Parshas B'haaloscha basically contains three themes. It starts with the commandment on the cohanim to light the menorah which is a continuation of the establishment of the Temple, as is the investiture of the Levi'im as a sacred tribe. It contains the mitzvah to observe a make-up Passover seder if one was unable to properly observe the first one on the appropriate date, which is a continuation of the giving of the law. It also continues the theme of the preparations for entry into the Promised Land which was started with the census of draft age men which is the first topic in the book of Numbers.
Entry into the Holy Land is intertwined with misdeeds of the people of Israel in the desert. The story starts when the cloud of glory, symbolizing the presence of God, began to travel. Moshe rabenu, sounds the trumpet for the people to go on a journey. The tribes properly march and the tabernacle is properly packed. After that the problems start. Jethro, the high priest of Midian, who is Moshe's father in law decides to return to his nation. Moshe tries to persuade him to stay saying that he is needed as a guide in the wilderness and he will share in the good fortune of Israel, but his attempts are not successful. Next the people start whining that the manna is no good even though it is fine. After that Miriam and Aharon berate Moshe.
All three of these mishaps have aspects of rejection of the land of Israel, and what follows immediately in parshas Shelach is the incident of the spies in which the nation explicitly rejects the Holy Land. Yisro openly chooses to return to Midian and not enter the land of Israel. In the case of the manna it is more subtle. The taste of the manna was an expression of the soul, and one of the key aspects of the land of Israel is that it puts a person in touch with his soul.
In the case of what is often called the "loshen hara" or Miriam, objects that Moshe separated himself from his wife Zipporah. She questions its necessity as she and Aaron also talk to God and they were not called upon to do this as well. HaKadosh baruch Hu reacts with anger; not because of the basic topic, rather because they did not fear Moshe. The idea is that Moshe is the chosen, trusted servant of the Almighty, and that one should be concerned about the treatment of the servant of the king, lest they offend the king himself.
An aspect of the land of Israel is greater revelation of Hashem. Plus the land of Israel is more associated with Hashem and often called His country, therefore He is more meticulous about human conduct there. As a result there is greater concern about keeping his mitzvahs, and greater concern about reward and punishment. When approaching Israel from outside these ideas become more greatly illuminated causing a confrontation with truth and a confrontation with self.
Outside of Israel a person can be a proud Jew and careful about keeping the mitzvahs, but nevertheless harbor some desires to leave the fold. They may think the mitzvahs are cute and they love them but they can stop doing them if it suits them. Coming face to face with Israel drives home the idea that mitzvahs are an inescapable obligation and indeed that is what a Jew's life is all about. In addition it is going to be like that for all generations. For some that is a beautiful idea. However for others even great leaders, it may cause them to stumble.
Deep down inside the Jews is the feeling that the land of Israel is priceless everlasting heritage. Perhaps the easiest part of making aliya is getting on the plane. However the emotional barriers to coming with a one way ticket may be quite considerable. Parshas Bechukosai comes to reveal the feelings we should expect and overcome on out way to our destiny in the Promised land.
לע"נ האמא מלכה בת חיים ז"ל נלב"ע טז ניסן תשנ"ח
העלון ניתן לקבל בדואר אלקטרוני וגם באתר http://dyschreiber.blogspot.com
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