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The Order of the Tribal Princes Offerings Cont’d Continuing with the order of the princes who brought daily offerings (see yesterday’s aliya for details on what these offerings consisted of: On the sixth day, Eliasaph the son of Deuel of the tribe of Gad On the seventh day, Elishama the son of Ammihud of theContinue reading “Nasso, 6th Aliya”

The Completion of the Mishkan and the Gifts and Offerings of the Princes The Completion of the Mishkan On the day that Moshe finished* erecting the Mishkan he anointed and sanctified it together with its utensils as well the altar and its utensils. *Side note: The word used in Hebrew for “finished” here is כַּלּוֹתContinue reading “Nasso, 5th Aliya”

The Sotah. The Nazarite. The Priestly Blessing. The Sotah. G-d tells Moshe to relate the following to the Israelites concerning a married woman who is suspected of having relations with a man who is not her husband*. *Side note: Rashi points out that the reason for the juxtaposition of this section to the previous oneContinue reading “Nasso, 4th Aliya”

Banishment from Camps. Restitution for Robbery. Terumah. Banishment from Camps due to Afflictions On the first of Nissan*, on the day that the Mishkan is erected, G-d tells Moshe to command the Israelites to send anyone who has any of the following afflictions away from the camps so as not to make anyone from theirContinue reading “Nasso, 3rd Aliya”

The Levite Census Results The Gershonite family was under the authority of Aaron’s son Ithamar. The Merarite Family Moshe is similarly to take a census of the male Levite descendants of Merari who are between the ages of 30-50. The Merarite family was given the responsibility to carry: The planks, bars, pillars and sockets ofContinue reading “Nasso, 2nd Aliya”

The Gershonite Family G-d tells Moshe to take a census of the Levite men aged 30-50 who descend from Gershon just has he did with the descendants of Kohath (see last week’s parsha). The Gershonite family were entrusted with the job of carrying: The 10 lower panels of the Mishkan cover (made out of goatContinue reading “Nasso, 1st Aliya”

The Sons of Kohath G-d tells Moshe to take a second census of the Levites, this time counting males between the ages of 30-50. These were the ages which would make them “fit for carrying”. It is from here that we learn the idea that a man does not reach full strength until he reachesContinue reading “Bamidbar, 7th Aliya”

Redemption of Firstborns G-d tells Moshe to count all of the firstborn male Israelites who are one month of age or older* and to take a census of their names. *Side note: Again, like yesterday, because only after 30 days of being alive is a baby considered “viable”. G-d says that the Levites will serveContinue reading “Bamidbar, 6th Aliya”

The Levite Census G-d tells Moshe to count the Levites. This census should include any male who is one month of age or older*. *Side note: Infants under the age of one month are in a category called nephalim, not fully viable. An infant is not presumed viable until it has lived for 30 days.Continue reading “Bamidbar, 5th Aliya”

Kohanim and Levites The Chumash now lists Aaron’s sons. Chumash calls them the offspring of “Aaron and Moshe” since Moshe taught them Torah and as stated in Sanheidrin 19b, whoever teaches one’s friend’s son Torah it is as if he gave birth to him. The sons of Aaron were: Nadav (the firstborn), Avihu, Elazar andContinue reading “Bamidbar, 4th Aliya”