Beha’alotcha (When You LIft Up) Numbers 8-12
Torah Portion: Beha’alotcha (When You Lift Up) Numbers 8:1-12:16
HafTorah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7
This Torah section begins with a description of what Aaron was to do with the Holy Lamp stand in the Tabernacle (Mishkan). This lamp stand could be looked at as lighting the way to the Holy of Holies. Now the interesting part is the name of this section – Beha’alotcha. The root of this word is to lift up. So Aaron was to lift up the light that was to light the way to the Father. This caused me to think of us as priests of the L-rd. In the spiritual sense our job, our role in life is to lift up, lift up the light that people can find the way to the Father. Yeshua represents that light. As we live our life daily, every action, word or deed should be purposed to light the way for those around us in darkness. We don’t have to make some special effort. Our every effort should be to be that light we are called to be. We are to make sure the light stays lifted up.
B’ha’alotkha (When You Set Up) Numbers 8
Torah Portion: B’ha’alotkha (When You Set Up) Numbers (B’Midbar) 8:1-12:16
HafTorah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7
New Testament: John 19:31-37; Hebrews 3:1-6
I would like to look at a Torah section that is filled with spiritual lessons for us. It spans the setting up of the Menorah, dedication of the Levites to their service, grumbling of the people over meat and the criticism of Moses by Miriam and Aaron.
A Shadow of Heavenly Things – Tetzaveh (You will command) Ex 27
Torah Portion: Tetzaveh (You will command) Exodus 27:20-30:10
HafTorah: Ezekiel 43:10-27
Hebrews 13:10-17
A few thoughts first about this section of Torah; First, it is mainly about the priesthood, the articles of clothing and the setting apart of the priests for their service. However, it begins with the commandment that the people bring pure olive oil to cause the lamp to burn continually before G-d. Why not include these few verses with the prior section which was about those things of the Mishkan? Also, G-d speaking to Moses in Exodus 27:20 “bring to you” not “bring to Me.” Why? We are the ones who need the light of G-d in this world. We pray mainly to remind ourselves of whom we serve. So the light here reminds us that without it we are lost in a world of spiritual darkness. No wonder Yeshua said that He was the light of the world. And as here, we as priests are reminded that we must depend upon the light to find our way as we do G-d’s will and service