Torah Tidbit
Behaalosecha (you kindle/light, as in this case the menorah), Numbers 8:1 – 12:16
Aaron lights the menorah, the Levites are dedicated to service, the second passover festival, the Israelites pack up and move from Sinai, Moses begs Jethro to stay with them, the Sanhedrin are first appointed, fire and quail in the camp, God calls Miriam and Aaron on the carpet for gossiping – it’s all there in this parashah.
Moses selects, upon God’s urging, seventy elders and appoints them to assist Moses with his numerous tasks. When appointed, some of Moses spirit rests on them, causing them to briefly become prophets like Moses. When two other elders who remained in the camp also prophesied, Joshua ran and told Moses to make them stop. Moses immediately reprimanded Joshua, “Are you being zealous for my sake? If only all the people of God could be prophets, if God would but place His spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:24-29)
Walking the Walk
Moses expressed his ultimate goal as teacher and leader – that all the people of Israel, regardless of social position, are so vibrantly connected and relating to God that they no longer need teachers and leaders! When the teachers keep this ultimate goal in mind, the typical dividing wall is broken down between intellectuals and lower classes, between clergy and laity (S.R. Hirsch). The teacher also becomes acutely aware of he is a student along with his pupils, ever learning, ever growing with them.
We can apply that attitude every day as we interact with others. Too often we become smug and complacent with our knowledge, thinking we have it all figured out. But if God is bringing every moment to us as a unique experience, hand-crafted for us to learn and grow from, then we should be vigilant for nuggets of truth and inspiration from those we interact with. As King David said, “…from all my teachers I grew wise.” Knowing these things, David said that anyone he encountered could provide him with miniature lessons, in essence becoming his teacher.
So perk up this week! Start listening more with an open mind to what is being brought to your attention!