Parashat Beha’alot’kha
Sivan 21, 5783 / June 9-10, 2023
Torah: Numbers 8:1 - 12:16
Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14 - 4:7
Sivan 21, 5783 / June 9-10, 2023
Torah: Numbers 8:1 - 12:16
Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14 - 4:7
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This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Chanah Bella bat Kreina and Devorah bat Feigel.
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
------------------------------------------------------THE ZEALOUS MODERATE
“Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.’ And Aaron did so: he set up its lamps in front of the lampstand, as the Lord commanded Moses.” Numbers 8:1-3
Hatam Sofer (R. Moses Schreiber, 1762 – 1839): “The Talmud (BT Megillah 21) says that the middle lamp is the most praiseworthy. This teaches that each person should adopt the middle course. People should not veer too far to the left or right, being excessively lax or excessively pious. (See Rambam’s Shemonah Perakim and Hilchot De’ot, and his discussion of the beinoni - the moderate personality – RAF) However, ‘Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the holiest things.’ (1 Chronicles 23:13) Didn’t that separation mark a deviation from the middle path? Therefore, we are told, ‘And Aaron did so.’ This teaches us that even after God had separated out Aaron, nevertheless he did not change, and he continued to follow the middle path.”
Despite his great ritual power and influence, Aaron remains the model of
moderation. However, according to our tradition, there is one area in which
Aaron was a zealot – he was a rodef shalom, an active pursuer of peace.
The Aggadah (Avot D’Rebbi Natan) describes Aaron’s efforts in ending quarrels
between people. Also, "Hillel would say: Be of the disciples of Aaron – a
lover of peace, a pursuer of peace …" (Pirkei Avot 1:12).
This idea of pursuing peace comes from "Who is the person that desires life, and loves days, to see good therein? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile. Banish evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." (Psalms 34:13-15).
The “pursuit” of peace implies action. This is much more difficult than sitting back and lobbing verbal or written potshots at people with whom we disagree and seeking to assign blame – especially when it comes to people with whom we are fighting. Don’t claim to desire peace if you are not actively pursuing it. Be zealous for peace – like the moderate Aaron.
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Lunch and Learn meets Tuesdays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live.
We're continuing to read and discuss the Midrashic collection Ein Ya'akov.
On June 13, we'll be at BT Shabbat 88a, page 165 of Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) Volume 1 - "...ת'ש דתניא בסדר עולם" - "Come and learn! We are taught in Sedar Olam...”
Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:
https://hebrewbooks.org/9630
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria:
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents
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Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/
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Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at:
https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/
Dr. Steve Pearlman writes up the "Midrashim of the Week", which you should read at:
https://midrashsrp.wordpress.com
Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:
https://hebrewbooks.org/9630
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria:
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/
----------------------------------------------------------------
Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at:
https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/
Dr. Steve Pearlman writes up the "Midrashim of the Week", which you should read at:
https://midrashsrp.wordpress.com
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
------------------------------------------------------
“Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.’ And Aaron did so: he set up its lamps in front of the lampstand, as the Lord commanded Moses.” Numbers 8:1-3
Hatam Sofer (R. Moses Schreiber, 1762 – 1839): “The Talmud (BT Megillah 21) says that the middle lamp is the most praiseworthy. This teaches that each person should adopt the middle course. People should not veer too far to the left or right, being excessively lax or excessively pious. (See Rambam’s Shemonah Perakim and Hilchot De’ot, and his discussion of the beinoni - the moderate personality – RAF) However, ‘Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the holiest things.’ (1 Chronicles 23:13) Didn’t that separation mark a deviation from the middle path? Therefore, we are told, ‘And Aaron did so.’ This teaches us that even after God had separated out Aaron, nevertheless he did not change, and he continued to follow the middle path.”
The Menorah and the Altar of Incense - A print from the Phillip Medhurst Collection at St. George's Court, Kidderminster
This idea of pursuing peace comes from "Who is the person that desires life, and loves days, to see good therein? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile. Banish evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." (Psalms 34:13-15).
The “pursuit” of peace implies action. This is much more difficult than sitting back and lobbing verbal or written potshots at people with whom we disagree and seeking to assign blame – especially when it comes to people with whom we are fighting. Don’t claim to desire peace if you are not actively pursuing it. Be zealous for peace – like the moderate Aaron.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Rabbi Emeritus, Temple B'nai Hayim
הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם ?אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם
Who is wise? The one who learns from every person.
Ben Zoma - Pirkei Avot 4:1------------------------------------------------------
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