This week’s reading Naso, continues the theme of the first three weeks of the Book of Bamidbar. Everything is being prepared for the invasion of the Land of Israel. The tribes are counted and given their positions. The leadership is primed, the flags are raised and they are getting ready to march. But as we know, it all ends in…
Parsha Naso
The Sotah
If a man suspected his wife of infidelity and had warned her not to go with a certain man, and she refused and went somewhere together with him, yet the husband had no actual proof she was unfaithful because in Jewish law we never usually accept circumstantial evidence. He could bring her to the Priest who then would question her.…
Nazirite
Immediately after the Sotah, comes the law of the Nazirite. The Nazirite is someone who chooses to be extra religious and take upon himself a solemn vow to do something more than is commanded. The Torah gives as an example, letting one’s hair grow long and not drinking wine or spirts. We all do this sort of thing. ‘If I…
Blessing of the Priests
The Torah then goes on give us the famous blessing the Priests would give the people in the Temple, a blessing for closeness to God and peace. May God bless you and protect you May God’s presence brighten your life and be kind to you May God look favorably upon you and give you Peace. The Torah specifies that they…