Overview of
the Weekly Reading Beha'alotcha is the 3rd Reading out of 10 in Numbers and it contains 7055 letters, in 1840 words, in 136 verses Overview: Beha’alotecha opens with the command to Aharon to light the menorah, followed by the inauguration and qualifications of the Levites’ Divine service. Then, G-d’s command to the Jews to observe Passover. Those who were impure through contact with a dead body (and therefore forbidden to offer the Passover sacrifice) were granted another chance to offer the Pascal lamb exactly one month after Passover. This day is known as ‘Pesach Sheni’—second Passover. The next section describes how a cloud resided above the Tabernacle and signaled when the Jews were to journey and when to encamp. The marching order of the tribes in the Jews’ desert journeys is described. At this point, Chovev (a.k.a. Yisro, Moshe’s father-in-law) leaves the Jews and goes back to his homeland to bring his relatives to Judaism. Next, we encounter the famous verse we recite each time we take out the Torah from the ark, about how the ark with tablets would go forth before the Jews during their desert travels. Then, the Jews began complaining about G-d. The first time, G-d punishes them with a fire which consumes many Jews until Moshe prays for the fire to stop. Then, the Jews complain that they miss foods they had in Egypt and about the mannah. To this, G-d promises an over-abundance of meat, but when it comes and the camp is covered with quail, those who complained were punished and died whilst consuming their improper desire. The parsha ends with Miriam speaking slightly negatively of Moshe to their brother, Aharon. Subsequently, they were rebuked by G-d, and Miriam was stricken with tzara’as (“leprosy”). The Jews wait for her to heal and only then journey forward.  An
essay from Rabbi Shaul Yosef Leiter, director of Ascent (for a free weekly email subscription, click here)
The divine view of human psychology is intriguing. There is an enigmatic verse from this week's Torah portion (Beha'alotecha) that, within the fortnight following Shavuot, gives us an important lesson. The verse says, "Now, this man Moses was exceedingly humble, more so than any person on earth." (Bamidbar 12:3). But Moses spoke face to face with G d! How can such an exalted person who merited such high spiritual levels be humbler than anyone? The great Rebbe, Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz, once asked this question
to Rabbi Tzvi Hersh of Zidichov. After hearing this explanation, the holy rabbi of Ropshitz kissed the Zidichover Rebbe's forehead. This also explains a verse earlier in the portion in connection
to the complaint voiced by a certain group who were exempted from bringing the
Pesach offering. They could not accept that even though they were spiritually
impure at the time the offering was to be brought, they should be left out.
Moses heard their question and responded, "Stand up and I will hear what
G-d will tell you!" ( Bamidbar 9:8). How could Moses know with such certainty
that G d would speak to him? Are these the words of the most humble man on earth?
The Rebbe Shlomo of Karlin answered that Moses was not referring to himself
at all. "Stand up" was directed at the people who had asked the question!
In your merit and not mine, Moses said, will I hear what G-d commands. If you
would leave here and I remain alone, who knows if I would merit that the Almighty
would speak to me! Shabbat Shalom, Shaul
FROM THE SAGES OF KABBALAH ON KabbalaOnline.org Specifically, for an overview
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