Shabbos Table

Beha’aloscha means – when you step up

The Parsha starts by saying that Aaron was sad as he wasn’t included with the nasi’im and their special Mishkan korbanos (temple sacrifice). This all happened in last week’s Parsha, Naso. 

The honor of bringing gifts and offerings was given to the nesi’im but not to Aaron and his Shvets (tribe). As children, we want to be in the good books of our parents, and we may feel rejected if a parent turns down something they generally find pleasing. And in this case, Aaron is excluded from bringing a sacrifice G-d. We bring sacrifices to G-d as a way of connecting to Him by showing our gratitude or teshuva (asking for forgiveness).

Aaron must have wondered if he was being punished. Perhaps he thought he was not forgiven for making the Egel HaZahav when Jews sinned with the golden calf. But G-d had bigger plans for Aaron, so Aaron did not need to assume the worse. However, instead of having faith in Hashem, he caught up with his fears and insecurities.

As I read this Parsha, I saw myself being reminded of a lesson I needed at this time. It’s been years of waiting for what I think is the biggest thing to happen in my life. Whenever I feel like I’m almost there, I find out that I’m not. 

Stories of Sarah praying for a child, which she finally got at the age of 90, gives us hope and renew our faith. The story of Job’s unwavering faith in Hashem even as his children began to die keeps us steadfast and moving forward because we can appreciate that Hashem knows what’s best for us even when we don’t like His timing.

What Did Hashem Want from Aaron?

G-d told Moses that Aaron was to light the Menorah, which G-d himself designed and made of gold. But why was it special? It is because the Korbano (sacrifice) was a one-time thing, and the lighting of the Menorah would be forever. 

But how could it be “forever” when the Mishkan (temple) was destroyed and the Menorah was hidden from humanity? Moses and Aaron might have missed it because no one knew what G-d had in store. During the time of the second temple, built by Herod, the Syrian- Greeks took over the Beis HaMikdash and used it to sacrifice pigs to their idol gods. Aarons’s decedents, the Maccabees, were the ones to fight against the Greeks and kicked them out of the Beis HaMikdash. The first service they performed was lighting the Menorah. It was when Hanukkah was established, and every year since, Jews worldwide still celebrate it by lighting the Menorah. 

Many of us struggle in times when we feel like G-d isn’t showing up for us. We question our efforts, and we ask Him and sometimes doubt him. We stay fixated on what we want, and it’s human nature today to want things immediately. Perhaps we must remember that Hashem knows what our future holds, and He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. 

He’s guided us, carried us, and followed us this far. 

The Menorah reminds us of the light within us during our troubled times. That light is not only to remind us of how important it is to fight the darkness that sometimes looms in and around us but the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days tells us that Hashem is always working in our favor in the background.

How We Show Up?

How we show up for G-d will tell us how we value Him. It’s the same as the effort we put into our children’s birthday parties or how we show up for a date. 

This Prasha mentions that the levi’im were temei (unclean) because they had killed 3000 men who sinned at the golden calf. The Levites were now chosen instead of the first born to be the temple servants, but they couldn’t enter unless they were clean.

The men carrying Joseph’s body were also tamei. Joseph had made his brothers promise that they would transport his body to the land of Israel when they left Egypt, so they did. These men badly wanted to bring Korban Pesach (Passover sacrifice) to the temple, but they couldn’t because they were with JJoseph’s dead body and, therefore tamei. 

They asked Moses what they should do, but Moses didn’t know.

Moses said, “Wait, and I will hear what Hashem commands you to do.”

Hashem didn’t allow them into the temple, but he gave them a second chance. Exactly one month after (14 Iyar), they could bring their sacrifice. We call that day Pesach Sheini (second Passover), which is still observed today by those who could not observe Pesach on the 15th of Nissan. 

It is important that we remain aware of how we show up for G-d in His house and while we walk in His way. We should aim to be of clean heart, mind, and spirit, and we should also believe that he will make a way and provide for us. There is always a second chance in Hashem.

Jethro – G-d’s Beloved Convert

Jethro, Moses’s father-in-law, decides to return to his home in Midian to tell the people about Hashem. The name Chovan is mentioned and not Jethro. Jethro chooses the name, Chovan, because it means love. It is said that no other convert loved the Torah more than Jethro. 

Moving With G-d

A cloud appeared over the tribe of Yehudah because they were the ones who led the people. This was G-d’s signal to the people to get ready to move. Most parents have a sign to get their children moving, and it’s not always as calming as a cloud. 😀

As the cloud moved, the Jews would follow without question. Sometimes, just as they settled where they stopped, they had to pack up and get going again.  

Their faith was the perfect lesson that all we need to do is trust that Hashem will lead the way to the perfect destination in our lives if we can just trust His process. 

But like most children, they started to complain, and G-d was forced into dealing with bratty and ungrateful kids. 

They Complained

If you have children, you know the complaints too well when you set out for a long journey. The destination is one you believe they would like. We do the research for the best possible time to visit that place. We make sure the site would have the almost perfect amenities. We take time off from our schedule to take them out for a day or week of fun. 

There is always exciting as the journey begins, but as time passes, we get the first dreaded question, “are we there yet?” It’s dreaded because we know that question will continue until we get there. And it will be accompanied by complaints about being tired, hungry, and bored. 

As a parent, it’s frustrating because you know they will just love where you’re taking them. You’re excited to get them there. However, their complaints may become emotionally exhausting, and you may wonder, “why do I bother.” 

Only absolute love for them makes you keep going as you try to keep your cool. 

Beha’aloscha talks about the Jews complaining of being tired of traveling, afraid of being in the wilderness, and they didn’t want the manna anymore because they wanted meat and fish – although the manna would taste like whatever they craved or desired. 

Their complaining is known as the sin of the Misonenim. 

Hashem sent a fire that killed a few of them, perhaps because they were bratty. 

Egyptians that converted

When the Jews left Egypt, some Egyptians converted and went with them. They were responsible for influencing the building of the golden temple. It is mentioned in other writings that they might have instigated the complaining. 

The lesson here is to be careful who you entertain and invite into your life. They can influence how close you get to G-d or how far you move away from Him.

Missing Food when they had Manna

They missed the food in Egypt. What food. They were fed scraps. They forgot they were enslaved people without the right to tell the time. Taking away their awareness of time was the first thing Pharaoh did because time dictated when and how Jews prayed. Without knowing the date or time, we won’t know when to keep and observe Shabbat. They preferred to be beaten and enslaved for a few morsels of meat and fish instead of doing mitzvot for meat and fish. 

This might have been a case of Stockholm syndrome where they were so used to being mistreated and having to prove their value to get some food that when they received genuine love from their maker, they didn’t know how to accept that love. It’s also sometimes easier for people to feel comfortable in familiar uncomfortable situations than venturing out to something unknown and uncertain. We can perhaps empathize with the Jews. However, they were easy  to forget the wonders G-d is capable of and because they allowed their fear to cripple them, they became frustrated, angry  and impatient.

 G-d gets upset, and He throws a tantrum. G-d gave the people meat for 30 days until they were sick of having it. 

Moshe Distresses

Moshe felt like he had failed as a leader. He had tried so hard to make the Jews spiritual. Unlike the Jews of today, these had witnessed G-d, yet they complained about the smallest of troubles. Moshe went to G-d and asked G-d why he was burdened with these complainers. This is when Hashem tells Moshe to gather 70 men who would help him lead the people. These 70 men would become the Sanhedrin, the highest court in Jewish law, and the first prophets. 

He chose men who guarded the Jews as they made bricks in Egypt. These guards were supposed to beat their fellow Jews if they didn’t work hard enough, but they refused to do so. The guards were beaten instead by the Egyptians if they were unhappy with the work. 

Although Hashem came up with the perfect solution, Moses still faced a difficult task as he wrestled with his conscience. He wanted to ensure he chose an equal number of people per tribe not to hurt anyone’s feelings. It was one of the many incredibly beautiful traits of Moshe that made him the greatest prophets and G-d’s favorite. Hashem steps in again and tells him to set up a lottery. Two blank cards would be in the lot, and those who pulled those cards would not be chosen. 

These 70 men also became the first prophets as the Shachina (Hashem’s Presence) moved through them and began to say prophecies. 

However, they are not mentioned in the Torah because they did not remain prophets. Two Jews Moses had written down in the ballot were not present for the lottery. Elidad and Meidad stayed home even though they knew they deserved to be there. Since those blank cards were pulled by two men who did show up, two spaces opened up, and Elidad and Meidad automatically became prophets. However, they remained prophets as a reward for their humility. 

Two take-aways from this part of the Parsha – 

–           humility will get you the recognition you deserve. You don’t have to fight to be seen, and

–           G-d will find you when he chooses you to do his work. No one can take the place of what you are meant to do. 

Miriam Badmouthing her brother (lashon hara)

The gist of it is that Miriam went to Aaron to complain about Moses. She had heard something from Moses’ wife that she deemed wrong. Moses heard Miriam speaking with Aaron but didn’t say anything. We can imagine he was hurt as we know Moses loves his brother and sister.  Hashem heard and called Miriam and Aaron for a private chat. He told them that he shows up and speaks with Moses wherever and whenever he chooses because he favors Moses for his loyalty and devotion. He did not see Moses erring in any way. Miriam’s body was filled with tzaraas (sores) when Hashem left them. When Aaron saw this, he was distressed and ran to Moses to apologize and beg forgiveness for their sister. Aaron begged Moses to plead with Hashem, which he did. 

Hashem healed Miriam, but she had to stay outside their dwelling for seven days. For those seven days, the people did not move toward Israel. Why? Because Miriam spoke ill against her brother, she was the one watching out for Moses when their mother out baby Moses in the Nile.  

Conclusion 

The recurring theme in this Parsha is that we need to trust that Hashem is working behind the scenes in our best interest. We may not appreciate his timing, we may not like the process, we may not understand his choices and decisions, but He’s got a plan, and it’s going to work out for us if we just let go of trying to control it.