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Chukat – Balak – חֻקַּת – בָּלָק (Numbers 19:1−22:1, 22:2−25:9)

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This Week’s Torah Portion:Chukat – Balak – חֻקַּת – בָּלָק (Numbers 19:1−22:1, 22:2−25:9)

“How fair are your tents, O Jacob, Your dwellings, O Israel!” (Numbers 24:5).

What is so special about a tent? Why are our tents called fair? As we say each morning in our morning prayer?

A tent has no windows or doors. Instead, it has wide openings through which people can freely enter and exit, and they always remain open.

A tent always remains wide, open, and can be expanded as needed, allowing people to enter easily.

Our community should strive to be like a tent, wide, open, welcoming, and continually growing.

Parsha Chukat – Balak – חֻקַּת – בָּלָק Torah Summary:

The laws of the red heifer to purify a person who has had contact with a corpse are given. (19:1-22) The people arrive at the wilderness of Zin. Miriam dies and is buried there. (20:1) The people complain that they have no water. Moses strikes the rock to get water for them. God tells Moses and Aaron they will not enter the Land of Israel. (20:2-13) The king of Edom refuses to let the Children of Israel pass through his land. After Aaron’s priestly garments are given to his son Eleazer, Aaron dies. (20:14-29) After they are punished for complaining about the lack of bread and water, the Israelites repent and are victorious in battle against the Amorites and the people of Bashan, whose lands they capture. (21:4-22:1) Balak, the king of Moab, persuades the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites so that he can defeat them and drive them out of the region. However, Balaam blesses the Children of Israel instead and prophesies that Israel’s enemies will be defeated. (22:2-24:25) God punishes the Israelites with a plague for consorting with the Moabite women and their god. The plague is stayed after Pinchas kills an Israelite man and his Midianite woman. (25:1-9) Chukat – Balak – חֻקַּת – בָּלָק

Korach – קֹרַח (Numbers 16:1−18:32)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Korach – קֹרַח (Numbers 16:1−18:32)

וַיִּֽקָּהֲל֞וּ עַל־מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְעַֽל־אַהֲרֹ֗ן וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֲלֵהֶם֮ רַב־לָכֶם֒ כִּ֤י כׇל־הָֽעֵדָה֙ כֻּלָּ֣ם קְדֹשִׁ֔ים וּבְתוֹכָ֖ם יְהֹוָ֑ה וּמַדּ֥וּעַ תִּֽתְנַשְּׂא֖וּ עַל־קְהַ֥ל יְהֹוָֽה׃

Then Korach and his followers congregated against Moses and against Aaron, saying to them: “What makes you so great? The entire congregation, all of them, are holy, and in their midst is Adonai. Why do you exult yourself above the congregation of Adonai?” (Numbers 16:3).

Korach and his followers go against Aaron and Moses, and are swallowed up by the earth. Although their argument was correct; each person is indeed holy, the way in which he was using his argument is what angered God. Instead of using the statement to empower people, Korach was using it for selfish gain and to put Moses and Aaron down. This Shabbat, may we all be reminded that our words have power, and that we are invited to use our words to empower others and ourselves, instead of tearing them down.

וַיִּֽקָּהֲל֞וּ עַל־מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְעַֽל־אַהֲרֹ֗ן וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֲלֵהֶם֮ רַב־לָכֶם֒ כִּ֤י כׇל־הָֽעֵדָה֙ כֻּלָּ֣ם קְדֹשִׁ֔ים וּבְתוֹכָ֖ם יְהֹוָ֑ה וּמַדּ֥וּעַ תִּֽתְנַשְּׂא֖וּ עַל־קְהַ֥ל יְהֹוָֽה׃ Then Korach and his followers congregated against Moses and against Aaron, saying to them: “What makes you so great? The entire congregation, all of them, are holy, and in their midst is Adonai. Why do you exult yourself above the congregation of Adonai?” (Numbers 16:3). Korach and his followers go against Aaron and Moses, and are swallowed up by the earth. Although their argument was correct; each person is indeed holy, the way in which he was using his argument is what angered God. Instead of using the statement to empower people, Korach was using it for selfish gain and to put Moses and Aaron down. This Shabbat, may we all be reminded that our words have power, and that we are invited to use our words to empower others and ourselves, instead of tearing them down. Korach – קֹרַח

Parsha Korach – קֹרַח Torah Summary:

Korach and his followers, Dathan and Abiram, lead a rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. God punishes the rebels by burying them and their families alive. Once again, God brings a plague on the people. (16:1-17:15) The chief of each tribe deposits his staff inside the Tent of Meeting. Aaron’s staff brings forth sprouts, produces blossoms, and bears almonds. (17:16-26) The Kohanim and Levites are established and assigned the responsibility of managing the donations to the Sanctuary. All of the firstborn offerings shall go to the priests and all the tithes are designated for the Levites in return for the services they perform. (18:1-32 Korach – קֹרַח

Sh’lach L’cha – שְׁלַח-לְךָ (Numbers 13:1−15:41)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Sh’lach L’cha – שְׁלַח-לְךָ (Numbers 13:1−15:41)

אֲנִ֞י יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצֵ֤אתִי אֶתְכֶם֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לִהְי֥וֹת לָכֶ֖ם לֵאלֹהִ֑ים אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃

I am Adonai, your God, who drew you out from the land of Egypt in order to become your God: I, Adonai, your God. (Numbers 15:41).

The very end of the text we know as the V’ahavta is a beautiful reminder that God yearns to be in relationship with us, just as much as we yearn to be in relationship with God. This Shabbat may we be open to the invitation to explore the possibility of exploring our relationship to God in our own special, unique ways.

Parsha Sh’lach L’cha – שְׁלַח-לְךָ Torah Summary:

Moses sends twelve spies to the Land of Israel to report on the inhabitants and the country. Despite the positive report of Joshua and Caleb, the people are frightened. (13:1–14:10) God threatens to wipe out the Children of Israel but relents when Moses intercedes on their behalf. To punish the people, God announces that all those who left Egypt would not enter the Land of Israel except for Joshua and Caleb. (14:11–45) Moses instructs the Israelites regarding setting aside challah, the observance of the Sabbath, how to treat strangers, and the laws of tzitzit. (15:1–41) Sh’lach L’cha – שְׁלַח-לְךָ אֲנִ֞י יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצֵ֤אתִי אֶתְכֶם֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לִהְי֥וֹת לָכֶ֖ם לֵאלֹהִ֑ים אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ I am Adonai, your God, who drew you out from the land of Egypt in order to become your God: I, Adonai, your God. (Numbers 15:41). The very end of the text we know as the V’ahavta is a beautiful reminder that God yearns to be in relationship with us, just as much as we yearn to be in relationship with God. This Shabbat may we be open to the invitation to explore the possibility of exploring our relationship to God in our own special, unique ways.

B’haalot’cha – בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ (Numbers 8:1−12:16)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: B’haalot’cha – בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ (Numbers 8:1−12:16)

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ מֹשֶׁ֔ה הַֽמְקַנֵּ֥א אַתָּ֖ה לִ֑י וּמִ֨י יִתֵּ֜ן כׇּל־עַ֤ם יְהֹוָה֙ נְבִיאִ֔ים כִּי־יִתֵּ֧ן יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶת־רוּח֖וֹ עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃

But Moses said to him: “Are you upset with them on my account?” I would that all of the people of Adonai were prophets; that Adonai’s Spirit would be put upon them!” (Numbers 11:28).

When Eldad and Medad began acting as prophets in the camp, Joshua called to have them arrested. Instead of agreeing with him, Moses rebuked him, reminding Joshua that each person has the capacity to be a prophet in our own right. This Shabbat, may we all invite the prophetic voice that sits within each of us to shine in our world.

Parsha B’haalot’cha – בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ Torah Summary:

God speaks to Moses, describing the menorah for the Tent of Meeting. The Levites are appointed to serve as assistants under Aaron and his sons. (8:1-26)
Those who are unable to celebrate Passover during Nisan are given a time in the month of Sivan to observe a “second Passover.” (9:1-14)
A cloud by day and fire by night show God’s Presence over the Tabernacle. When the cloud lifts from the Tabernacle, the people leave Sinai, setting out on their journey, tribe by tribe. (9:15-10:36)
The Israelites complain about the lack of meat, and Moses becomes frustrated. God tells him to appoint a council of elders. God provides the people with meat and then strikes them with a very severe plague. (11:1-34)
Miriam and Aaron talk about the “Cushite woman” whom Moses has married. In addition, they complain that God speaks not only through Moses but also through them. Miriam is struck with leprosy, and Moses begs God to heal her. After her recovery, the people resume their journey. (12:1-16)
“May all יהוה’s people were prophets, that יהוה put [the divine] spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:29)

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ מֹשֶׁ֔ה הַֽמְקַנֵּ֥א אַתָּ֖ה לִ֑י וּמִ֨י יִתֵּ֜ן כׇּל־עַ֤ם יְהֹוָה֙ נְבִיאִ֔ים כִּי־יִתֵּ֧ן יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶת־רוּח֖וֹ עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃

But Moses said to him: “Are you upset with them on my account?” I would that all of the people of Adonai were prophets; that Adonai’s Spirit would be put upon them!” (Numbers 11:28).
When Eldad and Medad began acting as prophets in the camp, Joshua called to have them arrested. Instead of agreeing with him, Moses rebuked him, reminding Joshua that each person has the capacity to be a prophet in our own right. This Shabbat, may we all invite the prophetic voice that sits within each of us to shine in our world.

B’haalot’cha – בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ