PARSHAS NASO & SHAVUOT
Numbers 4:21–7:89
This Shabbat we read Parshat Naso.
Naso is the lengthiest parshah in the Torah. It has 176 verses.
Psalm 119 also has exactly 176 verses. It is the longest Psalm.
Incredibly the longest tractate of the Talmud, tractate Bava Batra has 176 pages...go figure.
Portions of the Parshah are also read during the eight days of Chanukah.
Among other things the Parshah addresses duties of the Levite families, purifying the camp, restitution for wrongs committed, the Nazirite, the Priestly Blessing, and the consecration of the Tabernacle.
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In discussing this week’s parsha, Naso, Rabbi Berel Wein writes about the importance of melody. I have paraphrased some of his words:
The Torah tells us that the Levites had many
duties in regard to the Mishkan. The Levites were in charge of the
melodious atmosphere that attended the daily service. Each day,
including the Sabbath and the holidays, there was a performance of instrumental
and choir music. The Levite musical presentation was part of the glory of the
Mishkan and later the Temple service and highlighted the emotional constituent
of the service itself.
Listen to Psalm 104.
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In this week’s parsha, at 7:89, the concluding
verse has Hashem speaking Moshe in the midst of the two human-like Cherubs.
There are special individuals amongst us, who
because of their heightened awareness, lofty Neshama and good fortune are able
to connect to the Divine.
If you know someone like that, follow them and
never let them go.
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I'm getting ready for Shavuous which starts Thursday evening. For me the
dairy foods are a killer. I'm talking the about the store-bought or home-made cheesecake and
the home-made eggplant parmigiana, macaroni (organic) and cheese with fried
cabbage and onions, and the potato knishes.
I
did 80 minutes on the treadmill this morning at a fairly good clip for me,
trying to forestall the inevitable belly bulge; I know it's hopeless, but what
can you do.
Have a joyous Chag (burp!).
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Shavous commemorates the giving of
the Torah.
Rabbi Sacks tells us how the Torah is first given to women before it is granted to men.
The festival of Shavuot begins
Thursday night, the 25th of May. Shavuot marks the giving
of the Torah. In referring to Shavuot, we say: “Z’man Matan Torateinu”, זמן מתן תורתנו.
Looking at the word מתן (giving), you can see in it the word for “gift”, מתנה.
In our weekly Talmud class time
ago where were studying Tractate Bava Basra, we participated in a discussion at
65a: A person owns a house that has two apartments, an inner one and a
surrounding outer one. If the apartments are sold, the buyer of the inner
apartment does not acquire the right to walk through the surrounding outer
apartment.
However if at the time of the
sale of the outer apartment, the owner of the house simultaneously makes a gift
of the inner apartment the situation changes. There is a presumption that
when a gift is given, it is given with generosity. Therefore the
recipient of the gift acquires the right to walk through the outer apartment
and thereby to enjoy his gift.
In much the same fashion, when
Hashem gave us the gift of the Torah, He gave it to us with generosity. It is
as if along with the Torah we acquired the wherewithal to enjoy our gift.
What that wherewithal is I
leave it up to you. There are a multitude of possibilities. I like
to think our gift from HaShem is the ability to have Torah and dwell in the
Land of Israel in peace and harmony.
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At 6:23-27 the Priestly Blessing, ברכת כהנים is given.
It is not the Kohanim who are giving the
Blessing.
They are merely invoking or entreating Hashem
to give us His blessing:
יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה,
וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ
"May Hashem bless you and guard
you."
In our service, before the Priestly Blessing
is given, the Kohanim state that they are commanded to give it with love.
https://youtu.be/TmZGRJlnZ6E
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The Haftorah portion for
Parshat Naso is taken from the Book of Judges, Chapter
13. It is the story of Samson’s parents, his father Manoach and his
unnamed mother. It is clear from the text that Samson’s mother has it
all over his father in terms of spirituality and maybe intelligence:
An Angel appears to Samson’s
mother twice before appearing to Manoach.
She recognizes Him as an Angel,
not so Manoach, who has limited spiritual insight.
When Manoach finally realizes that
it is an Angel, he is terrified, but not so Samson‘s Mother. She remains calm.
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