B"H
Thursday, Sivan 19, 5786 / June 4, 2026
In Parshat Beha'alotcha, which will be read this Shabbat in the Diaspora, we read that G-d instructs Aaron, the Kohen Gadol (High Priest), about the mitzvah of lighting the Menorah in the Tabernacle (Mishkan).
G-d also assigns the men of the tribe of Levi to perform many of the services in the Temple. Originally, G-d intended to give this important task to the Bechorim (first born). However, after the other tribes worshipped the Golden Calf, G-d chose the tribe of Levi instead.
The Parsha also teaches us about the mitzvah of "Pesach Sheini" - the "Second Pesach". It gave those who couldn't perform the mitzvah of Passover in time, a chance to perform it a month later.
The Parsha also describes that a miraculous cloud hovered over the Mishkan. "Whenever the cloud went up from over the Tent (Mishkan), then the Children of Israel journeyed; and in the place where the cloud abode, there the Children of Israel encamped."
The Parsha tells us that the people, growing tired of their daily diet of Manna from heaven, complained, "Who will give us meat?... We remember the fish which we used to eat in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic." They even questioned if it was worth coming out of Egypt where they had a variety of foods. In response, G-d sent quails from the sea. The people collected, prepared and ate them. But G-d was angry for their lack of appreciation for the Manna and sent a plague and many died.
At the end of the Parsha, G-d praises Moshe, "Moshe was the most humble person from all the people upon the face of the earth... In all My house he is trusted; mouth to mouth I speak with him."
In Israel Parshat Shelach is read this Shabbat. The Parsha begins with the story of the twelve spies. Before entering the Promised Land, the people asked Moshe to send spies to explore the territory. Moshe chose one person from each tribe.
For 40 days, they surveyed the land. When they returned, they brought back a cluster of grapes, a pomegranate, and a fig. It took eight men to carry the grapes and one each to carry the pomegranate and fig. Ten of them gave a negative report, only two of the spies, Joshua and Calev, tried to influence the people to go to Israel. "Trust in G-d", they said. "He will help us conquer the land."
However, the people refused to believe the two men. The Torah tells us, "And the people wept that night." As a result, G-d punished the Jewish people. He made them wander in the desert for 40 years (one year for each day which the spies spent in Israel). Only after all those who refused to go to Israel died, did their children enter the Promised Land.
"And the people wept that night" - "That night" was the 9th of the Hebrew month Av (Tisha B'Av). Many years later, that date became a time of genuine mourning for Jews, to this very day. The destruction of the First and Second Beth HaMikdash (Holy Temples) took place on the 9th of Av. With the coming of Moshiach, for which we pray every day, and the re-building of the Holy Temple, the 9th of Av will be transformed into a day of happiness.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY