Parashat 36 – Be-Ha-alotcha - “when you cause to go up

Bamidbar/Numbers 8:1 – 12:16

“Be ha a lot cha” contains an infinitive Hebrew verb which in this Torah portion comes with a preposition and personal pronoun. An infinitive verb in a sense has no limits with regard to person. Gender, number or tense, it does not need to agree with any other word in the sentence.

We can read deeper meanings into the title of our Torah portion which as we have learned also contains the essence of much of the Torah portion is trying to teach us.

      “Be ha a lot cha” (hipyl infinitive) can mean “when you cause to go up” it can also convey a meaning which implies that we can only truly return to the ways of YHVH and His Torah when the light of His Ruach (symbolized in the Menorah) shows us the way. This is the seven fold Ruach/Spirit referred to in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 11.

      Isa 11:2  The Spirit of יהוה shall rest upon Him – the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of יהוה,

This Torah portion strategically follows “Shavuot” (also known as “Pentecoste” in Greek and therefore the English transliteration “Pentecost”) and once again implies that the Ruach has been poured out to show us the way of return.

Note the “light” symbolic of YHVH’s Ruach comes from YHVH and will always return to honour YHVH.

We need to remember why the Ruach (Spirit) of YHVH was poured out on the day of Shavuot and why the Ruach will be poured out again in the latter days.

Act 2:1  And when the Day of the Festival of Weeks(Shavuot) had come, they were all with one mind in one place.

Act 2:2  And suddenly there came a sound from the heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Act 2:3  And there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and settled on each one of them.

Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Set-apart Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them to speak.

Act 2:5  Now in Yerushalayim there were dwelling Yehuḏim, dedicated men from every nation under the heaven.

Act 2:6  And when this sound came to be, the crowd came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.

“This was in direct fulfillment of Yahshua’s own words, that the disciples should remain in Yerushalayim/Jerusalem until they would be clothed with “the power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Only after receiving this power, were they to go as Yahshua had commanded, to Yehudah and Shomeron (Judea, Samaria), and to the ends of the world, bearing witness of Him to all the nations (Matt 28:19–20). In other words, until they received the power given by the Ruach/Spirit, they would not be able to pioneer the mission of gathering in the Gentiles to which there was no doubt: the immersion of the Ruach, promised by Yochanan/John and Yahshua after him, had occurred. The message of Moshe/Moses and the Prophets, fulfilled in the coming of Messiah, was unleashed to begin the harvest of the elect through the faithful work of His disciples”.

Yochanan/Joh 16:13  “But when He comes, the Spirit of the Truth, He shall guide you into all the truth. For He shall not speak from Himself, but whatever He hears He shall speak, and He shall announce to you what is to come.

This was a new work of the Ruach. It was in the era subsequent to the ascension of the Messiah that the harvest of the nations would begin, and this was something that had not happened before. Surely throughout the history of Yisrael, Gentiles were added to the people of YHVH, drawn to faith by the Spirit.

It was for this reason that Yahshua needed to leave and ascend to the Father:

Yoch/Joh 16:7  “But I say the truth to you. It is better for you that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you at all, but if I go, I shall send Him to you.

Joh 16:8  “And having come, He shall reprove¹ the world concerning sin,² and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment – Footnotes: ¹Or confute or prove wrong. ²2 Chr. 24:20, Neh. 9:30, Ezek. 36:27, Mic. 3:8, Acts 28:25-27.

The Festival of Shavuot, commemorating the giving of the Torah at Sinai, was the fitting appointed time for the beginning of the harvest of the nations, for the Torah would now go forth to the nations energized by the Ruach of YHVH emboldening the followers of Yahshua, and bringing conviction to the chosen ones who heard their message of the Good News. The promise of the prophets that “the Torah will go forth from Tzion, and the word of the YHVH from Yerushaelyim” (Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2) began to be fulfilled on the first Shavuot following the ascension of our Messiah, because the Ruach had come to shine the light of Torah to the nations. And He is still active in this work to this day – be ha alotcha – when you arise by the light of the Ruach to follow the Torah of Messiah to return (aliyah) to the Promised Land.

General Overview: In this week's Torah reading, Beha'alotecha, YHVH instructs Aaron concerning the Tabernacle Menorah lighting. The Levites are initiated into the Tabernacle service. The "Second Passover" is instituted. Moshe makes two trumpets, and is instructed on how and when to use them. The Israelites leave Mount Sinai, and proceed towards the Land of Canaan. The people unreasonably complain about their "frugal" manna diet and receive a meat supplement, albeit with tragic results. Moses appoints seventy elders to assist him in bearing the burden of the people. Miriam speaks negatively about Moshe and is punished with tzara'at (a skin disease).

Blessing for the Torah:

Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O’lam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,

v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe,

you have selected us from among all the peoples, and have given us your Torah.

Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)

Torah Readings:

         1.      8:1-14

2.      8:15-26

3.      9:1-14

4.      9:15–10:10

5.      10:11-27

6.      10:28–11:29 (Sefardi tradition); 10:35 – 11:29 (Ashkenazi tradition)

7.      11:30 – 12:13

         8.      Maftir 12:14-16

 Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14 – 4:7

 Aliyah Rishon 8:1-14

YHVH commands Aaron to light the golden Tabernacle Menorah on a daily basis. Moshe is then commanded to initiate the Levites into Tabernacle service. This inauguration procedure included shaving their bodies, immersion in a mikvah (immersion in water) and the offering of certain offerings.

Bemidbar/Num 8:1  And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying,

Num 8:2  “Speak to Aharon, and say to him, ‘When you set up (beha alotcha) the lamps, let the seven lamps give light in front of the lampstand.’ ”

“BeHa’alotcha” literally means “causing to lift up”(hiphil infinitive) - it literally means when you are causing the light of the lamps to be sent forth. This verb refers to action going on presently and continuing infinitely.

“The Menorah with its seven arms is like the tree of life. According to the Vilna Gaon:

The menorah in the Temple had 7 stems, 9 flowers, 11 pomegranates, and 22 cups.  Its height was, according to one opinion, 17 handbreadths. These numbers correspond to the number of words in the first verse of

each Book of the Torah:  The first verse of Bereishet has 7 words; the first verse of Shemot has 11 words; Vayikra 9 words, Bamidbar 17 words; Devarim 22 words.

This idea is hinted at in Tehillim/Psa 119:130  The opening up of Your words gives light, Giving understanding to the simple (naïve, child- like).”  

When we receive and study his Word (Torah) and keep them in our hearts, we too become a light to the world.

Mat 5:14  “You are the light of the world. It is impossible for a city to be hidden on a mountain.

Mat 5:15  “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it shines to all those in the house.

Mat 5:16  “Let your light so shine before men, so that they see your good works and praise your Father who is in the heavens.

Mat 5:17  “Do not think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets.¹ I did not come to destroy but to complete. Footnote: ¹The Law and the Prophets is a term used for the pre-Messianic Scriptures.

Note in the above verses how Yahshua connects light with the everlasting Torah.

Pro 6:23  For the command (mitzvah) is a lamp, And the Torah a light. (This verse goes on to say that the evidence of this light is a life of correction and discipline)

Num 8:3  And Aharon did so. He set up the lamps to face toward the front of the lampstand, as יהוה commanded Mosheh.

Note how this was the ministry of the Levite to have the light shine on him and through him in such a way that he would be able to “carry” this light to the nation of Israel. This command has not passed away. YHVH has also given this responsibility to bring light to a set apart priesthood, His called out ones – The “Qehilla” (Hebrew) /“ekklessia” (Greek) or assembly. We see this truth confirmed in the messages given by Yochanan/John to the seven assemblies in the book of Revelation.

Num 8:4  And this is the work of the lampstand: beaten work of gold, from its base to its blossoms it is beaten work. According to the pattern which יהוה had shown Mosheh, so he made the lampstand.

Num 8:5  And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying,

Num 8:6  “Take the Lĕwites from among the children of Yisra’ĕl, and you shall cleanse them,

Num 8:7  and do this to them to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of sin offering on them, and they shall shave all their body, and shall wash their garments, and cleanse themselves,

Num 8:8  and shall take a young bull with its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, while you take another young bull as a sin offering.

The shaving off of all the hair was possibly done to reflect the intense desire of a priest not to have any hindrance that would cause an obstruction of the “light” or Ruach of YHVH. It is significant to consider that the Hebrew word for light and skin are very similar, “or” (aleph vav resh) is “light” and “or” (ayin vav resh) is “skin.” We understand that the Ruach is leading us back to the “garden of Eden” where man was covered with the “shechinah” or light of YHVH.

Some of the sages suggest that shaving off all the hair was also a reminder of the actions taken when one was found to be with “tzarat” (leprosy). This action could be seen as a priesthood taking upon themselves the penalty of the “tzarat” for the people.

Num 8:9  “And you shall bring the Lĕwites before the Tent of Meeting, and you shall assemble all the congregation of the children of Yisra’ĕl.

Num 8:10  “And you shall bring the Lĕwites before יהוה, and the children of Yisra’ĕl shall lay their hands on the Lĕwites,

The Hebrew word for “lay” is “samech” and means to lean ie “to place your weight upon so as to be supported.” This speaks of our dependence upon a priesthood to bring forth the light of the truth for us.

We must realize that the Torah becomes truth when we see those who proclaim it lay down their lives and pay a price in their lives for this truth to be proclaimed, making it possible for us to follow their example. This implies carrying the burden of the priesthood.

Shaul/Paul, understanding what the Torah was saying on the issue of priesthood, confirms what the Torah says.

2Co 4:6  For Elohim, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts for the enlightening of the knowledge of the esteem of Elohim in the face of יהושע Messiah.

2Co 4:7  And we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the excellence of the power might be of Elohim, and not of us –

2Co 4:8  being hard pressed on every side,¹ but not crushed; being perplexed, but not in despair; Footnote: ¹See 1:8.

2Co 4:9  being persecuted, but not forsaken; being thrown down, but not destroyed;

2Co 4:10  always bearing about in the body the dying of the Master יהושע, that the life of יהושע might also be manifested in our body.

2Co 4:11  For we, the living, are always delivered to death for the sake of יהושע, that the life of יהושע might also be manifested in our mortal flesh,

2Co 4:12  so that death indeed is working in us, but the life in you.

2Co 4:13  But having the same spirit of belief, according to what has been written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak,

2Co 4:14  knowing that He who raised up the Master יהושע shall also raise us up through יהושע, and shall present us with you.

2Co 4:15  For all this is for your sake, so that favour, having spread through the many, would cause thanksgiving to overflow, unto the esteem of Elohim.

2Co 4:16  Therefore we do not lose heart, but even if our outward man is perishing, the inward man is being renewed day by day.

2Co 4:17  For this slight momentary pressure, is working for us a far more exceeding and everlasting weight of esteem.

2Co 4:18  We are not looking on what is seen, but on what is not seen. For what is seen passes away, but what is not seen is everlasting.¹ Footnote: ¹See 5:7, and Rom. 8:24, Heb. 11:1 & 13.

Num 8:13  “And you shall have the Lĕwites stand before Aharon and his sons, and then wave them, a wave offering to יהוה.

Num 8:14  “Thus you shall separate the Lĕwites from among the children of Yisra’ĕl, and the Lĕwites shall be Mine.

To waive the Levites suggests that we are lifting them up in prayer and doing everything we can to make their burden lighter.

Aliyah Sheni 8:15-26

The exact prescribed initiation procedure is followed, and the Levites are consecrated to YHVH instead of the firstborn who lost their set apart status when they participated in the sin of the Golden Calf. Towards the end of this section we learn the Levite service age-requirements and retirement age.

Num 8:15  “Then after that the Lĕwites shall go in to do service in the Tent of Meeting, when you have cleansed them and waved them as a wave offering.

Num 8:16  “For they are given ones, given to Me from among the children of Yisra’ĕl. I have taken them for Myself instead of all who open the womb, the first-born of all the children of Yisra’ĕl.

Num 8:17  “For all the first-born among the children of Yisra’ĕl are Mine, both man and beast. On the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Mitsrayim I set them apart unto Myself.

Num 8:18  “And I have taken the Lĕwites instead of all the first-born of the children of Yisra’ĕl.

Num 8:19  “And I have given the Lĕwites as a gift to Aharon and his sons from among the children of Yisra’ĕl, to do the service of the children of Yisra’ĕl in the Tent of Meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Yisra’ĕl, that there be no plague among the children of Yisra’ĕl when the children of Yisra’ĕl come near the set-apart place.”

Num 8:20  Thus Mosheh and Aharon and all the congregation of the children of Yisra’ĕl did to the Lĕwites according to all that יהוה commanded Mosheh concerning the Lĕwites, so the children of Yisra’ĕl did to them.

Num 8:21  And the Lĕwites cleansed themselves and washed their garments, and Aharon waved them, a wave offering before יהוה, and Aharon made atonement for them to cleanse them.

Num 8:22  Then after that the Lĕwites went in to do their service in the Tent of Meeting before Aharon and his sons as יהוה commanded Mosheh concerning the Lĕwites, so they did to them.

Num 8:23  And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying,

Num 8:24  “This applies to the Lĕwites: From twenty-five years old and above let him come into active service in the service of the Tent of Meeting,

Num 8:25  and at the age of fifty years they retire from active service of the service, and serve no more,

Num 8:26  but they shall attend with their brothers in the Tent of Meeting, to guard the duty, but shall do no service. Thus you shall do to the Lĕwites regarding their duties.”

In ancient times when covenants or binding agreements were made between parties or tribes, they were confirmed in different ways. One of the ways was to exchange oldest sons from different families or tribes. This would ensure that there would be no turning back on the agreements that were made.

We see this principle illustrated in Bereshit/Gen 22:1-2  Avraham/Abraham, the father of our faith -  Avraham was asked to offer up Yitschak/Isaac and so that the covenant of faith for our salvation could be established. We see however in Beresheet 15 that when YHVH came to cut this covenant He put Avraham to sleep, indicating that this covenant would one day be established through His own son.