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 ...

The Torah assigns two descriptions to the sin of lending or borrowing with interest (usury): “neshech” and “marbit.” Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim of Prague, the Kli Yakar (1550-1619), on Leviticus 25:36, ...

Our guest this week is Rabbi Danny Burkeman, Rabbi at the Community Synagogue at Port Washington, NY. Rabbi Burkeman was born and raised in London, England and received his BA in History and Theology ...

Every seventh year, the Torah tells us in Parshat Behar, is the Shemittah (sabbatical year). During this period of time, every seventh year, the land in Israel must remain fallow – working the ground ...

Foundational to Jewish living is being attentive to the needy, as the Torah states, “If your brother is waxen poor, and his means fails with you: then you shall uphold him” (Leviticus 25:35). The ...

This week’s double Torah portion, Behar-Bechukotai (Leviticus 25:1–27:34), presents insights into justice, fairness, and societal balance; concepts at the heart of mediation and dispute resolution. A ...

Embark on a captivating journey into Parashat Behar as we unravel the mysteries of the Jubilee, known as Yovel in Hebrew. Delve into the Torah's unique command to count seven cycles of seven years, ...

Almost all of Parashat Behar deals with the Shmitta Year and the Yovel (Jubilee) Year. The Shmitta year is the Remission Year: the word שְׁמִטָּה is from the root שמט, meaning approximately “release” ...

There is a great deal of discussion among the commentators about the last two parshiot in Sefer Vaykira. Thematically and (seemingly) chronologically as well, they belong elsewhere. It is true that ...

The produce grown in shmita year is considered holy, and all agricultural activity – including plowing, planting, pruning, and harvesting – is forbidden. It is designated for consumption only.

This week, I am tackling the very difficult topic of the ad infinitum slavery of those from the nations around us in this week’s parshat behar. It is a legacy which has ramifications for us today.