Parashat Behaalotecha 5782

by Rabbi Margie Cella

The parashah begins with God’s command to Aaron to light the lamps of a golden menorah. The Levites are consecrated in place of the firstborn, and given as a gift to the Cohenim to serve in the Tabernacle; Moses is instructed to cleanse them and change their clothes. 

The people were commanded by God to observe Passover in the first month of the second year after leaving Egypt. Some were unclean and therefore unable to celebrate the holiday at its designated time; Pesach Sheni was designated during the second month as a second opportunity for these people to be able to observe Passover. 

There is a description of the cloud that covered the tabernacle during the day, appearing as fire at night. Whenever the cloud rose up, the people moved on, settling next in the place where the cloud would stop. 

After the second Pesach, the nation departed from Sinai; in the desert the people complained about lack of meat. God responded by providing quails for them to eat.

The portion ends with the story of Miriam and Aaron speaking against Moses because of his relationship with his wife. God became angry with them, striking Miriam with leprosy; Moses prayed, asking God to heal her. 

The haftarah tells of three visions of the prophet Zechariah. The first tells of a future time when God will dwell in the midst of the people, in much the same way as the cloud represented God’s presence in the parashah. Many nations will want to become part of God’s people.

Zechariah’s second vision is of Joshua standing before an Angel of God with the Satan (accuser) at his right side. The Angel rebukes the accuser, commanding that Joshua’s filthy garments (sins) be removed from him, clothing him instead in priestly garments (just like the Levites in the parashah) and admonishing him to walk in God’s paths. God promises to send God’s Branch (read Messiah), remove the nation’s guilt, and usher in a time of peace when everyone will dwell under their vines and fig trees. 

Coming full circle with the beginning of the parashah, Zechariah’s final vision is of the golden menorah with its seven lamps, flanked by two olive trees. The angel’s message is, “not by might, not by power, but by my spirit—says the Lord of Hosts.” So, too, must we rely, not on physical strength or worldly possessions, but rather on the spiritual sustenance that we receive from God.