- This week's Torah portion is Beha'alotcha, the third parsha in the Book of Bamidbar (Numbers).
- After all the preparations in the previous parashot, Parashat Beha'alotcha describes the beginning of the Israelites' journey in the wilderness, from Mount Sinai where we received the Torah - to the Land of Israel, the place where we are meant to fulfill it.
- The journey begins with a sequence of optimistic and celebratory topics: the commandment to light the lamps of the menorah in the Mishkan (the lighting of Shabbat candles symbolizes this to this day in our homes), the celebration of the first Pesach after the Exodus from Egypt, the commandment of Pesach Sheni (Second Passover) for those who couldn't celebrate Pesach at its proper time, the use of trumpets to gather the people and prepare them for journeys, and more.
- But the parsha also presents problems and disputes among the Israelites, who complain about the journey and the conditions, and even express longing for the land of Egypt. Therefore Moshe receives instruction - to find 70 more spiritual men and prepare them to help him, so they can educate the people and strengthen them spiritually. Without motivation and meaning - the journey will not succeed.
- Among the famous verses in the parsha: ”Rise up, O Lord, and let Your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate You flee before You" *- we say this to this day in synagogues when taking the Torah scroll out of the holy ark. And also Moshe’s words to Yitro: *”The Lord has spoken good concerning Israel.” Despite all the challenges, God wants our good, speaks well of us.
Shabbat Shalom.
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