Thanks for coming by Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa, based in Mason City. Each week we look at the Torah Portion of the week and try to make sense of it in our modern world. This week we read Parsha Beha'alosecha (Numbers 8:1 - 12:16). The word Beha'alosecha means two things, both "step-up" and "kindle". It has to do with the first line in this week's parsha: "Hashem (the name) spoke to Moses, saying "Speak to Aaron and say to him: When you (step up to) kindle the lamps, toward the face of the Menorah shall the seven lamps cast light."
Sort of an odd way to say, "light the lamps" right? There is a point to the passage. You see there were (and are today in every shul) a menorah with seven lights. Three on the right and three on the left with the middle light a symbol of Shabbat. Here, in this Torah portion we are learning another meaning. The lamps were all directed inward, toward the middle light (G-d). The three on the right symbolize those who engage in spiritual pursuits, while the three on the left symbolizes temporal activity. What the Torah is teaching us is that all of our actions/activities should be toward the service of G-d.
In this portion we also learn that the first Pesach is celebrated since leaving Egypt. The Almighty instructs the Jewish people to journey into the desert whenever the ever-present cloud lifts from above the Tabernacle and to camp where it rests. Moses is instructed to make two silver trumpets to be sounded before battle or to proclaim a Yom Tov (a holiday).
Wait! There's more!
The people journey to the wilderness of Paran, during which time they rebelled twice against the Almighty's leadership. The second time they complain about the boring taste of the maneh and the lack of meat in the desert. The Almighty sends a massive quantity of quail and those who rebelled died.
Moses asks his father-in-law, Yitro (Jethro) to travel with them in the desert, but Yitro returns to Midian.
Miriam, Moses' sister, speaks lashon hora (defaming words) about Moses. She is struck with tzora'as (the mystical skin disease which indicated that a person spoke improperly about another person) and is exiled from the camp for one week.
So much to unpack.
First, we need to realize that if everything comes from G-d that when we complain about our lot and ask for "more" sometimes we get what we ask for and that's not always good.
Yitro returns to Midian and shares what he has learned about the Jews.
And Miriam learns a lesson about speaking badly about others. We are, in this story, reminded that our words...matter. So, "Watch your tongue!" as my Mother z"l would say.
One other thought is about where we find ourselves today, in this time.
The world order seems to be turned upside down.
Due to the pandemic those whom society looked up to: Movie stars and sports stars are no longer making movies or playing sports and so their "social value" has been diminished.
Conversely, those whom society took for granted: Nurses aides, nurses, doctors, teachers and parents...because they were always there quietly doing their job...are now lauded for their efforts.
It's sort of like everything has been "re-calibrated" and it takes a pandemic to sort stuff out.
Something to consider as we move forward.
May you have a safe and peaceful Shabbat!
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