To all the listeners of the Maharal Podcast:

Am I sure you have all noticed, I have not put out a podcast in about 2 months. As much it pains me, I have decided to put the podcasting on hold for now. I want to take some time; take a step back and evaluate. Based on that introspection, I might return to podcasting one day. Or I might not.

I am certainly open to comments and suggestions. Do you like the current format? Anything you might change? One thing I have been considering is a parsha podcast, focused on Maharal, R' Tzadok and the like. Would that interest you more than the current recipe of working through a title of the Maharal? Feel free to email me your thoughts: spottsemes@gmail.com

Thanks for your support and listening,

Yoel Spotts

Shana Tova to everyone.. I wish you all you a wonderful, healthy and successful New Year, a year in which you are able to discover  your path to Hashem.

Who am I?

Good question - one which I often ask myself. In short, I am the son of two educators who swore I would never teach, went into software programming as a profession, and discovered I have a passion for teaching. Life is funny like that.

I spent a bunch of years learning in Ner Israel Yeshiva in Baltimore, MD, where I was eventually ordained. While learning in yeshiva, I was introduced to the great thinkers of our tradition -- the Ramchal and the Maharal. I was immediately hooked. I delved as much as I could into the world of Jewish thought and have not looked back since.

Sometime later I moved with my family back to Atlanta, GA -- where I grew up. I continue to work in the field of software engineering, which is an important part of my life, and at the same time, study and teach Torah at nights and on weekends.

While I am certainly no expert on the likes of the Ramchal and the Maharal, my passion for their works and for teaching compels me to share with others whatever knowledge I have gained. So, at some point, I began searching for an avenue to invite others to join me in the universe of the Maharal. Utilizing my knowledge of computers seemed like a reasonable approach and this podcast is the result of those musings.

I welcome any feedback you may have about this podcast; I can be contacted via email at: spottsemes@gmail.com

Yoel Spotts