B’haalot’cha
Num. 8:1 - 12:16
Précis: The parasha begins with a description of the making of the seven-branched menorah, a central Jewish symbol. Next, the Levites are given specific directions for their duties. The parasha returns to narrative with a recounting of a second Passover celebration (required because some of the Israelites had been ritually impure when the first anniversary of Passover was celebrated). Following is a discussion of the making of silver trumpets. The cloud of God’s Presence lifts, and the march of the People through the wilderness of Sinai begins, led by the Ark of the Covenant. The people begin to murmur, this time about a lack of meat. God provides, but the People are struck with a plague. This time, even Miriam and Aaron seem to have complaints about Moses, cast in terms of their critique about his “Cushite woman.” Moses is stressed by the demands of leadership.
Num. 9:6-13 “And it happened that there were men who were defiled by human corpses and could not do the Passover offering on that day, and they drew near before Moses and before Aaron on that day. And these men said to them, ‘We are defiled by human corpses. Why should we be withheld from offering the Lord’s sacrifice at its fixed time in the midst of the Israelites?’ …And the Lord spoke to Moses saying… ‘Any man who may be defiled by corpse or on a distant journey…and would do the Passover sacrifice of the Lord, in the second month on the fourteenth day, they shall do it…’”
These verses at first blush seem to focus on a remedy for ritual defilement. In fact, the creation of Pesach Sheini (Second Passover) has much more important – and current – implications. Rabbi Ismar Schorsch has written about these verses (MyJewishLearning.com, 6/2/15) and suggests that it points out that Judaism always offers a “second chance.” He cites as an example the life of Rabbi Akiva, who as a 40-year-old lived as an illiterate shepherd for a wealthy man. The man’s daughter fell in love with him because of his modesty and promised to marry him if he would go off to study Torah. Her father learned of the marriage and kicked them out. For 24 years thereafter, Akiva left his bride and studied. When he finally returned to his wife accompanied by disciples, they tried to interpose themselves between the ragged old woman and their honored teacher. But Rabbi Akiva immediately recognized her, embraced her, and told his students “what is mine is actually hers.” His achievements were made possible by the loyalty of his wife (BT Ketubot, 62b-63a).
As Rabbi Schorsch points out, a primary founder of rabbinic Judaism was a second-career student. His bride provided him with a second chance. Even at an advanced age, it was not too late for him to start.
It is not too late for any of us to start to do what is right and what is necessary. Pesach Sheini reminds us that we too can achieve, regardless of our age or circumstances.
