Category: Jewish History

Eretz Yisrael / The Land of Israel In Rabbinic Thought

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




Episode 26 – Politics of Exclusion: The Birth of Conservative Judaism

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




Episode 25 – Politics of Exclusion: R. Akiva Eger

Rabbi Yuter’s Politics of Exclusion series continues by contrasting R. Akiva Eger’s positions regarding exclusion non-observant Jews with those of his son-in-law, the Hatam Sofer.

Politics of Exclusion – R. Akiva Eger Sources (PDF)

Politics of Exclusion – R. Akiva Eger




Episode 23 – Who’s Who in the Talmud: R. Meir and Elisha Ben Avuyah / Acher

Rabbi Yuter discusses the passage in B. Chagiga 15a-b regarding the rabbinic heretic Elisha Ben Avukah aka “Acher” and his relationship with R. Meir, focusing on the particularly Babylonian influence of the narrative.

R. Meir and Elisha Ben Avuyah / Acher Sources (PDF)

R. Meir and Elisha Ben Avuyah / Acher




Episode 18 – Who’s Who in the Talmud: R. Meir Part 1

Rabbi Yuter’s Who’s Who in the Talmud returns with a first look at the Tanna Rabbi Meir.

Who’s Who in the Talmud – R. Meir Part 1 Sources (PDF)

Who’s Who in the Talmud – R. Meir Part 1




Episode 13 – The Death of R. Akiva

In the final “Who’s Who in the Talmud” segment on R. Akiva, Rabbi Yuter discusses R. Akiva’s days in prison and execution.

Who’s Who in the Talmud – The Death of R. Akiva Source Sheet PDF

Episode 13 – Who’s Who in the Talmud – The Death of R. Akiva




Episode 11 – Politics of Exclusion in Judaism: Rambam and Separating from the Community

Part of his Politics of Exclusion Series, Rabbi Yuter discusses Rambam’s view of Poreish Min Hatzibur – Separating oneself from the community.

Episode 11 – Politics of Exclusion – Rambam and Separating From the Community




Episode 10 – Who’s Who in the Talmud: R. Akiva and Bar Kochvah

Part of Rabbi Josh Yuter’s “Who Who in the Talmud” series, this class discusses R. Akiva’s messianic endorsement of Bar Kochva.

Click here for PDF source sheet for Y. Ta’anit 4:5 68d-69a.

Episode 10 – Who’s Who in the Talmud: R. Akiva and Bar Kochva




Episode 9 – Politics of Exclusion, Rambam on Tzadok and Baitus

Episode 9 – Politics of Exclusion – Rambam on Tzadok and Baitus

In this part of his Politics of Exclusion Series, Rabbi Yuter discusses Rambam’s description of the Sadducean and Baithusian sects with its implications for today.




Episode 7 – Politics of Exclusion: Rambam and Rebellion

By popular request I started recording my classes. While I hope to organize and post them on the shul’s website, for now I’ll add it as one of my podcasts. I’m currently in the middle of a series called The Politics of Exclusion in Judaism where we define Who is a Jew by who doesn’t make the cut. We started months ago with Biblical Sources, followed up by Rabbinic sources, and we’re currently in the middle of going through Rambam’s Hilkhot Teshuva. Today’s class covered Hilkhot Teshuva 3:9, copied below for reference.

רמב”ם הלכות תשובה פרק ג הלכה ט
שנים הם המומרים מישראל: המומר לעבירה אחת והמומר לכל התורה כולה, מומר לעבירה אחת זה שהחזיק עצמו לעשות אותה עבירה בזדון והורגל ונתפרסם בה אפילו היתה מן הקלות כגון שהוחזק תמיד ללבוש שעטנז או להקיף פאה ונמצא כאלו בטלה מצוה זו מן העולם אצלו הרי זה מומר לאותו דבר והוא שיעשה להכעיס, מומר לכל התורה כולה כגון החוזרים לדתי העובדי כוכבים בשעה שגוזרין גזרה וידבק בהם ויאמר מה בצע לי להדבק בישראל שהם שפלים ונרדפים טוב לי שאדבק באלו שידם תקיפה, הרי זה מומר לכל התורה כולה. +/השגת הראב”ד/ לכל התורה כולה כגון החוזר לדת העובדי כוכבים. א”א ומי שחוזר לדת העובדי כוכבים הנה הוא מודה באלהיהם והרי הוא מין.+

Episode 7 – Politics of Exclusion Rambam and Rebellion