Weekly Parsha

A special Mazal Tov! on the marriage of Bianca Welikson and Jeffrey Herrington.  We hope your life together will be filled with Shalom Bait (peaceful home), it means: joy, happiness, lots of love and respect! And if you need anything just click at "Ask The Rabbi" on our website! Shabbat Shalom, R.Ovadiah & Esther Tank

Numbers 1:1 - 4:20

In the second year of travel in the desert, Moshe and Aharon were commanded by the Almighty to count all male Israelites between 20 and 60. There were 603,550 available for military service. The tribe of Levi was exempt because of their special duties as religious leaders. (It is probably from here that countries give divinity deferments to clergy and divinity students.)

The twelve tribes were directed regarding the formation (three tribes were on each side of the Portable Sanctuary) in which they were to camp and travel.

The 22,300 Levites were commanded in the Sanctuary service. The family of Gershon was to transport the coverings of the Sanctuary. The family of Kehos carried the Ark, Table, Menorah and Altars. The family of Merari transported the boards, pillars, bolts and sockets.

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Dvar Torah
from Twerski on Chumash by Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D.

The first portion of Bamidbar is generally read before the Shavuos festival, which commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Inasmuch as there are no coincidences, we may assume that this portion is a prerequisite for receiving the Torah.

In relating the episode at Mt. Sinai, the Torah states:

"Israelites camped near the mountain" (Exodus 19:2).

However, the Torah uses the singular vayichan, "he camped" rather than vayachanu, "they camped." Rashi explains that the singular indicated that all the Israelites were united as one person. It is this unity that made them worthy of receiving the Torah.

There is nothing so dear to God as unity among His children. So much so, that the Talmud states that when Jews are united, God forgives even their greatest sins (Kallah 8).

The message of Bamidbar is the message of unity: "The Children of Israel shall encamp, each person by his banner" (Numbers 2:2). Each person knew his place and was not envious of others. This is why the Torah reading of Bamidbar precedes Shavuous. Unity is the prerequisite for acceptance of the Torah.

When it rains, look for rainbows.
When it is dark, look for stars.

Choice, not chance, determines destiny!

SHABBAT SHALOM!