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Tuesday, May 26, 2020

PARSHAS NASO & SHAVUOT, Numbers 4:21–7:89

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.


https://youtu.be/--UABwqW9Sg

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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 Shavuos. For me the dairy foods are a killer. I'm talking the about the store bought cheesecake and the homemade 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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My friend Max from Nahariya  has come up with a quiz that relates to this week's Parshah, Naso.  Attached are his questions.  Do your best.  Answers are at the end of this post.

1 -Name the three Israeli camps in the Bamidbar?
2-Who was send out of each of the Camps?
3-Who determines which Kohen receives gifts for the Kohanim?
4-What sin does the Nazir commit against himself?
5-Where was the cut hair of the Nazir placed after completing his term?
6-When did the Sotah-Waters lose their miraculous power?
7-Why Parashas Nazir written next to Birkat Kohanim?
8-Who was  a Nazir , but become a Rasha anyway?
9-Why don't Kohanim give Birkat Kohanim during Mincha?
10-What happen to the Sotah's Adulterer while she is executed ?
11-Why must a Nazir not cut his hair during his term?
12-From where did we merit the Birkat Kihanim for Peace?
13-How many Korbanos did Shlomo Sacrifice at the Temple Dedication ?
14-How many Korbanos were sacrificed on the Mizbeiyach annually ?
15-Why a person with a nightmare pray about it during Birkat Kohanim?
16-What happens to innocent women who were falsely Sotah accused?
17-How long was Schmuel HANAVI a Nazir?
18-How long would it take to become a Nazir?
19-Can one become a Nazir outside Eretz Yisroel?
20-Name 10 persons in Tanach that lost all because of bad desires?


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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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MAX’S PARSHAT NASO QUIZ

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Max has come up with a quiz that relates to this week's Parshah, Naso . Attached are his questions and answers.  How did you do?  Maybe you have to study more; I do.

1 -Name the three Israeli camps in the Bamidbar?

THE SHECHINAH CAMP IN THE CENTER

SURROUNDED BY THE LEVIIM

SURROUNDED BY THE CAMP OF ISRAEL

2-Who was send out of each of the Camps?

METZORA FROM ALL 3-CAMPS

ZAV FROM THE 2-INNER CAMPS

TAMEI FROM CONTACT WITH THE DEAD FROM THE SHECHINAH CAMP

3-Who determines which Kohen receives gifts for the Kohanim?

THE GIVER DETERMINES WHO GETS HIS GIFTS

4-What sin does the Nazir commit against himself?

HE ABSTAINS FROM ENJOYING WINE

5-Where was the cut hair of the Nazir placed after completing his term?

HAIR WAS PLACED WITH HIS SHELMIM OFFERING

6-When did the Sotah-Waters lose their miraculous power?

AS IMMORALITY INCREASED IN THE WORLD MORAL LEVEL DECREASED

7-Why Parashas Nazir written next to Birkat Kohanim?

AS NAZIR PROGRESS HE BECOMES AS KODESH AS THE KOHANIM 

8-Who was  a Nazir , but become a Rasha anyway?

AVSHALOM WAS A NAZIR, BUT MISUSED THE NEZIRUS FOR PHYSICALITY

9-Why don't Kohanim give Birkat Kohanim during Mincha?

KOHANIM MAY GET INTOXICATED AND DISQUALIFY FROM BLESSING

10-What happen to the Sotah's Adulterer while she is executed ?

THE ADULTERER SHARE THE SAME UGLY FATE AS HER

11-Why must a Nazir not cut his hair during his term?

TO DEMONSTRATE NO INTEREST TO PURSUE PHYSICAL BEAUTY

12-From where did we merit the Birkat Kihanim for Peace?

FROM AAHARON HAKOHEN AND HIS DESCENDANTS ALWAYS PEACE

13-How many Korbanos did Shlomo Sacrifice at the Temple Dedication ?

IN THE YEAR 2928 SHLOMO OFFERED 143,000 OFFERINGS

14-How many Korbanos were sacrificed on the Mizbeiyach annually ?

APPROXIMATELY 1,263 ANIMALS , EXCLUDING PRIVATE OFFERINGS

15-Why a person with a nightmare pray about it during Birkat Kohanim?

DISSOLVE THE NIGHTMARE INTO THE BLESSING, CONTAINING 60 WORDS

16-What happens to innocent women who were falsely Sotah accused?

SHE WAS BLESSED TO HAVE BEAUTIFUL STRONG CHILDREN

17-How long was Schmuel HANAVI a Nazir?

HE WAS A NAZIR FOR 52 YEARS, HIS ENTIRE LIFETIME

18-How long would it take to become a Nazir?

STANDARD AMOUNT WAS 30-DAYS

19-Can one become a Nazir outside Eretz Yisroel?

NO ONE CAN , DUE TO TUMA IN CHUZ L'AARETZ

20-Name 10 persons in Tanach that lost all because of bad desires?

KAYIN, KORACH, BILAM, DOEG, ACHITOFEL, GEICHAZI , AVSHALOM 

ADONIYOHU, UZIYAHU, AND HAMAN

 





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