- there are 70 faces to 
Post by alon on Jun 4, 2020 23:51:36 GMT -8
Name of Par’shah- 35.3 Naso, Take
Par’shah- Num 4:21–7:89
D’rash: We are continuing to dig out all the actual commandments as we go through Torah this year. Most are repeated, but often with more information. Some are given in progressive revelation, where they may change as God moves the Hebrews closer to what He wants. But when we are done we should be able to go to any topic and read all the verses concerning that topic. In this way I hope we can get a better understanding of what is required of us.
Remember, these are only what is applicable to us today. Should the Temple be rebuilt, a whole host of additional commandments would apply. Others may only be given to specific people and so not be applicable to us. And as always, if I miss anything I would appreciate a correction.
From time to time I will also list important principles, though for the most part I am leaving those to you to study and learn. Otherwise this entire project would become unweildyto do or to use.
Numbers 4:24 (ESV) This is the service of the clans of the Gershonites, in serving and bearing burdens: Everyone should have their part in service to the congregation.
Numbers 4:27-28 (ESV) All the service of the sons of the Gershonites shall be at the command of Aaron and his sons, in all that they are to carry and in all that they have to do. And you shall assign to their charge all that they are to carry. This is the service of the clans of the sons of the Gershonites in the tent of meeting, and their guard duty is to be under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. There is a hierarchy of leadership within the assembly.
Numbers 4:32b (ESV) And you shall list by name the objects that they are required to carry. Tasks should be clearly delineated.
Numbers 5: (ESV) “Command the people of Israel that they put out of the camp everyone who is leprous or has a discharge and everyone who is unclean through contact with the dead. [Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases] This is a tough one today. There is no Temple (or Mishkan) to defile. However the laws of defilement were never specifically done away with; just we lost the primary reason for them when the Temple was last destroyed. Still, we must be cognizant of defilement of our congregations.
Numbers 5:6-8 (ESV) “Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the Lord, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong. But if the man has no next of kin to whom restitution may be made for the wrong, the restitution for wrong shall go to the Lord for the priest, in addition to the ram of atonement with which atonement is made for him. So does this mean the Catholic Church got it right? Do we need confessionals? No, I’d say you confess to whoever is necessary in order to fulfill the commandment. Certainly to God in prayer. Then if someone is harmed to the aggrieved party. And to the priest or Rabbi in the case of vs. 8.
Numbers 5:11-31 concern a husband who suspects his wife of adultery and a test to be done to determine her guilt or innocence. I do not feel qualified to comment on this one, whether it is even applicable, and so am not including it in our list. If anyone does think it should be feel free to comment. In the Rabbinical list of 613 mitzvoth only vss. 15 and 30 are mentioned, basically saying we are to fulfill the laws of a Sotah (woman suspected of adultery).
Most of ch. 6 has to do with the Nazarite Vow. There is much discussion amongst Messianics whether this even applies today, since we cannot do the requisite sacrifices without a Temple. Some believe in doing a modified version of the vow. I personally do not believe in changing ordinances laid down by God. When the Temple is rebuilt, this ordinance will resume. However for the time being, the laws of the Nazarite do not apply. That is not to say they contain nothing of value and should be ignored; just for our purposes here they will not be listed.
Numbers 7:5 (ESV) “Accept these from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting, and give them to the Levites, to each man according to his service.” All gifts are to be accepted, and officers of the congregation given their due portion. In smaller congregations this may be nothing, or possibly a stipend. In larger ones where some work full or part time it may be a salary. Included are janitorial and maintenance personnel, secretarial and bookkeeping, Cantor, shaliachim, and of course the Rabbonim. Anyone who works for the congregation.
Numbers 6:23-26 (ESV) “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance [face] upon you and give you peace. I would make this a part of every important gathering or service.
The Aaronic Blessing- (more commonly The Priestly Blessing ברכת כהנים; Birkat Cohanim)
יְבָרֶכְךָ יהוה וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ׃
יָאֵר יהוה פָּנָיִו אֵלֶיךָ וִחֻנֶּֽךָ׃
יִשָּׂא יהוה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵֹם לְךָ שָׁלֽוֹם׃
Yevarechecha Adonai, vaishmirecha
Yaer Adonai panav, alecha vichunika
yisha Adona panav, elecha, v’yasem lecha shalom
Adonai bless you and keep you; Adonai makes his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; Adonai lifts up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Some of these terms need to be looked at for their deeper meanings:
Bless- The Hebrew verb ברך Barach means to kneel, as in Gen 24:11. It also can mean to show respect, here translated as “bless.” Related word are the noun ברך berech,, or "knee" and ברכה berachah, a gift. All these nuance the term ברך Barach. It is to offer a gift to another while kneeling out of respect. The extended meaning is to do or give something of value. Elohim "respects" us by providing for our needs and we in turn "respect" Elohim by giving him of ourselves.
Keep- The Hebrew people were nomadic, and they raised livestock. It was not uncommon for a shepherd to be out, away from the camp overnight to protect the flock. He’d construct a corral of thorn bushes, then guard the flock. The corral would be a hedge of protection around them. The Hebrew word for thorn is שמיר shamir, It’s derived from the verb שמר shamar, literally to guard and protect.
Face- Our face reflects our different thoughts, moods, and emotions. The Hebrew word פנים panim means "face," but it’s always written in the plural. This reflects the idea of our many moods. This word can also mean “presence;” or the “wholeness of being” of an individual.
Shine- The word אור ohr as a noun means "light" and as a verb means to "give light, to shine.” It’s equated with bringing order as light illuminates, or reveals what was dark.
Gracious- Theologically “grace” is “unmerited favor.” However note the abstract quality of the term as used here. The verb translated “gracious” here is חנן chanan, and is often combined with other words meaning help, healing, lift up, find refuge, strength, and rescue. This verb litterally means to “provide protection,” which is afforded by the camp, Hebrew חנה chanah, related to חנן chanan.
Grant- The Hebrew verb שים siym literally means to "set down in a fixed and arranged place."
Peace- שלום shalom, “peace;” from the root שלם shalam. Usually used in the context of making restitution; to make whole or complete. The noun shalom has the more literal meaning of being in a state of wholeness, without deficiency.
So in all we have a picture of the Creator of the Universe actually kneeling, respectfully offering us gifts; chief among these is a hedge of protection. His face looks upon us, and He brings order into our lives. He heals us and is or refuge and our strength. He is our rescue. The Lord fixes, or anchors our lives with His shalom, His peace. He makes us whole. The Rabbonim say the cohanim should bless the nation of Israel daily with this blessing. I don’t quite see that here, however there is most definately a command to bless the people. So this is an important blessing.
