June 13, 2025 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen
Behaalotecha 5785 (2025)
Numbers 8:1- 12:6 (Haftarah: Zachariah 12:4 – 4:7)
Behaalotecha*, the name of the Torah portion in Hebrew, means “when you raise.” It refers to Aaron, who was commanded to raise light in the lamps of the seven-branch candelabra, the menorah.
“The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you set up the lamps, see that all seven light up the area in front of the lampstand.’”
Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as the Lord commanded Moses. This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold—from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern the Lord had shown Moses.” (Numbers 8:1-4 NIV)
The Fire and the Cloud
The Torah Portion gives us a clear idea of how God was leading His people once they had left Egypt. There was a literal presence they could follow. At night there was a fire and during the day there was a cloud.
“From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp.” (Numbers 9: 15-18 NIV)
The Trumpet
As this huge group of people was wandering in the desert it was clear that there were going to be situations where they would have to be gathered fast.
“The Lord said to Moses: “Make two trumpets of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community together and for having the camps set out. When both are sounded, the whole community is to assemble before you at the entrance to the tent of meeting.” (Numbers 10:1-3 NIV)
The Torah portion talks about silver trumpets also in the context of war.
“When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies.” (Numbers 10:9 NIV)
Enemies of God
There is something important to emphasize currently. There is a strong biblical case for the enemies of Israel becoming God’s enemies. In this Torah Portion Moses speaks about God’s enemies instead of speaking about Israel’s enemies. These enemies were real physical armies. They came against Israel, but the enmity was against God.
“Whenever the ark set out, Moses said,
“Rise up, Lord!
May your enemies be scattered;
may your foes flee before you.”
Whenever it came to rest, he said,
“Return, Lord,
to the countless thousands of Israel.” (Numbers 10:35-36 NIV)
Speaking
Perhaps one of the most tragic things that happened to the nation as they were traveling through the desert was the case of Miriam becoming leprous. She may not have been leprous as we understand the illness. The word in Hebrew does not as such relate to the disease. This was not a disease that can be clearly identified. But it was clearly a punishment for speaking ill of Moses. She had to stay outside the camps.
“ The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them.
When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous—it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease, and he said to Moses, “Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away.”
So Moses cried out to the Lord, “Please, God, heal her!”
The Lord replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.” So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.” (Numbers 12: 9-15 NIV)
As we know, the Bible is extremely concerned about the power of speech. The mere act of speaking is oftentimes seen as “getting something done”. But this one story shows us very clear and immediate consequences to speaking ill of a person.
Judaism takes a very serious view on speaking ill or gossiping. In fact, it is said that the one who gossips is killing the person of whom they are speaking. Man’s reputation is so important that it is better not to say anything at all.
By My Spirit
The related Haftarah is from Zachariah, a prophet well-known to many Christians. As I was reading and thinking about what the important thing was here, I felt that there’s one specific thing that really spoke to me. Although the words relate to a specific situation: the temple had to be rebuilt and its foundation laid, I find that it also has a larger significance.
“So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zachariach 4:6 NIV)
But it is even better. Reading the original Hebrew text, the word that is used refers to an army. It says: “it’s not by military force “chel” or physical strength “koach” but by My Spirit “ruchi”, says, the Lord Almighty.
This is so relevant today. It is relevant to Israel and to us.
We may feel small and insignificant when looking at the things going on around the world, but we need to know that “it is by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty”.
The Holocaust
In 1945 the world watched in horror as more and more concentration camps were liberated around Europe. There was no place for the survivors to go to. They were persecuted in some of their places of origin when they returned to see if their families had survived. Many of them stayed in the same camps (former concentration camps) which now became known as Displaced Persons’ (DP) camps.
Once the State of Israel was established, many survivors were able to go there. The new fledgling state was under attack. Many, most famously President Harry S. Truman, believed that the State of Israel would not survive the Arab Armies.
But they did. Because it was not by might nor by power.
Holocaust survivors built their new homeland in the ancient land of Israel. Whatever is happening today – we need to understand it against the background of 1948 when a miracle took place. People who had just experienced an indescribable catastrophe, came back to their ancient homeland. A modern state, an educational system and courts were established in the land. This happened because as the Bible says so often “the set time has come”, “ki ba moed”.
And it is in this context that I can quote the words by Jesus: “…until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled…” (Luke 21:24 NIV)
What was accomplished did not happen by chance and neither by mere human effort. Behind it there were ancient words written by the prophets. There had to be a human effort to accomplish the success of the State of Israel. But then there had to be something extra. Grace. Favor. Strength.
May we too always know the Source of our Strength.
*For an explanation of the terms see the first Pearls of The Torah Portion Blog.
| Coral and crystal cannot be mentioned, and the striving for wisdom [is more precious] than pearls. | רָאמ֣וֹת וְ֖גָבִישׁ לֹ֣א יִזָּכֵ֑ר וּמֶ֥שֶׁךְ חָ֜כְמָ֗ה מִפְּנִינִֽים: |
Job 28:18 (NKJV)
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Matthew 13:45-46 (NKJV)
Torah Scrolls were attacked and desecrated during the Holocaust. The enduring images of the Kristallnacht (November 9-10,1938) are those of synagogues on fire and Torah Scrolls burning. Some of these desecrated Torah Scrolls disappeared, others were buried. Some were lovingly rescued and are on display in museums in various locations.
