Daily Aliya for Shelach, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: We now learn the rules regarding an individual who is guilty of an idolatrous practice -- whether inadvertently or intentionally. A man is found desecrating the Shabbat, and is executed. The last part of this week's reading discusses the commandment of putting tzitzit (fringes) on four-cornered garments. When looking at the fringes we remember all the commandments and refrain from following the temptations of the heart.

 Why is the Mitzvah (commandment) of tzitzit so important that it's mentioned twice a day? Some say that the blue string reminds us of water, which reminds us of heaven, which would remind us of G-d. A bit far fetched, but I guess if we learn to associate all those things, it would work. But tzitzit also represent the possibility of always performing a positive commandment. With every second that we wear the tzitzit we get a mitzvah, plus the added benefit of remembering the others. It possibly represents doing what we can right now, as well as thinking of other good deeds we can do in the future, thereby representing the present and the future in a positive color (blue). Not a bad thing to keep in mind as often as possible...

Daily Aliya for Shelach, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The mitzvah of challah is contained in this Aliya: when one kneads dough, a portion must be taken and given to the priest. If the Sanhedrin (rabbinic supreme court) erroneously permits an act of idolatry, and the community acts upon this permission, the Sanhedrin must bring a special sin-offering, detailed in this section.

I wonder if Vegas could place odds on the Rabbinic Supreme Court mistakenly permitting idolatry, what they would be. Nonetheless, with the Jews' magnitude of sins raised to new levels previously in this Parsha, it's no surprise that even this was now a possibility. Contrary to initial perception, this isn't a condemnation, it's stating the real truth that mistakes can and WILL happen, and as long as we understand that the mistakes we make are mistakes and not statements against our beliefs, nothing is beyond forgiveness, even violating one of the ten commandments. This is an important quality to emulate, that of forgiveness of loved ones that have made mistakes, so long as the understanding is there, that it was in fact a mistake, and not a new reality.

Daily Aliya for Shelach, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: This Aliya continues with the rules of the sacrifice accompaniments -- detailing the quantities of wine, flour and oil to be brought with various species of livestock.

In previous Aliyot we've angered G-d, been punished, and now we're finding out how G-d likes His sacrifices, so that we may appease him, presumably. Then the Passuk says that converts should be treated like anyone else, which would otherwise seem superfluous and out of place, but in the context of the Parsha it actually makes more sense. A convert wasn't part of the nation when we angered G-d, and some might wonder if the sacrifices apply to them. The Aliya dispels that notion. Sacrifices (animal, money or behavioral) are ways to get closer to G-d, regardless of one's past.

Daily Aliya for Shelach, Revii (4th Aliya)

From Chabad.org: The details of the punishment are now revealed. The Israelites will wander in the desert for forty years. During that time, all males over the age of twenty -- with the exception of Joshua and Caleb -- would perish. The next generation would enter the Promised Land. The ten scouts who brought back the frightful report died immediately. When the Jews were informed of G‑d's decision, they lamented and grieved. A group of people awoke the next day and decide to "go it alone," and enter the Land of Israel -- this despite Moses' warning that their plan would not succeed for it was not sanctioned by G‑d. This group is cut down and massacred by the Amalekites and Canaanites.

What bothered G-d the most about the spies' report and subsequent Israelites' fear was the lack of trust they had in Him after all he's done. G-d felt that they alienated Him, abandoned Him, which is why it was only appropriate that they then became unworthy of the Land of Israel. In fact, the Midrash equates this mistrust to the sin of the Golden Calf, and G-d waited until this happened before finally punishing those between 20 and 60, not allowing them into His land. If there's any good news in this Aliya, is that after these events the nation "mourned greatly", presumably realizing their mistaken in not trusting in G-d and/or appreciating what they had (Passuk 39). Better late than never, I guess.

Daily Aliya for Shelach, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

From Chabad.org: The Jewish people rejected the pleas of Joshua and Caleb, and decided to stone them. G‑d intervened, His glory appearing over the Tabernacle. G‑d informs Moshe of His decision to instantaneously wipe out the Israelites in a massive plague due to their persistent lack of faith. Moshe successfully invoked G‑d's mercy and pointed out that this mass execution will cause a mammoth desecration of G‑d's name. "People will assume that G‑d lacked the power to defeat the Canaanites in battle, so He instead slaughtered His people," Moses argued. Although G‑d agreed not to immediately wipe out the Israelites, that generation would not enter the Land. G‑d instructs the Jews to reverse course, and to head back to the desert.

So Moshe and G-d take turns giving up on the Israelites. This time Moshe saves the day with his quick thinking arguments. It's always amazing when Moshe is able to hold sway with G-d, appeasing Him with logic that He undoubtedly already knew. It must be that there was a benefit to 1) manually going through the arguments, and 2) recording those arguments for us to learn from. It could be similar to the concept of Vidui, or verbally admitting one's sins. There's a benefit to arguing for what you believe in!

Daily Aliya for Shelach, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: The scouts spent forty days reconnoitering the land. They returned to the Israelite encampment with specimens of Canaan's produce, and with an ominous report. They conceded that the land flowed with milk and honey, but they warned that its population was mighty and the cities well fortified and impossible to conquer. Only Caleb and Joshua, the scouts representing the tribes of Judah and Ephraim, dissented. They argued that the land was magnificent, and there was no reason for concern because G‑d could surely bring the Israelites victory in battle. The Jewish people spent that entire night wailing, expressing their preference to return to Egypt rather than be defeated in battle by the Canaanites.

The Kotzker Rebbe and others define two components of the Sin of the Spies from this part of the passuk. First, that we saw ourselves as small and insignificant. Second, that we were concerned about how others perceived us. With G-d obviously on our side (we know what happened to Egypt and we witnessed so many miracles performed on our behalf), we should not have viewed ourselves that way. And, how others perceive us is their problem, not ours.

Daily Aliya for Shelach, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: Moshe sends scouts to Canaan and all of them -- except Joshua and Caleb -- bring back frightening reports. The people react fearfully and rebelliously. G‑d decrees a forty year delay until the Israelites will enter Canaan, during which time all males between the ages of twenty and sixty will perish. Many Israelites then attempt to unilaterally proceed to Canaan, but are cut down by the Canaanites. Various laws are discussed: libations, giving part of the dough ("challah") to a Kohain (Priest), certain sin sacrifices, and the mitzvah of tzitzit. A Jew is found desecrating the Shabbat and is executed.

Aliya Summary: G‑d allows Moshe to send scouts to reconnoiter the land of Canaan in preparation for their anticipated invasion of the land. One member of every tribe -- with the exception of the tribe of Levi -- was chosen for this task. Moshe instructed the scouts to bring back a report regarding the nature of the land; its strengths and weaknesses. He also instructed them to bring back samples of the land's produce.

Daily Aliya for Beha'alotcha, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: 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, Mosh's sister, spoke negatively of Moshe's 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.

Moshe offers a short but eloquent prayer on behalf of his sister. The People delay their travels for the week of Miriam's isolation. (81 years previously, Miriam had stood by the Nile protectively watching over her baby brother Moshe in the basket. Her "reward-in-kind" is this 7-day delay. The Mishna points out that good deeds are thusly rewarded.)

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

Aliya Summary: 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. Moshe turns to G‑d and insists that he cannot bear his leadership role any longer. G‑d tells Moshe 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..." Moshe 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 Moshe placates him.

Eighteen times in the Tanach, it says "And G-d got angry with..." Yisrael or Bnei Yisrael, or His people. When the People complained about the Manna, etc., the Torah says that G-d got very angry. Why? Kedushat Levi explains that usually when G-d got angry at the People, Moshe would rise to their defense and pursuade G-d, so to speak, not to punish them. This time the Torah says that "and in Moshe's eyes it was bad". Moshe was more upset with the people than usual, and this "angered" G-d all the more.

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

Aliya Summary: 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. Moshe pleads with his father-in-law Yitro to join them on their journey to the Land of Israel.

At this point in the Torah, we are 13 months out of Egypt and neither the people nor Moshe have done what later caused them to be barred from entry into Israel. After Moshe talks to Yitro, it was supposed to be a three-day trip (condensed into one day) to bring us WITH Moshe, into the Land of Israel. But then things started going wrong...

Daily Aliya for Beha'alotcha, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: 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 Aliya then discusses Moshe's 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.

The above-mentioned purposes of the trumpets applied to the generation of the wilderness only, but the mitzva for future generations concerning the trumpets is as follows: When the People enter the Land of Israel, the trumpets are to be used during times of troubles and on festive occasions during Temple service.

Daily Aliya for Beha’alotcha, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: 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 Moshe 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 Moshe the laws of the Second Passover.

This Pesach Sheni episode occurred before the counting of the People as recorded in the opening Parsha of Bamidbar. It was not placed at the beginning of the book because it is embarrassing to the People of Israel that they (we) only brought one Korban Pesach in the entire Wilderness period.

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

Aliya Summary: 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 Aliya we learn the Levite service age-requirements and retirement age.

From age 25 until 50, the Levi was eligible for Mishkan service. From 25-30 the Levi studied and trained for Temple service, at 30 he began serving. Age 50 was the retirement age for the "carrying chores", but the singing and guarding functions of the Levi continued beyond that age.

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

General Overview: 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, Moshe 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. Moshe appoints seventy elders to assist him in bearing the burden of the people. Miriam speaks negatively about Moshe and is punished with tzara'at (a skin disease).

Aliya Summary: G‑d commands Aaron to light the golden Tabernacle Menorah on a daily basis. Moshe 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.

Daily Aliya for Naso, Shvii (7th Aliya)

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

From this point, contact by G-d to Moshe emanated from between the two cherubs atop the (kaporet of the) Aron, where it now had a "home", or a sense of permanence.

Daily Aliya for Naso, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: This Aliya continues the descriptions of the tribal leaders' gifts.

The leaders of Gad, Ephraim, Menashe, Binyamin, and Dan brought their gifts on days 6 thru 10 respectively.

Daily Aliya for Naso, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: 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 Moshe 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.

Although the gifts are identical to each other, there are sources that teach that each leader brought his gifts with special intentions and symbolisms unique to his tribe (which explains why they are listed separately.)

Daily Aliya for Naso, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: 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 Aliya 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.

From ou.org: It is interesting to note that the many details of a Nazir's prohibitions are counted separately among the Torah's commandments. For example, does it not seem strange that the prohibition of a Nazir's eating grapes and raisins and grape skins and seeds should be counted separately? In contrast, look at the many examples in the Torah where a large number of details are all subsumed under one mitzvah - building the Mishkan, the melachot of Shabbat, to name just two. Perhaps the answer lies in the usual circumstances of a Nazir. Here is an individual who might be having more than regular difficulty controlling his physical urges. The Torah permits him to take vows of abstinence (which would ordinarily be frowned upon) in order to help him "straighten himself out". The Torah further "bombards" the Nazir, and his troubled soul, with mitzvah upon mitzvah to scrupulously adhere to. This process will hopefully bring the Nazir back "on an even keel". (This is clearly an over- simplification of the Nazir issue, but hopefully something to ponder.)

Daily Aliya for Naso, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: 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 Aliya 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 Aliya is the mitzvah to verbally confess one's sins, and a person's right to select a priest of their liking to whom to give the various required priestly gifts.

Take a close look at this Aliya dealing with repentance. It speaks of a man or a woman sinning and of THEIR (not his) requirement to confess and repent. It is often the case that when an individual sins, others are somewhat responsible. Perhaps a parent who did not educate the child properly. Maybe someone who made stealing too easy and/or tempting. Does the society bear some of the responsibility for a sinner's actions? A person is primarily accountable for his actions, but the Torah's use of the plural reminds us of our duty to develop an environment of Torah values that will be conducive for all members of society to enthusiastically follow a Torah way of life.

Daily Aliya for Naso, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: 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.

LA'AVOD AVODAT AVODA VA'AVODAT MASA... Note the four words in a row with the same root. Rashi says the Avodat Avoda (kind of a strange phrase) refers to playing musical instruments. As far as Avodat Masa is concerned - the Gemara in Chulim comments that only when there is heavy manual labor involved, then there is an age limit for the Leviyim (as was mentioned above). And it seems that the age limit of 50 was only for the carrying. In other words, a Levi was able to continue serving in the Mishkan after 50, but only for SHIRA and SH'MIRA. (Yet the count was only for Leviyim from 30-50. Interesting, no?)

Daily Aliya for Naso, Rishon (1st Aliya)

General Overview: This week's Parsha, 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.

Aliya Summary: G‑d informs Moshe 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, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: 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 warns the kohanim not to endanger the people of K'hat by not properly preparing for their handling of the most sacred vessels. This parsha of four p'sukim is reread for the Maftir.

Daily Aliya for Bamidbar, Shishi (6th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: 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."

A mass "redemption of the firstborns" is conducted by an exchange of 22,000 Leviyim (non- b'chorim) for 22,000 b'chorim (non- Leviyim) and a payment of five silver sheqels each for the remaining 273 firstborns to Aharon and his sons.

Imagine gathering 22,273 people and asking each to choose a card from a batch of 22,273 cards, 22,000 of which have the words BEN LEVI on them and 273 have the words 5 shekel on them. This, says Rashi, is how they determined who would pay the 5 shekels for the exchange.

Daily Aliya for Bamidbar, Chamishi (5th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: 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. Moshe, Aaron, and their immediate families camped to the east of the Tabernacle.

Choose your neighbors well. Rashi points out that the proximity of the Yehuda camp to the encampment of Moshe and Aharon and family, had a positive influence on the three tribes of Yehuda, Yissachar, and Zevulun - the three tribes famed for their Torah scholarship. On the other hand, Reuven's closeness to Korach and his to Datan and Aviram, produces disaster.

Daily Aliya for Bamidbar, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: 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.

"These are the names of the sons of Aharon, the B'chor (firstborn) Nadav..." The regular reading of the pasuk, based on the Taamei HaMikra (the Torah notes) indicates that Nadav is being identified as Aharon's B'chor. But there is a vertical line which separates between B'chor and Nadav, suggesting that it is Aharon the B'chor; Nadav, having died without children is not really a B'chor at this point. (Since the children of a deceased B'chor get their father's double portion, had Nadav had children he would retain the title of B'chor.)

Daily Aliya for Bamidbar, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: 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, Manasseh, Benjamin -- to the west; and the "Flag of Dan" -- Dan, Asher, Naftali -- to the north.

The lead tribe of each camp was based on OTOT, signs, transmitted by Yaakov Avinu. Baal HaTurim points out a correspondence between Yaakov's blessings to his sons and these camp-heads. Each son that Yaakov addressed in second person was to be a leader of a camp. "Revuen, YOU are my firstborn", "Yehuda, YOU your brothers will acknowledge", "Dan... YOUR salvation", "Yosef... the G-d of YOUR father... blesses YOU".

Daily Aliya for Bamidbar, Sheni (2nd Aliya)

Aliya Summary: 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.

Commentaries point out that the low population figures recorded for Levi were closer to what would be expected according to natural demographics. The figures for the rest of the people were unnaturally high. This is a result of the Torah's telling us, "and as they were tortured, so they multiplied". Among the many miracles that occurred in Egypt, was the fact the the people proliferated so greatly under very adverse conditions. Since the tribe of Levi was not subjected to the harsh conditions of slavery, its growth was "normal".

Daily Aliya for Bamidbar, Rishon (1st Aliya)

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.
Aliya Summary: 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.

Commentaries point out that the command to count the people was given to Moshe and Aharon (as opposed to just Moshe) because the census was done by collecting half-shekels from the people. Since money was involved, it is not proper to have only one person dealing with the matter - even if that person is Moshe Rabeinu! This became the ethical standard of dealing with public funds.

Daily Aliya for Behar-Bechukotai, Shvii (7th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: This Aliya discusses the endowment of land to the temple. If it is land which was part of the family lot (given to his ancestors when Israel was divided amongst the Tribes), and the owner chooses not to redeem it, it may be redeemed by any other individual. In this event, the land becomes the property of the priests during the next Jubilee year. Land which was purchased and then consecrated by the buyer can also be redeemed, but it reverts to its original owner when the Jubilee arrives. All firstborn livestock are sacrificed in the Temple. A person also has the option of dedicating and consecrating any of his belongings specifically for the use of the priests. The "Second Tithe," which must be consumed by its owners in Jerusalem, is briefly mentioned. Also discussed is the animal tithe -- every tenth animal is offered as a sacrifice, and the meat consumed by its owners. With this we conclude the Book of Leviticus.

The tithe of the animals (cows, goats, sheep) are to be separated by counting every tenth one regardless of the quality of the animal (you let the animals walk through an exit, so the 10th one selects itself, rather than you picking which it should be). These animals are sacred and must be eaten only in Jerusalem and under conditions of ritual purity. Maaser B'heima may not be redeemed. Violation of this rule results in both animals being considered holy.

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

Aliya Summary: This Aliya 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.

If donating the value of a boy between 5 and 20 years of age, for example, is equivalent to a pledge of 20 shekels, then why not just donate 20 shekels? What is the significance of labeling certain amounts as the "value" of a person? Because we psychologically relate much more strongly to our giving the value of person to the Beit HaMikdash than we would with a mere sum of money. This would be especially so if the person were yourself or a loved one. Modern fundraising psychology borrows this idea. Compare the emotional connection of contributing, $100 to a charitable cause, compared with the same $100 to "foster a child" or feed 5 orphans. Same amount, but the emotional response is quite different.

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

Aliya Summary: And 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 aliyah concludes with G‑d's promise never to utterly forsake us even when we are exiled in the lands of our enemies.

Because it is so painful to hear these terrible words - especially realizing how often they have come true - the custom developed to read this portion in a low voice. We are ashamed that G-d needs to threaten us in so graphic a way. There was a time when no one wanted the dubious honor of receiving this Aliya. Today the minhag is to call the Rabbi, Gabbai, or the Baal Korei himself for this portion. (In many congregations, it is the one who gives out the Aliyot who gets the Tochacha, so that no one else will feel slighted by him.) The Tochacha is always contained within one Aliya which begins and ends on "cheerier" notes.

Daily Aliya for Behar-Bechukotai, Revii (4th Aliya)

Aliya Summary: 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.

The Gemara says that G-d is asking us, pleading with us, to keep the mitzvot and immerse ourselves in Torah. If He asks, how can we not do what He wants - He created us, He put us into this world.