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When do we challenge authority and with what intent? Our parsha this week includes not one, but two rebellions against Moses and Aaron: one over Aaron‘s priestly authority and the other about Moses‘ civic leadership. Some scholars argue that there are two conflicting narratives woven into one here, and the message is essentially the same: the power-hungry will never prevail. Korach levels a claim against Aaron & Moses, citing the holiness of every…
“Who is wise?” our sages ask in Pirkei Avot. “One who learns from everyone.” This quote forms part of the summer theme campers at URJ Camp Kalsman are studying and is particularly poignant in the context of this week’s Torah portion. Balaam, a prophet sent to curse the Israelites, is enlightened by one so humble as his donkey.
“Who is wise?” our sages ask in Pirkei Avot. “One who learns from everyone.” This quote forms part of the summer theme campers at URJ Camp Kalsman are studying and is particularly poignant in the context of this week’s Torah portion. Balaam, a prophet sent to curse the Israelites, is enlightened by one so humble as his donkey.
This week’s Torah portion, Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1), describes a most curious incident. When commanded to “speak to the rock” in order to produce water for the Israelites to drink, Moses instead hit the rock with his staff. Though this was exactly the recipe for producing water Moses had used previously (in Exodus 17:6), this time it is seen as an act of defiance. God took offense, claiming “Because you did not trust Me enough to affirm My sanctity in the sight of the Israelite people, therefore you shall not lead this congregation into the land that I have given them.”
This week’s Torah portion, Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1), describes a most curious incident. When commanded to “speak to the rock” in order to produce water for the Israelites to drink, Moses instead hit the rock with his staff. Though this was exactly the recipe for producing water Moses had used previously (in Exodus 17:6), this time it is seen as an act of defiance. God took offense, claiming “Because you did not trust Me enough to affirm My sanctity in the sight of the Israelite people, therefore you shall not lead this congregation into the land that I have given them.”
As the culmination of the ancient Israelites’ wandering in the desert approached, Moses sent spies to scout Eretz Yisrael. Ten came back quite concerned about the reality they saw: “The country that we traversed and scouted is one that devours its settlers. All the people that we saw in it are men of great size… and we looked like grasshoppers to ourselves, and so we must have looked to them!” (Number 13:33-34) Only two, Caleb and Joshua, maintained faith in God and certainty in their ability to enter the Promised Land.
As the culmination of the ancient Israelites’ wandering in the desert approached, Moses sent spies to scout Eretz Yisrael. Ten came back quite concerned about the reality they saw: “The country that we traversed and scouted is one that devours its settlers. All the people that we saw in it are men of great size… and we looked like grasshoppers to ourselves, and so we must have looked to them!” (Number 13:33-34) Only two, Caleb and Joshua, maintained faith in God and certainty in their ability to enter the Promised Land.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret – one that my sorority sisters and college a cappella buddies wouldn’t necessarily be thrilled over me telling you. Well … maybe it’s not a secret so much as a “trick of the trade” or one of those “everyone-knows-this-is-how-they-do-it-but-no-one-wants-to-admit-it” things. Are you ready?
I’m going to let you in on a little secret – one that my sorority sisters and college a cappella buddies wouldn’t necessarily be thrilled over me telling you. Well … maybe it’s not a secret so much as a “trick of the trade” or one of those “everyone-knows-this-is-how-they-do-it-but-no-one-wants-to-admit-it” things. Are you ready?
Parshat Ba’midbar, the opening of our fourth book of Torah, Numbers, always seems to come around at exactly the right moment. Jews all over the world read this Torah portion this Shabbat, right in the midst of this season of transition. We will read Ba’midbar – which translates as “in the wilderness…” as our children and grandchildren prepare for prom and senior projects, as they graduate from high school and college, and as families worldwide – particularly in the Pacific Northwest – gear up for the blissful days and cool nights of summer. Yes, transition abounds this time of year, and perhaps no more powerful symbol of transition exists than what we find in the turning of our Jewish calendar.
Parshat Ba’midbar, the opening of our fourth book of Torah, Numbers, always seems to come around at exactly the right moment. Jews all over the world read this Torah portion this Shabbat, right in the midst of this season of transition. We will read Ba’midbar – which translates as “in the wilderness…” as our children and grandchildren prepare for prom and senior projects, as they graduate from high school and college, and as families worldwide – particularly in the Pacific Northwest – gear up for the blissful days and cool nights of summer. Yes, transition abounds this time of year, and perhaps no more powerful symbol of transition exists than what we find in the turning of our Jewish calendar.