בס״ד נָ שֹ א NASSO

In loving memory of Harav Yitzchak Yoel ben Shlomo Halevi

Volume 32 | #37 “And they shall place My Name on the 6 June 2020 Children of Israel and I will bless them” 14 Sivan 5780 (Bemidbar 6:27)

Shabbat ends: 10:14pm Sheffield 10.51pm Edinburgh 11.18pm Birmingham 10.32pm Jerusalem 8.25pm

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INSIDE: Nasso: It's all about Shalom Artscroll p.748 by Rev Shmully Aronson Haftarah p.1181 Hertz p.586 British Jews in the Haftarah p.602 Soncino p.814 Boer War Haftarah p.835 by Ben Vos Daf Hashavua Sidra breakdown נָ שֹא Nasso

2nd Sidra in: It's all about Shalom מִ ּבְ דְ ּבַ ר Bemidbar Rev Shmully Aronson, Sutton & District

Being away from Shul singular, indicating that the blessing By Numbers: has been difficult is for each individual, not the nation on many levels. I in general. 176 verses particularly miss Whilst we can understand 2,264 words being together with the community the importance of peace for a over the Chagim, especially the nation, and its value in regard to 8,632 letters opportunity to receive the powerful interpersonal relationships, what and richly spiritual blessing from the does peace for an individual mean? Cohanim. And why is peace singled out in this Headlines: In this week’s portion, we read blessing as opposed to something how God instructs the Cohanim to seemingly more crucial like health, Laws for Levites bless the people of Israel through love or personal satisfaction? and others; offerings His holy name, via a beautifully Yaakov Ben Raash (1269- structured formula. The last line 1343), more commonly known for from leaders in particular is extremely powerful his work Baal Haturim, points out Shalom has/שלום veyasem lecha shalom - and He that the word‘ [God] should give you peace’. the numerical value of 476 which .Esau/עשו It’s interesting that this blessing is the same as the word is formulated in the second person Whilst at first glance it’s a strange

Sidra Summary Daf Hashavua Produced by US Living & Learning 1st Aliya (Kohen) – Bemidbar 4:21-37 together with the Rabbinical Council of Last week’s sidrah concluded with the detailing of the particular role of the the United Synagogue descendants of Kehat, one of Levi’s three sons, in taking down, transporting and Editor-in-Chief: Rabbi Baruch Davis re-assembling parts of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). The Torah now details the same Editorial and Production Team: for the descendants of Levi’s other two sons, Gershon and Merari. A census is taken Rabbi Daniel Sturgess, Rabbi Michael Laitner, of each of these three families, counting men aged 30 to 50. The family of Kehat Rebbetzen Nechama Davis, numbers 2,750. Joanna Rose Available also via email US website 2nd Aliya (Levi) – 4:38-49 www.theus.org.uk ©United Synagogue The family of Gershon numbers 2,630. The family of Merari numbers 3,200. To sponsor Daf Hashavua please contact Danielle Fox on 020 8343 6261, 3rd Aliya (Shlishi) – 5:1-10 or [email protected] The narrative switches back to the day that the Mishkan (Tabernacle) began to If you have any comments or questions regarding Daf Hashavua please email function (Rosh Chodesh Nissan), as first discussed in parashat Shemini (Rashi). God [email protected] comparison, given that Esau is the smarter human beings. This sense of inner harmony and prototype ‘evil man’ in the Torah, I believe that the Baal Haturim completeness is what we humans I think it is pointing to something is pointing to the idea that it is are all ultimately searching for. As really powerful. peace from this turmoil to which the such, this is the most fitting theme Our Sages explain how Esau, Priestly lessing refers. for the priestly blessing. a man of the field, represents The Sages say there is only The power of the blessing is to the material world and our bodily one way to achieve this "personal empower us to choose to subdue instincts. Conversely, Jacob, his peace." The soul will never make the Esau in us, so that we can live a twin brother, a wholesome and peace with the body; its drive for life of real inner peace. spiritual man, represents our soul’s God is too deep. But, given time, On a similar note, Shabbat, desires. the body can learn to enjoy the the day on which spirituality is Being created with a pleasures of the soul. intensified, lends itself to the combination of body and soul If we succumb to the desires opportunity to channel our bodily causes us conflicting desires. For and passions of the body, say desires to be more in tune with example, whilst the body wants to our Sages, we will be in turmoil those of our soul. That’s why we say get more post-snooze-button sleep, forever. Struggle to live as a soul, Shabbat Shalom. the soul desires to get up and on however, and peace becomes a real with what we need to do. possibility. Shabbat Shalom! The Yetzer Harah (the personification of our animalistic desires) symbolized by Esau, is Whilst we can understand the a lifelong companion; there’s no getting rid of it. These conflicts may importance of peace for a nation, and show up differently at different times and stages of life, but we are its value in regard to interpersonal constantly going to be battling to do relationships, what does peace for an what is right. Ultimately, this is for us to grow , to become stronger and individual mean

In loving memory of Chaya Rachel bat Moshe Ben-tzion

tells Moshe to instruct the people to maintain the spiritual the waters cause her (and the adulterer) to die. If she is purity of the main camp, in which the Mishkan was situated, innocent, the water will cause her to become more fertile by sending away anyone who is ritually impure. The than before (Rashi). nation complies. A person who steals and then takes an oath denying the Point to Consider: Why does the Sotah’s offering not have crime, before eventually admitting to the theft, must bring oil poured on it or frankincense put over it?(see Rashi to an offering and add a fifth to the amount stolen when paying 5:15) back the victim. A person can decide to take a vow to become a Nazir and 4th Aliya (Revi’i) – 5:11-7:1 abstain from wine and other produce of the vine. A married woman who secludes herself in a suspicious A Nazir is also prohibited from having a haircut and from fashion with another man, and is warned by her husband not coming into contact with a dead person, including a to seclude herself again but ignores the warning, is known close relative. The Torah details the procedure if a Nazir as a Sotah (see p.3 article). She brings a barley offering to mistakenly comes into contact with a dead person in the the Temple, where a Kohen gives her water to drink. This middle of the Nazarite term. At the end of the Nazarite miraculously proves her innocence or guilt. If she is guilty, term (whose length can vary), the Nazir shaves his hair, Tehillim ‘I shall dwell in the house of God’ (Psalm 23) by Rabbi Yehudah Black, Kenton United Synagogue

This short but deeply The “shadow of death” refers to meaningful psalm is often circumstance of personal adversity. read by an individual who When faced with suffering we often is unwell. It is also recited feel His presence and the need to call during Seudah Shelishit (the third meal) upon Him even more. every Shabbat. According to Sephardic “Your rod and your staff give me custom, it is read on Friday night and comfort”. A rod can be used to chastise Shabbat morning prior to Kiddush. In but also to gently prod the sheep along, United Synagogue communities it is to keep them safe from harm. Perhaps part of the liturgy at a stone setting and there are times that difficulties are sometimes at a funeral. sent to us to guide us towards a closer Our Tehillim (Psalms) are timeless. connection to Him. Even though they were authored with In verse 5, the metaphor changes Divine inspiration for a specific time to one of being a guest in God’s or event in the past, their meaning under His protection. house, but, once again, totally under is unchanging and truly pertinent to Whilst the Talmud (Pesachim 118) His protection. His generosity is contemporary issues. says this is an analogy of the Jews overflowing: Though only six verses long, Psalm being supported in the desert by God “Goodness and loving-kindness will 23 is deeply moving. Perhaps its through the manna, the analogy is not pursue me”. conciseness actually beckons the reader immediately apparent as the psalmist Perhaps this explains why the to delve more intently on its words. actually talks in the first person. In custom arose for this psalm to be The first four verses compare God to verse 4, the relationship becomes more recited at the third meal of Shabbat. a shepherd. We are His sheep and our intimate. God is related to in the second Before we venture into the weekday, maintenance is totally dependent on person: we feel the spiritual presence of Him. Every aspect of life is sustained “Even though I walk through the Shabbat that much more. We want to and guarded by Him. We achieve a valley of the shadow of death I fear no remain in His House and savour the picture of tranquillity and calmness evil for You are with me”. distinctive Shabbat flavour.

In memory of Yisrael Shmuel ben Yirmaya Yehoshuah

brings unleavened bread offerings and three animal filled with fine flour and oil for a meal offering; a gold ladle offerings. Aharon and his sons are commanded to bless filled with incense; a bull, a ram and a sheep as elevation the nation with the priestly blessing (birkat kohanim). offerings (olah); a goat as a sin offering (chatat) and two cattle, five rams, five goats and five sheep as peace 5th Aliya (Chamishi) – 7:1-41 offerings (shelamim). The Torah lists the identical offerings On Rosh Chodesh Nissan, the leaders of all of the tribes of the other 11 leaders, starting with Yisachar, Zevulun, bring gifts of six wagons and twelve oxen to help the Reuven and Shimon. Levi’im transport the Mishkan. These leaders also take turns to bring voluntary offerings, which are sacrificed on 6th Aliya (Shishi) – 7:42-71 the first 12 days of the Mishkan’s functioning. The leader The offerings of the leaders of Gad, Ephraim, Menashe, of the tribe of Yehuda gives a silver bowl and a silver basin Binyamin and Dan are listed. British Jews in the Boer War Part One by Ben Vos, US Community Division

In March 1881 Tsar Jewish “so-called refugees” from the On his departure for the Cape that Alexander II was killed at war, who “hid their gold and fawned and same month, the JC ran a full-page St Petersburg by bomb- whined”, as cited by the writer Jeremy tribute to Colonel Albert Goldsmid, throwing revolutionaries. Harding. the highest-ranked observant Jew in Violence against Russian Jews was The swollen ranks of British-Jewry the Army, also advertising the hunting followed by severe anti-Jewish bristled self-consciously. Accusations mounts this senior staff officer was legislation. According to historians, of ambivalence or disloyalty were forced by his departure to sell. Tribute approximately 65,000 to 240,000 in outrageous. Were they not “Englishmen was paid to enlisted men who rose the next twenty years: the size and of the Jewish Faith”? Did not all Jews, through the ranks, such as Quartermaster ‘foreignness’ of the community became especially Russian Jewish refugees, Sergeant Eugene Gros; Private soldiers contentious political issues. have more reason than native Britons in unglamorous colonial units such as Britons themselves were on the move, for loyalty to what Rev Kitchener’s Horse, were not ignored. though. While the Tsar lay unburied, of the called The JC recorded almost the full social a group of Boer republics in Southern “the mother of free communities”? (See standing of “… Trooper T. C. Moss, who Africa successfully concluded their short the research of Dr Shira D. Schnitzer.). had recently returned from South Africa. war to keep out of the British Empire. Did others not understand that “Anglo- He was the son of Mr. Joseph Moss, Not long after, the Boers discovered gold Jewish support for the conflict was both 41, Bassett Road, North and diamonds in copious quantities. ubiquitous and pervasive”, as noted by (Financial Representative of the During the 1880s and ‘90s, thousands Professor David Feldman, whether one )”. of immigrants, mostly British, flooded in read the JC or Der Yiddisher Express? Somewhat against precedent, Chief to finance, build and work new mines. The seventh annual Chanukah service Rabbi Adler preached at the North The Boers kept these ‘Uitlanders’ for military volunteers, arranged by Rev London Synagogue in November 1899 (‘out-landers’) heavily taxed and Francis Cohen of the Borough Synagogue at Islington that “…our hearts must disenfranchised. (and the first Jewish chaplain in the be filled with mingled sadness and To advance the interests of the British Army) was held in December satisfaction [because among the dead] Uitlanders, Britain waged war on the 1899 at The . Chief …have been a goodly number of our Boers once more. On the political left Rabbi Dr “…addressed brethren…” though, some such as Liberal MP John the East End Chazonim, who had formed But were the demonstrations of Burns saw in the emerging ‘Randlord’ the choir… warmly commending their communal patriotism, participation in the class of mine magnates, “the financial participation in a patriotic movement as armed forces and even the sacrifice of Jew operating, directing and inspiring an examplar [sic] of the love for lives, enough to stifle prejudice against the agencies that have led to this war”. shown by the foreign as well as by the British Jews, and bolster confidence Meanwhile, The Daily Mail condemned native Jew.” among them?

In memory of Yehuda ben Yaakov HaCohen

7th Aliya (Shevi’i) – 7:72-89 Haftarah The offerings of the leaders of Asher and Naftali are An angel of God appears to the wife of Manoach and tells detailed. The total value of all the items offered is given at her that she will bear a son who will be a Nazir and will the end of the sidrah. help save Israel from the Pelishtim (Philistines). She names him Shimshon (Samson). Sefer Yehoshua (the Book of Joshua) – Chapter 15, the division of the Land (cont.) by Rabbi Michael Laitner US Jewish Living Division and Finchley Synagogue

CHAPTER OVERVIEW the chapter (v.63) where we are told to King David (2 Samuel ch.24). Chapter 15 covers areas that the tribe of Yehuda did not expel Malbim (Rabbi Meir Leibush, allocated to the tribe of the Yevusi (Jebusite). Ostensibly, 1809-1879) queries our verse in Yehuda (Judah). Most the Yevusi appears to be one of the comparison to the first chapter of of the chapter contains geographical idolatrous Canaanite nations and Sefer Shofetim (the Book of Judges) references, some familiar to us as subsequently remained in Jerusalem which states that Jerusalem was names of Israeli towns or places, with the tribe of Yehuda. indeed conquered. In his commen- such as Kiryat Yearim and the Yam tary to Sefer Shofetim, Malbim Hamelach (Dead Sea). WHY WAS JERUSALEM NOT explains that there were two parts These names and their geographi- CONQUERED? of Jerusalem (based on Talmud cal descriptions provide ample scope We will consider the approaches of Arachin 32b). One was the city; for cross-referencing with other parts three commentators. the other was this stronghold that of the Tenach (the Hebrew Bible), Rashi (1040-1105), in his initial we mentioned earlier and was also such as when considering why, some answer, reads verse 63 in a broader known as 'Metzudat David'. generations later, the Aron Hab’rit context. He quotes the Midrash Sifri, Malbim writes that the tribe of (the Ark of the Covenant) from the which states that Yehoshua refrained Yehuda tried to conquer Jerusalem Mishkan (Tabernacle) was stored for from conquering Jerusalem due to initially – perhaps understanding a significant period at Kiryat Yearim the oath that Avraham had made that the imperative for this conquest (see 1 Samuel, ch.7). centuries earlier with Avimelech, overrode the oath with Avimelech - In broad terms, the chapter can king of Gerar, to deal kindly with but was not successful. be divided into the following three Avimelech’s descendants (Bereishit After Yehoshua’s passing, the sections: A. the general borders of 21:23-4). This group of people, tribe of Yehuda conquered the city, Yehuda, such as around the Dead although referred to as Yevusi, were, but not the stronghold, which only Sea; B. Further details, following on in fact Pelishtim (Philistines). There came into Yehuda’s hands when from chapter 14, of Calev’s inher- was a stronghold in Jerusalem, later King David establisheds Jerusalem itance of Hebron and its environs; C. known as Migdal David (David’s as his capital (2 Samuel, ch.5). This More specific details of the towns in Tower), which they called the Yevusi. explains why the stronghold is later each of the regions of Yehuda, such Radak (Rabbi David Kimchi, 1160- known as ‘Metzudat David’. Malbim as Eshtaol in the Shefeila region. To- 1235), suggests that Yevusi was the thereby reconciles the two verses. day, a town of that name is situated name of one particular Philistine man These approaches, cross-referenc- close to Beit Shemesh. and his family who lived in Jerusa- ing other books of the Tanach, shed Fascinatingly, Jerusalem is not lem. One of his descendants was light on why Jerusalem was not mentioned until the final verse of Aravna, who sold the Temple Mount conquered initially. please contact [email protected] for zoom details