Post by R' Y'hoshua Moshe on May 28, 2007 14:48:13 GMT -8
The following is by one of the teachers that taught on this parashah last year at our Synagogue....Enjoy!
At the beginning of this
portion we see Aharon is commanded to kindle the Menorah. If we go back to the previous portion “Nasso”, we see all the tribes but the Levites presenting an offering at the dedication of the Tabernacle. Were Aharon and the Levites forgotten? Why is it that the Levites did not have their representative present for this holy occasion of the sanctification of the altar? The offering was a great honour, but what could they offer? The famous Jewish commentator Rashi writes:
“When Aharon saw the dedication offerings of the princes, he then became uneasy in mind because neither he nor his tribe was with them in the dedication, whereupon the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, ‘By thy life! Thy part is of greater importance than theirs, for thou wilt kindle and set in order the lamps.’”
The Levites were not left without the honour of offering—the Levite par excellence, Aharon, is ‘bringing up’ (beha’alotkha) his offering—the light of the menorah. The Levites’ portion is not golden spoons, silver dishes, bowls, flour, oil, incense, and sacrificial animals (cf. Num.7:12-17), but something more precious: light in the darkness.
The last time Aharon had offered something corporately on an altar, the offering was a golden calf. The Rabbis mention in the Midrash that Aharon was not inspired but grieved because he thought that YHWH had withdrawn the Holy Spirit from him because of his sin. They suggest he was ashamed to offer gifts for the altar because of the sin of the golden calf. He was waiting for a divine commandment. When it delayed, he was pained , since it confirmed his suspicion that YHWH had not forgiven him. “Woe to me!” wailed Aharon. “The Almighty has not forgiven the Sin of the Golden Calf.” Not only Aharon, but the entire Tribe of Levi was grieved that their representative had not offered his share of the sacrifices on the altar.”
To get a picture of the heinous sin Aharon had committed, we need to go back to the portion of Ki Tasa in Shemot (Exo.) 32:19-29,
”32:19 When they came near the camp, Moshe saw the calf and the dancing. In terrible anger, he threw the stone tablets to the ground, smashing them at the foot of the mountain. 20 He took the calf they had made and melted it in the fire. And when the metal had cooled, he ground it into powder and mixed it with water. Then he made the people drink it. 21 After that, he turned to Aharon. "What did the people do to you?" he demanded. "How did they ever make you bring such terrible sin upon them?" 22 "Don't get upset, sir," Aharon replied. "You yourself know these people and what a wicked bunch they are. 23 They said to me, `Make us some gods to lead us, for something has happened to this man Moshe, who led us out of Egypt.' 24 So I told them, `Bring me your gold earrings.' When they brought them to me, I threw them into the fire—and out came this calf!" 25 When Moshe saw that Aharon had let the people get completely out of control—and much to the amusement of their enemies—
26 he stood at the entrance to the camp and shouted, "All of you who are on YHWH's side, come over here and join me." And all the Levites came. 27 He told them, "This is what YHWH, the God of Israel, says: Strap on your swords! Go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other, killing even your brothers, friends, and neighbors."
28 The Levites obeyed Moshe, and about three thousand people died that day.
29 Then Moshe told the Levites, "Today you have been ordained for the service of YHWH, for you obeyed him even though it meant killing your own sons and brothers. Because of this, he will now give you a great blessing.”
Aharon had caused the death of 3000 people and had lied as well as lead the nation into false worship. After the incredible darkness and
and guilt that Aharon had been carrying for over one year since his trespass, YHWH reveals His grace and forgiveness to Aharon. We read in Numbers 8:2,
"Tell Aharon that when he sets up the seven lamps in the lamp stand, he is to place them so their light shines forward." If we go back to Aharon’s horrible sin in the golden calf, we can see Moshe as a mediator staying off the judgment against him and Aharon’s removal from the priest hood as well as the rejection of the entire nation for this blatant sin of false worship and idolatry.
Shemot (Exo.) 32:30-35;
”32:30 The next day Moshe said to the people, "You have committed a terrible sin, but I will return to YHWH on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for you." 31 So Moshe returned to YHWH and said, "Alas, these people have committed a terrible sin. They have made gods of gold for themselves. 32 But now, please forgive their sin—and if not, then blot me out of the record you are keeping." 33 YHWH replied to Moshe, "I will blot out whoever has sinned against me. 34 Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about. Look! My angel will lead the way before you! But when I call the people to account, I will certainly punish them for their sins." 35 And YHWH sent a great plague upon the people because they had worshiped the calf Aharon had made.”
Moshe is a type of Yeshua here in Numbers 8:2 as he is announcing to Aharon his forgiveness and acceptance back in the priesthood. YHWH is not directly speaking to Aharon, but has chosen to speak through His intercessor and priest, Moshe, announcing God’s grace and love. Aharon is not given a sacrifice of blood, lambs, and oil, but rather his own life and given a greater privilege-lighting the Menorah. Aharon knew now that God had a new work for him and had not left him to wallow in his and guilt. God was reconfirming upon him the priesthood and showing the Levites that He had not forgotten them.
The itself is the means by which we are enlightened to see the sin and darkness in our lives. By comparing our lives to God’s perfect standard of righteousness, we can then see what darkness and sin is in us. This is why the enemy does not want us to know or read the . See the following verses from Psalm 119,
(Tehellim) Psalms 119:9;
How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules.
(Tehellim) Psalms 119:9;
Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your law.
(Tehellim) Psalms 119:9;
I will never forget your commandments, for you have used them to restore my joy and health.
(Tehellim) Psalms 119:9
Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit.
(Tehellim) Psalms 119:98-105
119:98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for your commands are my constant guide. 99 Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your decrees. 100 I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments.
101 I have refused to walk on any path of evil, that I may remain obedient to your word.
102 I haven't turned away from your laws, for you have taught me well.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste; they are sweeter than honey.
104 Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. 105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.
(Tehellim) Psalms 119:9
”As your words are taught, they give light; even the simple can understand them.”
Yochanan (John) also confirms this in the New Covenant Scriptures…
1 Yochanan (John) 3:4:
”Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law (), for all sin is contrary to the law() of God.”
Without the, our tabernacle or earthly tent would be in total darkness.
To get an idea of why it was so important to light the Menorah, we have to understand that this was the only light in the Tabernacle. Darkness was in the tent and it is especially remarkable after coming in from the bright sunshine that Israel experienced every day in the wilderness. There, away from the bright sunshine, a priest goes into the darkness where he becomes completely dependent on the dim light coming from seven small oil lamps he has offered on the holy lamp stand. God, who is the source of the brightest day, requires his chosen people to bring light into the darkness, so that the holy things might be seen. In the tabernacle the light of the menorah illuminated the altar of incense, the table of shew bread, and the curtain, which screened the holiest item of them all—the Ark of the Covenant. In the same way, in the darkness of this world, God’s light illuminates us to see more clearly his holiness and that which is sacred. He then lightens us up with His light of His presence as He removes the darkness of sin and in our lives. The apostle John used the metaphor of light and darkness to share with us God’s grace destroying sin.
Yochanan (John) 1:1-5;
”1:1 In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make. 4 Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.
5 The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”
Also see Yochanan (John) 3:17-21,
”3:17 God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. 18 "There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. 19 Their judgment is based on this fact: The light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants."
Light exposes the lies, darkness, and sin in our lives. The Menorah that Aharon lit was a picture of Yeshua and the Tabernacle was a picture of us. The light in the Tabernacle was to shine into the darkest parts of the Holy and Holy places. Light has a way of dispelling darkness. The grace of God bringing us both forgiveness of sin and power to overcome is linked to light and a restored relationship with God. Yeshua goes on to compare healing and radiance to the oil lamps used in homes that were a continuous symbol to the Jews and the whole world of God’s destiny to fill humanity again with his presence. In Luke 11:33 it says, "No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, it is put on a lamp stand to give light to all who enter the room.”
Luke 11:35-36
”11:35 Make sure that the light you think you have is not really darkness.
36 If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight is shining on you."
And finally John talks about light and darkness, sin and forgiveness in 1 Yochanan (John) 1:4-10, ”1:4 We are writing these things so that our joy will be complete. 5 This is the message he has given us to announce to you: God is light and there is no darkness in him at all. 6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness. We are not living in the truth. 7 But if we are living in the light of God's presence, just as Messiah is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Yeshua (Jesus), his Son, cleanses us from every sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.”
King David used similar words in Tehellim (Psalms) 56:13,
”For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light.”
And notice Job cursing the light of day and the day he was born in Iyov (Job) 3:1-16,
”3:1 At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth. 2 He said:
3 "Cursed be the day of my birth, and cursed be the night when I was conceived.
4 Let that day be turned to darkness. Let it be lost even to God on high, and let it be shrouded in darkness. 5 Yes, let the darkness and utter gloom claim it for its own. Let a black cloud overshadow it, and let the darkness terrify it. 6 Let that night be blotted off the calendar, never again to be counted among the days of the year, never again to appear among the months. 7 Let that night be barren. Let it have no joy. 8 Let those who are experts at cursing—those who are ready to rouse the sea monster—curse that day. 9 Let its morning stars remain dark. Let it hope for light, but in vain; may it never see the morning light. 10 Curse it for its failure to shut my mother's womb, for letting me be born to all this trouble. 11 "Why didn't I die at birth as I came from the womb? 12 Why did my mother let me live? Why did she nurse me at her breasts? 13 For if I had died at birth, I would be at peace now, asleep and at rest. 14 I would rest with the world's kings and prime ministers, famous for their great construction projects.
15 I would rest with wealthy princes whose palaces were filled with gold and silver.
16 Why was I not buried like a stillborn child, like a baby who never lives to see the light?”
But later his counselor Elihu tells us about God’s power in Iyov (Job) 33:30, “He rescues them from the grave so they may live in the light of the life.” Dear friend, has your earthly tent or “tabernacle” been groping in the darkness? Are there “dark corners” where the light of God’s love and grace have not been able to get in? Are there things blocking the glory of God illuminating your lamp stand? I encourage you to hear the words of forgiveness in this portion to “Go tell……to light the lamps of the lampstand.” God is waiting to forgive you and restore you and make you His priest of reconciliation unto all of his lost children that he brings into your life. Then you can offer your life to Him as a living sacrifice and He can fill you with the light of His presence. Then you will be a little menorah unto him.
Romans 12:1-2,
”12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies (tabernacles) to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
A Light In The Darkness
Parashah B’ha’alotkha
: B’midbar (Numbers) 8:1-12:16
Haftarah: Z’kharyah (Zechariah) 2:14 (10)-4:7
Parashah B’ha’alotkha
: B’midbar (Numbers) 8:1-12:16Haftarah: Z’kharyah (Zechariah) 2:14 (10)-4:7
At the beginning of this
portion we see Aharon is commanded to kindle the Menorah. If we go back to the previous portion “Nasso”, we see all the tribes but the Levites presenting an offering at the dedication of the Tabernacle. Were Aharon and the Levites forgotten? Why is it that the Levites did not have their representative present for this holy occasion of the sanctification of the altar? The offering was a great honour, but what could they offer? The famous Jewish commentator Rashi writes: “When Aharon saw the dedication offerings of the princes, he then became uneasy in mind because neither he nor his tribe was with them in the dedication, whereupon the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, ‘By thy life! Thy part is of greater importance than theirs, for thou wilt kindle and set in order the lamps.’”
The Levites were not left without the honour of offering—the Levite par excellence, Aharon, is ‘bringing up’ (beha’alotkha) his offering—the light of the menorah. The Levites’ portion is not golden spoons, silver dishes, bowls, flour, oil, incense, and sacrificial animals (cf. Num.7:12-17), but something more precious: light in the darkness.
The last time Aharon had offered something corporately on an altar, the offering was a golden calf. The Rabbis mention in the Midrash that Aharon was not inspired but grieved because he thought that YHWH had withdrawn the Holy Spirit from him because of his sin. They suggest he was ashamed to offer gifts for the altar because of the sin of the golden calf. He was waiting for a divine commandment. When it delayed, he was pained , since it confirmed his suspicion that YHWH had not forgiven him. “Woe to me!” wailed Aharon. “The Almighty has not forgiven the Sin of the Golden Calf.” Not only Aharon, but the entire Tribe of Levi was grieved that their representative had not offered his share of the sacrifices on the altar.”
To get a picture of the heinous sin Aharon had committed, we need to go back to the
portion of Ki Tasa in Shemot (Exo.) 32:19-29,”32:19 When they came near the camp, Moshe saw the calf and the dancing. In terrible anger, he threw the stone tablets to the ground, smashing them at the foot of the mountain. 20 He took the calf they had made and melted it in the fire. And when the metal had cooled, he ground it into powder and mixed it with water. Then he made the people drink it. 21 After that, he turned to Aharon. "What did the people do to you?" he demanded. "How did they ever make you bring such terrible sin upon them?" 22 "Don't get upset, sir," Aharon replied. "You yourself know these people and what a wicked bunch they are. 23 They said to me, `Make us some gods to lead us, for something has happened to this man Moshe, who led us out of Egypt.' 24 So I told them, `Bring me your gold earrings.' When they brought them to me, I threw them into the fire—and out came this calf!" 25 When Moshe saw that Aharon had let the people get completely out of control—and much to the amusement of their enemies—
26 he stood at the entrance to the camp and shouted, "All of you who are on YHWH's side, come over here and join me." And all the Levites came. 27 He told them, "This is what YHWH, the God of Israel, says: Strap on your swords! Go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other, killing even your brothers, friends, and neighbors."
28 The Levites obeyed Moshe, and about three thousand people died that day.
29 Then Moshe told the Levites, "Today you have been ordained for the service of YHWH, for you obeyed him even though it meant killing your own sons and brothers. Because of this, he will now give you a great blessing.”
Aharon had caused the death of 3000 people and had lied as well as lead the nation into false worship. After the incredible darkness and
and guilt that Aharon had been carrying for over one year since his trespass, YHWH reveals His grace and forgiveness to Aharon. We read in Numbers 8:2, "Tell Aharon that when he sets up the seven lamps in the lamp stand, he is to place them so their light shines forward." If we go back to Aharon’s horrible sin in the golden calf, we can see Moshe as a mediator staying off the judgment against him and Aharon’s removal from the priest hood as well as the rejection of the entire nation for this blatant sin of false worship and idolatry.
Shemot (Exo.) 32:30-35;
”32:30 The next day Moshe said to the people, "You have committed a terrible sin, but I will return to YHWH on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for you." 31 So Moshe returned to YHWH and said, "Alas, these people have committed a terrible sin. They have made gods of gold for themselves. 32 But now, please forgive their sin—and if not, then blot me out of the record you are keeping." 33 YHWH replied to Moshe, "I will blot out whoever has sinned against me. 34 Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about. Look! My angel will lead the way before you! But when I call the people to account, I will certainly punish them for their sins." 35 And YHWH sent a great plague upon the people because they had worshiped the calf Aharon had made.”
Moshe is a type of Yeshua here in Numbers 8:2 as he is announcing to Aharon his forgiveness and acceptance back in the priesthood. YHWH is not directly speaking to Aharon, but has chosen to speak through His intercessor and priest, Moshe, announcing God’s grace and love. Aharon is not given a sacrifice of blood, lambs, and oil, but rather his own life and given a greater privilege-lighting the Menorah. Aharon knew now that God had a new work for him and had not left him to wallow in his
and guilt. God was reconfirming upon him the priesthood and showing the Levites that He had not forgotten them.The
itself is the means by which we are enlightened to see the sin and darkness in our lives. By comparing our lives to God’s perfect standard of righteousness, we can then see what darkness and sin is in us. This is why the enemy does not want us to know or read the . See the following verses from Psalm 119,(Tehellim) Psalms 119:9;
How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules.
(Tehellim) Psalms 119:9;
Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your law.
(Tehellim) Psalms 119:9;
I will never forget your commandments, for you have used them to restore my joy and health.
(Tehellim) Psalms 119:9
Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit.
(Tehellim) Psalms 119:98-105
119:98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for your commands are my constant guide. 99 Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your decrees. 100 I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments.
101 I have refused to walk on any path of evil, that I may remain obedient to your word.
102 I haven't turned away from your laws, for you have taught me well.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste; they are sweeter than honey.
104 Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. 105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.
(Tehellim) Psalms 119:9
”As your words are taught, they give light; even the simple can understand them.”
Yochanan (John) also confirms this in the New Covenant Scriptures…
1 Yochanan (John) 3:4:
”Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law (
), for all sin is contrary to the law() of God.” Without the
, our tabernacle or earthly tent would be in total darkness. To get an idea of why it was so important to light the Menorah, we have to understand that this was the only light in the Tabernacle. Darkness was in the tent and it is especially remarkable after coming in from the bright sunshine that Israel experienced every day in the wilderness. There, away from the bright sunshine, a priest goes into the darkness where he becomes completely dependent on the dim light coming from seven small oil lamps he has offered on the holy lamp stand. God, who is the source of the brightest day, requires his chosen people to bring light into the darkness, so that the holy things might be seen. In the tabernacle the light of the menorah illuminated the altar of incense, the table of shew bread, and the curtain, which screened the holiest item of them all—the Ark of the Covenant. In the same way, in the darkness of this world, God’s light illuminates us to see more clearly his holiness and that which is sacred. He then lightens us up with His light of His presence as He removes the darkness of sin and
in our lives. The apostle John used the metaphor of light and darkness to share with us God’s grace destroying sin. Yochanan (John) 1:1-5;
”1:1 In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make. 4 Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.
5 The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”
Also see Yochanan (John) 3:17-21,
”3:17 God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. 18 "There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. 19 Their judgment is based on this fact: The light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants."
Light exposes the lies, darkness, and sin in our lives. The Menorah that Aharon lit was a picture of Yeshua and the Tabernacle was a picture of us. The light in the Tabernacle was to shine into the darkest parts of the Holy and Holy places. Light has a way of dispelling darkness. The grace of God bringing us both forgiveness of sin and power to overcome is linked to light and a restored relationship with God. Yeshua goes on to compare healing and radiance to the oil lamps used in homes that were a continuous symbol to the Jews and the whole world of God’s destiny to fill humanity again with his presence. In Luke 11:33 it says, "No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, it is put on a lamp stand to give light to all who enter the room.”
Luke 11:35-36
”11:35 Make sure that the light you think you have is not really darkness.
36 If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight is shining on you."
And finally John talks about light and darkness, sin and forgiveness in 1 Yochanan (John) 1:4-10, ”1:4 We are writing these things so that our joy will be complete. 5 This is the message he has given us to announce to you: God is light and there is no darkness in him at all. 6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness. We are not living in the truth. 7 But if we are living in the light of God's presence, just as Messiah is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Yeshua (Jesus), his Son, cleanses us from every sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.”
King David used similar words in Tehellim (Psalms) 56:13,
”For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light.”
And notice Job cursing the light of day and the day he was born in Iyov (Job) 3:1-16,
”3:1 At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth. 2 He said:
3 "Cursed be the day of my birth, and cursed be the night when I was conceived.
4 Let that day be turned to darkness. Let it be lost even to God on high, and let it be shrouded in darkness. 5 Yes, let the darkness and utter gloom claim it for its own. Let a black cloud overshadow it, and let the darkness terrify it. 6 Let that night be blotted off the calendar, never again to be counted among the days of the year, never again to appear among the months. 7 Let that night be barren. Let it have no joy. 8 Let those who are experts at cursing—those who are ready to rouse the sea monster—curse that day. 9 Let its morning stars remain dark. Let it hope for light, but in vain; may it never see the morning light. 10 Curse it for its failure to shut my mother's womb, for letting me be born to all this trouble. 11 "Why didn't I die at birth as I came from the womb? 12 Why did my mother let me live? Why did she nurse me at her breasts? 13 For if I had died at birth, I would be at peace now, asleep and at rest. 14 I would rest with the world's kings and prime ministers, famous for their great construction projects.
15 I would rest with wealthy princes whose palaces were filled with gold and silver.
16 Why was I not buried like a stillborn child, like a baby who never lives to see the light?”
But later his counselor Elihu tells us about God’s power in Iyov (Job) 33:30, “He rescues them from the grave so they may live in the light of the life.” Dear friend, has your earthly tent or “tabernacle” been groping in the darkness? Are there “dark corners” where the light of God’s love and grace have not been able to get in? Are there things blocking the glory of God illuminating your lamp stand? I encourage you to hear the words of forgiveness in this
portion to “Go tell……to light the lamps of the lampstand.” God is waiting to forgive you and restore you and make you His priest of reconciliation unto all of his lost children that he brings into your life. Then you can offer your life to Him as a living sacrifice and He can fill you with the light of His presence. Then you will be a little menorah unto him. Romans 12:1-2,
”12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies (tabernacles) to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
