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Rosner’s Torah-Talk: Parasha Nasso with Rabbi Mark Borovitz

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May 29, 2015

Our guest this week Is Rabbi Mark Borovitz, CEO and Senior Rabbi of the Beit T’Shuvah center in Los Angeles. Rabbi Borovitz is a graduate of National University with a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science, a recipient of a Masters in Rabbinic Literature, and was ordained as a Rabbi from the University of Judaism. In early 2004, Rabbi Borovitz was one of seven people invited to a round table discussion with President George W. Bush about faith and recovery. The Rabbi was also mentioned in President Bush's speech before the first conference on Faith-Based Initiatives. He co-authored his biography, The Holy Thief, for which the rights were recently optioned. His unique story and his work are also featured in a chapter of the book, Stalking Elijah by Roger Kamenetz. Rabbi Borovitz has also been featured in articles in the Los Angeles Times, Moment Magazine, The Jewish Journal, The Wall Street Journal and newspapers across the world.

This Week's Torah Portion – Parashat Nasso (Numbers 4:21-7:89) – begins with the completion of the head count of the people of Israel. God then gives Moses instructions concerning the purification of the camp, 'wayward wives' (wives which are suspected of being unfaithful to her husband) Nezirim (Jewish ascetics who take a vow to devote themselves to God), and the Priestly Blessing. Toward the end of the parasha the tabernacle is consecrated and the chieftains of the different tribes bring their offerings. Our discussion focuses on the relevance of the Bible’s description of ascetics and wayward wives to all of us, on the connection between the two types, and on what we can learn from them.  

Our Previous Talks about Parashat Nasso:

Rabbi Josh Feigelson on community building

Rabbi Abraham Cooper on the otherness of the Nazir

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