#32 — Parshat Behaalotecha
Numbers 8:1- 12:16
Overview
Aaron is told that seven lamps should give light at the front of the golden Menorah (Numbers 8:1-4).
Instructions are also given for the purification of the Levites so they can be the atoning representatives of Israel’s firstborn (Number 8:5-22). Their active duty is from 25 to 50 years old (Numbers 8:23-26).
The absolute importance to keep Passover is underscored (Numbers 9:1-14). Only after that commemoration may Israel set out from Mount Sinai!
In preparation of Israel’s departure we are told how the cloud which was over the tabernacle indicated when Israel had to set out or to remain (Numbers 9:15-23). Two silver trumpets had to be made for signaling and a reminding prayer before G-d (Numbers 10:1-10).
Then the thousands of Israel set out, tribe by tribe (Numbers 10:11-28). Hobab is asked to join as a scout (Numbers 10:29-32). But more importantly, the invincible presence of the L-RD goes out before Israel (Numbers 10:33-36).
But things start to go downhill after this...
Three times in the rest of the parsha the L-RD’s anger is kindled (Numbers 11:1,10 and 12:9). Twice against Israel’s rebellious discontentedness, and the third time against Miriam and Aaron, who question Moses' special position (Numbers 12:1-16).
The L-RD provides masses of quail for the Israelites but there is also deadly judgment (Numbers 11:18-20).
Moses is (understandably) seriously displeased, and then discouraged and lacking in faith (Numbers 11:10-15, 21-23). But the L-RD gives seventy elders as a help for Moses (Numbers 11:16-17, 24-25) and vindicates him (Numbers 12:2-9).
In the end we see Moses at his best, as he shines in his humility and in his special position of mediator (Numbers 11:2, 12:2, 5-16).
The fulfillment of the wish of Moses
A painful riddle
How can things go downhill so fast? In Parshat Behaalotecha(and the next parshas) we are confronted with a painful riddle: How can things go so wrong? Even when G-d is present, even after a glorious revelation of G-d’s holiness at Mount Sinai, and even after they have been warned, how can things go so wrong?
The Scriptures have space for legitimate laments. But the laments of discontent in our parsha have something grotesque and evil about them. The L-RD demonstrated His power and might clearly. He is very close and His provision is a constant reliable factor. Why are the people discontented?
Is the rabble to blame?
First the complaints come from the people in general (Numbers 11:1), but then they start again among “the rabble that was among them” (Numbers 11:4a). This might be a reference to gentiles who joined the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12:38). [But let’s beware of blame-shifting as a cheap way to solve the riddle. Even if the spark came from the rabble, there is enough fuel for this negative fire in the hearts of the Israelites themselves (Numbers 11:4b).]
Craving for instant satisfaction?
Our parsha points out the cause of the complaints as strong cravings for the diversity of food that was freely available in Egypt. But that in itself still doesn’t fully answer the riddle.
After all, they are on the way to the Promised Land, flowing with milk and honey. A rich and diverse dinner is waiting for them. And on the way, they are fed with manna: a divinely-provided healthy diet for the journey (Numbers 11:7-9).
The heart problem
A desire for instant satisfaction can blind us. But why is it, that it can overpower us so easily and in such an irrational way? These cravings are just a symptom, not the cause of the disease. What is at the root of this?
The source of this irrational short sightedness is rejection of G-d:
“You have rejected the L-RD who is among you
and have wept before him, saying,
“Why did we come out of Egypt?” (Numbers 11:20).
There is a deep disease of distrust of G-d in the human heart which even the glorious revelation at Mount Sinai couldn’t heal. Or in Jeremiah’s words:
The heart is deceitful above all things
and desperately sick;
who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
The desire of Moses
The sadness of the situation brings Moses to a near breaking point (11:10-15). In this context even Moses’ trust in the power of G-d wavers (Numbers 11:21-22).
The L-RD however, gives seventy elders to share the burden of the people with Moses. The Spirit that is on Moses also comes on them. And they start to prophesy, albeit for a short time (11:16-17, 24-25).
For some reason, two of the seventy elders, Eldad and Medad, are not together with the others. They prophesy in the camp and they keep prophesying.
Joshua the son of Nun thinks they have to stop, but not so Moses. He rather wants more prophets not fewer. He says, “Would that all the L-RD’s people were prophets, that the L-RD would put his Spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:29).
Moses understands the solution for the rebellious human heart: the Spirit of the L-RD!
G-d’s promise
As we keep reading the Tanakh, we find G-d promises to give exactly that solution: He will pour out His Spirit on His people and change their hearts (Isaiah 44:3-5, Ezekiel 36:25-28).
Here is what we read in the prophet Joel:
And it shall come to pass afterwards, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.
(Joel 2:28-29)
The New Covenant
In Scripture we see this healing of the human heart by G-d’s spirit will come about through the New Covenant which the Messiah would establish (Isaiah 42:6, 49:8, Jeremiah 31:31-34). This healing is at the center of the hope of the Torah and the entire Tanakh.
One day Israel will fully participate in this covenant of heart renewal as a people. But now, we can already participate on a personal level. In the time of the Second Temple, the Messiah came to initiate this New Covenant. While rejected by many (Isaiah 53:3), Jesus the Messiah offered Himself as a sacrifice to make a way for our hearts to be renewed.
When we put our trust in Messiah’s sacrifice for us, the Holy Spirit pours the love of G-d out in our hearts (Romans 5:5). That’s how the healing of our distrust truly starts.
Haftarah reading Zechariah 2:10-4:7
The cleansing of Joshua the high priest and more to come…
A shocking picture
In our parsha we read about the cleansing from sin of the Levites. In our haftarah reading we also get a picture of cleansing from sin.
The haftarah starts with a promise of G-d’s renewed presence in the midst of His people (Zechariah 2:10-12). Then Zechariah sees Joshua the high priest, who is Israel’s representative before G-d. But the high priest is in shocking condition! Joshua’s clothes are covered with stinking sewage!
This excrement symbolizes Israel’s sins. Satan is accusing Joshua. He seems to have all the grounds to do so (Zechariah 3:1,3).
Intervention
Then the Angel of the L-RD intervenes. Satan is rebuked. Jerusalem still will be chosen and Joshua gets new clean clothes. The Angel of the L-RD says, “See I have taken your iniquity away from you” (Zechariah 3:2, 4-5).
It is a beautiful message of a new start for Israel after the Babylonian exile. But wait, there is still more…!
A picture of more to come
The brand-new start for Joshua and his friends is also a preview of more special things to come. The L-RD attaches two messages to it. First, “I am bringing my servant the Branch”; that is, a promise of the coming of the Messiah. And second, immediately connected with it, “I will remove the iniquity of the land in one day” (Zechariah 3:8-9).
The day of that promise is actually the day on which the wish of Moses will be fulfilled: “Would that all the L-RD’s people were prophets, that the L-RD would put his Spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:29).
Because on that day the L-RD will pour out his Spirit on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. On that day they will look to the L-RD, and recognize Him as the Messiah whom they pierced (Zechariah 12:10).
It will be a day of deep national repentance (Zechariah 12:10-14) and cleansing…because the L-RD says:
“In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity” (Zechariah 13:1).