NASO, BAMIDBAR 4:21–7:89

  NASO, BAMIDBAR 4:21–7:89 

This Shabbat we read Parshat Naso.
Naso is the lengthiest parshah in the Torah. It has 176 verses.

Incidentally, 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.

The Parshah addresses the following:

Duties of the three Levite families, including carrying, music and singing, and guarding;

Purifying the camp from people having a discharge, leprosy and contact with the dead;

Restitution and penalty for wrongs committed by stealing;

The Nazirite;

The Sota; 

Priestly Blessing, 

Inauguration 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. It will transport you back to the time of the Mishkan.

https://youtu.be/--UABwqW9Sg?si=qtZZLnh11Xsf3zyr

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 The Rambam in Klei Hamikdash - Chapter 3:4 tells us about the Levite's musical instruments:

4 - On what instruments would they play? On lyres, flutes, harps, trumpets, and a cymbal.¹⁶ There should not be less than two lyres, nor more than six. There should not be less than two flutes, nor more than twelve. There should not be less than two trumpets, nor more than one hundred and twenty.¹⁷ There should not be less than nine harps and there is no upper limit. There should only be one cymbal player.

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At 5:6 we learn about the restitution and penalty for stealing. Stealing is theft.

Stealing is the taking another person's property without permission or legal right and without intending to return it. Property is broadly defined and may include the withholding of a person's wages.

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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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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.

The Angel tells her that she will give birth to a son who will be a Nazirite until his death. Because of this she is prohibited from drinking wine.

It's a good story.