Friday, May 28, 2010

Daily Aliya for Beha'alotecha, Shvi'i (7th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: 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 with tzara'at ("leprosy") for one week.

Once again we see actions personally justified that were wrong. Miriam spoke negatively about her brother, and while she felt justified, her actions/words were inappropriate, and she was punished. There's a step between thought and action that seems to be the theme of this and the last Aliya. The thought might be true and accurate, but there needs to be a clear and objective thought process that leads to any action. If you feel Moshe is doing something wrong, think about how to best deal with that. Although her actions correlated to her thought, it was inappropriate. So she learned her lesson, as did the Jews, as should we. When we feel strongly about something, the actions caused by that idea or ideal needs to be objectively correlated and proper.

Daily Aliya for Beha'alotecha, Shishi (6th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: 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.

This Aliya is especially troublesome because it contains the Jews' unfounded complaints to G-d. They complained that they didn't have meat (although they had plenty of cattle), they suddenly had the urge for some cucumbers, watermelons, leeks, onions and garlic. How random were these sudden urges, and where did they come from? Sifri explains that these vegetables were thought to be bad for nursing mothers, so the Manna that could taste like anything they wanted did not taste like any of these. And why the sudden complaints? This shows the power of reality, of how we can create our own issues and then blame someone else for it. The Jews were looking for something to complain about, and found these silly things. Are we any different? Do we complain about things in our lives (to whomever will listen)? Maybe reading a story like this will make us realize just how silly some complaints really are.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Daily Aliya for Beha'alotecha, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: 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.

This is a very exciting Aliya because it's the first time that the nation actually moved in the formation described previously. Everyone had their role, from Yehuda leading the way, to the Levi'im taking apart the Mishkan and putting it back together as soon as they got to where they were going. And even the tribe bringing up the rear, Dan, had a job. As the Talmud explains, their job was to pickup lost objects from the ground and return it to those that lost it. Even being a Lost and Found is an important task!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Daily Aliya for Beha'alotecha, Revi'i (4th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: 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.

Silver trumpets, that's a twist! Besides understanding the different sounds representing different instructions for the Jews (set up camp, pack up camp, meeting with Moshe, etc), which itself is curious and probably has deeper meanings, there's the overarching question of trumpets in the first place. Luckily the Torah gives us a hint to the answer right away, as the very next instruction is for when the Jews go into battle, that they blow the same trumpets, and will thereby be successful. It could be that the trumpets conjure up memories of G-d taking care of us, and memories of us following instructions for so many years in the desert. The merits of both might help put things in perspective right before going out in battle.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Daily Aliya for Beha'alotecha, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

From Chabad.org: On the first anniversary of the Exodus, the Jews are instructed to bring the Pesach 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 Pesach Offering in its proper time must do so on the Second Passover. G‑d then informs Moses the laws of the Second Passover.

Typically the Torah introduces things by saying "G-d spoke to Moshe to relay the following...". However, in this instance the Torah relates that some people came to "complain" that they were unclean and couldn't offer the Pesach offering, and didn't want to be excluded. So Moshe asked G-d what to do, and G-d implemented the Second Pesach. The Sifri explains that it was in the merit of those who felt cheated that they were mentioned in the Torah, because they felt neglected for not being able to perform a single Mitzvah. Obviously great desire to emulate.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Daily Aliya for Beha'alotecha , Sheni (2nd Aliya)

From Chabad.org: 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.

 As a music lover, I have to point out the Passuk that explains that the Levi'im will do the work because they are "netunim netunim", or "given given" to G-d as a replacement for the first-born. The Medrash explains why double language was used here, because the Levites were given to do the work, and given to sing. Apparently singing is so important that it had to be mentioned separately. It is known that music has a power to elevate souls higher than words, but the fact that G-d appreciates it as much is even more satisfying.

Daily Aliya for Naso, Shvi'i (7th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: The gifts of all the leaders are added up and the totals given. The last verse describes how G‑d would talk to Moses, His voice emanating from between the two Cherubs atop the Holy Ark.

Daily Aliya for Beha'alotecha, Rishon (1st Aliya)

From Chabad.org: In this week's Torah reading, Beha'alotecha, G‑d instructs Aaron concerning the Tabernacle Menorah lighting. The Levites are 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 with tzara'at (a skin disease).

In the first Aliya 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.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Daily Aliya for Naso, Shishi (6th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: This section continues the descriptions of the tribal leaders' gifts.

What's interesting here is that all the descriptions are identical, and the Torah could have saved a lot of words by just combining them. Yet it chose to list each separately. You could learn the concept of validation, importance of recognizing everyone that's contributed individually, by name. That lesson is especially relevant to children, and even more so to spouses. Recognize everyone in your life's contributions, individually.

Daily Aliya for Naso, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: On the day when the Tabernacle was inaugurated, the tribal leaders wished to bring inauguration gifts. Collectively they brought six covered wagons and twelve oxen to assist in transporting the Tabernacle when the Jews traveled. In addition, as representative of their respective tribes, they wished to offer individual gifts and offering. G‑d instructed Moses to accept these gifts, and that on each the following twelve days one of the leaders should bring his individual gifts. Although each leader brought identical gifts, the Torah describes each one individually.

Daily Aliya for Naso, Revi'i (4th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: This rather lengthy Aliya contains three concepts: 1) The ceremony for the sotah, a suspected adulteress who was witnessed going into seclusion with another man--despite being warned not to associate with that individual. The woman is brought to the Temple. This section of the Torah is written on parchment and then soaked in water until the ink dissolves. The woman drinks the water. If she indeed willingly committed adultery, her belly miraculously swells and she dies a gruesome death. If she is unharmed by the waters, she is cleared of any suspicion. 2) The laws of the individual who vows to be a Nazirite. Such a person must abstain from wine and grape products, allow his/her hair to grow, and may not come in contact with a human corpse. At the conclusion of the term of the vow, the Nazirite brings certain offerings in the Temple. 3) The priestly blessings.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Daily Aliya for Naso, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

From Chabad.org: Now that G‑d's presence graces the Tabernacle, G‑d instructs the Jewish people to banish certain ritually impure individuals from their encampments. Most of them were only barred from entering the Tabernacle area and its immediate environs. Only one who suffered from tzara'at ("leprosy") was sent out of the general encampment. This section then discusses the restitution and Temple sacrifice required of one who robs his fellow and then falsely swears to maintain his innocence. If one robs a convert who then dies without leaving any heirs, the restitution is made to a priest. Also included in this section is the mitzvah to verbally confess one's sins, and a person's right to select a priest of his liking to whom to give the various required priestly gifts.

The concept of "Viduy", or verbal confession, is a powerful tool used by many, and for different reasons. Sales pitches often include not only visualizing success, but physically writing something down, making it a more tangible goal, literally. Speaking out sins has a similar effect, for it makes it more difficult to mentally block us from denying those actions from having ever happened, helps us admit that it was wrong, so we can move on and correct those actions. Emotional therapy, support groups, and even schools base much of what they do on this concept, and it all started in the Torah!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Daily Aliya for Naso, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

From Chabad.org: The total for the Gershon family: 2,630. The Merari family: 3,200. Thus the grand total of Levites eligible to transport the Tabernacle and its vessels: 8,580.

The final Passuk in this Aliya exclaims that each Levite was counted according to their Avoda (work) and according to their Massa (burden). Apparently, work was not considered a burden to them, as we too often equate an enjoyable job as one we would never consider a burden.

Daily Aliya for Naso, Rishon (1st Aliya)

From Chabad.org: This week's reading, Naso, is the longest single portion in the Torah, containing 176 verses. The reading starts with a continuation of the Levite census and a discussion regarding their Tabernacle duties. The laws of the sotah woman and the Nazirite follow. The portion concludes with the Priestly Blessing and the offerings which the Tribal leaders brought in honor of the Tabernacle inauguration.

In the first Aliya, G‑d informs Moses of the Tabernacle duties of the Levite families of Gershon and Merari. When the Jewish people journeyed, the Gershon family transported the Tabernacle tapestries, veils and coverings, while the Merari family carried its structural components, such as the beams, boards and pillars. A final count is given of the Levite Kehot family -- those between the ages of thirty and fifty, as per G‑d's command mentioned towards the end of last week's reading: 2,750.

Daily Aliya for Bamidbar, Shvi'i (7th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: Moshe 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.

The Torah discusses in incredible detail the process required to cover and transport the Mishkan, and concludes with a warning that if the Kehot family were to touch or see any of the utensiles they were carrying, they would die (they need to be wrapped properly to avoid mishaps). The final Pessukim ask everyone to be diligent in making sure nothing happens to the Kehot family. Everything seems to be written from the perspective that the Mishkan is not a spectacle for all to see - it is a home for G-d to dwell among us, and we are to respect privacy and help others understand that as well.

Daily Aliya for Bamidbar, Shishi (6th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: G‑d then tells Moshe 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."

It's a true shame that the holiness was taken away from the firstborns. Until then, every family had a chance to have at least one member serve G-d in the Mishkan, but that was now being taken away. And at what price? The same price that the brother received for selling Yosef into slavery (Yosef was Rachel's firstborn). Talk about rubbing it in... But one day this Avoda will be restored.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Daily Aliya for Bamidbar, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

From chabad.org: Moshe 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.

This sounds like a much tougher count, and one much less "useful". while the first counted included all males between 20 and 60, this included all Levites, starting at one month old. While you could theoretically ask all males to stand in a line to be counted, you can't do that with one month old babies and families. So Moshe had to walk by each tent, G-d told him how many people were inside each, and that's how it was done. And all this had no useful purpose, other than to show the Jews how precious G-d thought they were.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Daily Aliya for Bamidbar, Revi'i (4th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: 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.

This Aliya starts by saying that it will now list Aaron and Moshe's descendants, and then goes on to list only Aaron's children. If only listing Aaron's children, why say you will list Moshe's descendants? From this a famous lesson is learned that because Moshe taught Aaron's children Torah, they were considered Moshe's children as well. The idea that teaching a child is as important as having one is a profound concept that does not getting enough attention.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Daily Aliya for Bamidbar, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

From Chabad.org: 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 Zevulun -- to the east; the "Flag of Reuven" -- Reuven, Shimon, Gad -- to the south; the "Flag of Ephraim" -- Ephraim, Manasheh, Binyamin -- to the west; and the "Flag of Dan" -- Dan, Asher, Naftali -- to the north.

It's tough to find anything practical when discussing the division and placement of camps when the Jews traveled in the desert, but there is one interesting lesson: Rashi says that the way they were camped is the way they traveled. The Levites staying in the middle had two advantages: 1) In case of attack they were protected on all sides by those more able to fight, and 2) At any point anyone at any tribe had direct access to the Levites and therefore a closer connection to G-d.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Daily Aliya for Bamidbar, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

From Chabad.org: 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. Moshe 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.

The Torah spends so much time detailing the count of each tribe, and then adding it all up for the final count. And for what purpose? The point of the census was to prepare for battles, but if we are to have faith in G-d, why are numbers important? Many explain that counting something shows how precious you think it is, but if that's why we counted, then why are the Levites left out? Are they less precious? If anything, they're more precious because of the work they do. As Rashi explains, they Levites were counted separately, and not delineated here. Still, if every letter of every word in the Torah is to teach us something, there must be more to the detailed counting of the tribes.

Daily Aliya for Bamidbar , Rishon (1st Aliya)

From Chabad.org: This week's reading, Bamidbar, begins the Book of Numbers, the fourth of the Five Books of Moshe. 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.

In the first Aliya G‑d commands Moshe 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 Moshe and Aaron in taking a census of his tribe. An additional objective of this census was to establish the tribal lineage of every Jew.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Daily Aliya for Behar-Bechukotai, Shishi (6th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: This section discusses various endowments pledged to the Temple coffers. A person can pledge the worth of an individual, in which case the Torah prescribes how much the person must pay -- depending on the gender and age of the individual who is being "assessed." An animal which is pledged to the Temple must be offered on the altar if it is fit for sacrifice -- otherwise it must be "redeemed" for its value. If the owner chooses to redeem it, he must add one fifth of its value to the redemption price. The same rule applies to a house which is pledged to the Temple.

The most intriguing Passuk is in the beginning of this Aliya (3),  saying that "Erkecha", "your value" for pledging a man shall be... and so on. If the Torah is setting generic levels of value, it would make more sense to leave out the word "your" from the value, since it's now everyone else's value as well. Rashi is perplexed by this. The truth is that once you make a pledge of a certain value, the responsibility of paying that amount is now yours. Essentially, you've taken the value of this person, and made it yours, or your responsibility. Even if the value of the object or person now diminishes, you are still responsible for the amount originally pledged. It's interesting that with one word, the Torah empowers the transfer of responsibility from the object to the person pledging the object. Maybe this is where the phrase "it's all you" got started.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Daily Aliya for Behar-Bechukotai, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: More blessings: An overabundance of crops and G‑d's presence will be revealed in our midst. This section then describes the severe, terrifying punishments which will be the Jews' lot if they reject G‑d's Mitzvot. The punishments include disease, famine, enemy occupation of the land, exile, and desolation of the land. The non-observance of the Sabbatical year is singled out as the reason for the desolation of the land. The Aliya concludes with G‑d's promise never to utterly forsake us even when we are exiled in the lands of our enemies.

Rashi explains that these curses will only apply if we actively reject and rebel against the commandments and the study of Torah, and despise those that do perform them. In essence, it would be denying the very first commandment that G-dis the Omnipresent creator. It seems obvious that should all these horrible things happen, it would be pretty clear that G-d really is the Omnipresent creator (we were warned, and the threats came true), which would lead us to affirm the first commandment again. Simple cause and effect, really. It turns out that these horrible things are threats, just proofs that G-d exists and can exert his presence if we forced him to.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Daily Aliya for Behar-Bechukotai, Revi'i (4th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: We are commanded to treat Jewish slaves respectfully, never subjecting them to demeaning labor. The Torah prescribes the redemption process for a Jew sold into slavery to a non-Jewish master. Either the slave himself or one of his relatives refunds to the master the amount of money for the years remaining until the Jubilee -- when the slave will go free even if he were not to be "redeemed." Brief mention is made of the prohibition against idolatry, and the requirement that we observe the Shabbat and revere the Holy Sanctuary. We are promised incredible blessing if we diligently study Torah and observe the mitzvot. The blessings include plentiful food, timely rain, security, peace in the land, the elimination of wild animals from the land, and incredible military success.

Although the definition of slave isn't what we conjure up in our minds today, the concept of working for someone full-time (as in in-house) does offer some relevant lessons for us. For one, the mandate to not work him too hard is followed by the phrase "you shall fear your G-d", while it doesn't include that anywhere else in this section. Rashi explains that because "too hard" is subjective, and only you know when you're working someone needlessly or excessively, accompanying the commandment with a "watch it" statement helps focus our attention on caring for others, even those that you feel you "own" rights to.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Daily Aliya for Behar-Bechukotai, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

 From Chabad.org: The laws mentioned yesterday apply to fields and homes in unwalled cities. Homes in walled cities, on the other hand, may only be redeemed up to one year after the sale; otherwise they become the permanent property of the buyer. Another exception to these rules is the property allotted to the Levites, which are always redeemable. We are commanded to assist our brethren by coming to their aid before they become financially ruined and dependent on the help of others. We are also forbidden from charging interest on a loan to a fellow Jew.

When describing the rule not to charge a fellow Jew interest the Torah uses two words to describe the interest, which the Rabbis infer to make it a double Aveira (sin) to do so. This law comes on the heels of letting the Levi'im (Levites) buy back their fields, helping another person (Jew or non-Jew) as they falter but before they fall, and now this. This progression seems to be the blueprint to build a community that cares and helps each other. And the bottom line is to make sure that you don't do it for your own benefit. Hence the double-underline when discussing the interest prohibition.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Daily Aliya for Behar-Bechukotai, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

From Chabad.org: This section addresses an obvious concern: "What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not sow our gather our grain?!" G‑d reassures us that He will bless the sixth year's harvest, and it will produce enough to provide for three years! The Torah then gives the rationale for the prohibition against selling land for perpetuity (instead, land can only be "leased" until the Jubilee - 50th-  year) -- "Because the Land belongs to Me; you are strangers and residents with Me." The seller of land, or his relative on his behalf, has the option of "redeeming" the land from the purchaser -- provided that two years have past from the date of purchase.

 Technically, if the sixth year harvest is needed to supply for the eighth year, because the eighth year harvest hasn't grown yet, that means that the sixth year harvest will actually be used in the seventh year. That means that the sixth year harvest will be needed for the seventh (1) and eighth (2) years. Why then does it say that the sixth year harvest will last for three years? Rashi explains that it includes partial supply in the first year, since they will plant on Rosh Hashana and reap in Nissan of that year, so they'll get six months of produce in the first year. The third year would also include that partial produce status.

Daily Aliya for Behar-Bechukotai, Rishon (1st Aliya)

From Chabad.org: General Overview: This week's double reading, Behar-Bechukotai, speaks about the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, laws regulating commerce and the redemption of slaves. It also contains a vivid description of the rewards for observing G‑d's commandments and the series of punishments that will befall us if we choose to disregard them. The Torah then discusses different types of gifts given to the Temple, and the animal tithe.

G‑d commands Moses regarding the Sh'mitah (Sabbatical) and Jubilee years. Every seventh year is a Sabbatical year, when it is forbidden to work the land (in the Land of Israel). After seven sets of seven years a Jubilee year is proclaimed. During Jubilee years all the laws of the Sabbatical year apply, and, in addition to the Sabbatical laws, all slaves are set free and all lands revert to their original owners. We are commanded to conduct business ethically. Since all land reverts to their original owners during the Jubilee year, the amount of years remaining until the next Jubilee year must be taken into account whenever a real-estate sale is conducted, and the price should be set accordingly. The end of this Aliya enjoins us not to verbally harass or intentionally mislead our fellows.

Daily Aliya for Emor, Shevi'i (7th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: We are instructed to use the purest of olive oils for the daily kindling of the Temple menorah, and to arrange twelve "showbreads" on the Temple Table every Shabbat. The Torah then tells the story of a Jewish man who was put to death for blaspheming G‑d. The portion concludes with the penalties for committing murder, property damages, and personal injury.