Picking up the burden

Naso

Num. 4:21-7:89

Précis: The parasha opens with a continuation of the listing of the Levitical families and their duties regarding the transportation of holy vessels. This is followed by a brief commandment concerning restitution for wrongs. The parasha then turns to a mysterious procedure for testing a wife’s fidelity when questioned by her jealous husband. Next, we have a discussion of the laws of Nazerites, and the recitation of the “Priestly Benediction.” The parasha concludes with the presentation of identical gifts by each tribe for the dedication of the Altar.

Num. 7:9 “To the sons of Korath he gave no wagons, because the service of the holy things belonged to them; they bore it upon their shoulders.”

            This parasha describes the specific tasks assigned to the priestly caste and Levites as they moved the Tabernacle and its vessels during their time in the wilderness. In this particular verse, the sons of Korath were not given wagons to carry holy vessels, but instead were commanded to carry these objects on their own shoulders. The Sages suggest that this is a proof-text for the proposition that we cannot hand off to others that which we are personally obligated to do.

            It seems to me that we appreciate those things for which we have worked earnestly and hardest. That which comes easily winds up being of little true value. The sons of Korath took their burdens on their own shoulders. Shouldn’t we do the same when we work for our families, for our faith, for Israel, and for our country?

Have a Slice, It's Shavuot!

B’midbar

Num. 1:1 - 4:20

Précis: B’midbar is an amalgamation of the narrative of wilderness wanderings (including the stories of the spies, Korah’s rebellion, Balaam’s donkey, and the sin of Moses), sacrificial requirements, the establishment of Israel’s moving camp, and census data.

                As B’midbar (“in the wilderness”) begins, Moses is directed to take a census (“take the number”) from which the English name (Numbers) of the Book derives. A detailed listing of the numbers of each tribe follows; each tribe is apportioned a particular location in the camp. A listing of the Levitical families then follows, together with the beginning of a discussion of their duties.                

                B’midbar, according to Rabbi Plaut, continues the narrative from Exodus (which was largely interrupted by Leviticus), and begins about a year after the liberation, covering the wandering in the desert. He notes that details are provided for only the first and last years, with the “middle” 38 left mostly to our imaginations. The focus of the Book appears to “point to this moment when Israel is poised to take possession of its inheritance.”

For Shavuot:  This week, we begin the reading of the fourth Book, B’midbar. We will also begin our celebration of Shavuot on Saturday night. Some have suggested that Shavuot is the most neglected of our festivals, and so I thought I would focus this week’s message on the holiday, in a bit of a light-hearted way.

                Dairy foods are usually associated with Shavuot, but we do not know precisely why this tradition has emerged. Several ideas have been suggested. For example, in Psalms 68:16, Mount Sinai is called “Har Gavnunim,” a Hebrew word similar to the Hebrew word for cheese (“gevinah”). Numerology (gematria) tells us that the Hebrew word for milk (“chalav”) has a numerical value of 40, which is the number of days Moses spent on Mount Sinai, and the number of years spent in the wilderness. Some have suggested that the Ashkenazi custom of eating blintzes on Shavuot comes from the fact that two blintzes laid side-by-side resemble a torah scroll.

            There is one potential textual basis for this custom. In Ex. 34:26, we read, “Bring first fruits to the house of God; you shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk.” Shavuot is the festival when first fruits were brought to the Temple, and the same verse refers to milk.

            I have suggestion for those who find blintzes or noodle and cheese casseroles too heavy: eat a pizza! A slice of pizza is (usually) triangular, which serves to remind us of the Priests, Levites, and Israelites. A pizza is usually sliced into 8 triangles, which recalls the 7 weeks of the omer plus the new week for Shavuot’s beginning. The pizza crust is brown, like the wilderness, the tomato sauce reminds us of the “Red” Sea, and the white cheese may recall the white manna which God provided during the trek through the wilderness.  We can add mushrooms or onions just because they taste great on pizza! Chag sameach.