YUTORAH.org: Recent Shiurim

Parshat Terumah: The Powerful Message of the Shulchan [audio]

Spolter, Rabbi Reuven — 2012-02-22 15:51:51.0

Parshat Terumah: The Powerful Message of the Shulchan
2012-02-22 00:00:00.0

The description of the shulchan is notable not only for the details mentioned in the Torah, but more importantly, for the details left out of the Torah (but included in Rashi). Why was the most important part of the shulchan not explicitly described? Listen - and find out!

Parshat Mishpatim - The Four Shomrim [audio]

Spolter, Rabbi Reuven — 2012-02-17 04:31:52.0

Parshat Mishpatim - The Four Shomrim
2012-02-17 00:00:00.0

This shiur is exactly what it sounds like: the source for the laws of the four Shomrim emanates from our parshah. By analyzing the text of the Torah, we come to derive how the halachot of the different types of watchmen emerge. We conclude with a powerful thought from the Ohr Hachayim on the idea of Shemirah Bebaalim.

Parshat Yitro - The Challenge of Lo Tachmod [audio]

Spolter, Rabbi Reuven — 2012-02-08 11:35:05.0

Parshat Yitro - The Challenge of Lo Tachmod
2012-02-08 00:00:00.0

The recent commercial frenzy surrounding the Super Bowl (an annual event) highlighted the degree to which Western society is obsessed with wanting things. This seems, at face value, to directly contradict the prohibition against "coveting" the possessions of others. What does Lo Tachmod mean? What's prohibited? And how are we supposed to follow this commandment in the stuff-hoarding society in which we live?

Parshat Beshalach - Taking the Leap of Faith [audio]

Spolter, Rabbi Reuven — 2012-02-01 02:53:26.0

Parshat Beshalach - Taking the Leap of Faith
2012-02-01 00:00:00.0

In hindsight, the Exodus seems so simple, and so obvious. And yet, when we look at the words of the Torah, it's clear that it was anything but for many, if not most of the Jewish people. The question for us is, are we talking about Egypt of old, or about today? Listen to find out.

Parshat Bo - The Building Blocks of a Nation [audio]

Spolter, Rabbi Reuven — 2012-01-25 11:10:07.0

Parshat Bo - The Building Blocks of a Nation
2012-01-25 00:00:00.0

Using many of the details scattered throughout Parshat Bo, we can find the carefully engineered plan to transform the people that long suffered as slaves, into a nation ready to leave Egypt and become Am Yisrael.

Parshat Vaera - The Missing Fifth Cup [audio]

Spolter, Rabbi Reuven — 2012-01-18 12:22:24.0

Parshat Vaera - The Missing Fifth Cup
2012-01-18 00:00:00.0

Having recently returned from a visit to the United States, my Religious Zionist "spidey sense" is going on full blast. So, our study of the four languages of redemption highlight the obvious question: what about the fifth? What about the Land of Israel. Like last week, this week's shiur is replete with heavy Religious Zionist ideology, so if you live in the Golah and upset easily, it might not be for you.

Parshat Shemot - The Forgotten Dream [audio]

Spolter, Rabbi Reuven — 2012-01-11 02:57:53.0

Parshat Shemot - The Forgotten Dream
2012-01-11 00:00:00.0

Warning! Hardcore Zionism here, in which we examine the beginning of the book of Shemot as a backdrop for some of the troubling nuance I detect in the American Orthodox community. Don't say that you weren't warned.

Vayechi 5772 - Crossed Hands and the Essence of a Nation [audio]

Spolter, Rabbi Reuven — 2012-01-04 11:10:31.0

Vayechi 5772 - Crossed Hands and the Essence of a Nation
2012-01-04 00:00:00.0

Yaakov's crossed hands always bothered me. We all know the story, but why he blessed his grandsons in this unusual manner is far from clear. With an eye towards Rashi and the Midrash, we find that Yaakov wished to convey a clear and critical message to his children and future descendants.

Parshat Vayigash - Showing the Good [text]

Spolter, Rabbi Reuven — 2011-12-30 07:42:37.0

Parshat Vayigash - Showing the Good
2011-12-30 00:00:00.0

I gave this D'var Torah as a sermon at the Young Israel of Oak Park eight years ago, after my brother's wedding. Yet, the message still strongly resonates with me today. We all face challenges but also enjoy many blessings; what we choose to focus in is up to us.

Parshat Vayeishev - The Clothes We Wear [audio]

Spolter, Rabbi Reuven — 2011-12-13 03:35:17.0

Parshat Vayeishev - The Clothes We Wear
2011-12-13 00:00:00.0

Clothing plays a pivotal role, as it appears again and again throughout the parshah. We look at four different appearances of different types of clothing, and the critical lessons we learn from them.