Monday, June 4, 2012
Parshat Beha’alotcha
Bamidbar 8:1 – 12:16
19 Sivan 5772/ June 8 – 9, 2012
Bamidbar 8:1 – 12:16
19 Sivan 5772/ June 8 – 9, 2012
Presenting … ME!
by Zvi Bellin, MHHQ
by Zvi Bellin, MHHQ
Early in the portion, we learn about the purification and dedication of the Levites for their life of service for the work of the Mishkan (in the desert) and the Temple (in Israel). If you recall from Vayikra, the previous book of the Torah, the Levites have some heavy responsibility, literally. It is their job to lug the pieces of the Mishkan through the desert from site to site. They maintained the order and cleanliness of all ritual items and served a supporting role to the Priests.
As G-d is instructing Moshe about this ritual,
G-d states (8:16):
"
כי נתונים נתונים לי המה מתוך בני ישראל."
“For presented, presented are they to Me from
among the Children of Israel.”
Now the Torah is not a text that is generous
with words, and if something is repeated twice, there is probably something to
learn. Rashi comments on the double use of the word presented. He
says that the Levites were presented for two main jobs – the first is to carry
the mishkan and take care of the ritual vessels, the second is to sing. During
the Temple times the Levites would take shifts throughout the entire day
singing psalms and praises to G-d.
The Parsha goes on to teach that a Levite
would work between the ages of 25 – 50. When a Levite would turn 50 years old
it was time for retirement. Rashi comments that they would retire from carrying
physical loads, but that they would continue to sing praises in shifts.
When I think about myself and how I define
myself, how I present myself to the world, there are some labels
that are fleeting – like Camp Counselor, or even, Jewish Educator. And there
are other identities that seem to stick with me – like Son or Helper.
Throughout life we are called to fill certain roles in our communities, and
these titles and tasks help us to live with a stable and sustainable sense of
meaning.
I find a lesson in the Torah’s words by
double-tasking the Levites with something that fades (carrying) and something
that persists (singing). In our life we are going to lose and let go of jobs,
people, and responsibilities that seem to capture who we are. There is a danger
if we completely identify with these things, and think that without them our
personal meaning is lost too. This is not so. Our identities are multi-leveled
and dynamic. And as our roles shift, our personal meaning is extended and
enhanced.
When we experience times when we lose something we thought was
essential to our identity (a job or a relationship, for example), we might feel
that we have lost every connection to meaning. In these moments, allow the
Levites to remind you, that you still have a voice, a persistent form of
expression that is lasting, and ultimately a way to connect back with your
sense of purpose.
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