Monday, May 20, 2013
Parshat Beha’alotcha
Bamidbar 8:1 – 12:16
17 Sivan 5773/ May 24 – 25, 2013
Bamidbar 8:1 – 12:16
17 Sivan 5773/ May 24 – 25, 2013
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 God is instructing
Moshe about this ritual, God 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 God.
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.
**For more learning**
|
Check out www.g-dcast.com/behaalotcha
Thoughts and insights
from My Jewish Learning:
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/texts/Bible/Weekly_Torah_Portion/bhaalotkha_index.shtml |
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