Our special guest today is Rabbi Asher Lopatin, the spiritual leader of Anshe Sholom B’nai Israel Congregation, a Modern Orthodox synagogue in Chicago. A Rhodes Scholar and a Wexner fellow, he holds a Master of Philosophy in Medieval Arabic Thought from Oxford University, and ordination from both the Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University and Aaron Soloveichik and Brisk Rabbinical College. Rabbi Lopatin is set to succeed Rabbi Avi Weiss at the helm of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah this June.
This week's Torah portion- Parashat Behar/Bechokotai (Leviticus 25:1-27:34)- talks about Sabbatical and Jubilee years, regulations concerning commerce and the redemption of slaves. It also contains a description of the rewards for observing God's commandments and the series of punishments that will face Israel if they choose to disregard them. The Torah then discusses different types of gifts given to the Temple, and the animal tithe.
