Apr 16
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TWO TYPES OF QUESTIONS
At the end of Torah portion Beha’alotcha, Miriam is punished for speaking lashon hara (lit. “evil tongue”) about Moses. Looking at what she actually says, it doesn’t seem that outrageous. She simply asks a question relating to Moses’ separation from his wife Ziporah so that he can retain a state of ritual purity before receiving prophecy. Miriam is herself a prophet and does not separate from her husband, so in conversation with Aaron she asks, “Has the Lord spoken only to Moses? Hasn’t he spoken to us too?” (Num. 12:2). Is that not a reasonable question?
Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler (1892-1953) explains that there are two types of questions. One is asked out of a genuine desire to learn the answer. The other is asked as a negative insinuation; the questioner isn’t curious but rather wants to express his or her own disapproval. In this case, Miriam doesn’t ask out of innocent curiosity but rather to show her concern that Moses is neglecting his wife. Her intentions may be good, but her speech isn’t necessary or helpful, and she is punished with the skin disease tzaraas and separated from the camp for seven days. This may seem like an overly harsh punishment, but because of Miriam’s elevated level of righteousness and position of great influence, she is held to a higher standard. “For whom the Lord loves, he rebukes.” (Prov. 3:12)
Let us all take great care that everything we say is for the good!
Image: Zipporah, detail from Sandro Botticelli’s “Youth of Moses,” c. 1480
The keruvim had bodies like birds, and faces like children. From where is the association with children derived? “Keruvim” is derived from “Ke-ravya” (childlike), as in Babylonian Aramaic one called a child “ravya,” (R. Abbahu’s philology, Sukkah 5b).
The sages teach that when the Jewish people did not live well, the keruvim turned away from each other. But when the people lived well, the keruvim gazed at each other like two lovers. The Ba’al Haturim says: like chavruta locked in eternal makhloket. The image of partners endlessly quarreling over words of Torah bears a wholly positive connotation which does not at all contradict the image of two lovers.
Lux keeping me company for parashat Noah
GIFTS FROM THE HEART
This week’s Torah portion, Vayikra, begins the Biblical book of the same name (English: Leviticus.) The Torah’s description of different types of korbanot (sacrificial offerings) in parsha Vayikra begins with with freewill offerings - those that are brought voluntarily - and continues with obligatory offerings. This seems counterintuitive. Wouldn’t it make more sense to first explain what offerings the Jewish people are obligated to bring, before enumerating the seemingly less important voluntary offerings?
The order of offerings listed makes sense when we understand why God wants us to make offerings in the first place. The all-powerful Creator of the Universe doesn’t NEED our burnt sacrifices or anything else from us. He does WANT something from us: our devotion. The Lubavitcher Rebbe says, “the most crucial aspect of all offerings is that they be offered from a genuine desire to come closer to God.”
Voluntary offerings are brought by one whose “heart’s intent is for the sake of heaven.” They are listed first to teach us the importance of intentionality in bringing sacrifices. We serve God not just out of obligation but out of love. And that love for our Creator must come before all else.
Image: Book of Leviticus Initial-word panel, by scribe Solomon ben Isaac, Germany 14th c.
Accidental Talmudist
THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION
Parashat Ki Tavo: Deuteronomy 26:1 - 29:8
In this Torah portion, Moses instructs the Israelites regarding the first fruit offering. Moses then lists the blessings the people will enjoy if they keep the commandments, and the punishments they will suffer for disobeying them.
MORE TORAH
THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION
Parashat Nasso: Spritual Flow
The figure of the nazirite — introduced in this week's parashah — is perplexing, and our tradition has wrestled with its implications.