Parsha Nasso Torah Thoughts

Torah Thoughts             Parsha Nasso

Sivan 8 & 9, 5773   May 17 & 18, 2013

The Torah portion Nasso enlightens us about the offerings that each of the princes of the twelve tribes offered on the twelve days of the Inauguration of the Tabernacle in the wilderness.   An inevitable question arises- why are each of their offerings repeated since they are Identical? The Torah could have just revealed that each of these twelve princes on the twelve days offered the following offering. Why the need to repeat it in detail? The Torah, which is brief and succinct in style, the Torah, from which we learn basic laws of shabbat and the holidays from an extra letter here and there- why did It spend so much time repeating each of the offerings of the princes?

What’s more, why in this Torah portion do we have such subjects confessing sins when the princes bring an offering to the Temple, which a Kohen supervises, after they have acted treacherously toward G-D!?  Why do we learn about the wayward wife, who goes through the ritual of drinking the bitter waters if she wants to preserve her marriage, because otherwise, she could just get a divorce, again supervised by a Kohen? Then we see a person who does not come into contact with the deceased or cut his hair, drink wine.  The after a period, is willing to participate in a ceremony led by a Kohen.  Then there are blessings!   Seems strange of sorts that the 2 different happenings are in the same portion? 

The reason each prince’s offering is mentioned over and over and over……is to teach us that we all know the level to which we can be reached.  Every individual must strive to reach this level in his or her own manner.  Appearance may seem similar, but it is not, or so it may appear, and one’s interpretation comes into play here.

The same goes for individuals. Individuals, to obtain the same level, many times have to go through all sorts of different efforts. Some can perform mensch-like acts in certain areas very easily, while others in these same areas find being a mensch almost Impossible. Some people have high libido, and some have a low libido. Some people have a natural tendency to give; others have a miserly nature to take.

The Torah is teaching us that we all, regardless of our abilities and skills, must aspire to the same level. That's why it is so important that we look at each child individually, to get to the same place, everyone has to work differently. In many schools, educators try to fit square pegs into round holes. Different children respond in different ways, and we have to try all sorts of methods so children learn to read, etc. Not everybody is the same.  To get them up to the same level is a difficult job. Teachers should never give up on children, but, rather, learn what works with one will not work with another. So, to motivate a child and to teach a child requires altogether different methods for each child.

The Kohen play an important part.  They help restore broken relations and regain one’s self-esteem!  They also assist in the blessings and setting standards there of…….What is one’s expectation of blessing?  Time for all of us to look inward, really inward deeply.  The Kohen really plays a dual role; one that sets the bar and aspirations, and to help us reach THAT BAR AND ASPRATIONS.

Each of us must reach a certain level, but should not fool ourselves.  We should not settle for anything less, and always honestly strive for our own best!

Shabbat Shalom and Good Shabbos.

-Amen-