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,
(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.
