Parsha Pizzazz - Beha'alotcha
In last week's parsha, we learned about the special jobs of special people, including the members of the tribe of Levi. We also learned about the nazir who makes a vow not to cut his hair or drink wine. This week, we'll learn about how the Jewish people knew when to stop and go as they traveled in the desert... and about some new miraculous food that fell from the sky!
Let There Be Light!
Aaron, the leader (nasi) of the tribe of Levi, saw that all of the other leaders of tribes had been asked to bring sacrifices to dedicate the altar (mizbeyach), and he felt left out. Seeing how much Aaron wanted to serve in the Mishkan, G-d said to Moses, "Tell Aaron that he will have a very important job in the Mishkan and the Temple (Beit HaMikdash) - one that he will have the honor of doing not once, but every single day. He and the other Kohanim will clean and light the menorah!"
The menorah in the Mishkan was not quite the same as the kind you light on Chanukah. A Chanukah menorah has eight candles, plus a shamash - an extra candle that is used to light the others. Shamash means helper, and, in the Beit HaMikdash, Aaron and every High Priest (Kohein Gadol) after him was a human shamash!
The menorah in the Mishkan had a total of seven candles, three on each side and one in the middle. It was constructed of one solid piece of pure gold! Aaron was so grateful for the privilege of performing this task that he personally took on the responsibility of cleaning out the used oil and wicks, refilling the menorah with new, pure olive oil, and lighting the menorah every day.
Everyone Is Special
The first-born sons of each family had initially been assigned the work in the Mishkan, but after the sin of the Golden Calf, the honor was instead given to the members of the tribe of Levi (Levi'im). As a result, the rest of the Jewish People (Bnei Yisrael) were left with a feeling of disappointment that they did not have special tasks. G-d understood their disappointment and included a hidden message in a verse in this week's parsha - the one that tells us that it was the job of the Levi'im to work in the Mishkan on behalf of all the Jews. The translation of the verse is: "I have given the Levi'im to be given as a gift to Aaron and his sons from Bnei Yisrael to do the work of Bnei Yisrael, and to atone for Bnei Yisrael, so that there will not be among Bnei Yisrael a plague when Bnei Yisrael approach the sanctuary."
Why does the Torah use the term Bnei Yisrael (which means literally, "the children of Israel") five times?
It represents the five books of the Torah and hints to us that every Jew is as precious as the Torah, even if he is not a Levi or a Kohein.
What About Us?
The day the Jews left Egypt marked the beginning of the very first Passover. It was year 2448 from the time of the creation of the world. One year later, in the Hebrew month of Nissan, Moses prepared the Jewish people for the upcoming holiday - the second Passover in history.
"My fellow Jews! It's time to get ready for Passover! Almost a year ago today, G-d performed amazing miracles for us and set us free from Egypt! On the 14th of Nissan, everyone must bring a Passover sacrifice (korban Pesach), the special Pesach lamb offering - just as we did last year. At night, we'll all eat the sacrifices along with matza and bitter herbs (maror). It will be a holiday, and we will do no work. For seven days, we will not eat or own any leavened bread (chametz)! Now, let's start cleaning our tents!"
Everyone was excited to perform the special commandments of Passover. The camps were abuzz with activity and excitement, but not everyone was looking forward to the holiday.
A group of men came to Moses and Aaron with a problem.
"We want to bring the Passover sacrifice, but we are unable to because we are ritually impure (tamay). Bringing the korban Pesach is too great a mitzvah to miss!" "I see that you are sincerely trying to find a way to fulfill the commandment (mitzvah)... but I just don't know. I have to ask G-d. Wait right here for just a minute..."
Moses was able to bring the question directly to G-d. He had a direct line and was always connected!
A Second Chance
G-d answered him:
"Moses, tell the people that anyone who cannot bring the sacrifice at the proper time, for any reason, can bring it exactly one month later instead - on the 14th day of the month of Iyar. This is true whether one is ritually impure or simply lives too far away to make the trip at the right time. The sacrifice must be eaten that night, with matza and bitter herbs. It is not necessary to get rid of chametz, however, and it is not a major holiday, so work can be done." (Whew! Imagine having to get ready for another major holiday right after Passover is over!)
"Great news!" Moses said to the men. "G-d has agreed to give you a second chance to bring the sacrifice!" The 15th of the Hebrew month of Iyar is called either Pesach Sheini, meaning the second Passover, or Pesach Katan, the small Passover. Even today, we observe Pesach Sheini... by eating matza!
What do we learn from this whole episode? Two important lessons:
1. If you miss an opportunity to do a good thing, there's always a second chance.
2. If you want something, there are times when you have to ask for it!
Stop and Go
The Jews had now been traveling in the desert for a full year. Life in the desert was filled with miracles, but it wasn't always easy.
As they traveled, they were accompanied by G-d's Cloud of Glory, which led the way and directed them when and where to travel. The Jewish People never knew how long they would be camping in a certain place, or when they would be moving on. Sometimes they would stay only one night, and other times they would stay in one place for months. On a moment's notice, when the cloud came down, they would quickly pack their bags and hurry to follow it.
The cloud was like a traffic light: when it came down, it meant "go", and when it rose, it meant "stop". Even though their desert lifestyle was sometimes difficult - especially with children and babies to take care of -- the Jews didn't complain. They trusted G-d and knew that everything was part of His master plan.
Two Toots!
Have you ever beeped a message in Morse code on a walkie-talkie? Or maybe you've been in an elevator, where one "ding" means it's going up, and two "dings" mean down? These codes communicate messages using simple sounds. In the same way, the Jews used a special code to keep everyone informed as they traveled from place to place.
G-d said to Moses, "Make two silver trumpets to be used as a signal for the Jewish people. They will be blown by Aaron's sons Elazar and Itamar."
The trumpets allowed Aaron's sons to communicate quickly and clearly to all of the Jewish people. Different sounds signaled different things.
Two trumpets together, sounding one long blast - called a tekiah - called all of the Jewish people to assemble together for a grand meeting.
Toot Toot-toot-toot Toot!
When two trumpets sounded first a tekiah, then a series of short, broken notes - called teruah - and then another tekiah, that was an announcement that a trip was about to begin. Everyone had to quickly get ready to move on to the next destination.
Whenever the Jews were preparing to travel, Moses said a short prayer. It's the same verse we say in synagogue as we take the Torah out of the ark: Kumah HaShem, v'yafutzu oyvecha, v'yanusu misanecha mipanecha. "Arise, G-d, so that Your enemies will scatter, and those who hate You will run away from You!"
Toot!
When a single trumpet sounded one long blast, it meant that all of the leaders (nesi'im) had to gather together for a meeting.
Since in those days people didn't have cell phones, pagers, or even radios, the trumpets were the best way to make sure that everyone in all corners of the camp would know what was going on. They may not have been high-tech, but they did the job!
