YUTOPIA

Rabbi Yuter begins a brand new shiur series titled "Confronting Chosenness" which will discuss Jewish exceptionalism in thought and practice. This first class begins exploring the biblical foundations the Jews being God's "chosen people".

Confronting Chosenness 1 - Biblical Foundations Sources (PDF)

Confronting Chosenness 1 - Biblical Foundations

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Rabbi Josh Yuter concludes the Politics of Exclusion shiur series with a general discussion incorporating and previous classes. Many thanks for following!

Politics of Exclusion - Conclusion and Summary

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Rabbi Yuter discusses the recent controvery of Maharat/Rabba and women serving leadership roles in Judaism

Preserving Gender Roles 2 - Women Rabbis Sources (PDF)

Preserving Gender Roles 2 - Women Rabbis

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I first heard the term "gadolatry" attributed to the late professor Arthur Hertzberg. A portmanteau of "gadol" and "idolatry," the word "gadolatry" refers to a perceived phenomenon in Orthodox Judaism where select rabbinic leaders are treated with a degree of deference or reverence, bordering on worshipping the person of the rabbi himself. That Dr. Hertzberg would coin such an inflammatory term is not surprising given his personality, such that reactions offense or outrage are as intentional as they are predictable. However, it has been my experience that those strong passions on either side have turned the reasonable question of the role of the gadol in Judaism into the single greatest impediment to intelligent religious discourse in the Orthodox Jewish community.

While I have no expectations of resolving this divisive issue, I do hope to explicate the rationales implied when one invokes a gadol, and why others may find such an argument unconvincing.
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Rabbi Yuter's Politics of Exclusion segment on Saul Lieberman continues with a specific charge against Saul Lieberman, his response, and concludes with a game changing twist.

Saul Lieberman and the Orthodox Part 2 Sources (PDF)

Politics of Exclusion - Saul Lieberman and the Orthodox Part 2

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Having discussed R. Moshe Feinstein's antipathy towards Conservative and Reform Rabbis, Rabbi Yuter considers R. Moshe Feinstein's attitude toward non-observant Jewish masses.

Politics of Exclusion - R. Moshe Feinstein on Non-Observant Jews Sources (PDF)

Politics of Exclusion - R. Moshe Feinstein on Non-Observant Jews

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Rabbi Yuter's Politics of Exclusion Class continues with an examination of R. Moshe Feinstein's responsa / teshuvot regarding Conservative and Reform Judaism.

Politics of Exclusion - R. Moshe Feinstein vs. Conservative and Reform Part 1 Sources (PDF)

Politics of Exclusion - R. Moshe Feinstein vs. Conservative and Reform Part 1

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In a special class in honor of Yom Haatzmaut, Rabbi Yuter explores Rabbinic perspectives regarding the land of Israel, including those from Babylonian sources.

Eretz Yisrael in Rabbinic Thought Sources (PDF)

Eretz Yisrael in Rabbinic Thought

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Based on the scholarship of noted historians, Rabbi Josh Yuter offers a unique narrative for the origins of Conservative Judaism.

Birth of Conservative Judaism Sources (PDF)

Politics of Exclusion - Birth of Conservative Judaism

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In the Spring Semester of 2011 I had the honor of addressing the NYU Jewish Law Students Association for a weekly series covering Economics and Social Justice in Jewish Law. Below are the links to the specific lectures in the order given with audio and PDF source sheets available. As always, comments are welcome. If there is interest in me delivering any of these lectures or the entire series in person, please contact me directly.

1. Free Market Ethics in Torah
2. Halakhic Market Controls
3. Halakhic Labor Laws
4. Social Welfare Programs
5. Taxes and Tzedakah (Charity)
6. The Laws and Ethics of Universal Health Care in Torah
7. Tikkun Olam