"May HaShem bless you and watch over you"(Leviticus 6:24) Sivan 8, 5784/June 14, 2024 This week's Torah reading, Naso, is the longest portion of the entire Torah. It opens where last week's reading, (Bamidbar), left off, with the counting of the children of the tribe of Levi who were assigned with the care for and transportation of the desert Tabernacle and all its sacred vessels. Naso then quickly covers some issues of ritual impurity before describing at great length the ceremony held in the Holy Temple concerning the sota - a woman accused by her husband of being unfaithful. Following this lengthy description, the Torah then launches into another lengthy description, this time focusing on the nazir - a man or woman who takes upon themself a temporary vow of abstention, which concludes with a haircut and the bringing of certain offerings to the Holy Temple. Finally, parashat Naso concludes with an extremely lengthy and repetitive description of the gifts brought by the twelve tribal leaders to the Tabernacle on the occasion of its dedication. Over the first twelve days of the month of Nisan each of the twelve tribal chieftains brought, one after the other, identical gifts of silver and gold implements, bulls and lambs, rams and goats and oxen. Naso concludes with the tallying up of all the tribals gifts, and the following coda: "When Moshe would come into the Tent of Meeting to speak with Him, he would hear the voice speaking to him from the two cherubim above the covering which was over the Ark of Testimony, and He spoke to him." (Numbers 7:89) Sandwiched in between the lengthy description of the nazirite and the even lengthier description of the tribal gifts, are six verses, succinct and unparalleled in their powerful message: "HaShem spoke to Moshe saying: Speak to Aharon and his sons, saying: This is how you shall bless the children of Israel, saying to them: 'May HaShem bless you and watch over you. May HaShem cause His countenance to shine to you and favor you. May HaShem raise His countenance toward you and grant you peace.' They shall bestow My Name upon the children of Israel, so that I will bless them." (ibid 6:22-27) This is not the first time in Torah that this blessing is referred to. It was first uttered by Aharon and his sons on the day of the dedication of the Tabernacle, and it is in that context that it is referred to. In the book of Leviticus, chapter 9, verse 22, at the conclusion of parashat Shemini, we are told that "Aharon lifted up his hands towards the people and blessed them. He then descended from preparing the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offering." This was the threefold priestly blessing whose actual words are only revealed in this week's parashat Naso. The Torah is full of blessings. Fathers bless their children, and Moshe blesses the tribes. Only recently, in parashat Bechukotai, the final reading of Leviticus, we read of G-d's promise to bless Israel should she keep His commandments. But the priestly blessing, known in Hebrew as birkat kohanim, is different. It is unconditional and it is delivered every day by the kohanim. In Temple times it was delivered by the kohanim while standing in the steps leading up to the entrance to the Temple Sanctuary. To this very day, kohanim, the descendants of Aharon, perform the blessing each morning in synagogues all throughout the land of Israel, and on the pilgrimage festivals in synagogues throughout the diaspora. This blessing is personal. It comes directly from G-d and is delivered via the kohanim. "They shall bestow My Name upon the children of Israel, so that I will bless them" makes it clear that the blessing is from HaShem and not from the kohanim. Like all of the functions performed by the kohanim, they must act as vessels through which G-d's instructions are fulfilled. Their holiness is not intrinsic to their status as kohanim, but is achieved via their performance of their various responsibilities in the Holy Temple and outside of it. Today, when kohanim bless the congregation they first make an initial blessing stating that they are delivering HaShem's blessing be'ahava - with love. Should the kohen or kohanim performing the blessing bear any grudge or antipathy toward anyone in the congregation their blessing is invalid, and they have uttered HaShem's name in vain, (G-d forbid!). Members of the congregation traditionally cover their heads with their tallitot (prayer shawls), and lower their eyes, both out of respect and in order to focus on receiving the blessing. As emphasized above, this blessing is direct, from G-d to each and every one of us. If we ever wonder if G-d takes note of us, if we matter, if our well being is of the utmost importance to Him, this is the answer. Birkat kohanim is G-d's blessing to His children. Reflecting this understanding, it is traditional that before sitting down for the Friday evening Shabbat meal, fathers place their hands upon the heads of their children, and bless them. And just as G-d blesses His children, so we bless our children: "May HaShem bless you and watch over you. May HaShem cause His countenance to shine to you and favor you. May HaShem raise His countenance toward you and grant you peace." Amen! . |
Tune in to this week's Temple Talk, as Yitzchak Reuven talks about the heroic rescue of four Israeli hostages, about Chag Shavuot - the Festival of Shavuot, and bringing our firstfruits to HaShem! This week began with the blessedly uplifting news of the heroic rescue of four Israelis held hostage in Gaza, and tonight we celebrate the holiday of Shavuot, the Festival of the Firstfruits and the Holiday of Matan Torah - receiving Torah at Mount Sinai! Parashat Naso, which we read this coming Shabbat is focused on the desert Tabernacle, certain ceremonies which take place within it and the beloved priestly blessing! |
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Is the modern world's promotion of individuality, of everyone doing their own thing and "finding" themselves leading us away from G-d? While the Israelites were indeed blessed with the achievements of many unique individuals, sometimes what G-d desired was for the people to put their individuality aside and instead act in unison and conformity Naso (Numbers 4:21 - 7:89)
Parashat Naso is read on Shabbat:
Sivan 9, 5784/June 15, 2024 |
Haftarah For Shabbat Parashat Naso Judges 13:2-25: "And there was one man from Tzorah, from the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoach; and his wife was barren, and had not borne. And an angel of HaShem appeared to the woman, and said to her, "Behold now, you are barren, and have not borne; and you shall conceive and bear a son. Consequently, beware now, and do not drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat any unclean thing. Because you shall conceive, and bear a son; and a razor shall not come upon his head, for a Nazirite to G-d shall the lad be from the womb; and he will begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines..." |
The Ark Of The Covenant: The Kaporet & Poles The Kaporet was the covering for the Ark. The Kaporet was made entirely of one piece of pure gold - including the Cherubim on the top. The Kaporet was a rectangular tablet of gold, one and one half cubits by two and one half cubits, which was placed on top of the Ark. |
Parashat Naso: Birkat Kohanim - The Priestly Blessing! Immediately following the Torah's description of the laws of the nazirite, we read one of the most beautiful and well known passages in the entire Torah - the priestly blessing - birkat kohanim:
"May HaShem bless you and watch over you. May HaShem cause His countenance to shine to you and favor you. May HaShem raise His countenance toward you and grant you peace.' They shall bestow My Name upon the children of Israel, so that I will bless them." (Numbers 6:22-27) |
Parashat Naso: The Nazir(ite) "HaShem spoke to Moshe saying: Speak to the children of Israel, and you shall say to them: A man or woman who sets himself apart by making a nazirite vow to abstain for the sake of HaShem. He shall abstain from new wine and aged wine; he shall not drink even vinegar made from new wine or aged wine, nor shall he drink anything in which grapes have been steeped, and he shall eat neither fresh grapes nor dried ones..." |
This Week: Parashat Naso: The Sota "HaShem spoke to Moshe, saying: Speak to the children of Israel and say to them: Should any man's wife go astray and deal treacherously with him, and a man lie with her carnally, but it was hidden from her husband's eyes, but she was secluded [with the suspected adulterer] and there was no witness against her, and she was not seized..." |
Jerusalem Day With The Temple Institute's Levitical Choir! On Jerusalem Day 5784/2024, celebrating 57 years since the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem, Israel's eternal capital, the Temple Institute's Levitical Choir gave a rousing performance of the Hallel Prayer, (Psalms 113-118), which has been sung by a Levitical Choir on Israel's holidays and occasions of great celebrations, givng thanks to HaShem for His miracles, since the days of the Holy Temple. |
In The Third Month, Prepare For The Third Day In the book of Exodus we read of Israel's arrival at the foot of Mount Sinai, at which point they are instructed to prepare themselves for the receiving of Torah: "In the third month of the children of Israel's departure from Egypt, on this day they arrived in the desert of Sinai. They journeyed from Rephidim, and they arrived in the desert of Sinai, and they encamped in the desert, and Israel encamped there opposite the mountain..." |
Rosh Chodesh & Chag Shavuot Greetings From The Temple Institute! A short holiday message from the Temple Institute Visitor Center in Jerusalem's old city. Wishing everyone a joyful and fulfilling holiday of Shavout! The one day holiday of Shavuot begins Tuesday evening, June 11th. |
Mikdash Monday - Omer/Shavuot (Part 6)
"...when you enter the land that I am giving to you and you reap its harvest, you shall bring an omer (first fruits) of your harvest to the kohen." (Vayikra 23:10)
Omer - one-tenth of an ephah.
Ephah - a little over a bushel. |
“Blessed Are You Hashem Our G-d, King Of The Universe, Who Frees The Captives." In a daring rescue operation, Israeli defense and security forces rescues four Israeli citizens held hostage by Hamas since October 7th. The four were among the party goers at the Nova festival when thousands of Hamas terrorists and Gazan civilians invaded Israel, murdering more that 1,200 Israeli citizens, raping and torturing and burning down houses. More than 240 Israelis were taken hostage into Gaza. |
This Week:Parashat Naso: Transporting The Tabernacle This week's Torah reading picks up where last week's reading, Bamidbar, left off, with the assignments given the three Levitical families concerning the transporting of the Tabernacle from one destination to the next on the Israelites trek north to the land of Canaan. Parashat Bamidbar concluded with the assigning of the moving of the Tabernacle vessels, including the Ark of the Covenant, the Golden Showbread Table, the Golden Menorah and the Golden Incense Altar. |
Shavua Tov From The Temple Mount! Shavua tov and very good news to share with the world: IDF special forces rescued four hostages from Hamas captivity deep in the black heart of Gaza. The freed hostages are Noa Argamani, Shlomi Ziv, Almog Meir Jan and Andrey Kozlov. The IDF forces suffered one casualty, Arnon Zamora, who led the operation and was the first to make contact with the terrorists guarding over the hostages, was slain by a single bullet. |
Build a House for HaShem! "Be strong and have courage! Build a House for HaShem!" In this scene from a film soon to become an integral part of the Temple Institute's Jerusalem based Visitors Center experience, the prophet Samuel charges King David with the task of building the Holy Temple! |
The Glory of this Last House Shall be Greater than the First! "The Glory of this Last House Shall be Greater than the First!" In this scene from a film soon to become an integral part of the Temple Institute's Jerusalem based Visitors Center experience, Zerubavel from the house of David and Kohen Gadol (High Priest) Yehoshua consult with the prophet Haggai who instructs them to waste no time in rebuilding the Holy Temple! |
Red Heifers Arrive In Israel! On Thursday, September 15, 2022, 5 PM, 5 perfect, unblemished red heifers arrived in Israel from the USA. A modest ceremony was held at the unloading bay of the cargo terminal at Ben Gurion airport, where the new arrivals were greeted and speeches were made by the incredible people who have put their hearts and souls and means into making this historic/prophetic day become a reality. |
Biblical Red Heifer Could Bring Million Visitors To Samaria The Ancient Shiloh heritage site will soon host a Red Heifer research center. Hundreds of visitors flocked to Shiloh in Samaria’s Binyamin region on Thursday to welcome a biblically pure red heifer. The 22-month-old cow, which was brought to Israel from the United States, found a new home at the Ancient Shiloh heritage site, where the biblical Tabernacle once stood. |
Blessings from the holy city of Jerusalem!
Yitzchak Reuven
The Temple Institute |
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