have a din of a rodef?
Are you חייב מיתה if you kill a שוטה?
What preventive measures can you take to protect yourself from being harmed?

06/09/23 - SHIUR 422 (25,408 Downloads)

Can AI Pasken ? Will Artifical Intelligence ever replace Rabbonim?

When perfected will you be able to rely on AI for Psak?
Do you need a human mind for Psak?
Do you need a human emotion for Psak? [Is Psak dependent on the place, questioners situation etc[
Shouldn’t we rely on a computer when it’s more knowledgeable and doesn’t make mistakes?
Can a computer be מדמה מילתא למילתא?
Is knowledge enough for Psak? Can a child Pasken? Can a Goy Pasken? Can a woman Pasken? [if they knew all the Halachos]
סייעתא דשמיא in Psak – is it needed? Can a computer have it?

06/01/23 - SHIUR 421 (22,548 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

“Living the Dream” – Spending Beyond Our Means

Why do people spend when they can’t afford to? Is it mutar to do so?
What’s the concept of “keeping up with the Joneses”?
What should we spend on and what should we not spend on?
Is there a problem flaunting your perceived wealth? Posting it on social media?|
How do you raise kids without their thinking they are underprivileged?
For a wealthy person, is there any reason they should limit their spending?
Does money buy happiness?

05/12/23 - SHIUR 419 (32,988 Downloads)

Baalei Aveirah in our midst – How to we deal with them?

Who’s a מומר?
Someone who flaunts his Aveiros publicly – is he a מומר?
Can a Baal Aveirah write an Ois in a Sefer Torah?
If the Sofer writes the outline is it kosher?
Can they get an Aliya?
Can they Daven for the Amud?
Are they Possul to be עדי קידושין?
Can they make ברכת הזימון?
Are we allowed to be Mechabed them or is it חנופה?
Should we be ostracizing them from our community?
Should we be Mekarev them?

05/04/23 - SHIUR 418 (25,888 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

What’s Shana Rishona about? Should it be spent in Ramat Eshkol/Yerushlayim on the parents’ tab?

What’s the source and reason for having a Shana Rishona?
What are the halachic requirements? How should the year be spent?
What are common issues that come up?
What preparation can be done to make a Shana Rishona easier?
What are the basic halachos of kavod to in-laws? What should in-laws be called?
How does a new Kallah properly interact with her new brothers-in-law?
How does a new Chosson interact with his sisters-in-law?

04/28/23 - SHIUR 417 (25,198 Downloads)

Miscarriage in Halacha

Someone who had a miscarriage and is very vulnerable can her husband hold her in extreme situations or is it יהרוג ואל יעבור ?
Is there a חיוב קבורה on the fetus and at what stage?
Can you test the fetus to check for illnes?
Is the fetus named – and at what stage?
Do you say Kaddish for a fetus?
Do you sit Shiva?
After what type of miscarriage is there no Pidyon Haben?
Does the lady have a Din of a Choleh regarding fasting on Yom Kippur?
Regarding being Mechalel Shabbos?

04/20/23 - SHIUR 416 (24,962 Downloads)

Organ Donation in Halacha Is it an obligation, a prohibition, or a choice?

Donating organs from a live donor
From a dead donor posthumously
What are the types of organ retrieval after death?
Is there a nafka Mina between them in Halacha?
If a frum Jew decides to donate organs after death, is there anything different they should requests than the general public?
Are you allowed to sign the back of your license to become a donor?
If someone donates an organ against Halacha are you allowed to be a recipient of that organ?

04/14/23 - SHIUR 415 (22,622 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

Is it good or bad that many young men don’t have a “plan” for parnassah? Should they have one?

Should young men in yeshiva develop a plan for parnassa? If so, when?
Does having a parnassa plan also apply to those going into teaching and rabbanus?
Is “I want to learn” enough of a plan?
Does having a plan apply to young women?
Do girls in shidduchim ever ask “does he have a plan”?
Do boys in shidduchim ask: “does she have a plan for supporting a family” or “does her family have money”?

03/31/23 - SHIUR 414 (22,764 Downloads)

The most common Pesach Shailos answered by the world’s leading Rabbonim – Hear some new fascinating Shailos

Maos Chittim
Selling Chametz for someone who’s comatose
Siyum Bechorim on the telephone
Selling Chametz Gamur
E-Ciagrettes on Pesach
Gastric Bypass – If you can’t drink Kosos and eat Matzah what takes precedence
Lap-Band Surgery – Does the Shiur of a Kzayis switch
What can you Kasher?
Do cosmetics need a Hechsher?
How much do you have to clean?
Shiur of a Kzayis
Switching your Minhag of Gebrokts
What should you use for Maror
A Sephardi who married an Ashkenazi what do you do regarding kitnios
And much more….

03/16/23 - SHIUR 412 (22,970 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

What makes for Effective Dating?

Is it okay to date two pepole at the same time?
Can you test your date’s middos, and if so, to what extent?
What should be the goal of dating?
What is the most important thing for a person to do when dating? Is love necessary?
Is choosing from pictures and photo albums/catalogs effective in choosing who to date?
What are current trends in dating? What types of singles events are being held?
Are friends helpful or hurtful in getting dating advice?

03/03/23 - SHIUR 410 (22,250 Downloads)

What are the Halachos of a Halachic State? What happens if the government in Eretz Yisroel is run by Frum Yidden?

Would everything be run according to Shulchan Aruch?
What about the things that according to Shulchan Aruch Beis Din can’t enforce nowadays?
How do we deter people who steal if they get caught all they’ll have to do is return the theft?
Is there a concept of jail for monetary damage?
What if there’s no two kosher witnesses or no witnesses at all?
Being that there’s no capital punishment nowadays, what would do to murderers?
What would be done regarding all electricity on Shabbos?
How do you run a government on Shabbos?
How do you run a police force or army on Shabbos?
How do you run hospitals on Shabbos?

02/24/23 - SHIUR 409 (23,298 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

Is there any reason to wear a HAT for davening anymore? Does a YARMULKE suffice? Why are only chasidim wearing GARTELS?

Is a Kippa enough for davening? For Kiddush and Bentching?
Do secular styles impact what we wear and the halacha?
What if your parents don’t want you to wear a hat?
What if your parents want the hat and you don’t?
Did Chasidish garb and the black stripes on our Taleisim come from the non-Jews?
Minyan without a hat or daven be’ye’chidus with the hat?
Should women wear hats for davening as well?

02/17/23 - SHIUR 408 (23,612 Downloads)

Looking out for Shemiras Einayim – How to deal with the scourge of pornography

How to address this issue with our youth?
How to prevent it from becoming an issue?
What percent of Frum Yidden are struggling?
What should people who are struggling do?
Is this struggle unique in our generation?
How to get help on this taboo subject

02/09/23 - SHIUR 407 (22,796 Downloads)

Kashrus in home establishments | How do you know if you’re really eating Kosher?

If you make products at home and sell them, do you need a Hechsher?
Why is it different than eating at someone else’s house that you don’t need a Hechsher?
Is this Hechsher different than a Hechsher on a food establishment?
How can you do spot checks in a person’s private home?
There are hundreds of Hechsherim – How do you know what you really can rely on?
What standards does a Kashrus need to have to really rely on them?

02/02/23 - SHIUR 406 (18,234 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

Is Kovea Ittim only for the wealthy and brilliant?

What gets people to stick with their learning after many years?
What’s a valid reason to miss your Kevius?
Does someone who gets paid for learning or teaching additionally need to be Kovea Ittim?
Can the Kevius change over time, like when more children are born?
What if a wife needs her husband during his learning?
Do you need to lose business/clients as a result of your learning?
Should you answer calls from clients or your boss during learning?

01/27/23 - SHIUR 405 (24,824 Downloads)

Whom should you marry?

How Makpid should we be on names in marriage (father in law and son in law with the same names etc)?
Can younger siblings get married before older siblings?
Marrying for money?
How important is the family (if there’s a sibling off the derech etc)?
Marrying into a family of Baalei Teshuvos?
Health in the family what do you have to divulge?
How should people be dating?
What common mistakes are they making?
How do you know if you are getting bad advice?

01/19/23 - SHIUR 404 (22,104 Downloads)

Adoption in Halacha

Is there a mitzvah for a childless couple to adopt?
Are you מקיים פריה ורביה with adoption?
Is there an obligation of חיוב כיבוד אב ואם towards an adopted parent?
Balancing obligations to the natural parents VS the adoptive parents
Does an adopted child say Kaddish for his adopted parents?
How is an adoptive child called up to the Torah?
Adopting non-Jewish children VS Jewish children
Is there an Issur Yichud with adoptive parents? Hugging & kissing?
Do you have to reveal they are adopted?

01/12/23 - SHIUR 403 (17,578 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

Does yeshiva prepare us for life-after-yeshiva? Should it?

What preparation is necessary to leave yeshiva/kollel and start working?
What skills do yeshiva graduates say would be helpful?
What should a yeshiva consider as its goals and responsibilities towards it’s talmidim?
How do you decide on an occupation?
Should you study a trade or go straight into business?
What are the primary challenges we need to be ready for nowadays?

12/30/22 - SHIUR 401 (23,824 Downloads)

To discuss or not to discuss – That is the Question

Should Headlines have Shiurim on sensitive issues?
Is it better to educate the public, or is it exposing Bochurim and others to things that they shouldn’t be exposed to?
Is it a lack of Tznius to discuss certain topics in public?
Is there a way to balance Tznius VS public awareness?
Does discussing certain issues promote wrong ideas?
Is it Loshon Horah to publicize allegations against a specific person or is it הצלת נפשות?
Should magazines and newspapers be running ads on these sensitive issues?

12/22/22 - SHIUR 400 (18,340 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

Drug and alcohol use in our high schools – how big a problem is it? What can be done?

Is there something halachically wrong with using drugs? Alcohol? Vaping?
Can you tell on a classmate who is using drugs or alcohol?
What are the trends of drug and alcohol use in our high schools?
How are teenagers able to afford and access drugs?
Are we better – or worse – than secular society?
What can be done by parents and the schools?

12/16/22 - SHIUR 399 (22,300 Downloads)

Chasunah Halachos & Minhagim in all Kehilos | Eight Chanukah Riddles – Win a Chanukah gift !!!!!!

Marching down flower girls to the Chuppah – Is that a Jewish thing or is it חוקות הגוים?
Standing up for the Chosson and Kallah when they walk down, is that a Jewish custom?
Are you supposed to stand up during the recital of the Sheva Brochos?
Walking down to the Chuppah – Should the parents walk down their child – or both fathers should walk down the Chosson, and both mothers the Kallah? What if they are divorced or one of the parents was Niftar?
Are the Chosson and Kallah permitted to hold hands after the Chuppah?
Should the Kallah come into the men’s side during the dancing?
Does the Kallah have to wear a Sheitel by the Chasunah?
The minhag by various Chasidim for the woman to shave her head
Mitzvah Tantz – What’s the Mitzvah? Or is it actually an Aveira?
If there’s any conflict in Minhagim, whose Minhag is done the Chosson’s or the Kallah’s?

12/09/22 - SHIUR 398 (22,312 Downloads)

Seudas Shabbos – Eating out by others who have different Kashrus standards than you | Kiruv – Who should you and who shouldn’t you invite to your home?

Should you in invite guests/ Kiruv at your Shabbos Seudos or is at expense of your children’s Shabbos experience and your relationship with your children?
If someone has different Kashrus standards than you can you eat in their house? What if they’ll be insulted if you don’t come?
What type of a Chezkas Kashrus does a person need to eat by him? If you’re a bachur and someone you don’t know, in shul, invites you, what constitutes a Chezkas Kashrus?
If you know your host is ‘modern’ for example he keeps Kashrus, Shabbos and Taharas Hamishpacha, can you eat there? What about if he tells you I bought the highest degree of kashrus for you, is he נאמן?
12/02/22 - SHIUR 397 (22,132 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

Abuse and Abuse Coverups in Our Communities

Should a Rabbi meet in his office with a woman?
What’s enough proof to start warning other women? Do recordings suffice?
When do we go to the police?
When do we keep abuse quiet and when do we publicize the dangers?
What’s going on in the head of an abuser? Is he not worried about getting caught?
Why would followers of a Rabbi coverup his abuses?

11/18/22 - SHIUR 395 (31,370 Downloads)

Life Before Divorce – How do we stop the upward trend of divorce in our communities?

Does a wife have to take on her husband’s Chumros?
Should you be your spouse’s Mashgiach?
Is there a Mitzvah of כיבוד אב ואם when parents are meddling into the children’s lives?
If a Chosson or Kallah teacher taught incorrectly and it lead to divorce, are they obligated to pay for damages?
Why are there so many divorces these days?
Are they all frivolous or necessary?
Why are so many young people coming home so quickly? Are they immature, unwilling to put the work in?
When is it time for therapy and when is it time to give up on therapy?
Is therapy the problem or the solution?
What is the solution?
How can we stop this tidal wave?

11/10/22 - SHIUR 394 (21,962 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

“Being in the box” – have we made the “box” into a coffin? Is “the derech” too narrow?

What’s the definition of being on the “derech” and “in-the-box”?
How have those definitions changed over time?
Is the “derech” too narrow and the “box” too confining?
Does being “out-of-the box” violate Halacha or just societal expectations and norms?
Are there halachic requirements to: wear white shirts and black pants, always wear a hat, go into certain occupations, not play sports and music?

11/04/22 - SHIUR 393 (29,386 Downloads)

Hear from the wife of someone who has SSA – Is there life after divorce?

Is same sex attraction real? Hear about it in real life  with “Sara” – A wife of someone who has SSA

Can the mother have custody of the boys when the father has a Mitzvah to teach his children Torah?
Are you allowed to say Loshon Horah when asked Shidduch information about your ex- spouse?
Are you allowed to say the divorce wasn’t messy?
Can you hide your assets to give less alimony?
If a spouse is violating the divorce agreement and Beis Din can’t enforce it, are you allowed to go to secular court?
If one of the spouses goes off the Derech how should it be dealt with?
How are the ex-spouses supposed to communicate with each other?
If one of the spouses remarries, how do they walk down to the Chuppah?

10/27/22 - SHIUR 392 (25,636 Downloads)

Mental Health in Halacha – Learn how to recognize it and deal with it

How does Halacha view mental health?
Can you be Mechalel Shabbos?
How do deal with OCD and Mitzvah observance?
When someone comes to therapy and is saying lashon Horah or talking bad about parents is that a problem? Especially when the therapist is encouraging it.
Can you tell an eating disorder patient to eat on Yom Kippur?
What to say when it comes to Shidduchim and you have privileged information?
And much more…

10/19/22 - SHIUR 391 (21,006 Downloads) Hosted By: Rabbi Ari Wasserman

Do we need to be a shmata when dealing with difficult people?

What are some strategies and tactics for dealing with difficult people?
Can you reciprocate the negativity?
What if it’s your boss, Rabbi, Rosh Yeshiva or spouse?
When does the prohibition of hating someone apply? What if he earned the hatred? 
Do people get crankier when they get older?
How can someone tell if they are a difficult person?

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Rabbi Elyada Goldvicht – Upcoming Semichas Chaver Events
NY and Baltimore event
Florida event

10/06/22 - SHIUR 390 (29,032 Downloads)

The Kashrus scandal in the (non) Kosher Chinese Express in Manalapan Revisited | The court’s decision regarding YU – What options do they have? | When a religous school hires a Transgender teacher what is their recourse? | Transgender in Halacha 

The Kashrus scandal in the (non) Kosher Chinese Express in Manalapan Revisited – Is it Loshon Horah to discuss or a Mitzva?
The court’s decision regarding YU – What options do they have?
When a religous school hires a Trans teacher what is their recourse?
Transgender in Halacha

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