Parshas Beha'alos'cha 5765

This portion covers a variety of events. Aharon was instructed in the kindling of the menorah. Each light was to be lit until the flame rose by itself. The menorah had seven branches, and each light was to face the center branch of the menorah.

After the nation's second Passover in the desert, there were some people who had not been able to bring the Pesach offering. They had been in contact with a corpse rendering them ritually impure and unable to offer the sacrifice. These individuals complained to Moshe, asking why they should lose this great mitzvah, and they requested another opportunity to bring the offering. Moshe brought their request before G-d, and G-d revealed the mitzvah of Pesach Sheni, the second Pesach, for people who could not offer the Pesach on the fourteenth day of the first month to offer it on the fourteenth day of the second month.

According to Jewish law, a person who is exempt from a mitzvah has no obligation to make it up. However, these individuals had such a longing to fulfill the will of G-d, that they looked for new opportunities to be able to fulfill the mitzvah. G-d, as it were, could not turn down such a request and presented a new mitzvah through these individuals.

Although complaining to improve one's spiritual lot may have merit, this is not so regarding complaints to improve one's physical and material situation. This is also portrayed in our portion.

The people ate manna in the desert. This miraculous food fell at their door each morning, with exactly enough for each family member's daily needs. The manna had a sweet taste, and could be used in all types of cooking and baking.

Yet the people complained. They dreamed about the fish and vegetables they had eaten in Egypt, and they demanded meat. G-d had taken care of all the nation's needs, and in an effortless and miraculous manner--yet the people were dissatisfied. G-d sent a plague that took the lives of these perpetual complainers.

Moshe felt the need to separate from his wife, to be able to be in a constant state of purity to communicate with G-d. Miriam, Moshe's sister, spoke somewhat disparagingly about Moshe's separation. G-d told Miriam that Moshe was different from any other person. He had achieved a level of prophecy that no other prophet did, or ever will. Although no other prophet would have to follow Moshe's example, his decision was deemed proper.

Miriam was punished with leprosy on account of her maligning her brother. However, because of her righteousness the entire camp waited for her to recover before they traveled onward.

"Speak to Aharon and say to him, 'When you kindle the lamps...' "
And Aharon did so ... (Num. 8:2-3)

Rav Levi Yitzchak Berditchever showed tremendous enthusiasm in his performance of mitzvos, swaying and jumping every which way.

Rav Baruch of Medziboz cited the Rashi on our passage, that the Torah is teaching us that Aharon "did so", meaning he did not change. Why would we think otherwise? Rav Baruch explained that had Aharon showed too much external excitement when he lit the menorah, he would have spilled all the oil and not performed it properly. Rather, Rashi explains, Aharon did not change externally, meaning he kept his passion for mitzvos within and maintained a tranquil demeanor on the surface.

Did You Know...

The Talmud says that when one is sick, he should ask a wise man to pray on his behalf. Since Judaism does not require a medium between G-d and man, why is this blessing necessary, or even permitted? Some explain that the wise man can teach the ill person how to pray with the proper protocol, etc. Others explain that the righteous person is pained by another's distress, and thus stands a better chance of having his prayers answered.

There is a dispute among the authorities whether one may desecrate the Shabbos to ask a righteous man to pray for a deathly ill patient. Although most authorities prohibit it, it is nonetheless telling to see the faith the authorities have in the righteous person's prayers.