Chassidut on the Torah

Chassidut Archives

Overview Parshas Naso (Numbers 4:21-7:89) opens with tallying the three families of Levites and defining their specific services in disassembling, carrying, and reconstructing the Tabernacle throughout the Jews' desert journeys. Next, Jews with various types of impurities are forbidden to enter different sections of the camp. Then, G-d commands the Jews about making restitution and sin offerings after sinning against a fellow Jew. Also commanded is to bring 'trumah' - crop-gifts to the priests. The next speaks about the suspected adulteress, her test of fidelity, and the consequences resulting from her guilt or innocence. The parsha goes on to discuss the vows, laws and sacrifices of Nazirites. The following verses are the priestly blessing to the Jews (which we recite daily). The parsha concludes by listing the donations and sacrifices each tribal prince brought to the Tabernacle. Insights One of the main topics of Parshas Naso is the description of the contributions of the tribal princes upon the dedication of the altar in the Tabernacle. Interestingly, this is the second set of offerings made by the princes, yet the Torah describes each differently. The first set of contributions was upon the dedication of the Tabernacle. The Torah summarizes the princes' gifts tallying them up in one sentence and giving the total number of oxen, wagons etc. which were donated (7:3). Yet in connection to the dedication of the altar, each prince's contribution is individually described in a series of verses despite the fact that each donation was identical! (begins 7:12) The Rebbe explains that we learn from this two qualities of the Jewish people. First, are the same qualities each and every Jew shares-we are all G-d's children, have a G-dly soul, etc.. This is exemplified at the Tabernacle's dedication in which the gifts are totaled in one sentence. There was no need to specify details because each tribe is similar to the other. On the other hand, the contributions made at the altar's dedication represent the uniqueness of each tribe and Jew, and therefore each tribe's gifts are listed separately. Nevertheless, this redundant listing of gifts seems unnecessary since each tribe gave the exact same items. However, the fact that the gifts were identical further proves the point: while each prince performed the same deed, the spiritual factors and intentions involved behind the act were very different. In the spiritual realm, each tribe is a whole and unique entity unto itself. Apparently identical acts performed by the princes were actually very individualized to that tribe. These men seemed to be repeating each other's offering, but the spiritual intent behind each one's gift was exclusive. Rashi explains many of the esoteric meanings significant to the offerings the princes brought. For example: the Gematriah (numeric value) of the words "silver bowl" is 930 corresponding to the years of Adam's life. The bowl's weight was 130 corresponding to Noach's age when he began having children. "One spoon" relates to the Torah which was given to us by G-d's hand-hand is the same Hebrew word as spoon. The spoon's weight was 10 in gold and parallels with the Ten Commandments. Other offerings correspond to the forefathers, etc. The emphasis in all of this symbolism is that there were different lofty spiritual perceptions relating to each of the offerings. Each tribal prince had different holy intentions relating to the contribution he made. So too, each and every Jew performs mitzvahs. Millions of Jews go through the same motions and recite the same words in daily service of G-d. We are equally commanded to have mezuzahs, eat kosher, make kiddush, etc. and on an exterior level, we do these mitzvahs in sync with everyone else. Yet each Jew is a unique individual with a different soul, personality, etc. The challenge of a certain mitzvah may come easy to his next-door neighbor. The joy of learning a certain realm of Torah, may be a labor for his friend. (Keep this in mind before you judge someone else!) Each Jew has a different make-up, spiritual purpose and directions. Take pride in being part of the Jewish people and appreciate yourself for the unique being G-d has made you. Additionally, the beauty is that even within the diversity of our intentions, our actions unify us as Jews. Shabbat Shalom, Shaul

This website is a project of Ascent of Safed Design © 2001 Hershel Productions