Aliya Summary: G‑d agreed to Tzlophchad's daughters' request. Moshe is then instructed the laws of inheritance. Included in these laws is a daughter's right to her father's estate if he does not leave any sons. G‑d tells Moshe to climb to the top of Mount Abarim from where he would see the Promised Land before he died. Moshe asks G‑d to appoint a worthy individual to succeed him. G‑d instructs Moshe to endow Joshua with some of his spiritual powers and publicly name him as his successor.
When Moshe was shown the land he yearned to enter but was not allowed to, he had a choice. He could have been bitter, or happy that at least his people were finally about to enter the promised land. What was his main concern when he saw the land? That a worthy successor be chosen to lead the Jews into the land. And when G-d told Moshe to lay his hand on Yehoshua (Joshua), his successor, Moshe laid TWO hands, bestowed some of his wisdom and radiance upon Joshua, encouraged him to see all his people as individuals, and to lead by example. True leadership 101: Empowering a successor to succeed.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Daily Aliya for Pinchas, Shlishi (3rd Aliya)
Aliya Summary: As per G‑d's command, the land of Israel was to be divided amongst all those who were counted in the census. The location of each tribe's portion would be determined by lottery. The tribe of Levi is now counted. There were 23,000 Levite males above the age of one month. The daughters of Tzelophchad approached Moshe and stated that their father had died leaving behind only daughters. They requested to receive their father's portion in the land of Israel. Moshe relayed their request to G‑d.
The daughters of Tzelophchad weren't the first active women in Jewish history, but their actions commanded respect because of the underlying desire to be a part of the land distribution, and the Jewish nation. Their argument was logical, respectful and fair. This is yet another example of a maturing people, having learned how not to argue for what they thought was fair, and finally making a point. We're seeing the growth of a nation, in numbers, experience and maturity.
The daughters of Tzelophchad weren't the first active women in Jewish history, but their actions commanded respect because of the underlying desire to be a part of the land distribution, and the Jewish nation. Their argument was logical, respectful and fair. This is yet another example of a maturing people, having learned how not to argue for what they thought was fair, and finally making a point. We're seeing the growth of a nation, in numbers, experience and maturity.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Daily Aliya for Pinchas, Sheni (2nd Aliya)
Aliya Summary: The Israelites are counted, and the totals are given for each of the twelve tribes. The grand total of all the tribes combined is 601,730. The tribe of Levi is not included in this census.
The very first Passuk (verse) says it all about this Aliya. The firstborn for Reuven was Chanoch, from the Chanochi family. The statement seems redundant, but it's really not. Rashi explains that outsiders questioned the Jews' ability to trace their ancestors, claiming that when they were in Egypt no one really knew who the children's fathers were because of immorality that must have occurred (between the Egyptian men and the Jewish women). G-d response to that was to add his name to every family, adding a "hey" to the beginning and a "yud" to the end, so Chanoch became "Hachanochi", demonstrating that G-d protected the Jews, and specifically the women in Egypt.
The very first Passuk (verse) says it all about this Aliya. The firstborn for Reuven was Chanoch, from the Chanochi family. The statement seems redundant, but it's really not. Rashi explains that outsiders questioned the Jews' ability to trace their ancestors, claiming that when they were in Egypt no one really knew who the children's fathers were because of immorality that must have occurred (between the Egyptian men and the Jewish women). G-d response to that was to add his name to every family, adding a "hey" to the beginning and a "yud" to the end, so Chanoch became "Hachanochi", demonstrating that G-d protected the Jews, and specifically the women in Egypt.
Daily Aliya for Pinchas, Rishon (1st Aliya)
General Overview: Pinchas is rewarded for his bravery. A census of the Israelites is taken. The daughters of Tzelophchad successfully argue for a portion in the land of Israel. Joshua is ordained Moses' successor. G‑d relays to Moses the details of all the holiday sacrifices.
Aliya Summary: Last week's reading concluded with Moabite and Midianite women seducing Jewish men and enticing them to idol worship. At that point, Pinchas unilaterally executed a Jewish leader along with the Midianite princess with whom he was cohabiting. This week's reading opens with G‑d praising Pinchas, and rewarding his bravery by granting priesthood to him and his descendants. G‑d then commands the Jews to punish the Midianites by hounding and smiting them. The fulfillment of this command is described in next week's reading. G‑d commands Moses and Elazar the High Priest to conduct a census of all males over the age of twenty.
Aliya Summary: Last week's reading concluded with Moabite and Midianite women seducing Jewish men and enticing them to idol worship. At that point, Pinchas unilaterally executed a Jewish leader along with the Midianite princess with whom he was cohabiting. This week's reading opens with G‑d praising Pinchas, and rewarding his bravery by granting priesthood to him and his descendants. G‑d then commands the Jews to punish the Midianites by hounding and smiting them. The fulfillment of this command is described in next week's reading. G‑d commands Moses and Elazar the High Priest to conduct a census of all males over the age of twenty.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Daily Aliya for Balak, Shishi (6th Aliya)
Summary: The entire process repeats itself once again, Balak takes Bilaam to another place, hoping that Bilaam can curse the Jews from there. For a third time they build altars and bring offerings, and for a third time, only blessings issue from Bilaam's mouth: "How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel! ... G‑d, who has brought them out of Egypt with the strength of His loftiness He shall consume the nations which are his adversaries ... Those who bless [them] shall be blessed, and those who curse [them] shall be cursed." At this point, Balak despairs of accomplishing his goal, and sends Bilaam on his way.
Two important concepts are demonstrated in this Aliya. First, the persistence of these two people to accomplish their goals is admirable, even if their goal itself isn't. Second, whereas when they first started the attempts it was Bilaam building the alters and trying to find a way to curse the Jews, now it is Balak trying different tactics to get it done. The two men strengthen each other's resolve to accomplish their goal, a concept very much a part of Judaism. We focus on community and gatherings, many of the Mitzvot (commandments) focusing on helping each other, and that's what not only makes each of us stronger by being around others, but it makes the collective "us" much greater than the sum of its parts.
Two important concepts are demonstrated in this Aliya. First, the persistence of these two people to accomplish their goals is admirable, even if their goal itself isn't. Second, whereas when they first started the attempts it was Bilaam building the alters and trying to find a way to curse the Jews, now it is Balak trying different tactics to get it done. The two men strengthen each other's resolve to accomplish their goal, a concept very much a part of Judaism. We focus on community and gatherings, many of the Mitzvot (commandments) focusing on helping each other, and that's what not only makes each of us stronger by being around others, but it makes the collective "us" much greater than the sum of its parts.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Daily Aliya for Balak, Chamishi (5th Aliya)
From Chabad.org: Balak takes Bilaam to another location, hoping that this new venue would be more inauspicious for the Jews. They again build altars and offer sacrifices, and again G‑d dictates blessing for the Jews which Bilaam repeats. "G‑d does not look at evil in Jacob, and has seen no perversity in Israel; the L-rd, his G‑d, is with [Israel], and he has the King's friendship..."
After Balak takes him to a different location, one where there might be weakness (he took him to the spot where Moshe would eventually die), Bilaam explains that he has no choice but to say what G-d tells him to say, and G-d instructed him to bless the Jews again. He then goes on to bless the Jews by saying that G-d does not see evil in Jacob, nor perversity in the Jews. How is this a blessing? It sounds more like a fact. But the blessing is that although we know evil and perversity does exist, G-d overlooks it long enough for us to correct our mistakes, demonstrating His love and friendship (Passuk 21: Rashi).
After Balak takes him to a different location, one where there might be weakness (he took him to the spot where Moshe would eventually die), Bilaam explains that he has no choice but to say what G-d tells him to say, and G-d instructed him to bless the Jews again. He then goes on to bless the Jews by saying that G-d does not see evil in Jacob, nor perversity in the Jews. How is this a blessing? It sounds more like a fact. But the blessing is that although we know evil and perversity does exist, G-d overlooks it long enough for us to correct our mistakes, demonstrating His love and friendship (Passuk 21: Rashi).
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Daily Aliya for Balak, Revi'i (4th Aliya)
From Chabad.org: Upon Bilaam's instructions, Balak builds seven altars and offers sacrifices to G‑d. G‑d "chances" upon Bilaam, and dictates to him the words he should repeat to Balak and his ministers: "From Aram, Balak the king of Moab has brought me, from the mountains of the east: 'Come, curse Jacob for me and come invoke wrath against Israel.' How can I curse whom G‑d has not cursed, and how can I invoke wrath if the L-rd has not been angered?..." Bilaam then proceeded to shower the Israelites with beautiful blessings and praises. When Balak responds angrily to the blessings, Bilaam reminds him that he can only say that which G‑d tells him to say.
This is the origin of the bait-and-switch! Bilaam was brought in to curse the Jews, and instead praises them, boldly stating that he cannot curse those that have done nothing wrong to deserve curses. What? Did we not read over the last few weeks about how the Jews complained about their situation and wanting to go back to Egypt? This is the ultimate proof that G-d forgives the Jews for their misdeeds, because someone skilled at finding minute faults that would allow curses to take hold couldn't find any faults to do so to the Jews.
This is the origin of the bait-and-switch! Bilaam was brought in to curse the Jews, and instead praises them, boldly stating that he cannot curse those that have done nothing wrong to deserve curses. What? Did we not read over the last few weeks about how the Jews complained about their situation and wanting to go back to Egypt? This is the ultimate proof that G-d forgives the Jews for their misdeeds, because someone skilled at finding minute faults that would allow curses to take hold couldn't find any faults to do so to the Jews.
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