B"H
Monday, Sivan 9, 5786 / May 25, 2026
This Shabbat, the first Shabbat after Shavuot, we read Parshat Naso, the second Parsha in the book of Numbers (Bamidbar). In Israel, they are one Parsha ahead and Parshat Beha’alotcha is read.
Q.Why is there a difference in the Torah readings between Israel and the Diaspora?
A.When a holiday falls on Shabbat, the regular Torah reading is pushed off for the Holiday reading. In Israel where the holiday of Shavuoth is celebrated only one day, the Shavuot holiday was only Friday. Shabbat was already not holiday, thus the regular Shabbat Torah portion, Naso, was read. However, in The Diaspora, where two days Shavuot are celebrated, the holiday was Friday and Saturday. Thus, on Saturday the regular Torah portion was not read, instead the Shavuot holiday reading was read. As a result, in the Diaspora we will be reading Parshat Naso this coming Shabbat.
Each Shabbat between Pesach (Passover) and Rosh Hashanah, we recite the Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers). After reciting the Pirkei Avot, we conclude with the saying of Rabbi Chanania son of Akashia, “The Holy one, blessed is He, wished to confer merit upon Israel; therefore, He gave them Torah and mitzvot in abundance."
The Torah commands us to fulfill 613 mitzvot. There are minor differences of opinion as to which mitzvot make up the 613, but all the sages agree on the number 613.
Commentaries explain that G-d gave us Torah and mitzvot in abundance for our benefit. We have to perform all the mitzvot, but with so many mitzvot, there will be some mitzvot which each person can perform to perfection. We must be careful not to change the mitzvot to conform to our standards. Rather, we must raise ourselves to the standard of the mitzvot.
The following parable of the Magid of Dubna explains this point. A general once toured his training camps to check his soldiers' level of readiness. In one of the camps, the soldiers were shooting arrows at targets. Upon observing closely, he noticed that one of the soldier's arrows were all in the center of the target. The general was very impressed.
"You are a great marksman! How did you manage to get every arrow exactly in the center?" the general asked with amazement. That's simple," the soldier replied. "The other soldiers first set up their target, then they try to hit it. I, on the other hand, first shoot my arrows, only after do I place the target around them. Thus, I never miss..."
G-d gave us many mitzvot so that we can constantly aim for perfection at some of them. He even commanded us to perform mitzvot which we would logically do on our own without being commanded, so that we may be rewarded for them too. We must aim to fulfill what G-d commanded us, rather than create our own targets in order to feel satisfied and accomplished.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY