Parshas Behalosecha

Pesukim: 136 [Siman: מהללאל]

Haftorah: Zecharya 2:14-4:7

The Mitzvos: There are a total of five Mitzvos in Parshas Behaloscha. Three positive commands, and two negative commands.   A. The positive commands: 1. Mitzvah 380; Positive 151: For anyone who was unable to bring the Karban Pesach before Pesach to perform the Pesach Sheiyni on the 14th of Iyar 2. Mitzvah 381; Positive 152: For those obligated in the Pesach Sheiyni to eat it’s meat with Matzah and Maror. 3. Mitzvah 384; Positive 153: To blow trumpets daily in the Temple, and during times of suffering.   B. The Negative commands: 1. Mitzvah 382; Negative 230: The prohibition to leave any leftovers from the meat of the Pesach Sheiyni. 2. Mitzvah 383; Negative 231: The prohibition to break the bones of the Pesach Sheiyni sacrifice.

Rishon

1. The Menorah:

• Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: Tell Aaron that the seven candles of the Menorah are to be lit facing towards the Menorah. Aaron did as Moshe instructed. The Menorah was made of a pure block of gold, as Hashem showed Moshe.

2. The inauguration process for the Levites:

• Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: Take the Levites for Hashem from amongst the Jewish people. Purify them through sprinkling on them purification waters and shaving all their hair off their skin. They are to immerse their garments and then become pure.
• Their Karban: They are to take a young bull [as an Olah] and its Mincha of flour mixed with oil, and a second young bull as a Chatas.
• Semicha to the Levites: All the Levites, together with all the Jewish people, are to be brought before the Ohel Moed, and the Jewish people will lean their hands on the Levites.
• Waving: Aaron will wave the Levites before Hashem and they shall perform their service.
• Semicha to the animals: The Levites shall rest their hands on the heads of the bulls, and one is to be offered as a Chatas while the second as an Olah.

 

 Sheiyni

• After the above process is complete the Levites shall serve in the Ohel Moed as the representatives of Bnei Yisrael, having been redeemed in exchange for the firstborns, and given to the Kohanim.
• Moshe, Aaron and the Jewish people did to the Levites as they were instructed, and the Levites were purified, had their clothing immersed, and were waved.

3. The years of service of the Levites:

• The Levites are to serve in the service of the Ohel Moed beginning from 25 years of age until 50 years of age. They are to retire from this service at age 50 but they shall serve as a safeguard in the Ohel Moed.

 

Shelishi

4. The Karban Pesach in the desert:

• Hashem spoke to Moshe in the Sinai desert, on the first month of the second year after the exodus saying that the Jewish people shall perform the Pesach sacrifice on time, in the afternoon of the 14^th day of this month according to all its laws.
• The Jewish people did as they were instructed.

 

5. Pesach Sheiyni:

• The complaint: Certain individuals who were impure due to contact with a corpse came to Moshe complaining why they could not perform the Pesach sacrifice, and why they should miss out on this opportunity. Moshe brought their complaint to Hashem, to which Hashem replied with the following laws:
• Its laws: Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: Any man who is impure or a distance away [from the area of slaughter, i.e. Jerusalem, on the 14^th of Nissan] is to offer the Pesach sacrifice in the 2^nd month on the 14^th It is to be eaten with Matzah and Maror. It may not be leftover until morning, and its bones may not be broken.
• Transgressed and did not offer: One who is pure, and is not a distance away and still does not bring the Pesach sacrifice, is to be cut off from its nation.

Revi’i

6. The order of traveling in the desert:

• On the day the Mishkan was erected the cloud covered it. At night, a fire appeared on the Mishkan until the morning. The Jewish people would travel upon the cloud ascending from the Ohel, and they would encamp in the area where the cloud would settle. At times they remained encamped for many days and at times for only one day. They traveled and encamped according to the word of G-d.

7. Blowing the trumpets:

• Hashem spoke to Moshe saying that he should make two trumpets of pure silver to be used to gather the congregation, and to announce the time to travel.
• Signal for gathering: If you blow a Tekia using both of them, this is a sign for the congregation to gather by the entrance of the Ohel Moed. If you blow [a Tekia using] one trumpet, this is a sign for the tribal leaders to gather.
• Signal for traveling: If you blow a Teruah, short blasts, it is a sign for traveling. By the first Teruah, the eastern camp is to travel. By the second Teruah, the southern camp is to travel. The trumpets are to be blown by the Kohanim.
• Signal for G-d during war: During war against your enemies, a Teruah should be blown from the trumpets and Hashem will remember you and save you from your enemies.
• During Holidays: On days of joy and holidays and Rosh Chodesh you shall blow the Shofar during the sacrifices and it will be a remembrance for you before Hashem.

 

Chamishi

8. The travels of Bnei Yisrael:

• The date: On the 20^th day of the second month of the second year the cloud ascended from the Mishkan and the Jewish people traveled. The cloud rested in the Paran desert.
• The order of the travel: The first to travel was the camp of Yehuda, which included the tribes of Yissachar and Zevulun and their leaders. The Mishkan was then dismantled and the Gershon and Merari family carried the [tapestries and beams of the] Mishkan. The next camp to travel was the camp of Reuvein, which included the tribes of Shimon and Gad and their leaders. The Kehos family then traveled carrying the [vessels of the] Mikdash. The Mishkan was erected prior to their arrival. The next camp to travel was the camp of Ephraim, which included Menashe and Binyamin and their leaders. The final camp to travel was the camp of Dan, which included Asher and Naftali and their leaders.
• Yisro desires to leave: Moshe spoke to Chovav, his father in-law, and told him that they are traveling to the place that Hashem has promised them. Moshe asked Yisro to come along with them and he will be repaid with good. Yisro refused to go and said that he planned to return to his homeland. Moshe implored for him to remain with them and serve as an advisor as he has been until now.
• They traveled from the mountain of Hashem a journey of three days and the Aron of Hashem traveled with them to find them a resting place. The cloud of Hashem accompanied them during the day

 

Shishi

• Vayehi Binsoa: When the Aron traveled, Moshe would say “Arise Hashem and disperse your enemies and let those who hate you flee.” When the Aron rested, Moshe would say “Reside tranquilly Hashem, among the myriads of Jewish people.”

 

9. Fire breaks out in the Camp:

• The people complained in an evil way before G-d, and G-d heard and became angry. A fire shot forth from G-d and consumed those at the edge of the camp. The nation screamed to Moshe and Moshe spoke to Hashem and the fire subsided. That area was called Taveirah, as the fire of G-d consumed there.

 

10. The complaint for meat and the Slav birds:

• The lust for meat: The mixed multitude amongst the Jewish people lusted after meat, and they and the Jewish people cried and complained that they do not have meat. They said, “We remember the fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic that we ate in Mitzrayim for free and now all we have is the Mun before our eyes.”
• The Mun: The Mun was like a coriander seed and was the color of the Bedolach. The people would gather it and grind it in the mill, or mortar, and cook it into cakes. It tasted like dough kneaded with oil.
• Moshe is angered and confronts Hashem for help in the leadership: Moshe heard the people crying with their families by the entrances to their tent. Hashem became very angry and it was bad in the eyes of Moshe. Moshe turned to Hashem and complained as to why He has caused him evil by placing the entire burden of the nation on him, as if he has born them and must carry them in his bosom to the promised land. “From where do I have meat to give them all that they should complain to me. I can no longer carry the burden of this nation alone, and if this is your decision then please kill me and do not see my suffering.” Hashem said to Moshe that he should gather 70 elders of Israel and bring them to the Ohel Moed where they will receive from the spirit of Moshe and be able to carry the burden of the nation together with him.
• Hashem promises meat: Hashem instructed Moshe to tell the nation to prepare themselves tomorrow to eat meat, as you have cried to the ears of Hashem saying it was better off in Egypt where you had meat. You will have meat for thirty days until it comes out of your nostrils and become repulsive to you.
• Moshe does not believe Hashem: Moshe replied to Hashem that it is not possible to feed 600,000 souls in the desert for a full month. Even if you slaughter all the flock and cattle and fish it will not suffice them. Hashem chastised Moshe saying that the hand of G-d is not limited, and that he will see that Hashem’s word will be fulfilled.
• Moshe gathers the 70 elders and makes them leaders: Moshe left and informed the Jewish people of Hashem’s words. He gathered 70 elders and positioned them around the Ohel Moed. Hashem descended with a cloud and spoke to Moshe and He set aside from the spirit of Moshe onto the seventy elders. When this happened, they began to prophesize. Two people remained in the camp, one called Eldad and the second Meidad, and they prophesied there. A youth ran to inform Moshe that Eldad and Meidad were prophesying in the camp. Yehoshua told Moshe that he should finish off with them. Moshe, however, replied that there is no need to be zealous for his sake and if only Hashem would make them all prophets.

Shevi’i

• The Slav arrive: Hashem brought a wind that carried with it the Slav pheasant birds from the sea. They swarmed the camp for the distance of one day’s travel from each direction. They were approximately two Amos height from the ground. That entire day and night and next day the nation collected the Slav. The least that a person gathered was ten heaps worth of Slav. The [dead] birds were spread and piled throughout the camp. While the people ate the bird, while the meat was still in between their teeth, the wrath of Hashem smote them and many died. That area was named “Kivros Hataavah,” as in the area was buried the people who were craving.
• From Kivros Hatava the nation traveled to Chatzeiros.

11. Miriam and Aaron speak against Moshe:

• The slander: Miriam and Aaron spoke regarding the black woman that Moshe married saying that it is not only to him that Hashem speaks but also to them [and hence why is he celibate]. Hashem heard, and Moshe was the humblest man on earth.
• Hashem punishes Miriam with Tzaraas: Hashem suddenly appeared and summoned Moshe, Aaron and Miriam to come to the Ohel Moed. Hashem asked for Aaron and Miriam, and explained to them that Moshe is unlike anyone else in prophecy as “I speak to Him face to face without any riddles and he sees the image of G-d constantly. Why then did you not fear speaking against My servant Moshe.” Hashem’s anger flared up and He left. When the cloud ascended from the Ohel Moed, Miriam was stricken with Tzaraas as white as snow and Aaron noticed. Aaron asked Moshe for forgiveness and to have mercy on their sister. Moshe screamed to Hashem in supplication that He should heal her. Hashem instructed for her to be placed outside the camp for seven days. The camp did not travel during those days until Miriam’s return.
• They then traveled from Chatzeiros to Midbar Paran.