Be-Midbar (Numbers) Parasha Summaries
Be-Midbar
Summary: The first portion of the Book of Bemidbar is the same as the name of the book, (like the first parasha of each of the five books). It begins with a census of the adult men of each tribe, and a description of the order of the Israelite camp by tribes. The descendants of Levi are not included with the others, as they are responsible for the Mishkan, and thus have a special status within the nation. Within the tribe of Levi, the family of Kohath have certain unique duties pertaining to the vessels in the Mishkan.
Naso
Summary: Parashat Naso continues the description of the duties of the priests, detailing the three types of ritual impurity which could contaminate the camp. It continues with procedures for the suspected adulteress and the Nazir, a person who has taken special vows of dedication to God. Then the heads of the tribes bring gifts for the dedication of the Mishkan (compare this section to Parashat Va-Yakhel). The very last verse has Moshe hearing the Voice of God in the Ohel Moed, or "Tent of Meeting" at the heart of the Mishkan. This parasha includes the text of the Priestly blessing (Num. 6:22). Recently, a silver amulet dating from the 7th C. BCE was found in Jerusalem excavations. It is the oldest biblical inscription that predates the Babylonian exile.
Beha'alotecha
Summary: The Israelites have been out of Egypt for two years and are well into their daily experience of wandering in the Wilderness. This week's parasha gives an interesting blend of the ritual and personal concerns of the people. First, we read that Aaron is instructed to light the Menorah, and its construction is reviewed. The portion then continues with a description of the dedication of the Levites as assistants to the priests. The celebration of the second Pesach (Passover) is recounted, but with an interesting twist: some people can't bring the required sacrificial offering, due to ritual impurity, so God gives them a second chance a month later, with the introduction of Pesach Sheini. Then, the movements of the Pillar of Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night are explained, indicating God's presence among the people and the nature of divine leadership in the wilderness. As the central story of this portion, the Israelites take to complaining about the lack of variety in their diet. They are provided with Manna from heaven, but this is not enough - they want meat! Even though God is angered by the people's impudence, God agrees to satisfy the people's craving for meat and sends flocks of quail. To make a graphic point, God sends so much meat that it comes out the people's nostrils! Next, Moses expresses frustration as the leader of a difficult people. To help, Moses is instructed by God to appoint 70 Elders to help him govern and judge the nation. The Elders are divinely confirmed and given the gift of prophecy. In a final episode of dissention, Moses's own brother Aaron and sister Miriam speak slander against Moses. As a result, Miriam is stricken with Tzara'at, a scaly skin affliction, and is sent out of the camp. Moses pleads with God to heal her.
Shlach Lecha
Summary: The cycle of complaining continues, as this week's parashah presents us with some of the most complex stories in the Torah. Approaching the Land of Israel, Moses sends 12 scouts ahead to reconnoiter the Land. The scouts return with outrageous stories and samples of the extraordinary fruit that grows in this good land. However, ten of the twelve scouts also give a discouraging report, indicating their lack of faith that they can conquer the Land. Only Joshua and Caleb are encouraging. Always fickle, the people accept that it will be too difficult to possess the Promised Land. They express their desire to return to slavery in Egypt. Angered by their lack of faith, God wants to destroy the people, but Moses successfully persuades God to relent. Instead, God decides to lengthen the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness to 40 years, one year for each day the scouts were in the Land. Now, none of the faithless generation of the Exodus will enter the Land. The parasha continues with laws about various kinds of sacrifices which will take effect when they are settled in the Land. We then read about another strange little event: a man transgresses the Sabbath by gathering sticks. The final paragraph of the parasha contains the commandment to attach tzitzit (fringes) to the corners of one's clothing.
Korach
Summary: In this week's parasha, complaints and rebellions reach a dangerous high, threatening to destroy the unity of the Israelite people. A man named Korach, along with his followers Dattan, Aviram and 250 others, challenge Moses' and Aaron's leadership. Korach has powerful arguments, to which Moses realizes he must respond. Moses sets the next day for a dramatic test. When Korach refuses to stay his rebellion, this test demonstrates that Moses and Aaron are in fact God's choice to lead the people. Korach, Datan, and Aviram, along with their entire families, are swallowed up by the earth, and the 250 other men are consumed by a heavenly fire. Seeing this, a riot breaks out among the people. A plague is sent as a punishment against the rebellious people. Aaron intervenes and stops it, but not before thousands of people perish. At the end of the portion, the duties of the priests and Levites are clarified. Also laws are stated which specify that the first fruits of plants, animals, and human beings are to be dedicated to God.
Chukat
Summary: In this parasha, Chukat, we find an overwhelming concern with death. At the beginning we find the mysterious laws of the Red Heifer, a very rare animal which is burnt in a special fire outside the camp. Its ashes are then used to ritually purify those who have become impure due to contact with a dead body. The portion then jumps 38 years to the end of the Israelites' wandering in the desert. We read the brief description of the death of Miriam, the prophetess who was the older sister of Moses and Aaron, and then an incident about the people's need for water. These two events are in fact connected by the Rabbis, who notice that stories with Miriam are always associated with water. The people complain about thirst, and Moses is instructed by God to speak to a rock, which will then produce water. Seemingly frustrated and saddened by his sister's death, Moses strikes the rock instead of speaking to it. Water does flow, but Moses is chastized by God for his lack of trust, and he is told that he will not be allowed to lead the people into the Promised Land. We then read of Aaron's death, and the people's mourning for him for thirty days. The portion ends describing a number of battles the Israelites must fight as they travel through the wilderness.
Balak
Summary: Parashat Balak contains one of the most fully developed stories in the entire Torah. The story is really about Bilaam, a prophet who is hired to curse the Israelites by Balak, the Moabite king. Having heard the tales of their other battles, Balak perceives Israel as a threat. God makes it clear to Bilaam that he is not to curse Israel, whom God has blessed. But, after a number of approaches, Balak makes Bilaam an offer he cannot refuse. God permits Bilaam to go, but only with the knowledge that Bilaam will have no control over the words that will come out of his own mouth. On his way to curse Israel, Bilaam's donkey stops and refuses to move. The donkey can see an angel blocking the way which the man cannot see. A conversation results between man and donkey, one of only two talking animals in the Bible (ten points to anyone who knows the other!). Finally, Bilaam reaches his destination and opens his mouth to curse Israel. But instead of curses, words of blessing are spoken. This blessing Mah Tovu is now part of the daily morning service. At the end of the parasha, the Israelites get in trouble by consorting with foreign women and worshipping a foreign deity. Pinchas, Aaron's grandson, known as a great zealot, appeases God's anger over this idolatry by killing an Israelite who was flaunting his salacious activities with a Midianite woman.
Pinchas
Summary: This week's portion continues the controversial story of Pinchas, which began at the end of last week's parasha. In a climate of rampant idolatry, Pinchas, a grandson of Aharon who is known as a great zealot, takes a spear and stabs through an Israelite Chieftain who was in the act of consorting with the daughter of a Midianite priest. At the beginning of this week's parasha which bears his name, Pinchas is rewarded with the inheritance of the priestly line, which began with Aaron. The portion continues with a description of Israel's struggles with the Midianites, and then a census is taken as part of the preparation for battle. As a footnote to the listing of the census, a story is told about a man named Zelophechad who died of natural causes in the wilderness without leaving a son. His five daughters come to Moses to complain that their family would lose their father's property because daughters are not allowed to inherit. Moses consults with God, who agrees that the laws need to be changed. Joshua is formally appointed as Moses' successor, and the portion concludes with a review of all the sacrificial offerings of the festivals.
Matot
Summary: Matot begins with a detailed presentation of the laws pertaining to vows and oaths. Next, Moses is instructed to "take revenge" against the Midianites, and there is a long report on Israel's terrible battle against Midian. In the aftermath of the war, Moses reminds the soldiers about tumah - the laws of ritual impurity - and deals with the division of booty between the soldiers, the community and the Mishkan. Next, Moses is approached by the tribes of Reuven and Gad, asking to be apportioned some land on the east side of the Jordan River. At first, Moses is annoyed by this request, but he then relents as long as they agree to continue to fight with the rest of Israel to conquer the land of Israel.
Masei
Summary: In the final parasha of the book of Numbers, Masei, Israel stands on the banks of the Jordan River, ready to enter into the Promised Land. First, the path of their journey is reviewed and then the laws pertaining to the division of the Land are given. The boundaries of the Land of Israel are described and instructions are given to establish cities for the Levites as well as Arei Miklat, Cities of Refuge. The book of Numbers concludes with a review of prohibitions against intermarriage and an affirmation of the claim of the daughters of Zelophechad, whom we met in Parashat Pinchas.
