בס״ד ֽ ּבְ הַ עֲ ֽ ֹל תְ ְ ָך BEHA’ALOTECHA

In loving memory of Harav Yitzchak Yoel ben Shlomo Halevi

Volume 32 | #38

13 June 2020 “And when the Ark journeyed, said..” 21 5780 (Bemidbar 10:35)

Shabbat ends: 10:24pm Sheffield 10.58pm Edinburgh 11.27pm Birmingham 10.39pm 8.28pm

Please look regularly at the social media and websites of the US, Tribe and your community for ongoing updates relating to Coronavirus as well as educational programming and community support. You do not need to sign into Facebook to access the US Facebook page. The US Coronavirus Helpline is on 020 8343 5696. May God bless us and the whole world.

INSIDE:

Artscroll p.774 p.1182 Pesach Sheni by Daniel Roselaar Hertz p.605 Haftarah p.620 Soncino p.838 Sefer Yehoshua Haftarah p.857 by Pnina Savery Daf Hashavua Sidra breakdown ֽ ּבְ הַ עֲ ֽ ֹל תְ ְ ָך Beha’alotecha Pesach 3rd Sidra in: מִ ּבְ דְ ּבַ ר Bemidbar Sheni by Rabbi Daniel Roselaar, Alei Tzion

By Numbers: This week’s sidra found to enable them to bring the contains many sacrifice. He consulted the Almighty 136 verses interesting episodes, and responded to them that there 1,840 words including the one would be a subsequent opportunity associated with Pesach Sheni. for them a month later, on the 7,055 letters When the were in the fourteenth of , a date known as wilderness and celebrated Pesach a Peach Sheni. year after from Egypt, it makes a fascinating Headlines: transpired that some of the people observation on the introductory were ritually impure and thereby verses to this passage, where he Journeys in excluded from offering the Pesach notes that this was the only time sacrifice. They were distressed throughout the forty years that the the desert by this exclusion and approached Israelites were in the desert that Moshe to ask if some way could be

Sidra Summary United Synagogue Daf Hashavua Produced by US Living & Learning 1st Aliya () – Bemidbar 8:1-14 together with the Rabbinical Council of God tells Moshe to instruct Aharon, the Kohen Gadol, to light the Menorah every day the United Synagogue in the Mishkan (). God tells Moshe to appoint the ’im to their service in Editor-in-Chief: Rabbi Baruch Davis the Mishkan (see p.3 article). This involves bringing two animal offerings, the people Editorial and Production Team: placing their hands upon the heads of the Levi’im and each Levi being physically lifted Rabbi Daniel Sturgess, Rabbi Laitner, in the air and waved by Moshe and Aharon. Rebbetzen Nechama Davis, Joanna Rose 2nd Aliya (Levi) – 8:15-26 Available also via email US website The tribe of Levi is to take over the role that had been designated for the firstborn, www.theus.org.uk ©United Synagogue who were sanctified on the night of the Exodus from Egypt, when the Egyptian To sponsor Daf Hashavua please firstborn were slain and the Israelite firstborn survived. contact Danielle Fox on 020 8343 6261, or [email protected] Point to Consider: Why were the firstborn dismissed from their role? (see Rashi to If you have any comments or questions regarding Daf Hashavua please email 8:17) [email protected] they offered the Pesach (the grounds – and that also precluded The technical exemption from the Paschal offering). Furthermore, he them from bringing the sacrifice. only meant that it was not writes that the fact that they did not But if the Israelites were unable as if they had wilfully neglected to offer this sacrifice at any other time to bring the Korban Pesach whilst bring the Korban Pesach, as if the during the forty years is a sign of they were in the wilderness, mitzvah had never existed. In reality their embarrassment. why does Rashi write that it was they had missed out on a valuable Rashi does not tell us why the something negative? Surely it was spiritual opportunity. Israelites did not bring a Korban due to circumstances beyond their The Maharal’s words have broad Pesach during the rest of the time control! relevance to our attitude towards that they were in the wilderness, Rabbi Yehuda Loew of Prague mitzvah observance. There are many but Tosafot (Kiddushin 37b) suggests (known by the acronym ‘Maharal’, occasions – including our current two possible answers. The first is 1525-1609) suggests that if a situation- when we are exempt because it was a sacrifice that was person is unable to fulfil a mitzvah from mitzvot because a technicality normally dependent on being in the due to circumstances beyond their does not allow us or enable us Land of . The second is that control, they should nonetheless to fulfil them. Even though we whilst they were travelling through feel uneasy about it. It is true that are absolved or relieved from the the desert, they did not circumcise they were exempt, but it was a pity mitzvah, we should still feel a sense their children – on health and safety and a shame that this was the case. of disappointment and emptiness. Such emotions will encourage us, But if the Israelites were unable to bring when the circumstances change and the opportunities present the Korban Pesach whilst they were in the themselves, to approach the mitzvot that we were previously unable to wilderness, why does Rashi write that it fulfil with renewed enthusiasm and was something negative? vigour.

In loving memory of Chaya Rachel bat Moshe Ben-tzion

3rd Aliya (Shlishi) – 9:1-14 travelling in the desert. The trumpets are also to be blown In the second year after the Exodus, on 14 Nissan, God when the nation is at war, in order to evoke Divine mercy, as commands the people to bring their Pesach offerings. There well as to accompany communal offerings on and are people who are ritually impure, having recently come festival days. into contact with a dead person. Unable to bring an offering, they come to Moshe and Aharon and express their desire not 5th Aliya (Chamishi) – 10:11-34 to miss out. God tells Moshe that they can have a second In the second year after the Exodus, on 20 Iyar, the cloud lifts chance, a month later, on what becomes known as Pesach and the nation journeys from the Sinai desert to the Paran Sheni (‘the second Pesach’). desert. The describes the order of the tribes’ journeying and the different stages of dismantling and erecting the 4th Aliya (Revi’i) – 9:15-10:10 Mishkan. Moshe asks his father-in-law , referred to here A cloud covers the Mishkan by day, with a fiery appearance as Chovav, to join the nation on their journey. at night. The Israelites remain encamped until the cloud lifts, which is the signal to journey on. The duration of time during 6th Aliya (Shishi) – 10:35-11:29 which the cloud covers the Mishkan varies. God tells Moshe When the Aron (ark) would start its miraculous journey in to make two silver trumpets to summon the people before front of the nation, Moshe would appeal to God to scatter Tehillim (Psalm 24) by Rabbi Yehudah Black, Kenton United Synagogue

Psalm 24 is recited when may draw near to Him is returning the Torah to through “clean palms” – the Aron Hakodesh honesty and integrity in (Ark) on weekdays and everything we do; “a pure Shabbat afternoons. It is also recited heart” – striving in our by Sefardi and some Ashkenazi thoughts never to forget Him communities on the nights of Rosh and aiming to be one “who Hashanah and after has not sworn deceitfully” Ma’ariv and it is incorporated as part – not taken His name in of the ‘Kingship verses’ in Musaf on vain and been deceitful. The . Radak (Rabbi Kimchi This psalm is actually a composite d.1235) suggests that these of three separate parts. three qualities encompass a person’s actions, thoughts 1. The first verse speaks of God as and speech respectively. Creator and of His ownership of the that God is the Protector of Israel. world: 3. The last four verses emphasise Others suggest that this psalm “The earth is the Lord’s and all it God as King and welcome Him into was recited when the original Ark of contains”. the holy gates of the Temple. This the Covenant came to its final resting The (Berachot 35a) teaches last part could actually be interpreted place after the dedication of the first from here that we are not allowed to as a reference to the movements of Temple in the time of King Shlomo derive benefit from anything in this the Biblical Ark that was at the front (), as recorded in Melachim I world without reciting a prior blessing. of the Israelites as they went into (the first book of Kings). battle against their enemies and then It makes sense that we recite 2. The next section focuses on returned to the Tabernacle (Mishkan) this psalm as the Torah is returned mankind and how it can achieve high gates. This idea justifies describing to the Ark. A shul is a microcosm of moral and spiritual stature. “Who may God as mighty in battle’ – the purpose the Temple. The Torah is the means ascend the mountain of God?” of having the Aron Hakodesh lead by which we acknowledge God as The prescription by which a person them into battle was to emphasise Creator and ongoing ruler.

In memory of Yisrael Shmuel ben Yirmaya Yehoshuah

His enemies. The people complain. God sends a fatal Point to Consider: Why are there inverted letter ‘nuns’ fire against them, until Moshe pleads for mercy on their placed before and after the first verse of this ? (see behalf. The ‘rabble’ then complain about the manna, Rashi to 10:35) which does not taste as good as the food in Egypt. God is angered. Moshe says he is helpless to deal with the 7th Aliya (Shevi’i) – 11:30-12:16 nation’s complaints. God tells him to appoint 70 elders A wind blows quails into the camp. The people gather to assist in leading the nation. God tells Moshe that, in the quails and start eating them, but God sends ‘a mighty response to their complaints, the nation will be given meat blow’ against the people for their original complaints. for a whole month, until they are sick of it. The 70 elders and Aharon speak negatively about Moshe (see p.4 are appointed and are given prophetic powers. article). God rebukes them and Miriam develops a tsara’at skin affliction. Moshe prays for her recovery. Miriam is British in the Boer War Part Two by Ben Vos, US Community Division

The relief of Mafeking Fighting Jew’. Morris told the JC to be a great tribute to the Jewish war by British and Imperial that he ran away from home after his effort. soldiers on Thursday 17 barmitzvah to join the Royal Navy. He Two years later, the United May 1900 ended a seven- apparently had a £500 Boer bounty Synagogue paid tribute to almost month Boer siege. The successful on his head, which contributed to his 120 Jews (of perhaps 180, according defence of this small British-held popular fame. During a recruiting trip to to Palgrave) who fell in the Second town in southern Africa constituted an London, Morris could find a seat at the Boer War, fixing a memorial with the important victory in the Boer War, after Great Synagogue on Shabbat morning, soldiers’ and sailors’ names to the earlier setbacks. but he could not attend theatres or wall of the Central Synagogue facing The first officer to enter was the music-halls “…because the people onto Great Portland Street, arguably Australian Jew, Major Walter ‘Karri’ insist on hauling him out of his seat,” the most emphatic, prestigious display Davies, who gave a box of chocolates as recorded by the JC. of communal sacrifice the US could to the garrison commander, Robert According to the Palgrave Dictionary make. This memorial was destroyed Baden Powell. London heard the news of Anglo-, as many by enemy action in 1941 but a replica on Friday, and rejoiced. Due to Shabbat, as 3,000 Jews fought on the British in the now-closed synagogue at celebrations in Jewish areas of the side during the Second Boer War. Aldershot – the hometown of one of East End were delayed until Saturday Certainty is difficult because Jews in the earliest Jewish military chaplains, night, where one could even buy the services often hid their religion Rev F.L. Cohen – was moved to in honour of and changed their names. The war Willesden Cemetery in 1960, where it‘ ,”לכבוד cakes “Mafeking Mafeking’. ended in 1902. The Spectator reckoned remains today, not far from the graves As the Boer War progressed, the Jewish deaths were “in excess of of Colonel Goldsmid and QSM Gros, Jewish Chronicle was filled with lists their due quota” and, referring to the Jewish soldiers to whom the JC had of casualties and battle honours in 1902 military Chanukah service at the paid tribute for their service in South addition to news about funds raised Central Synagogue, judged that “the Africa. for every conceivable military charity, presence of Lord Roberts…is intended Lord Roberts, the Spectator, and and gentile praise of Jewish soldiers. to mark…the Commander-in-Chief's not least, British Jewry itself, felt that The paper made much of the son of satisfaction with the conduct of the British Jews acquitted themselves well the ex-shamash at St. John’s Wood Jewish troops during the South African in The Second Boer War. However, in Synagogue, who was the “hard as War.” Lord Roberts was the preeminent 1914 as World War One began, the old nails” Sergeant Major ‘Darkie’ Morris soldier of his day; his visit to a United prejudices, and the same pressure to (Imperial Yeomanry), known as ‘The Synagogue community was understood prove themselves would emerge again.

In memory of Yehuda ben Yaakov HaCohen

quarantined outside the camp for seven days, during which shows Zecharia a menorah and two olives trees to provide the people do not journey. oil for lighting it, indicating that the Second Temple will not be built by use of force, but by God’s spirit. Haftarah The prophet Zecharia relates a vision in which an angel visits Yehoshua the Kohen Gadol and chastises him, as symbolised by Yehoshua’s soiled garments. The angel also Sefer Yehoshua (the Book of ) – Chapter 15, the division of the Land (cont.) a symbol of Shiloh destruction and hope by Pnina Savery, US Jewish Living Educator

Chapter 16 contains Philistines then destroyed the city An alternative answer may only ten verses, which of Shiloh. arise in how Shiloh is presented in outline the borders of After its destruction, Shiloh re- two different ways in the Tanach. the ceives very little importance in col- Yirimiyahu (Jeremiah) warns, before (the second son of Yosef). Ephraim lective Jewish consciousness. We the destruction of Jerusalem, “Go and his older brother Menashe are were quick to forget Shiloh after it now to My place that is in Shiloh… the only grandsons, rather than was destroyed, especially when the and see what I did to it because sons, of Yaakov to receive their own newly-built of the wickedness of My people portion of the land. became the new religious centre Israel” (Jeremiah 7:12). Shiloh is This chapter contains many of Biblical life. This unique use an example of the punishment that geographical locations. Many of of the word “ta’anah” could be a can be meted out to those who sin, these names are unknown to us, reference to not only the destruction used in an attempt by the prophet to .Ta’anat of Shiloh which was mourned, but encourage the people to repent“ ”תאנת שילה“such as Shiloh” (16:6). also a lament to the loss of Shiloh However, during Yaakov’s bless- The city of Shiloh is mentioned in collective memory. ings to his sons before his death, many times in the Tanach (Hebrew Why was Shiloh forgotten so he states that “the rod shall not Bible), but this is the only time in quickly? Rabbi B.Solove- depart from Yehuda… until Shiloh the Tanach that the phrase “Ta’anat itchik (1903-1993) explains that arrives” ( 49:10). Rashi Shiloh” is used. Many commen- Shiloh was only ever endowed with (1040-1105), explains that “Shiloh” tators assume it is the name of a temporary kedusha (holiness), as here means the . It is clear place slightly outside Shiloh. The the Mishkan was meant to be a that this reference to Shiloh is city of Shiloh is most famous for temporary dwelling for God. It was positive, a symbol of redemption housing the Mishkan (the Tabernac- always intended for the Temple to and renewal. le) for 369 years before the Temple be built in Jerusalem, replacing the Today, Shiloh is located next to was built in Jerusalem. Mishkan. However, Jerusalem was the archaeological site of Tel Shiloh, There is another way of under- endowed with permanent kedusha, where the Mishkan is believed to standing this phrase. The word which still exists today. This would have been located for 369 years. “ta’anah” means to lament. During explain the different attitudes There is even a synagogue built in battle with the Philistines, the Ark, towards the two cities. Today, no the shape of the Mishkan! Whilst the holiest part of the Mishkan, tour of Israel is complete without a Shiloh may have been a source for was captured (see 1 Samuel ch. 14). visit to Jerusalem and its holy sites. lamenting and mourning in the past, Although not explicitly described in In contrast, very few tourists visit it is also a symbol of redemption the Tanach, it is assumed that the Shiloh. and hope.