These are the words which Moses spoke to all of Israel on the east bank of the Jordan; in the wilderness, in the Plains (of Moav) at the Red Sea, between Paran and Tofel, and Lavan, and Chatzeiros, and Di-Zahav.”
Rabbi Chaim Yosef Dovid Azulai (the great Sephardic Sage of the 18th century, known by the acronym of his name) points out that the initials of the opening words of the parsha: “Eileh Massei b’nei Yisroel-These are the journeys of the children of Israel” is an acronym for the four subsequent exiles of: Eileh – Edom (Rome), Massei – Madai (Media/Persia), B’nei – Bavel (Babylonia), and Yisroel – Yavan (Greece).
In last week’s parsha, the Torah records the incident of a Jewish prince named Zimri who consorted with a Midianite princess named Cozbi. Pinchas, a zealot, kills them. In this week’s parsha, G-d rewards Pinchas for his brazen act of bravery and zealousness.
Bilam, the heathen prophet, was on his way to curse the Jewish people at the behest of Balak, the Moabite king, who was terrified as they approached his land on their way to the Promised Land.
Two of the main themes of this week’s parsha are the striking of the rock by Moses to produce water and the passing of Aaron.
Korach was the consummate rebel. Even today, if one wishes to start a fight with another, it is said that he is like Korach. Ethics of the Fathers (chapter 5:20) describes the difference between a dispute for the sake of heaven and a dispute that is not for the sake of Heaven. A dispute that is for the sake of heaven is the dispute between the School of Shammai and the School of Hillel, whereas a dispute not for the sake of heaven is the dispute of Korach and his community.
Commentators point out that the phrase “what is it” (mah hi) can be found in three other places in the Tanach.
After the leaders of all the 12 tribes brought sacrifices to dedicate the Mishkan-Portable Altar, Aaron was distressed that he was not a part of that inaugural celebration.
The parsha Naso, which follows the Festival of Shavuos, distinguishes itself as the longest parsha in the Torah, comprising no fewer than 176 verses.
The fourth book of the Torah is called BaMidbar-In the Desert. The first parsha of this book, this week’s parsha, is also referred to as BaMidbar. This year, as in most years, it is read on the Shabbos prior to Shavuos, the anniversary of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
This parsha is known for the tochecha, the harsh words of rebuke G-d delivered to the Jewish people, in which the most exacting punishments associated with Galus-exile are threatened.
Parshas Emor dedicates many of its verses to the Jewish Festivals. The section devoted to the Holidays begins with the laws of Shabbos observance.
The Jewish nation, during its 40 years in the desert, was sandwiched between two decadent cultures: the Egyptians and the Canaanites.
July 19, 2018