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

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

Our Haftorah is from Micah. The following verse is part of the beautiful tapestry that hangs in front of the Waller Chapel at The Temple:

“God has told you, human being, what is good:
and what does Adonai demand from you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God”

(Micah 6: 8)

Micah is answering the people that claim that they are following what God demands from us. They are keeping all the rituals and observing all the cultic parts of our tradition.

Micah tells us that Adonai demands more than that from us! Adonai, first and foremost, wants us to behave with Justice, compassion, and mercy towards our fellow humans.

Parsha Chukat – Balak 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)

Korach (Numbers 16:1−18:32)

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

“And Korach took…” (Numbers 16:1)

What did Korach take?

This week’s Torah Portion opens with a sentence that seems grammatically incorrect. It is missing the object of the sentence. “Korach” is the subject of the sentence, “took” is the verb, and the object, the thing Korach took, well that is simply missing.

So, what did Korach take?

From the rest of this story we know that Korach led 250 of the elders of Israel in a revolt against Moses and Aaron. Korach took it upon himself, to claim leadership of the Children of Israel. Korach took the position that since was of the tribe of Levi, he had the same lineage as Moses and Aaron, and the same right to lead. Korach took with him 250 leaders of the people who supported him in this revolt. Then Korach and his followers took the sacred fire pans of the tabernacle and offered up an incense offering unto God.

And God was incensed, that Korach would take all this just to elevate himself, to gain power over the Children of Israel, and to rebel against God’s chosen leaders: Moses and Aaron. So God said: “Take this,” and the earth opened up and swallowed Korach and all of his followers.

It is a strange tale which begins with a strangely missing word, but the lesson of Korach seems clear: Power and leadership are not simply there for the taking – they must be earned, and they must be shared – for the good of all the people, and in the service of the God of us all.

Parsha Summary:

K 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)

Parsha Summary:

K 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)

Shelach Lecha (Numbers 13:1−15:41)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Shelach Lecha (Numbers 13:1−15:41)

In this week’s Torah portion Shelach Lecha Moses sends forth scouts to search out the Promised Land and bring back a report. They return and say it is a good and bountiful land, but they fear that they will be unable to conquer and possess it. 

“We saw giants there — the Anakites are like giants — and we looked like grasshoppers to ourselves, and so we must have looked to them” (Num. 13:33). 

But here is the question: The spies know how they look to themselves, small and weak, but how do they know what the looked like to the people of the land?

The rabbis struggle with that until one comes upon this verse from Proverbs 27:19 — “As in water face reflects face, so the heart of a person reflects the person.” And The mystical Rabbi Moshe Alshich (1508–1593) observes: “Because the hearts are as mirrors.”

How we see others is a reflection not so much of them, but of ourselves. When we view another human being as somehow “other,” somehow less than the image of God which is found within us all, it diminishes that spark of the Divine not in them but in ourselves. 

We are all the children of the living God, when we see that reflection of God in everyone we meet we truly become a holy people and a light unto the nations of the world. 

Shelach Lecha 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)

B’haalot’cha (Numbers 8:1−12:16)

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

Hidden within this week’s Torah portion, B’haalot’cha, lies a tiny blessing set apart in a way found nowhere else in the Torah. Bracketed on either side by two upside down Hebrew-letter nuns we find a tiny, two verse prayer that asks God for help in overcoming the obstacles we face along our journey through the wilderness in search of our Promised Land. It reads:

As the Ark journeyed forth, Moses would say:
“Rise up Adonai, let Your enemies scatter, and Your foes flee before You!”

And when the Ark came to rest, he would say:
“Come back Adonai to Israel’s teeming myriads.” (Numbers 10:35-36)

We say just such a prayer in our prayerbook still today. It reads:

Standing on the parted shores of history
we still believe what we were taught
before ever we stood at Sinai’s foot;

that wherever we go, it is eternally Egypt
that there is a better place, a promised land;
that the winding way to that promise
passes through the wilderness.

That there is no way to get from here to there
except by joining hands and marching
together.

May we travel forth in safety on our journey to the promised land, May we settle their together in a world of justice and of peace.

B’haalot’cha 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)

Naso II (Numbers 6:1-7:89)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Naso II (Numbers 1:1−4:20)

This week’s Torah Portion contains some of the oldest words in Bible and the most beloved of blessings, the Priestly Benediction (Numbers 6:22-27):

May God bless you and keep you from harm,May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you,May God’s face be lifted unto you and grant you peace.

The power of this blessing, shared from the pulpit at the conclusion of services, over the heads of our children at Sabbath meal, at sacred moments in our lives, this power is real.

But this ultimate prayer for Shalom, for wholeness and peace, it is not so much magical as it is aspirational. We can’t make God bless us with peace by simply saying these words. A blessing is an expression of hope, and while hopes may begin by giving them words, peace can only come when we do the work of peace ourselves.We are partners with God in the building of a better world.

May the work of our hands be blessed,May the work of our hands bring blessing,May we all be blessed with God’s blessing of peace.

Naso II Summary:

The obligations of a nazirite vow are explained. They include abstaining from alcohol and not cutting one’s hair. (6:1-21) God tells Moses how to teach Aaron and his sons the Priestly Blessing. (6:22-27) Moses consecrates the Sanctuary, and the tribal chieftains bring offerings. Moses then speaks with God inside the Tent of Meeting. (7:1-89)

Shavuot

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This Week’s Torah Tidbit: Shavuot

On Shavuot  we Celebrate the giving of the Torah, the most wonderful gift God had gave us, God’s teaching. The Torah is what guides us and unites us as a community as a people. We left Egypt in order to receive the Torah – the teaching of Adonai.

The legend tells us that when God was ready to give us the Torah, and was all excited to begin the covenant relationship with the people of Israel, we were sleeping. This is why we stay awake late at night on the eve of Shavuot and study Torah. Happy Shavuot to us all.

Shavuot Summary:

God commands Moses to take a census of all the Israelite males over the age of twenty. (1:1-46) The duties of the Levites, who are not included in the census, are detailed. (1:47-51) Each tribe is assigned specific places in the camp around the Tabernacle. (1:52-2:34) The sons of Levi are counted and their responsibilities are set forth. (3:1-3:39) A census of the firstborn males is taken and a special redemption tax is levied on them. (3:40-51) God instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the responsibilities of Aaron and his sons, and the duties assigned to the Kohathites. (4:1-20)

On Shavuot  we Celebrate the giving of the Torah, the most wonderful gift God had gave us, God’s teaching. The Torah is what guides us and unites us as a community as a people. We left Egypt in order to receive the Torah – the teaching of Adonai.

The legend tells us that when God was ready to give us the Torah, and was all excited to begin the covenant relationship with the people of Israel, we were sleeping. This is why we stay awake late at night on the eve of Shavuot and study Torah. Happy Shavuot to us all.

B’midbar (Numbers 1:1−4:20)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: B’midbar (Numbers 1:1−4:20)

The name of the 4th book in the Torah is Numbers in English and in the dessert in Hebrew.

It is a book about census; time and again the Israelites are counted. However unlike our current census here in the USA (if you have not fulfilled your civic duty, this is a reminder), only men are counted.

While the book of Exodus taught us that because of righteous women we were redeemed from Egypt, the book of Numbers tells us that there is a lot that demands Tikkun, repair, and corrections in our world, and one of the injustices we still need to combat is the way our society does not count each and every one of us.

B’midbar Summary:

God commands Moses to take a census of all the Israelite males over the age of twenty. (1:1-46) The duties of the Levites, who are not included in the census, are detailed. (1:47-51) Each tribe is assigned specific places in the camp around the Tabernacle. (1:52-2:34) The sons of Levi are counted and their responsibilities are set forth. (3:1-3:39) A census of the firstborn males is taken and a special redemption tax is levied on them. (3:40-51) God instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the responsibilities of Aaron and his sons, and the duties assigned to the Kohathites. (4:1-20)

B’har – B’chukotai (Leviticus 25:1-27:34)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: B’har – B’chukotai (Leviticus 25:1-27:34)

“Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants” (Leviticus 25:10).

The Torah is commanding us to make sure the human right for freedom will be kept in our land.

This pillar of our faith is engraved on the American liberty bell in Philadelphia, one of many wonderful gifts that our Torah and our tradition gave the world.

We end the book of Leviticus, and say the traditional blessing we need so much at this time, “May we be strong and continue to go from strength to strength”.

B’har – B’chukotai Summary:

God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that in every seventh year, the land shall observe a Sabbath of complete rest: Fields should not be sown and vines should not be pruned. (25:1-7) After forty-nine years, a jubilee year is to be celebrated when all the land that had been sold during that time should be returned to its original owners and slaves are to be freed. (25:8-55) God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites not to make idols, to keep the sabbath, and to venerate the sanctuary of the Eternal. (26:1-2) God promises blessings to the Children of Israel if they follow the law and warns about the curses that will befall the people if they do not observe God’s commandments. (26:1-46) Gifts made to the Sanctuary whether by conditional vows or by unconditional acts of pious gratitude are discussed. (27:1-34)

Emor (Leviticus 21:1−24:23)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Emor (Leviticus 21:1−24:23)

Adonai said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of Adonai, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies” (Leviticus 23:1-2).

Adonai our God commands us to celebrate and proclaim the Holidays,

The Holidays belong to Adonai, proclaiming them and celebrating them is our job!

This is a true partnership between us and the Divine. God entrusted us with sacred times and seasons, making the Shabbat sacred, celebrating the holidays, is our way to connect with the Divine.

Emor Summary:

Laws regulating the lives and sacrifices of the priests are presented. (21:1-22:33) The set times of the Jewish calendar are named and described: the Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the Pilgrimage Festivals of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot. (23:1-44) God commands the Israelites to bring clear olive oil for lighting the sanctuary menorah. The ingredients and placement of the displayed loaves of sanctuary bread are explained. (24:1-9) Laws dealing with profanity, murder, and the maiming of others are outlined. (24:10-23)This Week’s Torah Portion: Emor (Leviticus 21:1−24:23)Adonai said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of Adonai, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies” (Leviticus 23:1-2). Adonai our God commands us to celebrate and proclaim the Holidays, The Holidays belong to Adonai, proclaiming them and celebrating them is our job! This is a true partnership between us and the Divine. God entrusted us with sacred times and seasons, making the Shabbat sacred, celebrating the holidays, is our way to connect with the Divine.

Acharei Mot – Kedoshim (Leviticus 16:1-20:27)

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This Week’s Torah Portion: Acharei Mot – Kedoshim (Leviticus 16:1-20:27)

“You shall be holy, for I Adonai your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2)

This is the central teaching of this week’s Torah Portion and according to the great biblical commentator Rashi, these words are the foundation of all the Torah. But, what does it mean to be holy?

From this sentence alone it would seem that being holy means we should strive to be like God, but not in some ethereal divine like way, at least that is not what the context of the verses that follow these words would teach us. “Honor your mother and father,” “Keep the Sabbath,” this is what it means to be holy. And if these words sound familiar, they are supposed to, because Leviticus 19 repeats and expands upon the entire list of the Ten Commandments.

The lesson is simple enough to learn, but it takes a lifetime to live out.
“Strive to be holy.”  Be the kind of person God believes you can be.

Acharei Mot – Kedoshim Summary:

The duties that the head kohein must perform on Yom Kippur are delineated and the ceremony of the scapegoat is outlined. (16:1-28) Moses instructs Aaron about the Yom Kippur laws for fasting and atonement. (16:29-34) Warnings are issued against the offering of sacrifices outside the Sanctuary and the consumption of blood. (17:1-16) Moses condemns the sexual practices of some neighboring peoples. Certain forms of sexual relations are prohibited. (18:1-30) God issues a variety of commandments, instructing the Israelites on how to be a holy people. (19:1-37) Various sex offenses are discussed and punishments for them are presented. (20:1-27)