Numbers 4:21–7:89
Parshat Naso
Naso completes the census of the Levite families and their duties in carrying the Mishkan. It includes the laws of the sotah and the nazir, and the Priestly Blessing, “May G-d bless you and guard you,” and ends with the offerings each tribal leader brought at the dedication of the altar. With 176 verses it is the longest portion in the Torah.
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Parsha Naso – An Uplifting Torah With the revelation of G-d at Mount Sinai, every commandment — whether prescriptive or proscriptive — is endowed with equal holiness, When a Jew thus desists from working on the Shabbos, it is nonetheless a mitzvah, which means both commandment as well as connection. Every time a Jew refrains from a Parsha Naso – Coming in Second Through Torah study one is empowered to leave the stifling atmosphere of our world and travel into an environment of spiritual “weightlessness,” where we are not weighted down by the gravitational pull of the material world. Parsha Naso – Consistent and Persistent Words A person who is careful to keep his or her word is a person whose speech carries much more weight and credibility in all areas of life. When a person is known for the integrity of his or her speech, he or she is trusted and respected. This pays off with immediate dividends with greater success in bu Parsha Naso – Dancing with Myrtles Irrational and destructive behavior can undermine our marriage (both the literal human union and the figurative marriage with G-d). We can also engage in supra-rational behavior to enhance our relationships and take it to an incredibly high level. Parsha Naso – Getting There Is Half the Fun! When one is focused on the goal, all the prepatory work acquires the status and stature of the final end. Parsha Naso – Infinite Blessings Even when our destination throughout our long journey in exile was not clear—“koh-so”—we knew that we will always be accompanied by G-d, and we will ultimately return whole. The blessings that we receive from G-d through the Kohain convey the message that even when our future appears uncertain, and Parsha Naso – Jump Now, Ask Questions Later When one approaches the service of G-d from a Nachshon perspective, there is no need to find meaning and symbolism in each detail of one’s mission. For a Nachshon personality it suffices to know that this is what G-d would want. Parsha Naso – Long Haired Men: A Jewish Perspective The inner strength it takes to resist temptation and to control one’s passion is far greater than the strength it takes to conquer a city. Parsha Naso – One Who Laughs Last Laughs Best To appreciate the value of the soul and its pre-eminence over the body and its needs, it takes a person who is future oriented and not concerned exclusively with the here and now; to accentuate the needs of the soul over the needs and wants of the body Parsha Naso – Repeat Performance G-d does not create anything that does not have a purpose. The fact that He created us with different personalities and potentials is an indication that our differences are important. Parsha Naso – Returning Home For close to 2,000 years we have been waiting for the coming of Moshiach when the soul will finally return home and no longer feel alienated. However, we must first acknowledge that the soul exists, that it feels out of place and that its resources have been squandered for the wrong purposes. Once w Parsha Naso – Spreading Out the Hand Moshiach transcends other souls because he is G-d’s messenger to inspire and activate all of the five levels of the soul including the one called Yechidah; the essence of the soul. When this level is revealed, there can be no obstacles or walls of separation between G-d and our world, or between one Parsha Naso – The Jewish Theory of Relativity One way of preparing for Moshiach and the ultimate Redemption, is to view others with the three approaches alluded to by the three Priestly Blessings: We ought to see the essential bond every Jew has with G-d. We must also seek the beautiful, intrinsic qualities the other possesses. At the very leas Parsha Naso – The New Math Psalm 119 contains 176 verses describing the beauty, grandeur, depth and joy of Torah. King David’s greatest love and passion was Torah study and conformance with its commandments. Every single one of the 176 verses is profound praise and gratitude to G-d for the gift of Torah. Parsha Naso – The Peace Process Torah can bring about peace between husband and wife, body and soul, one person and another, because Torah has the capacity to bring about peace between G-d and the world. Parsha Naso – Topsy-Turvy Priorities Torah is the primary and absolute reality. In order for us to exist as reality our being must be preceded, created and animated by the primary reality of Torah. Only after the primacy of Torah is established do we have any basis to exist and also enjoy the material world. Parsha Naso – Torah and Nature In addition to being G-d’s instructions how to live our lives, Torah is also the very blueprint of creation. Parsha Naso – Uplifting the Intellect Not only can the study of Torah inspire and uplift us, it can even raise up our head. Even our intellect, the most exalted part of our being, can rise to even greater heights. Parsha Naso – You Could Have Your Wine and Drink It Too The distinction between known as Kabbalah and Chassidus is that Chassidus mines and elicits the positive in ourselves and in others. Chassidus is the part of Torah that digs into the deepest recesses of our soul, where no negativity can exist. Chassidus relates to the Yechidah, the essence that is i