Beha'alotecha (When you set up)
This parashah Beha’alotecha which literally means “to ascend” (from the word ola hli) begins with the lighting of the menorah. The Cohen Gadol (High Priest) would prepare the menorah for the people of Israel to light. This immediately brings to mind Yeshua’s words that we are to be a light to the world as G-d called Israel to be light to the nations. Yeshua told us not to hide our light under a bushel but to shine it from the mountain tops. Next we read about Pesach Sheini, the second Passover. What I like about this teaching in Bamidbar 9:14, is that he speaks of the ger where G-d is teaching us through Moshe that the gerim are part of us and are bound by the same regulation as the native born Israelites. This is a very important principle within Messianic Judaism that has been lost in both Rabbinic Judaism and in Christianity, where it is being taught that the gentiles or gerim do not need to observe the Torah. This is contrary to Scripture and will be addressed further in next week's parashah.
Chapters 11 and 12 speak about Moshe’s leadership and the challenges Moshe faced as a leader. We can see his frustration with the people he was given to lead, to the point at which he wanted to quit and even end his life when he couldn’t take it anymore (Bamidbar 11: 10-15). The continuous complaints of the people of Israel who were not happy about anything became more than he was willing to handle. If that was not enough even Moshe’s sister and brother complained about his leadership. Each of us is a leader in our own right. When we are called by G-d we will be called to go handle situations that we would prefer not to. How well we go thorugh these experiences will be demonstrated by our willingness to give up and allow Him to lead us through them. It is so important for us to see how G-d works with the leader who He has chosen and who He develops over time. G-d brings this leader through a process of formation which is not necessarily an easy road.
Torah speaks so honestly about its leaders who are heroes of the faith. There are times when they do great and mighty deed and that is usually when they are fully submitted to and reliant upon G-d. Torah never tries to cover up their weaknesses. Moshe Rabbeinu was the perfect example of a great leader whose moments of greatness came during the times when he took G-d Almighty’s side and was very forceful with his people such as during the time he smashed the two stone tablets at the golden calf incident or when he himself was willing to give his life for his people (Exodus 32:11; 30-33) even when instead of chastening Miriam after she had committed lashon harah (Bam.12:13) , he showed great humility as he prayed ardently that G-d would heal her. This portion deals with how weak even a great leader like Moshe can be when he is focused upon himself and not G-d.
Leaders who are called by G-d will be go through a hard process of formation as a soldier in the army goes through boot camp Yet G-d’s Light is in us, His grace is upon us and His working through us will bring those around him to say how great G-d is. When we realize this, we will not hesitate to step forward to do G-d’s calling as David stepped forward to challenge Goliath. May we realize that He is the Leader who imparts His abilities into us so that we can fulfill His calling.
May G-d add blessings to His Word!