After discussing the formation of the nation’s camp, the Torah instructs the people regarding the holiness of the camp. There were three levels of holiness in the camp, and a person who was impure was limited to which camp he could enter, depending on the source of the impurity. The metzora (leper) was sent out of all the camps, while the person who had come in contact with a corpse was only excluded from the holiest part. Other impurities were excluded from two camps.
A few other topics are also covered. One of these is the section about the Nazirite, the person who took a vow of abstinence. Generally this vow was for a period of thirty days. The Nazirite could not drink any wine or eat any grapes, cut his hair, or come in contact with a corpse. The purpose of the vow was to help the person control his vices. After the period was completed, the Nazirite brought sacrifices, shaved all of his hair, and he could then return to a normal lifestyle.
The kohanim were given a special mitzvah to bless the Jewish people. Although no human has the capacity to grant blessings, G-d, nonetheless, made the kohanim a conduit for His blessings. When the kohanim feel love for their brethren, they can spread the influence of G-d’s blessings.
The Torah describes the gift that the nasi, or prince of each tribe brought in honor of the dedication of the Tabernacle. The nesi’im brought these gifts from their own pockets, to atone for their procrastination earlier, in the actual construction of the Tabernacle.
Each prince brought the same gift: a silver bowl and silver basin filled with flour and oil, a gold spoon filled with incense, and a variety of twenty one animals for different sacrifices. The Torah repeats the same six passages describing these gifts twelve times, once for each prince. The Midrash explains that although each prince brought the same gift, they were actually motivated by different considerations. The Torah therefore repeats all the details of the gifts for each prince, to emphasize that although the gifts may have seemed to be the same, in fact they were not.
“... and she was secluded and could have been defiled” (Num. 5:13)
Rav Yisrael Salanter once visited a wealthy disciple. The man ushered Rav Yisrael into his office, where a large pile of money lay on the desk. In the course of their discussion, the man was called out to take care of a matter. As he left the room, however, he noticed Rav Yisrael following him. “I’ll return in a moment,” the man reassured Rav Yisrael.
“I can’t stay in the room by myself—there’s money in the room!” Rav Yisrael said.
The man was shocked. “Rabbi, you are the last person in the world I would be concerned about leaving alone with my money!”
Rav Yisrael shook his head. “Our Rabbis teach us that Jews are more suspect of financial impropriety than they are of immoral behavior. Now, we know Jewish law forbids a man from secluding himself with a different woman. If so, certainly he may not seclude himself with another person’s money.”
Did You Know...
Before the priestly blessing the kohanim have their hands washed and they remove their shoes. During the blessing, the kohanim (priests) stretch their hands out, together and upraised, creating four spaces between their fingers. This corresponds to the four letters of G-d’s Holy Name, allowing G-d’s Presence to rest upon their fingers. For this reason it is not permitted to look at the Kohain’ s hands during the blessing. Traditionally, people cover their faces, and the faces of their children, during the blessings to prevent looking at the fingers. The kohain also covers his fingers with his tallis for the same reason.
