" SHALOM. Today is 14 Sivan 5780. His Honor in order to concentrate on the Shalom Bayit, the love and harmony between the husband and wife. TORAH DIALOGUE (p. 586 Hz) (p. 814 S) (p. 527 Hi) (p. 748 AS) 4. The Nazir was a person who wished to elevate himself spiritually. So he needed to accept certain prohibitions: not Numbers 4:21 to eat or drink any grape products, not to shave or get a [Compiled by Rabbi Edward Davis (RED), haircut, and not to defile himself by being in contact with a Rabbi Emeritus and Sephardic Minyan Rabbi dead body. I would not have expected these three Young Israel of Hollywood-Ft. Lauderdale] prohibitions. I would think to prohibit marital relations, and not eating meat would be more appropriate. But I guess that 1. “Take a census of the sons of Gershon, as well...” I need to analyze what the Torah is saying. The Nazir is (4:22). What is the clause “as well” adding to the verse? more likened to a Kohen and to a mourner, who must give They took a census of Kehat at the end of last week’s up some of the physical luxuries in life and focus on his Parshah, but Gershon is the oldest of the three Levitical plight in life. The prohibition of drinking wine is intriguing families, the three sons of Levi. Therefore, telling us “as because the prohibition is limited to wine, but not to other well” was a statement that counting Kehat first was not an intoxicating beverage. He is allowed to drink bourbon and attempt to degrade Gershon to second place. Kehat was scotch, for example. More could be written on the subject. counted first solely due to Moshe and Aharon being from (RED) that Levitical family, and secondly because the job of Kehat was to carry the holiest utensils of the Mishkan as they 5. When the Kohanim ascend the Bimah to bless the traveled through the desert. Counting Gershon “as well” people with the Priestly Benediction, they are required to was a decisive attempt to consider Gershon as being say these blessings in a loud voice. If they do not, they are counted “first” along with his Levitical brother, Kehat. not fulfilling the Mitzvah (Beit HaLevi). Saying it quietly is not sufficient. (The Netziv states that the same Halachah of 2. “Everyone who comes to perform services (work) of a saying it in a loud voice applies as well to the Jewish farmer work…” (4:47). What is service of a service? It hardly makes when he brings his and makes his National Jewish any sense. comments that this was musical declaration of Arami Oved Avi.) The Beit HaLevi recognizes accompaniment. Rashi’s source is the (Arachin that the requirement of “out loud” depends on the size of the 11a) where this verse was explained as “work” done to Shul and how large the crowd is. Just as there is a enhance the service of the sacrifices. In the Talmud, our requirement of the Kohanim facing the crowd and similarly Sages quote many sources for this enhancement. the crowd must face the Kohanim in order to create a Commentators offer a number of reasons for the unusual connection between the two groups, so too the requirement power of music and song. It drives away depression. One of “out loud” serves the same purpose, to create a who is happy develops better self-esteem; song can elevate connection. [RED’s note: When we duchen in the Sephardi the soul to levels of prophecy. Song inspires us to ascend Minyan, we are in the Shul Library, which is a small room, from the mundane world in which we live to the Heavenly with about 50 participants. The Kohanim do not have to be Residence of the Creator. What our Sages derive from here so loud. But in the main Shul, the Kohanim need to project is that every sacrifice had to be accompanied by music. The in order to fulfill the Mitzvah.] music of the Holy Temple was, we believe, quite simplistic, various chords, nothing elaborate: no melody, no harmony. 6. In the Tosefet Berachah, the Torah Temimah records Through the centuries, our music became more powerful that a Kohen is privileged to raise both hands when giving and meaningful. Sefer Chassidim wrote that we should the Priestly Blessing. Hence when we parents bless our select melodies that are sweet and pleasant, and apply children on Friday night, only Kohanim raise both hands. them to our Tefillot, to our prayers. Therefore, when I bless my children and grandchildren on Friday night, I raise only one hand. To illustrate this point, 3. The is a perplexing law because it is asking the Torah Temimah cites an incident when the Vilna Gaon Hashem to intercede and decide a private matter between was under the Chuppah at a wedding, and he blessed the a husband and a wife. This law of a “suspected adulteress” young couple with the Priestly Blessing and raised only one teaches us how important the relationship between the hand and placed it on the groom’s head. [RED’s note: I did husband and wife actually is. The ordeal involves scraping a wedding some years ago and I co-officiated with a Reform the ink off a page of the Torah, including erasing the name Rabbi. I would not allow him to say any of the blessings of Hashem. Hashem forgoes His Kavod, His Honor, and during the ceremony. He said that is okay. But he added allows His Name to be erased to reach a divine resolution that it was his custom to bless the young couple with the to a private issue. What a powerful statement. Suppose it is Priestly Blessing under the Chupah. I allowed him to do so. Shabbat Chanukah and a person only has enough oil for After the ceremony, I was approached by several Orthodox either the Shabbat lights or the Chanukah lights, which does guests and asked whether it was kosher to do Priestly he light? Based on the laws of Sotah, it would appear that Blessings under the Chuppah; that it was not the Orthodox Shabbat takes precedence, since the Shabbat candles way of doing a wedding. I told them about the Vilna Gaon. represent Shalom Bayit, the endearing relationship If it was good enough for the Gaon, then it should be good between husband and wife. Chanukah is to publicize enough for us.] Hashem’s miracles for the Jewish people. Hashem forgoes

" 7. The Midrash relates that Moshe was reluctant to II. From Rashi accept the voluntary gifts of the twelve tribal princes in the 6. “To do the work of the work...” (4:47). What work is “the work dedication ceremony of the Altar in the Mishkan. After what of the work”? happened to Nadav and Avihu, one can see why Moshe 7. What happens to the paramour of the Sotah who is guilty? (5:21) was worried. The Midrash continues to tell us that Hashem 8. What is meant by “Hashem will lift His countenance upon reassured Moshe that the gifts were pure, heartfelt, and you”? (6:26) acceptable to the Almighty. The incident of Nadav and 9. How did the tribal leaders earn their positions? (7:2) Avihu would stay with Moshe and Aharon and all of Israel 10. How did Moshe know what order the tribal leaders would forever. It is impossible to know which gifts are acceptable bring their gifts to the altar? (7:11) and which voluntary actions might kindle God’s anger with III. From the Rabbis a donor, no matter what the donor’s intentions were. Better 11. What effect will the bitter waters have if the Sotah’s husband to act cautiously than to assume that Hashem would be had not acted morally himself? (Ramban) pleased. The gifts of the tribal leaders were completely 12. What is the minimum period of a vow to be a Nazir? (Nazir 5a) acceptable. Even the wagons and oxen were accepted. 13. Why does Hashem end His blessings with the blessing of Moshe would give the wagons and oxen to the Levitical peace? (Sifra) families on the basis of Moshe’s considering who needed IV. Haftorah. Judges those gifts more. 14. About whom is the story in the Haftorah? V. Relationships HAFTORAH a) Nachshon - Elisheva (p. 602 Hz) (p. 835 S) (p. 890 Hi) (p. 1181 AS) b) Aminadav - Aharon JUDGES 13:2 c) Yocheved - Miriam d) Noach - Canaan e) Ephraim - Muppim The story of is the subject of the haftorah because Shimshon was ordained to live a life of sanctity as his entire life was to be as a Nazir. His parents carefully protected him from all impurities and raised him in a perfect ANSWERS FOR PARSHAT NASO 5780 atmosphere of sanctity. This childhood groomed him to be a perfect candidate for the constant manifestation of the 1. Itamar, the son of Aharon. Divine Presence. However, as we painfully discover, none 2. If she is guilty of adultery, she will die. If she is innocent, she of the above guarantees one from following immoral will give birth easily. influences. Alongside the purest of motives, one includes 3. He is prohibited to eat or drink any grape product. He may not shave or get a haircut. He may not defile himself by being in physical drives and passions; the result can be devastating. contact with a dead body. Even the pure Shimshon was then prone to plunging deeply 4. 1) Physical prosperity. 2) Spiritual blessing of Torah into immorality and open to forfeiting all that life had in store knowledge and inspiration. 3) Forgiveness of sin, and having for him. From this we learn the importance of pure motives peace. and that any degree of intended personal gratification can 5. During the first twelve days of Nissan. undo all the good we seek to accomplish (Rabbi David 6. The musical accompaniment. Siegel). I add to this that just as the Nazir is linked to the 7. He dies as well. Sotah, in the Torah Shimshon’s form of Nazir was 8. Hashem will suppress His anger even if you sin. supposedly lifelong, and yet his downfall was similar to the 9. They were the Jewish foremen in Egypt, and they were willing to suffer beatings at the hands of the Egyptians rather than hurt Sotah – a sexual desire that was unchecked and left their fellow Jews. undisciplined. So, just as the Torah placed the Sotah and 10. Hashem commanded that the order of the tribes should be Nazir together, so does the haftorah, all wrapped up in one the same order in which they traveled in the desert. individual: Shimshon, Samson. (RED.) 11. The water would have no effect on her. 12. Thirty days. 13. One may have prosperity, health, food and drink, but if there is no peace, it is all worthless. 14. Samson QUESTIONS FOR PARSHAT NASO 5780 Relationships by Rabbi Edward Davis a) Brother - Sister b) Father-in-law Aminadav I. From the Text c) Mother Yocheved 1. Who was in charge of overseeing the work of the Gershon d) Grandfather Noach Levitical family? (4:28) e) First Cousins (Muppim was a son of Binyamin) 2. What would happen to a Sotah (suspected adulteress) once she drank the bitter waters? (27:28) 3. What prohibitions are placed on a Nazir? ((6:3-8) 4. What are the three blessings uttered by the Kohanim in their blessings to the people? (6:24-26) 5. When did the tribal princes bring their tribute to dedicate the Altar? (7:1)