Shelah-Lekha (Num 13:1-15:41)

An Example for the World

            Shelah-Lekha, this week’s parasha, begins with scouts sent to take an account of Canaan. Some felt it was better to lie about the condition, saying it was dangerous, which sent fear into the hearts of the Israelites. These men who said false things were killed by a plague. Later, more commandments are given, ending with the commandment of the tzitzis.

            I would like to share a story from the Talmud (Menachos 44a). A Torah scholar, who was always mindful of wearing the fringes, decided to seek out a prostitute. He had all but undressed until he was just in his tallit katan. Suddenly, he redressed and prepared to leave. She asked why and he explained his faith. She asked him his name, city, rabbi, and beit midrash. Later, she traveled to meet his rabbi and convert to Judaism, inspired by this man’s conviction.

            Readers, we all have urges. We are only human, but we must remain who we are and remember our commitment. We are to be an example to the rest of society. Like the wayward scholar, a questionable situation may lead to answers for another.

Be-ha'alotekha (Num. 8:1-12:16)

Waking The Dawn

            Be-ha’alotekha, this week’s parasha, includes the cleansing of the Levites and the Passover sacrifice. I wish to focus on the first 10 verses of chapter 10, which cover the silver trumpets. Two trumpets were to be made and used for summoning the community. Whether good times (festivals and new moon) or bad (war), their blasts called the Israelites to action. When we daven our daily prayers, it should be as though a military trumpet has called us to salute our L-rd. As it says in the Tehillim (Psalms), “Raise a shout for the L-rd, all the earth; worship the L-rd in gladness; come into his presence with shouts of joy (Ps. 100:1-2). 

Naso' (Num 4:21-7:89)

Dedication

            This week’s parasha is Naso’. It covers a census, the procedure for an unfaithful wife, the priestly blessing, the consecration of the Tabernacle, but I’d like to focus on the Nazirite vow. I would say the most well-known Nazirite was Samson, whose story is found in the book of Judges (Shoftim) (13:2-16:31). Samson’s mother, who was barren, was told by an angel of the L-rd, but that the child must dedicate himself to the L-rd, mainly by keeping alcohol forbidden and not cutting his hair. When he falls in love with a Philistine woman and tells her of his Nazirite status, she cuts his hair while he is sleeping and he loses his strength.

            When we live a righteous and obedient life, we, too, are dedicated to Hashem. We may be able to cut our hair and have alcohol, but when we allow ourselves to be swayed by evil, we break that vow and lose our strength.

Bamidbar (Num 1:1-4:20)

Journeys

            This week’s parasha is Bamidbar, which begins the book of Numbers. We find the Israelites still in the wilderness and taking a census. In the midst of these chapters of counting are various instructions from Hashem on the carrying and set-up of the Tabernacle as the Israelites traveled. Rabbinic interpretation of this parasha explains that even though there was chaos, i.e. living a nomadic life, trying to remember and abide by new commandments, etc, the people were settled by the idea of this brave, new world. We, too, should be open to learning and making changes among our hectic lives. I’ll leave you with this quote: “Wilderness is a temporary condition through which we are passing to the Promised Land.”-Cotton Mather