This week’s parsha contains two wonderful lessons of leadership.
The first is about diversification in leadership. Moses appoints 70 elders to help with the burden of leadership. Hashem instructs Moses to gather the elders who will be helping him, so Hashem can “emanate” the same spirit over them that is given to Moses so that the burden will be shared. Bringing other’s into leadership in the Torah this week literally allows people to join Hashem in spirit and work.
This is a valuable lesson about the holy nature of delegation. Leadership within the Jewish community is supposed to be holy work, shared with others, not borne solely on our own shoulders. And this week shows us that if we do share this responsibility, it is a joy for us and those we share with – truly holy work.
The second lesson of leadership is the power of the legacy of our leadership choices. The model of the 70 elders became the model that the Jewish courts (the Sanhedrin) were based on. The rabbinic discussions in the Talmud by large groups of rabbinic elders are modeled on the ideas in this week’s parsha. Decisions about how we lead become the blueprint for how future generations will approach their situations. This leadership delegation decision by Moses set us down an evolutionary path for the Jewish community.
What we should remember is that each our leadership decisions also sets part of the direction for the generations that follows us. We are part of that leadership chain and legacy. This week’s parsha and our experience in the world serve as a vivid picture of the import and impact of our choices in leadership. Our choices will be part of the model to future generations. We can ignore this or choose to acknowledge this and try to lead with this impact and intention in mind.
Our choices for how we lead ourselves and others in our Judaism will set the course of leadership for future generations. This week reminds us that this is not new or by accident, but instead how it has always been and should always be. Today’s leadership is tomorrow’s blueprint. This is a wonderful reminder about the challenge, responsibility and opportunity that we face everyday in our Jewish leadership.
Shabbat Shalom.
Parsha Summary
General Overview: In this week's Torah reading, Beha'alotecha, G dinstructs Aaron concerning the Tabernacle Menorah lighting. The Levitesare initiated into the Tabernacle service. The "Second Passover" is instituted. At G d's behest, Moses makes two trumpets, and is instructed how and when to use them. The Israelites leave Mount Sinai, and proceed towards the Land of Canaan. The people unreasonably complain about their "frugal" manna diet and receive a meat supplement, albeit with tragic results. Moses appoints seventy elders to assist him in bearing the burden of the people. Miriam speaks negatively about Moses and is punished withtzara'at (a skin disease).
________________________________________
First Aliyah: G d commands Aaron to light the golden Tabernacle Menorah on a daily basis. Moses is then commanded to initiate the Levites into Tabernacle service. This inauguration procedure included shaving their bodies, immersion in a mikvah, and the offering of certain sacrifices.
________________________________________
Second Aliyah: The exact prescribed initiation procedure is followed, and the Levites are consecrated to G d -- in stead of the firstborn who lost their hallowed status when they participated in the sin of the Golden Calf. Towards the end of this section we learn the Levite service age-requirements and retirement age.
________________________________________
Third Aliyah: On the first anniversary of the Exodus, the Jews are instructed to bring the Paschal Offering. Certain individuals, however, couldn't participate because they were ritually impure. These people lodged a complaint, which Moses then transmitted to G d. G d responds by designating a "Second Passover" to be observed exactly one month later. Anyone who could not offer the Paschal Offering in its proper time must do so on the Second Passover. G d then informs Moses the laws of the Second Passover.
________________________________________
Fourth Aliyah: From the day the Tabernacle was erected, it was covered by a cloud during the day, and a fire by night. When the cloud lifted, this signaled G d's wish that the Jews should journey onwards -- following the cloud until it came to rest in a new location of G d's choosing. In some cases the Jews only stayed overnight in a particular location before the sign came for them to depart again, and on other occasions they would stay in one place for many years. This section then discusses Moses' two silver trumpets. These trumpets were used for several purposes: 1) To assemble the nation or its leaders. 2) To signal the beginning of a journey. 3) The trumpets were blown when the Jews went to battle. 4) The trumpets were sounded when certain communal sacrifices were offered in the Tabernacle.
________________________________________
Fifth Aliyah: Nearly one year after the Jews arrived at Mount Sinai, the cloud rises from the Tabernacle, signaling their impending departure. The Tabernacle was dismantled and they traveled in formation as outlined on last week's Torah reading. Moses pleads with his father-in-law Jethro to join them on their journey to the Land of Israel.
________________________________________
Sixth Aliyah: No sooner than the Jews start traveling, and they start complaining. First they complain about the "arduous" journey. Then they grumble about the manna, expressing their desire for meat. Moses turns to G d and insists that he cannot bear his leadership role any longer. G d tells Moses to gather seventy elders who will assist him in his leadership duties. He also promises to provide the Jews with an abundance of meat -- "until it will come out of their noses..." Moses gathers seventy elders and brings them to the Tabernacle where his holy spirit is imparted upon them. Two additional elders, Eldad and Medad, remain in the camp, and the holy spirit descends upon them, too, and they prophesy as well. Joshua is displeased by this, and Moses placates him.
________________________________________
Seventh Aliyah: G d causes a wind to sweep in huge numbers of quail from the sea. The people gathered piles of quail and started enjoying meat. Those who ate gluttonously died in a plague. Miriam, Moses' sister, spoke negatively of Moses' decision to become celibate. G d was highly displeased by this talk against His servant, and Miriam was stricken withtzara'at ("leprosy") for one week.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Weekly Shabbat Parsha Thoughts – Naso – 5.21.2010
This week’s torah portion gives us the priestly blessings. These blessings show up everywhere in our world from blessing our children to weddings of many faiths. What is it about these blessings that speak to our world so much?
First of all they are simple. Both their message and their form are very easy to digest and remember, which makes them easy to appreciate and use as a blessing. And we should never underestimate the value and power of ease of use and simplicity. This simplicity also makes it easy for us to understand what we are doing which leads us to a second point.
The second (and more impactful) reason these blessings have become so prevalent is because they require an intermediary to be completed. Whether it was the priests at the temple, during a service, from parents to children or any of the other scenarios it is always given from one person to another. This week’s portion reminds us that we are a part of hashem’s blessings to our world.
These wishes and blessings from Hashem do not happen without us. In our finite world we often struggle to understand the infinite aspects of our spirituality. And, truth be told, we always will struggle with this concept. This week’s parsha give us a simple and elegant reminder and formula that can always remind us how we are a part of the link between our world and the infinite blessings of Hashem.
We are a part of Hashem’s blessing to the world. This week reminds us that it is by design. So tonight if you have a chance to say these blessings we can remember this special role as Hashem’s go between in this finite world.
“May the Lord bless you and guard over you.
May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May the Lord lift up His Countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Amen and Shabbat shalom
Shabbat Shalom.
Torah Portion of the Week: Naso
This week's portion includes further job instructions to the Levites, Moshe is instructed to purify the camp in preparation for the dedication of the Mishkan, the Portable Sanctuary.
Then four laws relating to the Cohanim are given: (1) Restitution for stolen property where the owner is deceased and has no next of kin - goes to the Cohanim. (2) If a man suspects his wife of being unfaithful, he brings her to the Cohanim for the Sotah clarification ceremony . (3) If a person chooses to withdraw from the material world and consecrate himself exclusively to the service of the Almighty by becoming a Nazir (vowing not to drink
wine or eat grape products, come in contact with dead bodies or cut his hair), he must come to the Cohen at the completion of the vow. 4) The Cohanim were instructed to bless the people with this blessing: "May the Lord bless you and guard over you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His Countenance upon you and give you peace."
The Mishkan is erected and dedicated on the first of Nissan in the second year after the Exodus. The leaders of each tribe jointly give wagons and oxen to transport the Mishkan. During each of the twelve days of dedication, successively each tribal prince gives gifts of gold and silver vessels, sacrificial animals and meal offerings. Every prince gives exactly the same gifts as every other prince.
First of all they are simple. Both their message and their form are very easy to digest and remember, which makes them easy to appreciate and use as a blessing. And we should never underestimate the value and power of ease of use and simplicity. This simplicity also makes it easy for us to understand what we are doing which leads us to a second point.
The second (and more impactful) reason these blessings have become so prevalent is because they require an intermediary to be completed. Whether it was the priests at the temple, during a service, from parents to children or any of the other scenarios it is always given from one person to another. This week’s portion reminds us that we are a part of hashem’s blessings to our world.
These wishes and blessings from Hashem do not happen without us. In our finite world we often struggle to understand the infinite aspects of our spirituality. And, truth be told, we always will struggle with this concept. This week’s parsha give us a simple and elegant reminder and formula that can always remind us how we are a part of the link between our world and the infinite blessings of Hashem.
We are a part of Hashem’s blessing to the world. This week reminds us that it is by design. So tonight if you have a chance to say these blessings we can remember this special role as Hashem’s go between in this finite world.
“May the Lord bless you and guard over you.
May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May the Lord lift up His Countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Amen and Shabbat shalom
Shabbat Shalom.
Torah Portion of the Week: Naso
This week's portion includes further job instructions to the Levites, Moshe is instructed to purify the camp in preparation for the dedication of the Mishkan, the Portable Sanctuary.
Then four laws relating to the Cohanim are given: (1) Restitution for stolen property where the owner is deceased and has no next of kin - goes to the Cohanim. (2) If a man suspects his wife of being unfaithful, he brings her to the Cohanim for the Sotah clarification ceremony . (3) If a person chooses to withdraw from the material world and consecrate himself exclusively to the service of the Almighty by becoming a Nazir (vowing not to drink
wine or eat grape products, come in contact with dead bodies or cut his hair), he must come to the Cohen at the completion of the vow. 4) The Cohanim were instructed to bless the people with this blessing: "May the Lord bless you and guard over you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His Countenance upon you and give you peace."
The Mishkan is erected and dedicated on the first of Nissan in the second year after the Exodus. The leaders of each tribe jointly give wagons and oxen to transport the Mishkan. During each of the twelve days of dedication, successively each tribal prince gives gifts of gold and silver vessels, sacrificial animals and meal offerings. Every prince gives exactly the same gifts as every other prince.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Weekly Shabbat Parsha Thoughts – Bamidbar – 5.14.2010
This week’s parsha lays out a wonderful balancing act. This week the Torah speaks of the specific responsibilities and actions of each of the tribes to the overall nation of Israel. In the same breath it talks about counting each household. And then states: "And with you shall be one man from each tribe, each man should be the head of his family." (Numbers 1:4).
Here is where the balancing act – and link – between individual family responsibility and communal responsibility is established. It is not an “either/or” but a “both/and” situation. We must be a part of the larger tribe and responsibility, but only if we are also counted as the head of our own tribe.
And we must all be our own tribe. You cannot fall back solely on the larger identity, you must also be in charge of your own identity. Each tribe has its own distinct actions it must take on to be a part of the Jewish people and each household (or “tribe”) also has to have its own actions or tasks to be a part. This “both/and” reality is key to Judaism in action. Belief, communication and actions are tied together this week. The responsibility and identity of being in a communal tribe is combined with owning our own family and destiny. What I find interesting about this week’s parsha is that this combination is not accidental, but instead seems to be hardwired into the fabric of being Jewish. It is how we are counted and how we matter.
This “both/and” reality tied to actions of the individual and tribe is a key part being Jewish and being of the Jewish nation. This responsibility reminds us of the awesome opportunity and responsibilities that exist in our covenant, community and lives. And we learn this week to take some comfort that it is not a new challenge, but part of being Jewish and another link in our history and heritage. It is “both” a challenge to live up to “and” a privilege to be able to strive to show these beliefs, in our actions and communications within our individual worlds as well as our community.
Shabbat Shalom.
From chabad.org
General Overview: This week's reading, Bamidbar, begins the Book of Numbers, the fourth of the Five Books of Moses. This book of the Torah opens on the first of Iyar, one month after the inauguration of the Tabernacle, and several weeks before the Jews will depart from Mount Sinai and begin their journey to the Holy Land. In this week's portion the Israelites and the Tribe of Levi are counted separately. G d instructs the Israelites on how to camp in the desert, surrounding the Tabernacle. The Levites are informed the procedure for dismantling the Tabernacle before traveling.
________________________________________
First Aliyah: G d commands Moses to count all Jewish men of military age. G d names one member of each tribe as the nasi, leader, of the tribe. Each nasi will assist Moses and Aaron in taking a census of his tribe. An additional objective of this census was to establish the tribal lineage of every Jew.
________________________________________
Second Aliyah: And now the census results. After giving us the numbers for each tribe, the Torah gives us the grand total: 603,550. This number, however, does not include the Levites. Moses was commanded by G d not to include the holy tribe in the general census. Instead, the Levites are assigned the following holy tasks: dismantling, carrying, and re-erecting the Tabernacle whenever the Jews traveled, and camping around the Sanctuary, keeping guard over it and its vessels.
________________________________________
Third Aliyah: The Jews are instructed regarding their camping formation. The Tabernacle was at the center of the encampment, surrounded by the "Flag of Judah" -- which included the Tribes of Judah, Issachar and Zebulun -- to the east; the "Flag of Reuben" -- Reuben, Shimon, Gad -- to the south; the "Flag of Ephraim" -- Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin -- to the west; and the "Flag of Dan" -- Dan, Asher, Naftali -- to the north.
________________________________________
Fourth Aliyah: The Levites are appointed to serve in the Tabernacle, guard its vessels and assist the priests with their Tabernacle duties. This honor originally belonged to the Israelite firstborns, who were "acquired" by G d when He spared them during the Plague of the Firstborn. This privilege was taken away from them when they participated in the sin of the Golden Calf -- and given to the Levites.
________________________________________
Fifth Aliyah: Moses is now commanded to separately count all Levite males from the age of one month and older. The three Levite families are counted, and a leader is appointed for each of the families. The total of all (non-firstborn) Levites eligible for this census: 22,000. The family of Gershon camped due west of the Tabernacle, and was put in charge of transporting the tapestries and curtains of the Tabernacle and their accessories. The Kehot family camped directly south of the Tabernacle, and was in charge of transporting all the holy vessels. The Merari family camped to the north of the Tabernacle, and they were in charge of carrying the Tabernacle beams, panels, and sockets. Moses, Aaron, and their immediate families camped to the east of the Tabernacle.
________________________________________
Sixth Aliyah: G d then tells Moses to count all the firstborn Israelites -- because the holiness of each Israelite firstborn was now to be "transferred" to a Levite. The census revealed that there were 273 more firstborn than Levites. Each of these "extra" firstborns (as determined by a lottery) gave five shekel to the priests, and was thus "redeemed."
________________________________________
Seventh Aliyah: Moses is commanded to take a census of the Levites of the family of Kehot, but only those eligible to transport the Tabernacle and its vessels -- those between the ages of thirty and fifty. The results of this census are given in next week's reading. This section then describes the duties of the Kehot family. When the Tabernacle was to be dismantled, the priests would cover all the holy vessels with specially designated sacks. The Kehot family would then take the covered vessels and carry them to their destination.
Here is where the balancing act – and link – between individual family responsibility and communal responsibility is established. It is not an “either/or” but a “both/and” situation. We must be a part of the larger tribe and responsibility, but only if we are also counted as the head of our own tribe.
And we must all be our own tribe. You cannot fall back solely on the larger identity, you must also be in charge of your own identity. Each tribe has its own distinct actions it must take on to be a part of the Jewish people and each household (or “tribe”) also has to have its own actions or tasks to be a part. This “both/and” reality is key to Judaism in action. Belief, communication and actions are tied together this week. The responsibility and identity of being in a communal tribe is combined with owning our own family and destiny. What I find interesting about this week’s parsha is that this combination is not accidental, but instead seems to be hardwired into the fabric of being Jewish. It is how we are counted and how we matter.
This “both/and” reality tied to actions of the individual and tribe is a key part being Jewish and being of the Jewish nation. This responsibility reminds us of the awesome opportunity and responsibilities that exist in our covenant, community and lives. And we learn this week to take some comfort that it is not a new challenge, but part of being Jewish and another link in our history and heritage. It is “both” a challenge to live up to “and” a privilege to be able to strive to show these beliefs, in our actions and communications within our individual worlds as well as our community.
Shabbat Shalom.
From chabad.org
General Overview: This week's reading, Bamidbar, begins the Book of Numbers, the fourth of the Five Books of Moses. This book of the Torah opens on the first of Iyar, one month after the inauguration of the Tabernacle, and several weeks before the Jews will depart from Mount Sinai and begin their journey to the Holy Land. In this week's portion the Israelites and the Tribe of Levi are counted separately. G d instructs the Israelites on how to camp in the desert, surrounding the Tabernacle. The Levites are informed the procedure for dismantling the Tabernacle before traveling.
________________________________________
First Aliyah: G d commands Moses to count all Jewish men of military age. G d names one member of each tribe as the nasi, leader, of the tribe. Each nasi will assist Moses and Aaron in taking a census of his tribe. An additional objective of this census was to establish the tribal lineage of every Jew.
________________________________________
Second Aliyah: And now the census results. After giving us the numbers for each tribe, the Torah gives us the grand total: 603,550. This number, however, does not include the Levites. Moses was commanded by G d not to include the holy tribe in the general census. Instead, the Levites are assigned the following holy tasks: dismantling, carrying, and re-erecting the Tabernacle whenever the Jews traveled, and camping around the Sanctuary, keeping guard over it and its vessels.
________________________________________
Third Aliyah: The Jews are instructed regarding their camping formation. The Tabernacle was at the center of the encampment, surrounded by the "Flag of Judah" -- which included the Tribes of Judah, Issachar and Zebulun -- to the east; the "Flag of Reuben" -- Reuben, Shimon, Gad -- to the south; the "Flag of Ephraim" -- Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin -- to the west; and the "Flag of Dan" -- Dan, Asher, Naftali -- to the north.
________________________________________
Fourth Aliyah: The Levites are appointed to serve in the Tabernacle, guard its vessels and assist the priests with their Tabernacle duties. This honor originally belonged to the Israelite firstborns, who were "acquired" by G d when He spared them during the Plague of the Firstborn. This privilege was taken away from them when they participated in the sin of the Golden Calf -- and given to the Levites.
________________________________________
Fifth Aliyah: Moses is now commanded to separately count all Levite males from the age of one month and older. The three Levite families are counted, and a leader is appointed for each of the families. The total of all (non-firstborn) Levites eligible for this census: 22,000. The family of Gershon camped due west of the Tabernacle, and was put in charge of transporting the tapestries and curtains of the Tabernacle and their accessories. The Kehot family camped directly south of the Tabernacle, and was in charge of transporting all the holy vessels. The Merari family camped to the north of the Tabernacle, and they were in charge of carrying the Tabernacle beams, panels, and sockets. Moses, Aaron, and their immediate families camped to the east of the Tabernacle.
________________________________________
Sixth Aliyah: G d then tells Moses to count all the firstborn Israelites -- because the holiness of each Israelite firstborn was now to be "transferred" to a Levite. The census revealed that there were 273 more firstborn than Levites. Each of these "extra" firstborns (as determined by a lottery) gave five shekel to the priests, and was thus "redeemed."
________________________________________
Seventh Aliyah: Moses is commanded to take a census of the Levites of the family of Kehot, but only those eligible to transport the Tabernacle and its vessels -- those between the ages of thirty and fifty. The results of this census are given in next week's reading. This section then describes the duties of the Kehot family. When the Tabernacle was to be dismantled, the priests would cover all the holy vessels with specially designated sacks. The Kehot family would then take the covered vessels and carry them to their destination.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
.jpg)